He pulled back a fist to hit me and another man decided to stop him. They both came with friends so it turned into a brawl.”
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“Were you dressed the way you were today?”
“Damn it. Minnie warned me what he was up to. She told me if all the men looked at my body he wouldn’t assign me a guard. I just made sure everyone looked.”
“I probably would have looked too, except I was so shocked when I realized who you were that I couldn’t tear my eyes away from your face until the shock wore off.” His voice lowered. “If he finds out what happened between us I might as well hand him my balls on a silver platter. You should have told me who the hell you were last night.
I’m furious.”
“I told those four men and they didn’t know who the hell my uncle was when I mentioned I was protected by him. It didn’t work with them so I figured it wouldn’t work with you. Excuse the hell out of me.”
“You could have said no.”
She had to shut her mouth, which had dropped open. “You didn’t have to come after me.”
They glared at each other. “All you had to do was say no.”
“I believe I did and you told me to shut up.”
“I didn’t say shut up exactly.”
“Close enough. It’s done. It’s a good thing I showered when I got home, huh? I washed my clothes too so nothing is marked anymore. No one but you and I know what happened.”
His shoulders relaxed. “You aren’t going to tell Omar?”
“Do I look…? Never mind. You think I’m stupid. I got that. Hell no, I’m not going to tell him anything about last night. That wasn’t just a threat when he said he’d put me over his damn knee. The last time he spanked me I was twenty-five years old. I couldn’t believe he almost blistered my ass.”
A smile tugged at the man’s mouth. “What did you do to deserve that?”
“Deserve this.” She flipped him off. “I am not telling you. We’re stuck together until your replacement comes. The guestroom is the first door down the hall to the right so we’ll just avoid each other. I’m going grocery shopping.”“Not without me.” He sighed. “I’m under orders to keep you in my sight at all times and that means you don’t go anywhere without me.” He paused. “And there is no replacement. I’m it, babe. Your uncle didn’t enjoy the way the guys eyed your body so I’m on duty until you leave town. When will that be? I had to put my life on hold.”
“Unbelievable,” she muttered. “I just arrived yesterday and I’m going to be here for two more weeks. I’m stuck with you for that long? The entire time?” He nodded. His dark eyes looked cold and angry. “That’s the plan.”
“Great. Well, you can’t keep me in your sight at all times.”
“Those are my orders and I follow them.”
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“You’re not watching me sleep and you sure as hell aren’t following me into the bathroom.”
His gaze raked down her slowly. She saw him pause at her breasts and then again at her hips until his gaze rose. “You owe me. It’s mating season and I’m not immune.
Thanks to your bad timing, I’m going to be the only single male not getting laid. The least you could do is let me watch you shower. Visual aids would be appreciated since I’ll be stuck relieving myself.”
“Pervert,” she sputtered. “Not a chance in hell.” A slow smile curved his lips. “We’ll see.”
“See this,” she gritted out. She spun and stormed for the kitchen. “Me walking away.”
He had the nerve to laugh. “I’m going to get settled and then we’ll go to the store.” Mika was fuming when she yanked up the phone and dialed Minnie’s cell number.
Minnie answered on the second ring.
“I guess he arrived?”
“What do you know about this asshole?” Mika kept her voice low.
“He’s an Enforcer. Remember what one of those is?”
“Remind me.”
“He kicks ass, is what it means. He’s a badass of the worst sort. On a personal note, he’s a good man who is as loyal as hell to the pack and he’s got honor. I hear he’s heaven in bed. I’d take him for a test spin if I were twenty years younger and not in love.”
“That helps a lot since I heard that castration threat from Uncle Omar.” Minnie chuckled. “Sarcasm just drips from your lips. Okay. He’s Elroy’s bastard son.”
Mika was shocked. Elroy was the alpha of the pack but he didn’t handle the day-today functions of the pack. That fell to Uncle Omar. Elroy and Omar were best friends and had been raised together. She knew Elroy had four sons but she’d never been allowed to meet them since Uncle Omar was so damn protective of her. He could control all pack males but those four.
