Page 19 of Ferocious Protector

My fingers hit the keys excitedly: You’re making me blush over here. When are you coming back?

I’m here for a while. These guys don’t like to lose. They’ll be back with more firepower.

My heart sinks. I send him another message: I need to hear your voice.

My cell rings almost immediately. “Hey, love.”

“How can I miss you after only a few hours?”

He laughs softly. “I was just thinking that very same thing about you not a few minutes ago. You know what they say about chemistry. When it’s right, it just happens.”

I exhale a deep breath. “I know, but I don’t date.”

“Yeah, so you’ve said, and I’ve heard. Not all of us guys are terrible, Patti Ann. I think there’s a few good men left out in the world. Well, as long as you like the possessive, protective type.”

“And you do like to be in control. Don’t forget that.”

He doesn’t downplay that little detail. “It’s a fact.”

I don’t state the obvious that shortly after the wedding, he’ll be on his way, and we’ll never see each other again. “We should enjoy it while it lasts.”

He’s silent on the other end of the phone for a minute. “Damian and Dereck will be up to give us as few hours’ break, and then they’ll go get some rest. We’ll probably run it like that between now and the wedding. I’ll call you when I wake up.”

“Night. Stay safe out there.” I can almost see that sexy smile in my mind.

“You be good, Patti Ann.”

I disconnect and Cole walks down the stairs and gives Krissy a kiss. “I’m going to grab something to eat and cold to drink and then I’ll send Garrett in.”

I go the refrigerator and pull some leftovers out and heat a plate up in the little microwave next to the refrigerator. “Water or coke?” I call out to the next room.

“Coke please. Something to keep me awake.”

I bring back a plate for him and Krissy gives me an appreciative smile for allowing her a few more precious moments with her man before he has to head out again. He takes a seat on one of the couches and takes a big bite of the sandwich I put together. Krissy sits next to him. “Are we going to need to change plans for all the people coming in through the week, hair and makeup, and the wedding next weekend?”

He finishes chewing and exhales a loud sigh. “Not if we can help it but we’re going to have to play it by ear. It’s going to depend on just how determined they are and how cautious we’re going to be. We’re going to find a way to get these four married though. Beckett and Mason aren’t having it any other way.”

PJ and Jules smile, because I don’t think they can wait much longer to say I do. “Blake said Damian and Dereck are going to come back and give him and Beckett a break from that point.”

Cole nods. “I told him he can use one of the spare rooms but he’s going to stay out by the stables in case something comes up. I’ll grab a sleeping bag from the laundry room before I head out.”

My face falls and although I didn’t intend my friends to see it, they do not miss much. Lacy puts an arm around me. “You, my friend, have been struck by cupid fast and hard.”

“It’s nothing but lust my friend, pure physical lust, nothing more for either one of us.”

She rolls her eyes and joins the others as I follow behind. “We were just going to curl up on the couches and watch a movie. You want to watch it with us?”

Cole laughs and gives Krissy a kiss on the lips before heading around the corner and returning with a rolled sleeping bag under his arm. “That’s my cue to get going.”

She smiles at him and waves him out the door. “Be safe, I love you,” she says as he makes his way to the steps.

“Love you too. Enjoy your chicky movie ladies.” And then he’s gone.

We’ve just turned on the movie when Garrett walks down the stairs and Lacy hits the remote to pause the movie and closes the distance between her and Garrett fast, giving him a smooch that causes his cheeks to heat. “Wow, maybe I should go back out and try that again.”

She laughs. “Patti Ann made you a plate when Cole came in. “You hungry?”

Garrett laughs. “I could eat but thirstier than hungry.” He goes to the next room and comes back carrying three bottles of water and begins downing them one after another until all three are gone.