Page 53 of The Billionaire Who Saved My Cat From The Mafia

“To tell me what you really do for a living.I see you’re skilled at chatting up people, so it’s obvious you’re a wonderful bartender.But I have a feeling that’s just a small part of the story.”

I jump up from the chair.“Thank you for dinner.Thank you for everything.”I throw off the blanket and immediately realize how ridiculous I am.It's not like I can hop in my Toyota and drive home after a lovely first date.

And it’s dark.It won’t be safe for Special K to make his way down the mountain until daylight.

“It’s okay, Frankie,” he says, his voice gentle.“I’ll help you get your bed set up and I’ll sleep out here by the fire.I do it all the time.I like sleeping outside, even prefer it.”

I nod.

He stands.“Again, I know I shouldn’t have kissed you the way I did.It won’t happen again.Please know that you’re always safe with me, okay?You have my word.”

I gaze up at him.His intense eyes shimmer in the firelight.A small, sad smile touches his lips.

Why do I feel on the verge of tears?On the verge of spilling my guts to him?

I’ve got to stay in control here and focus on what I must do, not what Iwantto do.Because I want to jump in Special K’s arms and beg him to never let me go.

But Imustleave.I have to keep moving to stay alive.

It would be stupid to mistake extreme sexual attraction for some kind of deeper connection.

And above all else, I can never—ever—drag Special K MacLaine into the hellish mess I’ve made of my life.Especially now that I know the amazing members of his family.

If I pull him into my drama, the lives of every single MacLaine will be in danger.Kids, widows, wives, patriarchs, and ranch staff.Niko will be more than happy to wipe out everyone and everything to get to me.

He’ll take on all five SEAL brothers, too, and he won’t stop until there’s not a living thing left for miles.

“Here.”Special K puts Pussy in my arms.“I’ll get everything ready.”

I stand there like an idiot—a lost and confused idiot—fighting back tears and cradling Pussy.I’m usually pretty sure of myself, but tonight, alone with my favorite cowboy SEAL, I feel conflicted, sliced up by circumstance.

He steps inside and turns on two lanterns.They cast a golden glow throughout the interior of the cabin.

I watch him work.So big and graceful.Each movement with a purpose, nothing wasted.I see how the muscles ripple in his huge neck above the collar of his jean jacket.I notice how smoothly he drops to his hands and knees to put the sheets on my new bed, and how efficiently he slips the pillows inside their cases.

By the way he moves, it’s obvious he would be an incredible lover.But I’ll never know for sure.I can’t.

He returns to the fire circle, grabs my camp chair and blanket, and takes both inside for me.Then he’s at my side once more.

“You okay, Boots?”

I glance up at him and nod.Then I look away and shake my head, but immediately nod again.And I know I’m not fooling anyone.

Least of all a man who lets nothing get past him.

“Tell me, Frankie.Your story is safe with me, too.”He crosses his arms over his chest and waits.

I open my mouth.Nothing comes out but a squeak.

“Enough,” he whispers.He grips my upper arms in his hands and turns me to face him.“What the fuck are you doing up here?How much trouble are you in?”

“I can’t.I just can’t.I’m so sorry.”I head toward the cabin, then turn around in the doorway to find that he’s right where I left him, backlit by the fire.Part of me wants him to pay no attention to my protests and just take what he wants, because it’s what I want, too.

The other part of me wants him to walk away right this second, leaving me to my misery and removing all the temptation I’m wrestling with.Because I know that if he stays, I’ll soon be too exhausted and frightened to keep fighting it.

“Thank you, Special K,” I say, my voice sounding as raw as my heart feels.“I know I’ve been all over the map with you, but I appreciate your kindness and all you’ve done for me.I’ll leave in the morning and be out of your hair.”

“Wait.”