Page 8 of Furious Protector (Ruthless Guardians #4)

Jules

A hot shower dispels the grogginess, even though a cold shower is probably what I really needed after that sweet-talking man filled my ears with all those dirty thoughts.

There is no denying he is the real deal, through and through.

Any number of men would have taken full advantage of my flirty self tonight, without any thought or remorse.

I wrap in one of the body-sized cashmere towels that I received for Christmas from Krissy and Cole last year and comb out and blow dry my hair.

The eyes staring back at me look a little glossy still.

No more drinking on an empty stomach. Duly chastised, I put the finishing touches on my hair before heading to the bedroom to get changed.

Dressed in a fresh pair of jeans and tee, I pad barefoot into the dining room to find the gang sitting around the table with four pizzas, cut and in the center.

Plates sit in front of them along with napkins.

I glance at Beckett who gives me a smirk.

“I told you I’d do just fine. Sit down and grab something to eat. ”

Lacy gives me wide eyes and chews the bite in her mouth. “You better do what the boss says, or he may just flip you over and tan your hide.”

My mouth gapes. “Lacy!”

She grins and looks at Garrett who just shakes his head and tries rather unsuccessfully to keep the smirk off of his face. Lacy shrugs, wiping her mouth with a napkin. “It’s not like anyone in the room can’t feel the sparks flying off the wall between the two of you. Whew!” she says.

PJ averts her eyes, trying to stay out of the conversation, but Lacy’s not one to keep her nose to herself and she doesn’t want to be alone.

She gently pushes PJ’s shoulders. “Come on, can’t you feel the vibes between these two?

What do you want to bet that the minute we’re out that door they’re smooching away? ”

Beckett gives me a smile and a wink from his seat across from me. He looks first to Lacy, then to PJ. “I have no doubt that if anything develops, you two will be the first to know.”

My cheeks flame. “Sure, encourage them, Beckett. Now rumors will be floating all over town. Lacy and PJ will tell Lettie and then Lettie will tell every single person that walks through the doors of Wild Deuces bar.”

“A good way to get a message to the Eldridge crew that you’re locked up and protected. Right? Let them think what they want right now. We know the truth.”

The butterflies in my stomach stop dancing and a lump forming in the back of my throat makes it difficult to swallow. Beckett doesn’t really want me…

So, maybe I got ahead of myself, or maybe the green-eyed hunk has had second thoughts about a fling with me.

Either way, it shouldn’t hurt my feelings or my pride and I’m not going to let on for a moment that it did.

“Right, let them think what they want. They don’t need to know you’re about as far from my type as you can get. ”

I grab a piece of pizza, place it on a napkin, and grab a water. “I’m heading to bed everyone. It has been such a long day. Stay as long as you like. You know your way out. Just lock up behind you.”

I make my way toward the hallway, not needing to turn around to feel his eyes on my body, because they heat my skin right through.

Lacy, what a big mouth. At least PJ could have stood up for me, but she just sits there quiet and smug.

It wasn’t so funny when they were attracted to their guys, was it?

I’ve gotten myself worked up into quite the tizzy by the time I reach my bedroom, and the door closes behind me harder than intended. So, we’re not a thing. I never thought we were a thing. Not really.

But he did say tomorrow. Maybe I just read more into that little statement than he meant, maybe my traitorous body just wanted him to want me the same way I wanted him.

Damn that second drink all to hell. I swear it’s messing with my hormones and my senses.

Especially where that green-eyed devil is concerned.

Either way… I guess now I know.

I finish my pizza and guzzle down the bottle of water before padding to the bathroom to brush my teeth. The minute I slide under the covers and close my eyes my mind wanders in a million directions. Sleep, I just need sleep and for this damnable day to come to a long and uneventful end.

Ten minutes later, I’m still awake. I plump my pillow and curl into it again, pulling the blanket over my shoulder, closing my eyes tight, and this time willing my mind to shut down and for sleep to come and let me drift away.

The smell of bacon permeates my senses as the succulent aroma wafts through the air.

I slowly open my eyes and slip out of bed to get dressed and go investigate.

Beckett is in the kitchen wearing a deep, dark blue pair of jeans and a black tee shirt this morning.

“I didn’t realize when you said you were going to hang out that you meant you were going to cook and all. ”

He grins. “The others stayed a while and then left. The night was uneventful, but I didn’t expect anything to happen last night. I’m usually up early.”

I slide into the bar stool across the counter. “Thanks for staying. I appreciate it.” He plates the scrambled eggs and bacon and sets it in front of me.

