Page 25 of Wyoming Bodyguard
She snorted out a laugh. “It’s notthatold. But I guess I should be grateful my dad clings to his ways and has refused to upgrade the technology around here.”
“Do you have the passwords to get into this thing?” He sank onto the leather chair in front of the monitor and wiggled the mouse on the black pad to bring the screen to life.
Rounding the corner of the desk, Lily slid into the tiny space between Madden and the desk to study the screen. “No, but it can’t be that hard to figure out. Most likely someone’s birthday or something simple like 1, 2, 3, 4.”
“Man, our fathers might be more alike than either one of them ever realized.”
She shot him a grin that melted his bones. “You’re probably right. Two stubborn old men who always think they’re right. Just like their children.”
She had to lean across him to reach the keyboard. Her fingers flew across the keys, but the password she’d guessed wasn’t correct.
She tried again, and he prayed she was wrong. As much as they needed to get into the computer, her body so close to his spiked his blood pressure. He breathed in her scent, the hay and subtle smell of the horses still on her skin, but the floral notes from her shampoo remained.
“Got it. Mom’s birthday.” She spun around, and excitement danced in her eyes. She raised her fists in exaggerated celebration then braced her forearm on the side of the chair.
She was close. So close. The air around them buzzed with electricity. Charged by some unknown force he couldn’t stop. He should move. Jump out of the chair and put some distance between them.
But he couldn’t.
Her gaze locked on his and her eyes widened for a beat.
He swallowed hard. His mouth dry. He wet his lips with his tongue, and the flick of her gaze to his mouth was like throwing gasoline on a fire.
Instinct took over. He touched his mouth to hers. Slowly. Softly.
She moaned and moved her lips against his.
The need to touch her had him cupping her jaw with his palm, his other hand dipping along her side. Her skin was so soft, her lips so tender. Desire flared to life inside him, so hot and raw it was almost blinding.
The doorbell rang, breaking the magic of the moment, and Lily pulled away. She brought her fingertips to her mouth and straightened. “I…we shouldn’t…”
The bell rang again.
He cleared his throat and shot to his feet. “Sorry. I shouldn’t have done that. I’ll get the door. It’s probably Reid. I’ll let him know where to place the cameras.”
He didn’t wait to hear any more of her regrets before storming out of the office. He didn’t want to listen to all the reasons she wanted him not to kiss her. Hell, they were probably the same reasons swimming around his head.
Because as attractive as Lily was, she was his client and a woman he’d agreed to protect. The last thing she needed was to add more confusion to her already precarious situation. Things between them may have gone from stormy to a light drizzle, but she’d made it clear what she thought of him.
He might be okay with constantly proving himself to the townspeople to build his business, but he wouldn’t grovel to a woman who’d made him feel like crap the last couple of years. Even if she’d just given him the best damn kiss of his life.
Chapter 10
Madden stalked toward the front door with the taste of Lily still on his lips and yanked it open. “What the hell did you bring?”
Reid stood on the porch carrying two large brown bags. “Eve sent me with food. Where do you want me to put it?”
He glanced at his watch, shocked to discover the time. Somehow late afternoon had crept in without so much as a thought to eating lunch. “Set it on the island in the kitchen. I’ll grab something once we’re done with the cameras.”
While Reid crossed through the living room to unburden his load, Madden padded down the hallway and poked his head into the office. “Reid brought food from Tilly’s. It’s in the kitchen if you’re hungry. I’m going to help him outside.”
Glancing up from the computer, her eyes locked on his and she gave a small nod. “Tell Reid thanks.”
“Will do.” He left her to find his partner. He couldn’t handle another second sharing such close quarters with her. He needed fresh air. A task to focus on that would take his mind away from his own stupidity.
Reid stood in the kitchen and shoved french fries in his mouth. “You really should eat these now. They won’t be as good if you have to warm them up.”
“I thought you said the food was for me and Lily?” He followed the savory scents of grease and salt.
