Page 48 of The Tycoon

Chapter12

The next morning after breakfast, Cole walked Regan out to the cabin.It was in better condition than she’d expected.Everything about it looked sturdy.The log cabin had a porch held up by four-by-fours and two rocking chairs sat to one side of the door.

Cole held the door open for her to enter.

The interior was quite cozy.It was one great room with a double bed along one wall.Across from that was a table with four ladder-backed chairs, and on the wall behind the table was a small kitchen with a sink, microwave, and mini-fridge.

“This is a nice little place.”Regan stepped farther into the building.“I’m surprised it doesn’t have a loft.”

“I didn’t see the need for one.Do you?”

She shook her head.“No, it was just a comment.”

“When do you think he’ll show up?”

“Today.Tomorrow, at the latest.I need to stay here and pretend to be you.”

“And just exactly how do you propose to do that?We don’t look anything alike, even if they didn’t notice you’re a woman.”

She shrugged.“I figured I would stay inside.”

“How would he know you…or I…am here?”Cole closed the door, leaned against it, and crossed his arms over his chest.“I should be the one who stays.”

“Why?He’ll be confused by me being here when he expects you.That will give me the time I need to take him down and end this.”

Cole pushed off from the door and ran a hand through his hair.“I don’t like you being in danger.”

“It’s my job, remember?”

He closed in on her and gripped her arms.“Maybe I don’t want you to do your job anymore.I know I offered you the position of my permanent bodyguard but that’s not an option any longer.”

She widened her eyes.“Are you firing me?”

“What?No.Yes.Dang it.”He pulled her close and lowered his head, taking her lips with his.

She hesitated and thought about pushing him away but the sensation was too much…too good.Regan gave in and wrapped her arms around his neck.

When he pulled back, she followed him, unready for the kiss to end.“Cole,” she whispered.

“Regan.”He met her lips again.

This kiss knocked her socks off.Nothing about it was gentle.He was fierce, taking her lips with a growl, his tongue dueled with hers, taking, tasting, owning her mouth.His hand cupped the back of her head, holding her to him, yet she knew she could pull away and he would let her.She didn’t.Instead, she tightened her hold around his neck.

Finally, he released her, and they came up for air, both breathless.

“I’ve wanted to do that since I first met you,” she admitted.

Cole smiled and took her hands in his.“Me, too.”

“What are we doing, Cole?”She relaxed her arms and stepped back.“What?Am I your bodyguard?Are we starting something more?”

“I don’t want you because you’re my bodyguard.You’re kind and smart, and you can kick butt better than any man I’ve ever met.As I’ve gotten to know you, I am more amazed by you.I don’t know where we’re going, but I want to find out.Don’t you?”

Regan swallowed hard and nodded.“I do.You’re not what I expected.I thought you’d be a cold, calculating man, like so many rich men I’ve met.But you’re not.You care…about your family…about your friends, and about your employees.I can’t be with you and work for you.But I can’t leave you, either.What kind of fool does that make me?”

“You’re not a fool because I feel the same way.Stay, and let’s find out what we have.Please.”

She thought about all the things that were wrong with this situation and all the things that were right.Cole was right…for her.She knew it in her heart.But she had to finish the job before anything could happen between them.