Page 125 of Guarding Grace

Terry advanced on him. “He attacked my woman and my friend, so yes, I shot back. I protect the people close to me against anyone who threatens them—anyone. I only regret that I didn’t get him between the eyes and now he’s going to take up a hospital bed that should go to somebody who matters.”

“You’re a menace too. I’m definitely getting her thrown out of this building.”

Terry advanced, forcing the older man to back away. “It sounds to me like you’re threatening her.”

“No. No. Of course not,” Sakman spluttered. “I would never.”

“Good. Because Grace has put a lot of effort into her business. It’s important to her, and she’s important to me.” Terry forced him back farther. “If you do anything that hurts her, I will be back to see you, and you do not want me to come looking for you. Do you understand?”

Even though Terry’s words were aimed at Sakman, his lethal tone scared the shit out of me.

“Yes, sir.” A wet spot appeared on Sakman’s pants.

Terry backed away and lowered his voice. “What’s your name?”

“Sakman. Uh, Albert Sakman.”

“Albert… I like that. It sounds like an honest name. What do you do, Albert?”

Sakman partially regained his composure. “Financial… financial consulting.”

“Rich clients?”

“The upper tier of the one percent,” Sakman said, puffing up and putting on his sales voice.

“Albert.” Terry put his arm around me. “Grace and I got shot at today because she went out of her way to help her cousin. I happen to think that helping family is pretty damned admirable, don’t you?”

Sakman nodded vigorously. “Uh-huh.”

“Maybe she’s the kind of high-integrity person you’d refer your upper-tier-of-the-one-percent clients to?”

Sakman did a bobble-head imitation. “Absolutely.”

“I like that. It’s good to know that you’ll have Grace’s back in the future.”

Sakman was still nodding.

“It’s been nice to meet you, Albert, but we have to go now.” He pulled me against his side. “Kitten, let’s get you inside.”

Could this man be any more perfect? I blinked back a tear of joy at the way he’d gone out of his way to turn a complete shitshow into something positive for me. “We need to get you something to wear.” I liked his chest and his ink, but I didn’t like the idea of all my employees ogling him.

“I left a windbreaker in your office.” He waited until we were alone in the elevator to add. “Or, we could go into your office, pull the blinds, and I could rip your shirt off so we’re even.”

I slapped his shoulder. “Stop that. This is my place of work, Goodwin.”

His thumb teased my breast. “You know what they say about all work and no play?”

His words sent a rush of heat between my legs. I pulled the red emergency stop button.

As soon as the alarm bell started ringing, I grabbed him for a kiss. He fought me, but I took control, plundering his mouth. The noise of the alarm only heightened the experience for me, and I was breathless when we broke the kiss. “I had to say thank you for being there for me.”

He touched his nose to mine. “You know, they’re probably calling the fire department right now.” He had to speak loudly over the blaring alarm.

I nodded, gave him one last peck on the lips, and released him. “When we get home, I plan to show you how thankful I can be.”

He reset the emergency stop, and the elevator started back up silently. “We don’t have to wait.” He grinned mischievously, cradling my waist. “Your office is closer.”

I pushed at his shoulder. “As fun as the office sounds, I have a client demo to do.”