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Rollo looked at her. She felt the air tense up a little. “Nosey?” he echoed.
“Nosey, yes. Well, maybe a little creepy.”
“How exactly is he creepy?” Unless she was imagining it, his tone turned a little darker.
“Oh, you know,” she began. “Or well, maybe you don’t since you’re not a girl. He can get just a little too curious about who I’m bringing home and stuff like that. Typical stuff really, it just gets pretty damn old.”
Rollo shook his head. “So, in other words, I don’t need to hunt him down and tear him limb from limb, right?” he said deadpan. “I mean, that’s what us shifters do, right?”
“Yeah, that won’t be necessary, thank you,” she replied.
“But otherwise, that’s what I would do, right? As a shifter?” he said as if to drive home the stereotype. “Crush anyone who threatens my mate?” At that last bit, she could have sworn he froze for a split second.
Did he say mate?
“I mean, not mate, but anyone close to me,” he quickly corrected himself. “You know what I mean. You think you just have us all figured out, don’t you?”
“Well, isn’t that exactly what you do …if anyone threatens anyone, um,close to you?”she retorted.Again she was feeling that electricity passing between them. She eyed the rippling muscles beneath his tight white tee shirt.
“Well, we don’t always tear offeverylimb. Sometimes just a few.” He gave her a playful wink as his comment broke some of the tension between them.
But if it lowered any conflict tension, it only served to crank up the sexual energy. Almost inexplicably, she felt that same electric thrill pulse through her body again. That’s it, I am a mess. What in the absolute fuck is wrong with me?
Okay, Winona. Focus on the task at hand.She took a deep breath as she tried to shake off whatever that little heat wave had been.Sure is getting warm in here.
She almost panicked as he reached for her, imagining all the ways he could touch her and how it would feel. Imagining those strong, amazing arms holding her, protecting her. For a second, she wanted just that. Could think of nothing else. But before she reached out herself, his arm moved right past her as he reached across her to close the glovebox.
Ohmygosh. Get me out of here.
How could she have so easily imagined those arms around her, holding her, pinning her to the bed? How could she have wanted that? Craved it? Her eyes went wide at that last thought.
Okay, this was getting ridiculous. She shook her head again, harder this time, as she opened the door and climbed out of the jeep as inside her, her body and her brain were in a tug of war about getting closer to the heat emanating from him.
“Okay, let’s go,” she said, after the first blast of fresh air cleared her senses. “This way.” She walked Rollo across the street and up to her apartment. As she opened the door, she commented, “Please, no judgments. This is nothing like your place, Rollo, none of the furniture is mine and I’ve only lived here for a few months. As a nanny, I really don’t spend much time here.”
Rollo gave her a quick half-smile, “I’m not here to judge your apartment, Winona. I’m just the muscle in case your landlord comes creepin’, remember?”
Did he just tell a joke?But as soon as he had uttered the words, he seemed to catch himself. “Just pack up that suitcase and we’ll be on our way. You got your money, so go ahead and stash it or whatever. Don’t worry, I won’t look where.”
She gave him a sidelong glance.Is it me or is he being nice?She really wished she could talk to Julie, but she wasn’t going to push her luck. She was still basking in her minor victory. Maybe he wasn’t quite the monster she had feared.But it’s not like I am free to do as I please either.
Still, their dynamic was changing. Right, there was that too.
She led him through her sparse living room, into the kitchen where there was a small table and chair. “Don’t you worry about what I do with my money, okay?” She looked around with a critical eye to see if there was anything in there she might need. “I don’t suppose you can tell me how much longer I am going to be your prisoner?”
Rollo sighed as he turned to her. “You sure are one for dramatics. I really wish you would stop calling it that. I just need you right now, okay? Besides, you’re being paid, so can we move on?” With that, he led the way into her bedroom.
“Okay, okay, the least you could do is humor my attempt at lightening the mood,” she countered. “Just give me a minute. Besides, put yourself in my shoes, jeez. Personally, I think I am copingvery well.”
Rollo gave her a brief look, as if to validate that he had at least heard her. Then he stepped past her as he looked around the room. “I am going to go keep an eye out.” Before she could protest or anything, he added, “And don’t worry. I’ll keep a low profile. Just hurry up. Please.”
“Fine, fine, I get it.” For what must have been the tenth time that day, she shook her head.This is crazy.
She quickly went through her drawers, grabbing a few of her favorite items. Some Tees, a couple of pairs of jeans, pajamas, underwear, the comfy bra she couldn’t live without, and a couple of comfy clothes to wear around the house if she had any down time. She quickly hit the bathroom and gathered all her toiletries. It didn’t take long to cram everything into her suitcase.
If I have to be there for God knows how long, I might as well be comfortable.She was just going to have to trust her instincts, and look past all the facts on this one.
“Ugh,” she groaned out loud.
