Page 220 of Duty and Desire

“No. Thanks anyway.”

“Go lie back down.”

“What?”

He set the doodad down on the kitchen counter. “I want to try something. Go and lie back down.”

“Mr. Thayer, what exactly are you planning to do?”

“Miss Cooper, please.”

I huffed somewhat crankily and headed back into my bedroom. “Fine. Okay. But whatever it is, it’s not going to work.”

“I appreciate your open mindedness.”

“Very funny.”

He followed me into the room, sitting in the charcoal velvet wingback against the wall. Plenty of distance away from my big bed though facing toward me. This was crazy town. And sadly, he didn’t plan on indulging in any naked shenanigans.

“I don’t think you watching me is going to help me relax,” I said.

“Let’s just try and see.”

I lay down, trying to get comfortable. But tranquil and relaxed wasn’t how I felt around my current crush. Stupid libido. Why couldn’t I just respect him for his mind? So shallow of me. “Isn’t this a bit above and beyond the tenets of your position?”

“Quiet time now.”

“Are you telling me to shut up?”

He sighed more heavily than any put-upon male has ever felt the need to sigh before. Truly it was mighty. “Mae. Please…”

“Alright, alright,” I said, getting settled. “But only because you used my first name.”

“You have to close your eyes.”

I did as told. “Are you going to tell me a bedtime story?”

“No.” And he said no more.

I opened one eye, just to check on the situation. But he was sitting there, watching me in silence. What with my job and all, people staring at me happened on a regular basis. However, having this man’s full attention was something else indeed. Helooked at me and I looked at him, and neither of us said anything. Apparently the man would just be waiting me out.

Fine. Whatever.

I closed my watchful eye and laced my fingers over my belly. No chance I’d actually fall asleep like this, no matter how tired I was. It had been a while since anyone was in my bedroom, let alone watched me sleep. Not sure if it was more of a stalker or a safety blanket move. Though I did feel protected with him there. Also weirded out in a way, but still. Ziggy carried a gun and probably knew how to Kung Fu or Muay Thai someone into oblivion, whereas I’d flunked out of boxercise. So it’s not like anyone would be getting past the man to hurt me. Right here and now I was safe.

With nothing else to listen to, I listened to him breathe. In and out, in and out. Slow and steady. Calm and controlled. And somewhere along the line, miracle of miracles, I actually did drift off to sleep.

CHAPTER 4

A knock on the door woke me. Couldn’t tell what time it was with the curtains drawn and the room mostly in darkness. But in the corner sat a large dark shadow of a man. I reached for my cell on the bedside table. No way. It said nine am. I’d slept a whole damn day. I flicked on the lamp, yawning and stretching.

Fast asleep, Ziggy didn’t seem quite as intimidating. His head lay against the side of the chair. His long dark eyelashes rested against his face. The striking angular lines of his cheekbones were softened somehow. Stubble lined his jaw and the hint of roughness suited him big time. Across his lap lay his suitcoat along with his holster and gun. Bet he’d be up and ready to go in an instant if necessary. Surprising he hadn’t heard the knock. He must be fast asleep.

It made my heart mushy, seeing him this way, knowing he’d stayed all night to watch over me. Or maybe he’d been exhausted and had simply crashed for an epic sleep too. Then again, maybe he was just a kind person. A bit of both, perhaps?

The knocking came again and he stirred. I jumped out of bed and ran for the door before the noise could fully wake him, stopping to check the identity of my visitor in the peephole like a sensible person before turning off the alarm.

“Leonard.” I smiled.