Page 136 of The Protector

I sighed with shame. “I did. But you have to believe me when I say that it meant nothing to me.”

I wasn’t prepared for the belly-deep laughter that suddenly filled the room. “Did Marie seriously get you to kiss her?”

Confused by her laughter, I nodded. “That wasn’t all. She guessed I was a man of the Northlands and asked two things of me to give me your address.”

Christina’s eyebrows flew up. “Two things?”

“Yes, she asked that I pick her up in my arms and kiss her.”

“And you did?”

I nodded. “Right there in front of the senior center.”

Humor sparkled in Christina’s eyes. “I can’t believe that old fox would do that. Next time I see her, I’ll have a word with her for sure.”

I stiffened. “You’re going back?”

“No, Boulder, not unless we can go together.” She fell back on her shoulders. “But I would seriously like to have a stern talk with her for coming on to my man.” She chuckled low again.

“How come you’re not angry with me?” I asked. “I kissed another woman.”

She pulled me down and hugged me. “Only to get to me.”

I rolled her on top of me, meeting her gaze with a serious expression. “It worries me that you laugh about this. I would never laugh if you kissed another man.”

“Not even if he was a harmless old guy?”

“Not even then,” I said in a no-bullshit tone. “The thought of anyone kissing or touching you makes me sick.”

“You take fidelity very seriously,” she said and met my eyes. “So it’s a good thing that the only man I’ve ever been attracted to is you.”

“Yeah, that’s a very good thing,” I said and bit her softly.

We were happy – blissfully so – and just before we drifted off to sleep, I mumbled what we both knew. “We have to go and see Khan.”

“And Pearl,” she added with a yawn. “I hope she’ll understand.”

CHAPTER 35

First Steps

Boulder

Christina was extremely nervous when we entered the Gray Mansion.

“I can do the talking if you prefer,” I offered.

“No, I think I need to explain this to Pearl myself.”

“All right.” I took her hand and squeezed it as we walked through the house and to the gardens where we’d been told by servants that Khan would be.

Because of my height, I spotted Khan and Pearl before Christina did. They were half hidden behind some hedges, and my heart skipped a beat when I realized they were too close for a normal conversation. Were they making out?

I was almost about to stop Christina from going any closer but then I heard their voices and they were fighting again.

Christina and I exchanged a glance before we rounded the hedge and faced the strangest sight.

Pearl and Khan were tied together and they were both facing away from each other.