And if they were going to be spending a lot of time together then it was inevitable things were going to get heated. Nope, best he wasn’t working for Black-Gray. Then he wouldn’t have to explain himself to anyone.
“When I said to take some time off, I meant to relax. Not that you should work for free.”
Tiny was silent, and Gray sighed.
“All right, do what you think is best. Not like I could really stop you, anyway, isn’t it?”
Nope. When Tiny made up his mind, very little could sway him.
***
“Uh-uh, no way.” Reagan shook her head. “I thought we settled this last night.”
“That was before this.” Tiny pointed down at the sheet of paper. “I don’t like this.”
“You think I do? But just because you don’t like it doesn’t mean I’m about to let you move into my home. Put in the rest of the cameras and anything else you think I need. I’ll get some pepper spray and a Taser. I’ll be fine.”
He shook his head.
Damn, he could be so frustrating.
“You are not staying with me. I can’t afford you.” There. That ought to put a stop to his plan. No way he’d stay if she wasn’t paying him.
“We’ll work something out.”
What? She studied him, hoping he’d give her some hint of what he was thinking so she’d know how to proceed. But he simply stared back at her calmly. “Fine. I lied. I can pay you. I still don’t want you here. Is it really necessary?”
“Yes. I don’t like this.”
She threw her arms up into the air. That’s the same argument he’d been using for the last half an hour. He seemed to think she should take things as a done deal simply because he didn’t like it.
“You're impossible.”
He raised both eyebrows. “Not the only one.”
“You think I'm being unreasonable?” She gaped at him incredulously.
“Someone’s threatening you. They’ve been in your apartment. They left you a threatening note. And you’re turning down my protection.”
Okay, when he put it like that it did sound like she was acting crazy. Seemed like she was going to have to explain everything. Then he was sure to turn tail and run.
“Look, I’m kinda weird. I have a certain way of doing things. I might be a little OCD. I like everything in its place, and that’s just the way it’s gotta be, okay?”
Jesus, she was blushing hot enough to fry eggs on her cheeks. She couldn’t believe she’d just humiliated herself in front of a man she was attracted to. No doubt he’d regret his decision to stay now.
“All right.”
“All right, what?” she asked suspiciously.
“You show me the way you like things. I’ll make sure I keep everything the same.”
She gaped at him. She’d never once had someone react with such easy acceptance when she told them the full truth about her. Not that she’d told many people. She’d learned to protect herself from ridicule.
“Just like that?”
“Yes,” he replied simply. “I’m not stupid.” There’d been a note of something in his voice she couldn’t work out. He’d sounded almost defensive. But she didn’t understand why.
Reagan ran her hand over her face. “Look, even if you could get used to the way I do things, I’m not easy to get along with. I don’t always read situations right. I often say the wrong thing. I can be bossy. Tara told me you’re a Dom, which means you probably like being in charge. So do I. We’re gonna clash.”