Page 37 of Protect and Serve

Besides, he didn’t even know if she would enjoy his preferences. Not yet.

He suspected she was open to a little sugar kink, but they hadn’t exactly had time for that conversation with her bodyguards hovering.

Why didn’t they just leave already?

“Of course we want you to stay.” There was a thread of annoyance in Lisa’s voice. She glared at Cody and Cade.

It took a moment, and a couple of sullen glances, but they finally nodded.

“Yeah.”

“I suppose.”

“Well okay then.” He shot a grin around the circle, apparently provoking them both because, in tandem, they opened their mouths. Before they could speak, he grabbed at a conversational straw. “Nice flowers,” he said with a nod to the stunning bouquet on the table in the hall.

Lisa’s grin broadened. “Aren’t they, though? So thoughtful.” He assumed Cade had sent them to her, so he didn’t understand his friend’s glower.

He had no time to think about it, because Claire came down the stairs wearing a sexy, flippy skirt and a tight top that outlined her fascinating curves. That in itself was mind-melting enough, but she sent him a bright smile that made his heart flutter. “You’re here,” she said in a hush when she set eyes on him. She seemed as poleaxed as he felt.

“I’m here.”

And they stared at each other as though they could never stare long enough. And yes, that was how he felt. He could look at her forever—

“Say, maybe Charlie should sleep in the bunkhouse,” Cody said, apropos of nothing.

Charlie glanced at him. He had his arms folded over his chest—making his biceps bulge like a cage fighter’s—and his expression was ferocious.

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Claire said. “He can’t protect me from there.”

Cade snorted. “Yeah, but who’s going to protect him?”

“Don’t worry, Charlie.” She looked up to catch his eye. “I’ll protect you.”

“From you,” Cade bit out. “Who’s going to protect him from you?” His gaze strafed her. “What are you wearing?”

“This old thing?” She spun around and the skirt billowed.

“What happened to your jeans?” He glanced at Cody. “She usually wears jeans.”

“And flannel.” Cody joined the chorus. “You should be wearing flannel.”

“I’ll wear my flannel PJs. Promise.”

Which, for some reason, made both her brothers go an odd shade of purple.

Claire forced a dazzling smile. “Isn’t it time you got going? Traffic will be a bear.”

Lisa—bless her—checked her watch. “It is getting late. I want to get to Lia’s before dark.”

Cade turned to Cody. “Maybe this isn’t a good idea.”

“Yeah. It’s not. Claire, you’re coming with us.”

Charlie was still looking at her face, so he saw it. The transformation from a flirty coquette to an Amazon woman faced with a dire threat. It sent a shiver of trepidation down his spine. “I’m not going. But you are.” She pushed them toward the door.

“But—”

Lisa silenced Cade with a hand to his arm and a speaking glance.