Love Thy Enemy (Red Stone Security #13)(40)

“That’s stupid. I’m a big girl, I’ve dealt with a lot in my life and—”

“I know!” He shoved up from the desk but she didn’t back down. “I just didn’t want you to have to deal with anything else. There was nothing you could tell them, no need for you to be there. I just…wanted you safe.” He practically growled the last couple words, his big, sexy body vibrating with tension.

“That’s not fair.”

He blinked. “What isn’t?”

She leaned into him, wrapping her arms around him, taking him off guard if the way he jolted at her touch was any indication. “I’ve worked up a lot of anger at you the last few hours. I’m still not happy and I seriously hope there’s not a next time for this kind of thing, but if there is, just include me in whatever happens. You don’t need to protect me.”

He smoothed a hand down her spine. “I want to.”

She liked the way he held her, how secure he made her feel. “Will you tell me what happened tonight? Or who attacked your hotel?”

Sighing, he pulled back and motioned to one of the chairs. She didn’t want to move away from him so she tugged him until he sat, then she sat on his lap. He seemed surprised by it but she didn’t care. She might be annoyed with him, but she still couldn’t seem to get enough of him.

He wrapped his arms around her, holding her tight. She wasn’t sure what cologne he used but the subtle, masculine scent wrapped around her as he sighed. Looking into his face now, it was hard to remember that she’d once been afraid of this man, that she’d hated him.

“Men with guns attacked my hotel. There were half a dozen of them and I don’t know who they are or who they worked for. But we’re looking into it. We…took their fingerprints. I know the police will do their job, but my people are better equipped. And I need to know who did this.” His jaw tightened, his rage clear.

Dominique placed a gentle hand on his chest and shifted slightly against him. His grip around her tightened, his eyes darkening a fraction. His erection was evident but she couldn’t focus on that now. “Do you have any ideas?”

He paused and she could see the indecision on his face. “Ideas, yes. The attack was bold, which does narrow it down.”

“That’s good, right?”

He nodded, his expression wary as he watched her. “I’m not letting you leave my place.”

She blinked. “What?”

“Until I figure out who was behind the attack, you’re staying with me.” His grip on her tightened as if he thought she might bolt.

“Will someone at least go to my place to get my clothes?”

He blinked, his grip loosening a fraction. “You’re not arguing?”

“Well, I don’t like your tendency to tell me what to do.”

“I think you like it a little,” he murmured, his voice dropping an octave. His gaze dipped to her mouth, his expression going heated.

She felt that look all the way to her core. Heat flooded her as she shifted against him again. “Maybe I like it in the bedroom.” She was pretty sure she would anyway. “But not outside it.”

“Hmm.”

“Look, I don’t want to die, and if someone’s targeting you—and they obviously didn’t care that I’m with you—then I’ll stay here for now. But I’m going to work Monday.” She needed to make sure he knew that before they started kissing and she completely lost any sensible thoughts.

His lips pulled into a thin line but he nodded, one hand sliding up her leg, dipping under the hem of her dress as he moved over her upper thigh.

She sucked in a little breath, enjoying the feel of his callused fingers stroking her skin. She wondered how high he would move.

“I called Porter, told him a little of what’s going on and that we’ll see how Monday goes. But Red Stone is one of the safest places in the city. You should be fine to go to work.”

Annoyance surged through her at his ‘do what I say’ attitude but it was hard to care as his hand crept higher. His touch was so gentle, his fingers just barely skimming her skin, but he still scorched her, sending tingles of awareness straight to all her nerve endings.

He knew he was making her crazy. His blue eyes looked somehow darker in the dim light of his office, the hunger rolling off him palpable as he watched her carefully.

She sucked in a breath when he reached the silky edge of her panties. She was already wet for him, her nipples hard against her bra cups. Anticipation hummed through her as she waited for him to move just a bit, to touch her exactly where she wanted, where she ached for him.

“Stay in my bed tonight?” he asked, his voice hoarse, his gaze focused on her mouth as he teased a finger under the edge of her panties. He was basically touching her hip, nowhere near where she wanted him to be, and yet she had goose bumps all over.

Swallowing hard, she nodded. She definitely wanted that. And she knew what he was asking. Which meant… “I need to tell you something. It’s not a big deal, really.” Oh God, this was harder than she thought. A small part of her didn’t want to say it at all but he needed to know. “I’m…a virgin.”

He blinked once, as if he hadn’t heard her right. Lightning fast he slid his hand out from under her dress and smoothed it into place. Then he patted her leg as if he didn’t know what to do with his hand. He looked a little like a deer caught in headlights as he cleared his throat.