I’m so hungry the aroma absolutely fills my senses and causes my stomach to growl. “It looks and smells delicious. I ate plenty of pizza last night, but I’m famished.”

“Butter on your toast?” he asks as the toaster pops. I nod, caught with half a mouth full already. I swallow and smile, grabbing a napkin from the counter. “Yes, please. What a way to wake up.”

Beckett turns and brings back a small plate with three pieces of toast and places it between us, sliding into the chair next to me. His leg brushes my thigh as his eyes lock with mine. “I could think of a better way.”

My cheeks flame. Damn that man and his uncanny ability to knock me off my game. I meet his green gaze. “I don’t know. This is pretty good. It would be hard to beat.”

He takes a drink of his coffee. “I’d beat it.”

I arch an eyebrow. “What happened to, ‘Oh, it’s a good way to get a message to the Eldridge crew that you’re locked up and protected? Right? Let them think what they want right now. We know the truth.’”

Mr. Smug has the audacity to smirk. “Memorized that bit, did you?”

I narrow my eyes and chomp my toast louder than intended, averting my eyes. “Maybe.”

Beckett puts his coffee down and pushes a piece of hair from my face. “Look at me,” he coaxes.

Slowly, my eyes meet his again. “I wanted you to be able to drive the narrative, and not to have to deal with any pressure from your friends. Besides, what we do or don’t do is our business alone. We don’t need the whole friend crew to weigh in.”

His finger traces down my cheek from where he’s tucked my hair behind my ear and follows the gentle slope of my neck, causing desire to pool at my center as though he had touched me somewhere else. “Okay?”

I try to calm the racing of my heart, but it has a mind of its own.

This man pushes every little button that I have.

“Thank you. Sincerely, it was very thoughtful, and I took it the wrong way. My friends were just trying to get back at me for all the matchmaking Lettie and I have done with them over the years.”

He grins that sexy little smile of his. “Finish your breakfast before it gets cold. We have a lot to do. I’ll pop these dishes into the washer and then we need to get moving.

We’re meeting Sheriff Cates at Wild Deuces’ back lot this morning to get a rundown of the event planning and the security plans for next week. ”

“We?”

His brow arches. “We. You’re glued to my hip for the duration of the week.

If my guess is right, Eldridge was the first one those boys called when they got to jail last night and more men are probably on the way.

Tommy and his crew got settled in at Wild Deuces, but I’d like to be a few steps ahead of the Eldridge crew myself. ”

“A lot has been going on since I fell asleep.”

He places his dishes in the washer and comes back for mine just as I pick the last bit of bacon from the plate.

I finish the last of my coffee and bring the cup to the sink and wash down the sink area and stove. “This really was delicious. Thanks for making me breakfast, and for staying to protect me. I try not to let what happened last year get to me, but clearly it does sometimes.”

“The guys told me what happened. I’m really sorry I wasn’t here then. You damn sure wouldn’t have been dancing with that drug-giving cowboy.”

It’s hard not to blush because every nerve on the inside is quivering with every little flirt, but I try hard to conceal that bubbling desire. “When my mind starts thinking about it too much, I usually put on a pair of sneakers and go for a run to get my mind on something else.”

Beckett’s hand snakes under my hair, caressing my nape, drawing me closer, but not yet touching my lips. “Ask me to kiss you.”

My cheeks heat instantly. The woman not usually at a loss for words is definitely at a loss now and drowning in his deep green eyes.

He’s so close I can feel his heart beating.

That feeling alone gets me going like never before.

It was going to happen since the first time I set eyes on this guy. “Kiss me,” I whisper.

His lips caress mine, gently, coaxing me to part, exploring, sending shivers of desire right down my spine as the smooth-tongued devil takes my breath away.

My hands find their way into his hair, stroking the back of his neck, pulling him as close as he can be, returning his kiss with a passion that I’ve never experienced before.

One hand stays under my hair while his finger explores the contour of my face. “I knew you were going to be trouble from the very first moment I saw you, darling.”

The butterflies in my stomach dance with the desire of it all. It’s hard to keep the smile from my face. “I guess you’re not immune to my charms, after all.”

He smirks and taps my nose. “I’m not immune at all. I just think there’s a time and a place. You needed sleep last night, Jules.”

I pull his head down to me. “You just scored even more points in my book. Thank you for being a gentleman.” I kiss his lips lightly. “I’ll go freshen up, grab some shoes and my purse and I’ll be ready to go.”

I spin to walk out of the kitchen, but he turns me around and draws me into his big strong arms. “One more for the road, darling.”