Though her brothers hadn’t prepared him for her stunning beauty, they had prepared him for her stubborn streak. And from his research, he understood that trait had undoubtedly helped her build a technology company that was growing at a rapid pace.
“My night’s not over yet,” he informed her. “I’m going to have to walk home with you.”
She didn’t so much as break stride. “Free country. If you want to walk on the same sidewalk in the same direction, be my guest.”
He never got personal with clients, and always made sure to keep his emotions out of it, but he could barely stifle a grin. Her brothers had told him she was feisty—but they’d left out just how likable she was. Problem was, he didn’t think she was going to be much happier with any of them when she found out where he was now living. Knowing he needed to break that news to her took away his almost-smile in a flash.
Deciding that blunt was his best option, he said, “I’ll be staying in the apartment next to yours while I’m working with you.”
Again, she stopped dead on the sidewalk. For a few long seconds, she didn’t say anything, just stared at him as if he’d grown three heads and each of them was speaking a different language.
“I’m going to kill my brothers.” Each word was precise. And icy cold. When she turned around, he knew she must be planning to head back to the gallery to hunt them down.
“Suzanne,” he said as he moved to block her path, “I understand you don’t want me around. But your brothers didn’t hire me to hurt you. Hurting you is the very last thing they want. I’ve protected a lot of family members over the years, but I can see that they care about you more than most people are ever cared about their whole lives.” He ran a hand through his hair. “I worked for Ford Vincent for a while during one of his concert tours, and he said the same thing—Sullivans stick together and have each other’s backs, no matter what.” He hoped some of what he was saying was making a difference. “Alec, Harry, and Drake just want to make sure they’ve got your back.”
“Damn you.” Her words were softly spoken, but passionate nonetheless. “How did you know exactly what to say?”
Because I know you.
The crazy thought came at him from out of the blue. They’d only just met tonight, so it didn’t make any sense. Barely bridled attraction was obviously twisting things up inside his usually perfectly rational mind.
Working to shove crazy completely away, instead of answering her question, he said, “My job is to make sure nothing happens to you. But it’s a hell of a lot harder to keep you safe if you’re fighting me at every turn.”
“That’s too bad, because I’m not going to stop fighting,” she told him. “You might have taken round one by saying exactly the right thing at exactly the right time, but I guarantee the next round is going to me.”
With that, she took off at a brisk pace in the direction of her apartment. Knowing it would be wiser not to poke at her any more tonight by trying to walk beside her, he stayed a step behind. Close enough that he could smell her fresh scent wafting back to him—and had to work really hard not to stare at the curves outlined in her black jeans.
When they got to her building and he headed into the elevator with her, she muttered, “Note to self: Never live in a building owned by family. Especially when they don’t seem to know the meaning of the words privacy or autonomous.”
The second the elevator opened again, she shot toward her front door, clearly intending to dash inside and lock him out.
“Suzanne.” She wasn’t going to like this, but it still had to be done. “I need to do a quick search of your apartment to make sure there are no threats inside.”
He didn’t need to see her face to know how furious he’d just made her. Her body language alone said it.
“Fine.” She punched in her code on the electronic lock and all but kicked open the door.
His search was as quick as he could make it. Unfortunately, he couldn’t help but notice Suzanne’s mark on everything in her apartment, from the stack of computers and tablets on the coffee table, to the bright quilts and blankets that he guessed had been made for her by relatives, to the huge wall of family photos in the hallway to her bedroom.
Sweet Lord, if that wasn’t the most difficult room of all to walk into. Knowing that she’d soon be taking her clothes off and getting into her be—
Damn it. He couldn’t let his brain go there.
She was standing in the middle of her entryway looking irritated when he finished his search. “Everything’s clear.”