Page 67 of Good Girls Beg

"Take a seat." He nodded toward one, his arms resting on the top of the desk in front of him.

I could argue with him about that too, but I lowered myself into the seat instead. This might be the calm before the proverbial storm. The pleasant moment before he yelled at me for going into Oak's room, then into the basement.

My hands on my lap and waited.

"A man approached you after lunch," Hel said, his jaw tight like he was holding back fury.

"No…" I started to say. "Oh, yes. Some guy named Victor. I told him I'd meet him later for a quick fuck."

Why did I say that?

"You will not be fucking him," Hel said, his voice as tight as his jaw.

I leaned forward. "Why not?" I met his gaze, unflinching.

He slammed his fist down on the desk so hard it made me jump. "Because it’s in the contract. While you're living under my roof, you won't be fucking anyone else."

"Why do you care?" I asked. And why did my clit throb at the anger on his face? He wasn't going to hurt me, I was almost sure of that. He also wasn't going to let another man lay a hand on me.

"Because we have a deal." That wasn't the full answer and we both knew it. He tapped the side of his fist on the desk a couple of times before pulling it back and crossing his arms. "I won't have you dating or fucking other men."

I matched his pose, crossing my arms under my breasts. Pushing them up in a way that made him glance down.

"For your information, he sat with me and we had a brief conversation, that was all. I made it clear I wasn't interested and he left. Whatever you've got your panties in a twist for, get them untwisted."

"Do you have any idea who he was?" Hel asked. He leaned forward a little, his shoulders so tense I could have bounced a coin off them.

"Beyond his first name? Not a thing." I shrugged one shoulder. I knew the guy liked tacos, but what did that matter? "Should I?"

Hel’s plush lips parted, as though he might give me some kind of straight answer. Eventually he closed his mouth and responded with a single word. "No."

"If I ever see him again, I'll make sure I turn and run the other way," I said sarcastically. "Is there anyone else I should stay away from?"

His lips twitched to the side. "Theodora, I'm trying to protect you. You have no idea the kind of man he…might be."

Why did I get the impression he was about to say 'the man he is.’

"I'd say I'm a good judge of character but…" I cocked my head at him and smiled.

"The fact you're here shows you're an excellent judge of character.” He rose from behind his desk and stepped around to stand in front of me. "You backed that up by telling Victor to get lost."

It wasn't quite like that, but if he wanted to think it was, who was I to correct him? Especially with him standing so close to me. His scent brushed up against my senses, making my clit throb again.

"I…"

He leaned down to take my hand and pull me to my feet. "Don't say anything. Oak shouldn't have walked out and left you there by yourself. He should have been protecting you. Watching over you."

"I've made it this long without a bodyguard following me around," I whispered.

"Yes, you have, and that's commendable," he said, reaching up to brush a stray curl off my cheek. "Now you have us. Fade, Oak and me. We will keep you safe."

"Oh yeah? Who's going to keep me safe from you?" I asked, trying to ignore the way my heart was racing. My skin tingled from his touch. If we weren't careful, I might spontaneously combust from his presence and the warmth of his body.

He chuckled and leaned in, his lips almost touching my jaw. "You don't need protecting from me. The only thing I want is what's good for you. What you want. What you need.” His voice grew lower and deeper as he spoke.

"What's that?" I whispered.

He didn't answer with words. Instead, he kissed my jaw, his stubble rough against my skin.