Page 36 of Tabitha

“Stay.” I point toward the house.

I must have done it wrong, because the mangy beast just lifts one of his brows, as if unimpressed by the command.

I try again, pointing to the door with an imperious finger. “Guard.”

The beast just plops his ass on the ground. I’d swear that he’s mocking me. Both Gage and Bast can communicate with the dog, but the mutt lives to aggravate me. I glare at him, then huff. “Fine, you can come, but you have to be quiet. You make a sound, and I’ll strangle you myself, understand?”

Rocky jolts to his feet, his tail wagging. As if he knows exactly where I’m going, he whirls and shoots off into the trees.

“Shit.” I charge after the mutt, mentally cursing again when I’m slowed by the trees and underbrush. I lose sight of Rocky in less than a minute. By the time I reach the edge of the cul-de-sac, Rocky is waiting patiently, casting me a look like he’s questioning my capabilities.

I give the mutt the finger. In response, his lips peel back, and he flashes his fangs at me. I quickly curl my hand into a first to keep from losing a digit, but I’m distracted from my standoff when a light in one of the upstairs bedrooms flickers on.

I lean against the tree and make myself comfortable, scouting the area for danger, but my eyes return to that window over and over until all I’m doing is staring. Rocky joins me in my vigil until we’re both just gazing up like two creepy stalkers.

“Coffee?”

I whirl, drawing my gun in the same breath.

Only to see Tabitha waiting with a thermos in her hand. I quickly lower my weapon, blanching that I even pulled it on her. My heart beats like a bird is trapped behind my ribs, but Tabitha appears completely unfazed and lifts the thermos again.

“Uhhhh…” I holster my weapon, flustered that I’ve been daydreaming about her so hard that I didn’t even hear her sneak up on me. I glare down at the dog and mutter under my breath, “Thanks for the warning, you stupid mutt.”

Again, I can’t get over the impression that the beast is laughing at my expense.

Tabitha unscrews the cap, then pours coffee into the cup and hands it over. I accept it, slightly bemused at being caught so flatfooted. I peer at her over the top and burn my tongue when I see her wearing nothing but a pair of sleep shorts that reveal silky legs that go on for miles and a tank top that clings to her pert breasts. My mouth waters at the sight of her nipples poking at the thin fabric.

I clear my throat and drop my eyes to the cup before I do something stupid, like take her to task for walking outside in the middle of the night wearing something that any red-blooded man would drool over. “How did you know I was here?”

She only raises a brow, a tiny smile playing around her lips.

Right.

She’s trained.

Heat fills my cheeks at being caught like a dirty peeping Tom. Before I can open my mouth to explain, she holds out her hand and offers Rocky a treat of some kind. He gobbles it down in one bite. He sits obediently at her side, gazing up at her adoringly, and I glare at the mutt for how easily he switched loyalties.

But I completely understand the impulse.

I would do the same in a heartbeat.

I rub a hand over the back of my neck, peering down at her as I scramble to think of a lie that won’t make me out to be such a pervert.

And come up blank.

She takes pity on me and nods toward the other mansions. “Did you find anything of interest?”

“Nothing yet.” I grab the excuse without hesitation, wilting in relief. “It looks like they’re out of town on a run.”

Silence stretches between us, and I inch closer, unable to fight the compulsion to be near her. The scent of lavender clings to her, and I’m helpless against the urge to lean down and sniff her hair.

It’s like taking a direct hit of pure lust.

My cock flies to full mast so fast that I grit my teeth to hold back a groan. When she turns toward me, I lurch upright and flash her a bright smile. “Why don’t you head inside? Rocky and I will take the rest of the watch.”

She tips her head to the side, her dark locks sliding over her shoulder like a silky curtain. The silver strands catch the light until they look like moonbeams dancing around her. I’m completely enchanted, unable to stop myself from reaching out to touch them.

I’m so distracted, I don’t process the fact that she grabs my hand, twists my arm, and kicks out my leg almost simultaneously, dropping me to my knees. She wrenches my arm back, and I groan, but it has nothing to do with pain.

---