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His words cracked open a door to her heart. She returned his stare. He could probably read her face and see she was falling hard for him, but right now, she didn’t care.
The air between them heated. Her skin beneath Lachlan’s palm grew hypersensitive, her breasts heavy. His eyes darkened to jade. She licked lips that had gone as dry as the desert and waited for the storm raging in his eyes to push him in her direction.
Lachlan was at a crossroads. Sophia’s eyes broadcast her every emotion, and right now, they were staring at him like he was the hero in the painting hanging in his living room. If he kissed her right now, it wouldn’t end there. They’d be in her bed, his head and cock taking turns between her thighs as he made her scream while he slaked the hunger beating at him, testing his control.
For some reason, his thoughts went to his staff sergeant. What would Thom have thought of Sophia? Would he have approved, or would his pale blue eyes brim with disappointment and frustration that Lachlan had made the same mistake again?
I don’t trust her, lad.
Fear struck swift and deep, like a bullet embedded in his chest. Nadia’s beautiful, deceitful face hovered in his brain, taunting him. What if he fell for Sophia only to discover her open, trusting nature was a clever disguise, masking lies that would break him because he couldn’t be betrayed by another woman he cared for and survive.
He snatched back his hand and shot to his feet, ignoring Sophia’s startled expression. “I have to go. Make sure you keep your doors and windows locked and use the security system.”
“Lachlan.” His name tore from her lips to stab him in the chest. She ran, putting herself between him and the door. “Don’t go, please.”
“I’m no’ your Prince Charming,” he snarled. His ghosts rode him hard, even as hurt bloomed in Sophia’s eyes. He was being irrational, and he knew it, but he couldn’t seem to stop.
Her lips thinned, the pain in her eyes replaced with steel. “No, you definitely aren’t Prince Charming.” She stepped into his space despite her wee size and glared at him, her temper sparking. “This nutcase Haider followed me because of you.” She poked him in the ribs. “Deal withhim. I can take care of myself.” A bleak look stole over her face that brought a protest to his throat he couldn’t voice. “I’ve been doing it my whole life.”
For a split second, he wavered. “Sophia,mo leannan, if I was another man, in another life.”
“What’s wrong with the man you are now?” She searched his face, seeking answers.
He responded with a kiss, pouring everything he couldn’t say into her mouth with gentle strokes of his tongue. Not the burning desire he’d felt last time but something more profound that filled him with longing and a touch of melancholy.
Then he stepped away from her and opened her door. “I won’t let anything happen to you. That’s all I can give you right now.” His voice sounded bleak to his ears. He couldn’t help but think it matched his future. “Turn on your alarm.”
Chapter Fourteen
LachlangazedbroodinglyatSophia’s back as she returned folders to his filing cabinet the next morning. The navy dress she wore clung lovingly to her body, and he allowed his stare to linger on the rounded curves of her bottom before moving on to her firm calves and matching heels.
Nathan had been waiting when her friend drove her to work. There’d been no sign of Haider.
As soon as Nathan tracked down where Nadia’s brother was staying, Lachlan would be paying him a visit before the FBI did. The more he thought about it, the more he became convinced that Haider was involved in the weapons being trafficked to Khan. Maybe Nadia wasn’t the only member of her family who’d sympathized with the Taliban.
He’d be able to get information out of Haider using methods the FBI would frown upon. His techniques might be unpleasant, but they wouldn’t leave any evidence.
Sophia gathered the papers she’d assembled. “Well, I guess that’s everything.” She didn’t look at him, and he cursed inwardly at the awkwardness between them after the way he’d left her home last night. It wasn’t fair to touch her when he couldn’t promise her anything. She wasn’t the kind of woman who had sex for the sake of sport.
No,her emotions were involved, and he wouldn’t take advantage of her attraction to him for his own physical gratification.
He didn’t know if he was capable of offering her more.
How could he trust her when he couldn’t even trust himself?
“That should keep Fred off both our backs, aye?” He mustered up a smile when she finally met his eyes. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Her cheeks pinkened. She swept the papers into a manilla folder. “Thank you for your time.”
He stood. “Sophia, I—” He needed to say something. He didn’t like the stiff way she held herself.
“No, Lachlan, it’s okay.” Her sad smile bothered him more than he’d thought possible. “I understand.” She sucked in a deep breath, her nose wrinkling in a way he could only describe as cute.
Cute?Nathan would laugh his arse off if Lachlan ever said it out loud.
“Besides, Emily went ballistic when she found out about my…stalker. She’s not your biggest fan at the moment, I’m afraid.”
“I’ll pick you up from work and bring you home until I track down Haider. When I’m not available, my friend Nathan can escort you. He can also upgrade your sec—”