“One of the four?”
“No.” Minnie’s voice softened. “He was born before Elroy mated to Eve when he had a short relationship with a human and she gave birth to Grady. Elroy didn’t know about that boy until the woman showed up with him when Grady was ten. She didn’t know what Elroy was until Grady started shifting. She freaked out the first time her son sprouted hair. That’s when she brought Elroy his son. She pretty much walked up to the door, told Elroy to take him, and abandoned Grady on the doorstep.
Eve had a damn fit and wouldn’t let Grady in her house. I know she’s my alpha bitch but that woman is heartless. It wasn’t Grady’s fault he was born to another woman, but she made Elroy have other pack families raise Grady. He grew up hard, 28
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Mika, so give him a break. He turned out to be a good man despite his shitty childhood.
Elroy acknowledges him and so do his sons but Eve is a nightmare when it comes to Grady. He’s still not allowed in her house or near her and she goes out of her way to shun him.”
Mika leaned against the counter. “That’s fucked up.”
“It is. Now he’s got this shit job of protecting you, no offense. He’s got a bar to run but instead he’s stuck at your house and it’s going to hurt his business. I tried to tell Omar this was stupid but he wouldn’t listen to me.”
“A bar?”
“Yeah. It’s his baby. He patrols two nights a week for the pack and he handles pack business during the day for the most part. The other five nights he runs his place. He opened last year. He’s doing well from what I hear and he lives in an apartment over the bar. He’s a good guy so don’t bust his balls too bad. He’s about as happy about being your guard as you are to have one.”
Sighing, Mika nodded. “Okay. I’ll play nice.”
Minnie chuckled. “He’s hot.”
She hesitated. “Yeah.”
“I don’t envy you. He won’t touch you though. He’ll want his balls attached to his body.”
“Would Uncle Omar really—”
“You bet your ass.” Minnie sighed. “He’s determined that you’re going to marry some nice human man.” She snorted. “Like that’s guaranteeing you a happy life. I’m telling you that I love him but the man has funny ideas about life.”
“Who said anything about marriage?”
“That’s my girl,” Minnie laughed. “Use condoms if you do go after that man and wash everything twice. Don’t forget our damn sense of smell. The last thing you need is to forget to wash your bedding and have my love step into your room.”
“It’s not happening.”
Minnie sighed. “Probably not. Grady will follow his orders to the letter since he is always trying to prove himself to his father and he’s under orders to not touch you. Call me if you need me.”
“Thanks.” Mika hung up.
The next two weeks were going to be hell if she had to spend them with Grady. She turned to face him when she heard him coming. She met his dark gaze as he stepped into the kitchen with her, seeing that he’d changed into a pair of jeans and a red tank top. She eyed his exposed arms and swallowed. The man had broad, tan shoulders and his arms were well defined. He definitely ate his Wheaties and lifted weights.
She blew out her breath. He looked mighty fine and totally fuckable. His wild hair called to her and she had the urge to run her fingers through it. He was one hell of a 29
Laurann Dohner
well-put-together package of hard-body male and his long hair was playing hell with her libido.“Could you put your hair up?” She gave him a hopeful smile.
He frowned. “What’s wrong with my hair?”
She hesitated. Mika thought about lying to him but she wasn’t that type, admiring honesty most. “You look really sexy with your hair down and your body displayed but I’d be totally disgusted if you’d grease your hair back. How about it?” She gave him an encouraging smile. “I have cooking oil right over there by the stove. The greasier, the grosser.”
He lifted his arms and crossed them over his chest. His full, firm lips molded into a frown as those dark eyes seemed to go darker.
“I am not putting grease in my hair.” His gaze roamed down her. “And what about you? You’re wearing a damn skirt. Go put on baggy jeans.” She looked down at her skirt. “It’s decent when I don’t have it hiked up. It’s past my knees and it’s loose.” She raised her chin and met his gaze. “What’s wrong with it?”