I drag the sheet over my body and tuck it under my neck. “Yes?”
Slowly, the door opens, and Rand fills the opening, standing almost as tall, shoulders almost as wide. “You okay?”
“Of course.” But I’m not. I’m sure I look guilty as sin.
His expression tells me he knows exactly what I was up to.
“David called. I let it go to voicemail. He sounds frantic. I wanted to talk to you again before I decide how or if I should respond.”
“Give me a minute to”—stop aching for you—“get up. I’ll meet you in the living room.”
“Sure.” He ducks out of the room and shuts the door.
I let out a breath. Damn it, my self-inflicted orgasm only made me crave him more. And we’ll be here together—alone—for who knows how long.
I’m in deep trouble.
With a sigh, I shrug into the gray sweater I’d peeled off earlier and stretch.
How am I going to face Rand?
Buck up and brazen it out, sister.
That’s all I can do.
I pad down the hall and find him prowling the living room. When I enter, he stops and turns to me. “You didn’t sleep, did you?”
No way am I asking how he knows that. “No. What did David say?”
“He wants to know if you’re all right and where you are. He’s fielding questions from the press and he doesn’t know how to answer.”
Rand is asking me if I’m willing to risk my life on my hunch that David doesn’t want me dead. And I am. I know in my gut David wouldn’t harm me. Hell, he cried for days when he and Allen had to put their cat down a few months back. He’s a gentle soul…except when it comes to fame and fortune. Still, I’m convinced he wouldn’t kill someone for it. Claw, punch, lie, cheat, and steal? Absolutely.
“I admit David is ruthless, but he’s not violent. I trust him.”
“Then we have to be strategic. Whatever we tell David will be what the public—and your shooter—knows.”
Rand is right. “Maybe we shouldn’t answer. I don’t want to hurt your reputation as a bodyguard—”
“It’s not my main gig anymore.” He shrugs. “I was doing this as a favor to Rob. But that doesn’t mean I’m not damn good at it.”
Rand has already proven that. “So what’s your recommendation?”
“Let David and the world wonder if you’re dead for now, at least until we compile a list of suspects and start running them down.” Rand darkens his phone and tucks it away.
“Thanks. I’ll try not to be too much of a hassle and take too much of your time. I’ll make sure you get paid incredibly well for all you’ve done—”
“That’s nice but not my number one priority. This is personal now.”
Because someone tried to off me on his watch? Or because I actually mean something to him? I don’t ask, just nod.
Silence fills the room and stretches between us. Rand stares—and I feel compelled to gaze back. My body, totally unimpressed by my earlier climax, begins to tighten and throb again.
What is it about this man that makes me so desperate for him? I could have so many men in this world. God knows I’ve been propositioned enough. But the one standing in front of me seems out of my reach.
“So…if you don’t cook, how do you feed yourself?” It’s the most roundabout way I can think of to ask if there’s a woman in his life.
“A combination of takeout, take-and-bake, and well-meaning friends. Why?”
“Just curious.” My reply comes too fast.
It’s an obvious lie.
“Because?” He steps closer. “What is it you really want to know?”
Of course he sees through my silly question. The longer I don’t answer, the more he pins me in place with his dark, hot eyes.
“Nothing,” I mumble. “Making conversation.”
He doesn’t move or blink for long moments. I find myself holding my breath, waiting on his every move and word.
Finally, he pulls his keys from his pocket and tosses me the ball cap from the nearby table. “That’s fine. But if you were wondering if there’s any woman in my life who cooks for me, the answer is no. Then again, if that’s what you were trying to find out and you weren’t honest with me, I’d toss you over my knee and spank your ass red for lying. So it’s good you weren’t fishing to find out.” He shrugs. “Put the cap on, find the flip-flops, and let’s go.”
“Sure,” I say automatically as I don the hat. But in my head, there’s an entirely different litany. Spank me? Yes, he’d spank me!
Shock and excitement both ping my overstimulated body as I slide into the kid’s sandals. My heels hang slightly over the back, but it doesn’t matter since I probably won’t exit the truck.
Then he ushers me to his vehicle. His hand on the small of my back does crazy things to my libido.