Page 51 of Protector Daddy

“You’re the best.”

“Well, yeah, but I don’t like to brag.” I flashed another quick smile that I didn’t entirely feel. Faking it was basically my life motto.

“Speaking of bragging…” He grabbed the arm of my chair and wheeled it closer so he could speak next to my ear. “I heard what you said to Jimmy. And I’m looking forward to improving on my record.”

Before I could figure out how to respond, Christian moved back and strode away, his swagger undeniable.

Because of me? Or had he always had it and I just hadn’t noticed?

Though I had noticed his ass before in his uniform pants. I had checked it out so openly once at the bakery that Tiffany had whistled. I’d blushed and waved it off, but the gloriousness of some things could not be ignored.

And now I’d squeezed it and gripped it while he thrust inside me…

I fanned myself and turned back to the screens. Work. Right.

I’d mostly gotten my head back in the game a while later when my brother reappeared and pulled out the chair beside me. “How’s it going, kiddo?”

I whipped off my headset and continued entering information from the night’s calls into the log. Luckily, there had only been a few. Thank God for slow nights. “It’s going.”

“Look, I know you’ve been laying low because the gossip machine is churning. Trust me, I know what it’s like.” He spun a pen in a circle then sighed, stopped it, then spun it again. “Difference was I married Tab.”

“People usually don’t get married after a week. At least this person doesn’t.”

“Yeah, and I’m not suggesting you should. Just that we’re worried. This isn’t like you.”

Instantly, a million obnoxious retorts sprung to the tip of my tongue. But I didn’t say them. I wasn’t going to lambast my brother for being concerned—even if that concern did feel heavy-handed.

“We’re just having fun,” I said carefully.

“He asked you to dinner at his parents’ house.”

“That’s true.” Which I still hadn’t answered.

“Also, not sure if you know him, but Christian isn’t a guy who has fun. Which means to me he’s going to want to lock you down.”

“Huh?”

“Honey, you’re beautiful and sweet and so young.”

“I’m not stupid.”

“Of course not. Look at the job you’re training for. Just maybe a bit…naive. I’m sure you’ve never dated someone like Christian before.”

“No. I haven’t. I’m not sure another man like Christian exists, at least here in town.” Or most likely anywhere in New York.

“I’m just saying you might be looking for fun,” Brady lowered his voice, “but I don’t think he is. He hasn’t dated anyone since I’ve been here. Just be prepared if things get serious.”

“Considering I was going to ask him if he meant for us to be exclusive, I don’t think I’m too worried.”

“Honey. Don’t be impulsive about this. You’re twenty-four. You have your whole life ahead of you.”

“Yeah, I know. But I’m not like Tab with the big small business ambitions. Or heck, even like dad with his vintage shop. I’m not looking to go into the FBI like you and mom. Maybe my dreams are smaller. That doesn’t mean they’re any less worthwhile.”

“Of course, they aren’t.” Brady was using what I now thought of as his soothing dad voice. I’d never seen my player older brother as dad material before the last year, but he was a natural with his baby girl Presley. He was so loving and patient.

Maybe all of us had secret abilities and skills inside us we didn’t realize until we were tested. And the only way to find out was to jump in and be open to new things.

New experiences. New people.

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