Page 47 of Contentious

He felt stupid for even thinking such a thing. She was a friend, going through a rough time with an unstable ex, and he was doing his job by staying close.

Sure, you are, his annoying subconscious said. You’re so full of shit, it’s not even funny.

The voice inside his head was sounding a five-alarm warning that he was wandering into dangerous territory and needed to keep his wits about him. Regardless, he continued to put one foot in front of the other, marching toward her like a man who had nothing to lose by spending a night in her home.

He was there to keep her and her son safe. That was it.

After dropping his bag inside the door, he tucked the weapon into the waistband of his pants and returned to the living room, where Cresley was curled up on the sofa with a glass of wine in hand. She’d changed into gray pajama pants and a tank top and looked madly vulnerable sitting alone in the big room with floor-to-ceiling glass walls that put her on full display to anyone in the backyard who might want to see inside.

“Do you have blinds or something for those windows?” Carson asked.

She shook her head. “I wanted them left uncovered.”

“Maybe you should relocate to a room without a view inside.”

“The floodlights will come on if anyone is in the yard.”

That could be too late if someone took a shot into the house, but she didn’t need to hear that. “I think we should get some blinds for them.”

“I don’t want to turn my house into a fortress.”

“It would be temporary.”

“Would it be? How do you know that? He’ll never give up until he gets what he wants from me. Everyone is telling me not to pay him, but that option is looking pretty good to me right now.”

Carson sat next to her and turned toward her. “In my experience, that’s a short-term solution to a long-term problem. People like him are never satisfied, and they burn through money like it’s water and then come back for more.”

“I know,” she said with a sigh. “That’s been the pattern so far.”

“It has to stop, Cres. You can’t keep giving him your hard-earned money to make him leave you alone. Come here.”

She snuggled into his embrace, bringing that unmistakable scent with her.

“I know it’s hard to believe right now, but it’s going to be okay. You’ve got me and Julian and our entire team working to make him go away.” He stroked her hair and arm, wishing there was more he could do to reassure her.

She rested her hand on his leg, branding him with her heat. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

The simplest touch from her packed the biggest wallop. “You should get some rest. I’ll be right here to make sure you and Ty are safe.”

“I don’t think I could sleep.”

“I’ll tuck you in. Lead the way.”

Sure, Carson, have her show you her bedroom, because that’ll make everything better.

Cresley took his hand and led him down the hallway, past Ty’s room, to her massive suite at the end of the hall.

“Tell me you have blinds for those windows.”

“I do.” She picked up a remote from the bedside table and had the windows covered in a matter of seconds.

“That’s cool.”

“Gets the job done.”

Done in neutral tones with pops of color in pillows and artwork, the room was like her, understated and stylish. Her bedside table was stacked with paperback books, a remote control for the TV, a phone charger, lip balm and tissues. The table on the other side of the bed had only a lamp.

She sat on the edge of the bed and looked up at him with bottomless blue eyes. “Will you stay here with me?”