Page 29 of The Protection Agreement

“Goodnight, Lexi,” he says as I close my office door. I came home earlier than usual to be with her. I’m not sure how to relate to finding them so happy with each other. I’m still brooding when I get the alert of him leaving the unit. Lexi and I are alone. I should go back out, but I force my computer open, staring blankly at the screen.

My mind is on her. I force my brain to focus, but it wouldn’t. It’s fucking stuck on her. After my last failed effort, I shut my computer down and head to my room. I need a shower. I come to a halt when I find her on the sofa.

“Hi,” she says quietly, and every ounce of anger and jealousy disappears.

“Hi,” I respond, smiling. “How was your day?” I ask.

“You first. How was your day?” she volleys.

I move further into the room and sit on the edge of the bed, facing her. “My day was busy and long. I have a client that’s bent on breaking every rule of his protection detail. Basically, we are working extra hours to keep up with him.” I sigh. Never mind the fact that I miss you, so I came home early.

“Sorry to hear that, but it explains why you are home late.” I chuckle at that. If only she knew.

“Your turn. How was your day?”

“It was nice. Chef brought me ice cream from some store. It was superb. We made lunch and dinner. Your dinner is in the warmer.” I already ate with the guys. I try to do that at least once every week. “Ice and I are switching from thriller to comedy to see whose movie pick is better. I made puff puff with chef. I wanted to save you some, but Ice ate it all. I didn’t fight him because, truthfully, it’s best right out of the fryer. He’s convinced you might not like it because it’s greasy.” She smiles

“Let me be the judge of that.”

“Good.” She smiles. “I’ll have it prepared and ready when you get home tomorrow.” I nod. There’s tension in the air between us.

“Is it okay if I sleep here? I don’t want to take my meds.”

“You are welcome to sleep here anytime you want. I got the sofa for you. If you prefer the bed, I can take the sofa.” I offer

“The sofa is fine. Thank you.” She mutters

Silence and desire swirl like smoke around us. The fire burns slowly in us as we hold each other’s gaze. I rise from the bed, and she turns to the backrest.

“Goodnight, Bruce.”

“Goodnight, Lexi,” I manage to respond before rushing into the bathroom to fucking help myself out

Chapter eighteen

Bruce

Lexi and I continue to dance around our attraction, neither of us wanting to give in. I agreed not to touch her; it’s the worst agreement I’ve ever made because each day, I’m around her, the craving to claim her gets stronger, so each freaking day is another day closer to breaking the agreement.

It’s the weekend, and we are alone in the unit. She’s on a video call with Jonah, the big bad elephant that stands between us, and I’m filled with jealousy.

“Bye,” she says, blowing a kiss.

“Bye, Sprinkles, talk again soon,” he replies, smiling.

She hangs up, and I step into the room.

“Hey,” she says.

“You okay?” I ask. I’m not okay with her talking to him, but I can’t tell her that.

“Yeah, I’m fine. I just miss him, and I don’t like that I can’t give him any details for fear of saying the wrong thing or something that might get tracked. It upsets me that I must talk to him in coded language and be extra careful with my words every time. I miss when he and I could talk about everything and spend the day with him without worry of someone trying to kill me.”

“I understand. Everything will be okay soon, and you can go back to him,” I say, even as my heart grips at the thought of her leaving and going back to him. Why do I dislike the thought of that so much? She has only been here a few days, yet I’m planning to keep her longer. I want to keep her forever.

Jonah Lloyd will probably send an enemy to take me out if I try to do that.

“Lunch is ready,” I say to break the silence.