Page 50 of Protector Daddy

He pointed at me. “You’re feisty. Also, your brother warned me away from you.”

I rolled my eyes. “I’m assuming Brady since Maverick is on his honeymoon.”

He winced. “Working with both brothers and your boyfriend. You like to live dangerously.”

That same sense of trepidation that had made me wonder if this job was right for me—not to mention it was a lot more complicated than I’d assumed—surfaced again. Still, I made myself throw back my shoulders and smile. “It’ll be fine.”

“You don’t sound so sure.”

“Listen, new guy, worry about yourself. Don’t want you to get bored in our sleepy little town.”

“Oh, I won’t get bored. The scenery is to die for.” He flashed me a grin and ambled off—right past Christian, who gave him an inscrutable look that nearly flayed off my panties.

God, this man.

I’d assumed it was a one night only situation until the whole town got involved, and then I’d been even more sure that it should be. But the moment he spoke to me or looked to me or even appeared in my thoughts, my whole body overheated.

I wanted this man. Again and again. And it wasn’t distraction from Mav hurting my feelings or anything else. It was just about him…and me. He made me feel things I never had before.

Why I’d never really cared when my occasional flings fizzled out. They weren’t anything worth holding onto.

“What are you thinking about?”

Slowly, I took off my headset. “Huh?”

Christian’s voice dropped as he walked behind my chair. “You’re biting your lip and staring at me.”

“Oh. Nothing.”

“Right.” He grasped my ponytail and took off the band, pocketing it before he stroked his hands down the long length, gripping it lightly. Tugging just enough to bring my nipples to tight points.

If he’d thought I was biting my lip before, he hadn’t seen nothing yet.

“How did training go?”

“Good.” Surely my voice wasn’t that breathy.

Should I suggest we keep things professional while we were at the station? Jared had given us a reprieve but that didn’t mean we should…do it again.

Not sex—I very much felt we should do that again—just not here. No repeats of what had happened the last time we were here alone together.

Aloneness, however, was not a factor now.

Bonnie had left. Brady had swung through after dropping off Jimmy, but I was pretty sure he’d be back soon. Jimmy was clearly around somewhere.

“Are you sure it went okay?”

“Yeah. Just a lot to remember.”

As if a switch had been flipped, Christian released my hair and sat in his chair. Back to all business, apparently.

“I’m on for another couple hours and then Brady will be back for the overnight. Since you’re not working officially yet, I assume you probably want to leave.”

“Jared already put me on next week’s schedule. So guess I’m doing this.”

“He really wanted you to join us.”

“Yeah. Hope I’m worth his faith in me.” I smiled. “I’ll wait for you. If that’s okay.” I gestured to the monitors, currently displaying maps of the town and other data I would have to work at to keep straight. “Besides, the occasional call is still coming in. I can help.”

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