Page 11 of Protect Me

“Aroom?As in one?”I blurt, immediately wishing I stopped the words before they spilled out of my mouth, because really, I don’t want to come off as a prude.

“One room, two double beds.That’s as far as I’m willing to compromise and still be able to keep you safe.”

I nod, biting the inside of my cheek so I don’t speak again and say something stupid.It is bad enough I was an awkward teenager around him, but I am an adult now, and I don’t want him to see me as anything but a capable woman.

A sexy woman he desires might be too much to hope for.I know myself.I attract brainy guys.Scientists.Not hot-as-sin bodyguards like Shane.

Chapter Four

Shane

Ipick upfast food on the way to a cheap motel, wishing I could take Talia to a nicer place and at least get her a decent meal and higher-quality lodging.But we are better off holing up at an off-the-beaten-path dive where I can see the parking lot from my window and hear if anyone comes up the walkway outside.

She doesn’t seem to mind, which I appreciate.We eat in our room.She curls her legs beneath her on one of the beds, ignoring the ugly plaid covering, and eats quickly, devouring her food.

She was obviously hungrier than she let on, and I feel bad I didn’t think to offer an extra stop.

“Next time you’re hungry, say something,” I instruct as I finish my burger, ball up the wrapper in my hand, and pitch it into the trash can across the room.

She pauses, French fry in hand.“You know what?I will.I hate being hungry.”She laughs and picks up the soda, taking a long sip.

I study her intently.She doesn’t react the way I expect.To anything.She isn’t frightened and fragile, she is dealing with the situation with humor, even joking about her predicament earlier.Nor is she a panicked mess of nerves, and I have to admit, maybe she is made of sterner stuff than I gave her credit for.

It bothers me, though, the way she speaks about relationships.A warm, giving woman like Talia shouldn’t close herself off from experiencing love because she is afraid of loss.Of course, I understand where she is coming from.A teenage girl losing her mother at such a crucial age, and her father a few years after that.

I might have given up on having that in my life now, but I haven’t ruled it out forever.When I am ready to slow down or take a desk job, I figure I’ll be able to open myself up to trying again.But Talia deserves to have someone to come home to at night.To take care of her, to be there for her when she needs him.

My chest aches at the thought.

Before I can think on it further, she clears her throat, capturing my attention.“I could use a shower and that good night’s sleep you mentioned.”She scoops up her garbage and rises from the bed.She throws all of it in the trash.

I nod.“I’ll wait until you’re out and then I’ll take a quick one, too.”I dig through my duffel and pull out a stun gun.“Here.Keep this on the dresser.Just in case.”

Her pretty brown eyes open wide behind the frames.“What?No.I don’t even know how to use one.”

“And that’s what lessons are for.”

I stand beside her, breathing in her sweet scent as I walk her through the basics of use.I can’t stop the reaction to being so close, my dick hardening in my jeans.It doesn’t help when she leaves to shower, leaving me pressing a hand against my cock to alleviate the discomfort caused by the vision of hot water running over her naked curves.

My imagination goes wild with thoughts of the drops sliding over her slick body, following them with my hands, catching them with my tongue as they trail over her dusky nipples.

I groan, knowing it is going to be a long fucking night, sleeping in the same room and not being able to touch.

***

Talia

Aware of Shanejust a few feet outside the small, dingy bathroom, I shower and change into a T-shirt to sleep in.I’m not a girly girl, don’t dress up to climb into bed, and rarely have a man I need to impress in the same room.It is too late to wish for something sexier to put on that shows off my curves, reminding myself I am on the run, not looking for sex with my hot companion.Although I have to admit, I wouldn’t turn him down this time.

I draw a deep breath and step out of the bathroom.Shane has taken off his shirt, revealing the muscular body with tanned skin I saw so much of earlier this morning.Was it only less than twelve hours ago that this crazy journey began, bringing Shane back into my life?

I swallow hard.“Bathroom’s all yours,” I say, glancing away from his spectacular body.

“I’ll be out in a few minutes.”

“Take your time.”

He strides into the bathroom and shuts the door, turning on the water, which I already know is tepid and weak.But that doesn’t stop me from envisioning him naked, as he was in the outdoor shower.