Page 71 of Contentious

At his place, Ty and Cresley came inside while he packed a bag and gathered ongoing case files so he could finish investigative reports that were due to various attorneys before he turned the next wave of reports over to Anthony. He’d texted his colleague to let him know that Cresley’s case had been transferred to his sister’s firm and they were taking over her protection detail. I’ll be out for a few days, and I’m putting you in charge. I’ll finish up the pending reports tonight, and then you’ll have to pick up the others.

I’ve got you covered, boss man, Anthony had replied.

When they returned to Cresley’s, Carson checked in with the new detail. The first thing he noticed was that the guy sitting outside her home was so young he still had acne. Had Kaidan put their best guy on this important job?

“I’ll be inside, and I’m armed,” Carson said, giving the young man his number and filling him in on the day’s events. He noted the discarded fast-food bags and containers that littered the passenger seat and floor of the guy’s car. “Do you have a picture of the ex and a copy of the RO?”

“Yes, I have the case file and have been reviewing it.”

“Any sign of trouble, call me.”

“Will do.”

“LAPD will be coming by with regular patrols, too.”

“Got it.”

“Stay alert.”

“I said I’ve got it.”

He walked away, feeling less than confident that the kid had anything other than a ravenous appetite for fast food.

When he was inside, he texted Kaidan. Is that pimple-faced kid the best you could send to provide security?

You just dumped this on me today, and he was the only one available. Our lead investigator says he’s a machine. Can stay up for days without needing to sleep.

I’d rather have someone more experienced.

He’s it for now. Take or leave.

If possible, Carson was even more on edge than he’d been earlier, but he put on his game face for Cresley and Ty. He raved about the meatballs and then watched Ty’s favorite Spider-Man movie. He read three books to Ty and helped to tuck him in while managing a nagging sense of wary anticipation.

* * *

Cresley’s emotions were all over the place while she watched the two of them interact like longtime pals rather than new acquaintances. Ty adored Carson, and while she appreciated the attention Carson paid to her son, she worried about his little heart being broken once Carson remembered he hadn’t planned to get involved like this.

Under normal circumstances, she wouldn’t have let Ty anywhere near a guy she’d only recently met and started seeing, or whatever it was they were doing. But nothing about this situation was normal.

After Ty was in bed, Cresley was pouring a glass of wine in the kitchen, when Carson wrapped his arms around her from behind and kissed her neck, making her shiver.

“Today was a really, really long day, wasn’t it?” he asked.

“Felt like a month.”

“All I could think about in between all the shit with What’s-His-Name was being alone with you again.”

She turned to face him and curled her arms around his neck. “Thank you for all the time and attention you gave to Ty. He loved every minute of it.”

“So did I. He’s so fun to hang out with.”

“He’s the best.”

“So’s his mommy.”

They needed to talk about a lot of things, but when he kissed her, talking was the last thing on her mind. It amazed her that a kiss from him was more exciting than far more racy sexual encounters had ever been. Why him? Why now? Why with a man who said he didn’t want a relationship or commitment?

He leaned his forehead against hers. “You’re completely undoing me.”