Under Pressure (Body Armor #1)(59)
“Picturing that,” she said around her chuckles. “I hope parts of them freeze off.” With new hilarity, she fell against him, her shoulders shaking with her robust laughter.
Leese put his arms around her.
Hysterics or not, this was nice, a hell of a lot nicer than her looking so lost.
He didn’t mean to bring it up so abruptly, but as he stroked his fingers through her silky brown hair, it just came out. “Don’t be embarrassed.”
That ended her giggles real quick. Stiffening, she tried to shove back from him but he held on.
Trying to reassure her, he said gently, “Every woman I know has a—”
“Don’t say it!”
The smile played with his mouth, but he kept it contained with an effort. “Okay,” he soothed. “Just know that it’s not a big deal.”
She groaned, long and loud.
Leese squeezed her, and couldn’t resist just a little teasing. “I am curious about one thing.”
Another groan, this one more heartfelt.
“Why did you lock it up, but leave your gun out in the drawer?”
After a huff of breath, she mumbled something indecipherable against his sternum.
“What’s that?” He tried to tip her back, but now she was the one holding tight. “I can’t hear you.”
Shoving back suddenly, she took him by surprise and surged to her feet. Her face looked scalded, making her accusing blue eyes brighter by comparison. “I don’t want anyone knowing my private business, that’s why it was locked up. And I kept the gun close so I could shoot anyone who snooped.”
Fighting another grin, Leese cautiously stood in front of her. “So the gun was strictly to protect the locked up—”
“Ohhhh...” she growled, snapping away from him and stalking away. “Just be quiet!”
“I think you’re adorable.” Following on her heels, Leese caught her elbow, turned her and pinned her to the wall. When she turned her mulish gaze up to him, he fought the urge to kiss her attitude away. “I also got you some of your own clothes, shoes, books, art supplies—”
Her gaze shot to the door where he’d left the luggage. “That’s what all that is?”
“And the weapons and lockbox, yeah.”
She dropped her forehead to his sternum. “You know, just because you don’t want to have sex, you didn’t need to bring that.”
“What?” he teased. He’d love to hear her say it.
She glanced up at him. “I can promise you, it’s not a substitute.”
Well, hell. Now he was envisioning all sorts of things. As briefly as he could manage, he kissed her. “There were men in your house, honey. Who knows if more will show up, and if they’ll search the place looking for a clue about where you’ve gone.” Another kiss, this one a little longer. “I didn’t want anyone else knowing your personal business.”
“You’re right.” She hugged her arms around him. “Thank you.”
Heart and resistance melting, Leese said, “You’re welcome.”
“I’m very glad you weren’t hurt.”
“Not even a scratch,” he assured her.
“Thank you too, for getting rid of the bug and the jerks.”
Against her temple, he said, “That was my pleasure.”
“Leese?”
He liked her agreeable like this, all soft and sweet, especially after the show of anger. “Hmm?”
Slipping her arms up and around his neck, she said, “We need to talk.”
Not what he was expecting at this particular moment, but he’d take it. “About the other men who were with Webb?”
She screwed up her expression and sighed. “You have a one-track mind.”
He felt her hands traveling down his back and said, “That’s the pot calling the kettle black.”
Lips quirking, she agreed. “True enough.” She stepped him back and held out a hand, palm up.
Leese lifted a brow in query.
“The key.”
Oh, right. He dug it out of his pocket and placed it in her palm. “About that talk...?”
“It’ll wait.” Her fist closed tight around the key. “I’d rather put away my things—and no, I do not need your help.”
*
WEBB STOOD INSIDE the private horse stables of Senator Platt, his irritation growing by the second. What was he, a fucking lackey? How dare the senator order him here and then keep him waiting?
Tesh watched him, his thoughts cloaked, his mood as touchy as ever. There was a time that Webb considered him reliable, capable and even somewhat trustworthy. Less than two months ago, but it felt like decades.
The stable smelled of horse sweat, leather and hay. Tack hung on the walls, but no one else intruded. Likely the senator had told them all to stay away.
As one of the richest and most powerful men in politics, his orders were always followed to the letter.
Except that Catalina had dared to defy him.
Tesh glanced out a window, then murmured, “Here he comes now.”
Thank God. Already Webb felt as if he might crawl out of his own skin. He liked to be the one in charge. He enjoyed mingling with the movers and shakers. Exchanging favors, no problem. Rubbing elbows with the rich and famous—it’s what he did.