Page 128 of Under Her Protection

“You are.”

Vivienne opened her eyes.

Leo stood at the end of the bed wearing nothing but a pair of dark lounge pants, her muscular torso bare and small breasts free, dark hair already pushed back from her face in the way she preferred it. One hand rested on her hip.

The other pointed accusingly at Marie.

Marie, grey-furred and green-eyed, was sitting directly on Leo’s shirt.

The cat stared back at her without remorse.

Vivienne allowed herself a moment to appreciate the scene.

A year ago, Leo had been the bodyguard assigned to keep her alive.

Now she was half naked in their bedroom arguing with their cat.

Life had improved considerably.

“She likes your shirt,” Vivienne said.

“She likes everything I need.”

“Perhaps she has excellent taste.”

Leo looked toward the bed.

Her irritation vanished instantly.

It was still there between them.

That thing.

Vivienne had once assumed desire would eventually settle into familiarity. That after enough mornings together, enough dinners and shared beds and journeys and ordinary conversations, Leo would cease to affect her with such devastating efficiency.

She had been wrong.

Leo’s gaze moved slowly over her.

Vivienne was wearing a cream silk robe, loosely tied over the nightdress she had slept in. At home, she dressed differently than she did in Paris. The immaculate suits and heels and armour of a billionaire CEO were still waiting whenever business required them, but here she allowed herself softness.

Leo liked that softness.

Far too much.

Her eyes darkened.

Vivienne raised one eyebrow.

“Whatever you’re thinking, Cole, the answer is probably no.”

Leo’s mouth curved.

“Interesting.”

“Why?”

“I hadn’t asked anything.”