“So…if you take her to bed, you’ll get fired?” Rand asks.
“That’s a given. But I don’t care. And that’s not my problem.”
“He’ll kill you. Are you capable of beating him?”
I have to think about that. “Physically, yeah. But he has twenty years on me in this dirty fucking business. He has tricks I’ve never thought of, and he’s got the kind of patience it takes to wait until, one day, years later, he whacks me in a dark alley with a knife in my gut.”
“Damn. How in love with this girl are you?”
“Hopelessly. What did you do, bro? At some point, you knew getting seriously involved with Sophie was going to be epically public and you’d have a whole shit show to deal with. How did you…” I’m not even sure what words I need to finish that question.
“Decide she was worth it, despite everything? You come to that point, man. This girl…”
“Vanessa.”
“Vanessa means enough to you or she doesn’t. I’m sure her father wants to make sure she’s treated well and is always taken care of.”
“He’s never said, but I’d worship her.”
“You would.”
“I’m dying to. But the job…”
“You might have to rethink that.”
“Done. If it means having Vanessa, I’ll find something else.”
“So you’ll have to convince her father.”
But it’s not that simple. “Rand, he knows what I’m capable of. He’s seen me in action. Hell, he’s taught me most of what I know. I doubt he’ll ever think I’m good enough for her.”
“You don’t know that.”
“He’s warned me away before.”
“All you can do is plead your case, stand your ground, and be willing to put a ring on her finger.”
I would, but… “I don’t know if she’s ready.”
“Why not?”
I sigh. “She’s only twenty-one.”
“So? It’s not like you’re an old man.”
“But I’m older by more than a couple of years.”
“It’s not relevant. How does she feel about you?”
“She’s interested, I think.” But does she feel more than sexual curiosity?
“Well, if you’re secretly dating, I’d hope so.”
“We’re not. My job has been to protect her…and I fell. I wasn’t kidding when I said I hadn’t touched her.”
“Shit.” Rand lets out a deep breath. “You know what? It doesn’t matter. Same deal, bro. She’s either worth the risk to you or she’s not. And only you can decide.”
I don’t have to think; I already know. “She is.”
Rand laughs. “That’s the funny thing in this family. Once we know, we know. And we commit fast. Look at Mom and Dad. Hell, look at me.”
And maybe, if I play this right, I’ll follow in their footsteps. “Yeah.”
“If you’re sure, then don’t waste your time with me; go talk to her. Tell her how you feel. Convince her you’re the one for her. Then sit her dad down, lay out your cards. Be prepared for anything. And let the chips fall.”
He’s right. “Thanks. I gotta go.”
“I want to meet this girl.”
If I can—somehow—convince her to spend her life with me? “You got it.”
Smiling, I hang up and jog down the hall to Vanessa. She’s worth whatever I have to go through. Yeah, her dad will come after me, but I’ll handle Douglas. Not sure how yet, but I will.
Just as soon as we’ve talked. And I’ve made love to her.
God, I fucking need her.
But when I round the corner into Vanessa’s bedroom so I can get started on all that, I find her lying in the bed, all curled up with her comforter, one slender shoulder bisected by a thin white strap peeking out, fast asleep.
I let out a frustrated sigh. Looks like I’ll be waiting until tomorrow.
Fuck.
For tonight, I mess with the alarm on her little cottage until I’m able to set it, then undress down to my boxers, climb into bed behind her, and pull her soft warmth against my body.
This is way closer to her than I dared to think I’d be tonight. It’s enough right now. Peace settles deep inside me as I close my eyes.
Vanessa
Something wet and rough drags its way up my forehead. Then again across my nose. I groan and peel one eye open. I find myself looking into curious blue eyes.
“Kitty Pie,” I croak.
She needs to go back to sleep. Doesn’t she know it’s Saturday?
I send the clock a side-eyed glance. Definitely too early to be awake. The sun isn’t even up. But Kitty Pie doesn’t care about my beauty rest. She jumps on to my hip, then walks up my side to sit on my shoulder and purr in my ear. And since she’s cleaned one part of my face, she moves in to start another.
My adorable furball wants food or attention. Or both.
“All right,” I sigh as I pet her, then roll out of bed.
Half-awake, I stumble through the still-shadowy room, make use of the bathroom, then brush my teeth. It’s probably a good thing I’m up. I’ll have more time to read!