“Check it over? Why? You’re not trying to steal any of my panties, are you? Because I buy a packet of five for like a dollar and they’re nothing special, trust me.”
Shoot. Why did I say that?
Now, he knew how not sexy she was with her cheap cotton undies.
“Damn, you guessed my intentions. Now, I’ll just have to pretend I’m searching for intruders.”
“Why would anyone break into here to steal something?” she asked. “Obviously, anyone desperate enough to stay here doesn’t have anything to steal.”
“Might not be for material things,” he told her solemnly as he moved into the bathroom. He’d already checked under the bed and in the closet.
Did he mean they might break in to hurt her?
She shuddered.
Glancing around, she suddenly spotted Mr. Wiggly where he was lying against the wall.
Shit! She’d forgotten to put him away after throwing him there the other night. She rushed into the room and grabbed the vibrator.
Whew!
“What are you doing?”
Squealing, she jumped around to face him, putting the vibrator behind her back. “Nothing! Nothing at all. Why would I be doing anything? Not me. I’m innocent on all charges!”
“Uh-huh. Innocent, huh? Where did I tell you to wait?”
“By the door. But in my defense, you’re not the boss of me.”
“That’s your argument? I’m not the boss of you?”
“Yep.”
“But I am your boyfriend.”
“Fake boyfriend! For the wedding.”
“Ah, but if I’m going to put on a believable performance, I need some practice. And my girlfriend does as she’s told regarding her health and safety.”
She narrowed her gaze at him. “Does as she’s told? Are you listening to yourself right now?”
“In Haven, all the men look out for the women. And every woman has a guardian. Someone who takes responsibility for them. Who looks after them and gives them rules to keep them safe and happy. Want to know what happens if they break those rules?”
She licked her lips as he moved closer, trapping her against the wall. Such a dominant move.
And damned if her insides didn’t dance in joy.
“A scolding?”
“Oh, that’s part of it, for sure. But depending on what they did they might get more than a scolding.” He put his hands on the wall above her head, just like he had the other night. He leaned in. “They might get put over their guardian’s knee for a nice, hard spanking. Do you think that might help them remember to follow their rules?”
“I don’t know,” she whispered.
“Would it help you, pretty girl?”
“I don’t have any rules or a guardian. And we’re not in Haven.”
“Hmm, maybe not.”
“And you’re not really my boyfriend.” Much as she might wish otherwise. She was beginning to think this was an awful idea and that at the end of this week, she was going to get her heart horribly broken.
He pushed some hair behind her ear. “You and I know that. But your family doesn’t. So while you’re my pretend girlfriend, I’m going to have to ask that you take care of yourself for me, okay? No walking around on the phone. Watch before you cross the streets. Call me if you need something. If you’re in trouble, scared, lonely, call me and I’ll come.”
Lord, she wished this was real.
What she wouldn’t give for a boyfriend like Butch. Axel had been her real boyfriend and he hadn’t been nearly this attentive.
“I called you several times tonight,” he told her.
“I’m sorry. My phone died. The battery is pretty crappy. I meant to charge it but then my mom sent her driver for me.”
“Keep it charged. For me.”
“Yes, sir. I mean . . .” Dear Lord.
He grinned wickedly. “Sir is fine. Now show me what’s behind your back.”
She groaned. She’d hoped he wouldn’t notice.
More fool her.
“I don’t want to.”
“No? And why is that? Is it something you shouldn’t have?” His voice was deep, rough, and sexy as hell. She bit her lip, pressing her thighs together.
This was so bad.
“No, it’s mine.”
“Show me, pretty girl.”
Shit. There was a firmness in his voice that she was helpless to resist. She pulled her vibrator out from behind her back.
His eyes widened, and then he grinned. She braced herself to be the butt of his jokes.
“You should see how red you are. There’s no need to be embarrassed, baby girl.”
“All right for you to say. It’s not your vibrator.”
“Can’t say as I own one. But we all masturbate.”
Hell. That wasn’t helping to cool her down. The image of him naked, dick in hand as he got himself off . . . shit, she really wished she’d gotten some batteries.
“Dear Lord,” she whispered.
He cupped the side of her face, and for a moment, she thought he was going to kiss her. But then he stepped back abruptly.
Legs trembling, she braced herself against the wall.
“Good news is that other than a number of dust bunnies, you’re alone here.” He eyed her. “You okay? You’re not looking so great.”