Page 53 of Keep Me Safe
“Is this tied to Kara?” I asked.
As he considered how to answer, he frowned. “It sounds like someone went to a lot of trouble to get to Rhodes, which makes me think it’s unrelated. Maybe he had a gambling problem and got mixed up with people he shouldn’t have.” He stood and turned his focus to Kara, who was still locked in my arms. “But I don’t like coincidence, either, so we’re going to be cautious. As soon as I hear more, you will too.”
“All right,” I said.
He gave me a sharp look. “I was talking to her.”
Eventually, he was going to get past this. The woman I was holding on to wasn’t the first Hayward to interest a Dunn. He should fucking relate to my situation.
“Thank you,” she said.
He nodded. “Can you get your things together?”
She squirmed, perhaps wanting me to release her, but I wasn’t ready to let go. “What do you think you’re doing?”
Her icy eyes flooded with annoyance. “I’m going to stay at Jason and Laurel’s.”
That was . . . unacceptable. “No. Come home with me.”
She pulled her chin back in surprise, but my brother’s reaction was bigger. He made a sound of shock, like I’d just offered her a fifty percent stake in the business. “You’re taking her toyourplace?”
It was true, I didn’t bring women home with me. Allowing someone that much access to my personal life was dangerous in all sorts of ways. This wasdifferent. It was what I wanted.
Kara recovered quickly. “Do you honestly think I want to go home with you, after you tried to force that job on me?”
“Yes, I do.” I had plenty of confidence there. “Or do you not remember our discussion in my office?”
There was that gorgeous blush I loved. It colored her high cheekbones and matched the soft pink of her lips.
“I’m asking you to come home with me tonight. Please.” I said it softly, hoping I sounded irresistible. “You can stay with them tomorrow.”
I needed her in my bed. In the morning, I’d convince her to stay another day if I hadn’t accomplished that already.
Her expression was dubious, but I saw the cracks beneath it. She wanted this. In fact, it looked like she had a touch of excitement about staying the night with me.
Good.Me, too.
She pulled her mouth to the side in an annoyed glare that was kind of sexy. “Is there any point in saying no?”
I tried not to laugh. “I certainly can’t see one.”
She shifted her weight on her feet, relaxing subtly into me, but painted on a stern look that was all for show. “Fine. One night.”
“I don’t like this,” Jason said. “It’s better if you stay at my place. That’s what you should do.”
When annoyance flashed in her eyes, I secretly thanked my brother.
“Oh, I see. Trying to tell me what to do is a Dunn family trait.”
She let my lips travel the line from her ear down her neck, ending where her shoulder began.
He watched, unhappy with the display, and issued a sound of discomfort.
“You’re always all over my sister,” Kara said, beating me to it. “Like you have any room to judge us.”
I grinned. The word gave me pleasure.
Us.
