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“What do you mean?” she asks.
“Wondering if you need the hug, or just want to talk.”
“My problems are of my own making.” Her eyes squeeze shut, like she’s trying to forget something.
“Doesn’t mean you don’t need that hug.” I reach for her, wrapping my much larger hand around hers. “But I’m a great listener if a hug’s too much for new friends.”
“I could’ve used that hug a few seconds ago, but I’m good now. Thanks.” She leans against me, and doesn’t yank her hand out from under mine.
“I guess that means we talk it out.” Only, I don’t want to talk it out. Now that I’m holding her hand, that rush of sensation courses through my body, waking up things that don’t need to wake up and stand at attention.
Down, boy.
Doesn’t every man talk to his dick? When you’re a guy like me, with a sex drive like mine, conversations such as these are a daily occurrence.
She tilts her head to look at me. Our gazes lock and snag on each other, trapped for long seconds by a flash of heat too intense to ignore.
Yeah, that spark is still there.
“I don’t really want to…” She quickly cuts off her own words, but I don’t need her to say it.
I’m one hundred percent positive she’s talking about a man. Boyfriend, no doubt. There’s no ring on her finger. No fiancé or husband to get in my way.
“Then we won’t talk about him.” I test the waters, waiting for a reaction.
Looking for confirmation.
She gives me exactly what I expect; a brief flash of an expression, pain she can’t escape. Whatever happened is the result of someone she’s involved with.
And whatever that is—it’s nothing good.
Not that it’s a surprise. Men have been taking advantage of women since the dawn of time. I know all too well how cruel they can be. How they can hurt and betray trust in an instant. I’m living proof of how horrible a man can be to a woman.
I give Kaye’s hand a gentle squeeze and lean back against the wall.
“We’ll just sit here for a bit, then. Let Rosalie and Carmen get settled.”
“It’s nice that you came to help.”
“It’s part of the job.”
“Being a Guardian?”
“Well, that I suppose, but for the time being, Bravo team is on 24/7 protection detail. I’m here to do a bit of recon and get a feeling of the lay of the land.” My words bring a hitch to her breath and I have to suppress a smile.
“And make new friends in the process?” She graces me with her first real smile.
Jackpot!
“We’re far from being friends.”
“But you just said…”
“I said you’re going to be seeing a lot more of me over the next few weeks.”
“Wait, what?” My comment takes her by surprise.
“Bravo team is pulling 24-hour shifts watching over you girls,” I explain with a smirk.
