Page 30 of Protecting Peyton

I knew how that would go. “Look, she needs the help, but she won’t ask for it. She’s Grace’s employee and friend, so she’s one of us.”

“I get it,” Jordy said with a touch of reluctance in his voice. “The outside is a piece of cake, but I refuse to do anything inside without her knowledge. I won’t go there.”

“How about the hallway outside her unit?”

He sighed. “I can go along with that. I’ll need to know when she plans on being home so she doesn’t spot me while I’m doing the work.”

“Thanks. I owe you.”

“Three bottles of Macallan twelve will do nicely.”

He wasn’t hesitant to ask for what he wanted.

I ended the call, and after putting my phone away, I spent a few moments studying Peyton’s desk.Who are you really?

The woman was exasperating. She’d given me the cold shoulder again this morning when I’d asked what she was hiding.

I’d mentally talked myself in circles on the problem of the beautiful Ms. Smith—such a common name for someone I was sure was uncommonly nice under the thorns.

My frontal-assault tactics so far hadn’t worked. It was time to be more subtle and give her time to trust me.

What was so hard about trusting me anyway? I was a nice guy. I’d served my country and only killed bad guys. I brushed my teeth and showered regularly.

Sometimes in combat, letting the opposition come to you was the best approach. I had time to employ different tactics. That had to be it. OGS, Operation Go Slow, would start today and eventually get me where I wanted to go—no, needed to go. This woman exerted a pull on me that I couldn’t describe or resist.

Peyton emerged from Grace’s office and stood by the door. She didn’t go to her desk or even glance toward the demo rooms to see if her boss was done. She looked directly at me and smiled.

I liked that.

Then, she crooked her finger for me to come over. That was a change. But it was time for OGS. I shook my head, picked up my phone, and looked away.

I’ll be damned. Seconds later, her legs—yes, those long, delectable legs—appeared in front of me. “March, could I have a minute of your time…in private?”

“Not yet, and it’s Zane.” I scrolled through my phone. “I have to watch for Grace. She could be done any moment.”

“Please?”

Figuring this was working pretty well, after a moment I stood. “Lead the way.” I noticed Marci watching us.

Peyton led me to Grace’s open office and entered. Whatever it was, she was serious about her privacy statement.

With people in the office around us, I didn’t stare at her ass as I followed. After closing the door behind us, I stopped. “What’s up, Angel?”

She spun and crossed her arms over her chest. “You can’t… Sorry, I didn’t mean to snap. I’ve had a very trying twenty-four hours.”

The way her crossed arms lifted her chest slowed my reactions. I could only guess it was the Angel comment she hadn’t liked. “How can I help?”

She relaxed, and her arms dropped.

I only realized the bad phrasing after I’d said it. If Peyton said she wanted me to leave her alone, I’d kick my own ass for being so stupid.

She worried her hands. “You offered lunch, and I’d like to accept.”

I couldn’t believe how well this was working. “I did.”

“Today.” She added a smile that lit up the room.

“I can’t.” Regardless of how she tempted me, work came first. “I’m on duty.”