Page 35

I couldn’t be a Guardian Protector. I like working in a team too much to go it alone. Protectors are solo operators and a bit crazy if you ask me.
To my surprise, I thought we would call it a night and head back to HQ. Instead, we return to the townhouse where Forest and Paul stepped in to protect Carmen and Rosalie, watching the girls in our absence.
Tonight, Rafe and Hayes will stay to provide the protective detail, which leaves me with no obvious reason to stay behind. But we’re invited for pizza on the roof and there’s no way I’m going to miss out on watching a sunset with Barbi.
“Can I top you off?” I lift a wine bottle and gesture at Barbi’s empty glass.
“Trying to get me drunk?” She covers her wineglass with her hand and looks up at me. The golden glow of the sunset illuminates her face, making her look even more stunning than usual.
“I’d rather have you clearheaded.” No reason to elaborate.
We sit off to the side, a bit away from the others. Forest, Paul, and Sara hang with Rafe, Hayes, Carmen, and Rosalie while Zeb and Kaye separate from the group and stand at the edge of the roof overlooking the sunset and city view.
“Clearheaded?” she echoes my words, leaving me. “You saying I’m easy?”
“Easy?” I scoff and roll my eyes. “I definitely wouldn’t say that. Hot? Yes. You’re definitely hot. Adventurous? That, too. But I’d never say you’re easy. Drunk sex is messy sex. Messes with the head too much to really have a good time. I don’t mix the two.”
“Funny.”
“What’s that?”
“Some men might call me a slut.” She arches a brow. “That I’m too easy.”
“From the way you canvassed that bar, you were clearly on the hunt. That’s not the sign of a slut.”
“Is that so? What makes a woman a slut in your eyes?”
“That sounds like dangerous territory. I’d be a fool to answer.”
“And yet you will.”
“You think so?”
“I know so.”
I pour the wine into her glass, but rather than setting the bottle down, I trace my finger over the back of her hand. Soft and warm, her breath hitches.
“You, my dear, are a temptress. A sultry seducer of men. Dangerous because you know what you want and go for it with no apologies and no regrets. That’s an unusual quality for a woman.”
“I want to argue with you. Say something along the lines of woman power and all. The sad truth is you’re absolutely right.”
“I noticed you didn’t drink at the bar, but you drink here?”
“I only drink in places where I know some asshole isn’t trying to spike my drink for an easy lay.”
“Ah, that’s very smart and incredibly sad.”
“Sad?”
“Yes.” I set the bottle down to sit beside her.
Lifting my arms overhead, I let them spread out on the back of the couch. It’s a classic move. I’ve used it many times in the past. All it does is bring a smile to Barbi’s face. The woman is absolutely stunning.
“Smooth move.” Her low chuckle makes my cock twitch.
I let my fingertips brush against her bare shoulder and draw little circles on her skin. She shivers in the most delicious way.
“I perfected that move at ten.”