Take a Risk (Risk #1) by Scarlett Finn Page B

show face at the club?’
    Her smile flared of its own volition. ‘You’ll want to check that I’m ok.’
    ‘I’m doing that now. And you sound fine.’
    ‘Because by calling you’ve proved that you care about me.’
    ‘I care about staying in the loop,’ he said.
    ‘You can probably get a copy of the report,’ she said, still sure that she was right. ‘Have you been outside for a while?’
    ‘I was at the front of the property and didn’t witness the act,’ he said with the strain of frustration. ‘I’d just done a perimeter check, I must have just missed him.’
    ‘We all missed him…’ Taking on a serious tone, she confessed the truth of her fear that until now she’d hidden behind false indifference. ‘He’s escalating.’
    ‘He is. He couldn’t find you the other night and now he probably thinks that you’re dating Keith.’
    ‘So by dating and changing my routine he’s gotten mad?’
    ‘Maybe.’
    ‘I don’t want him to hurt Keith, it would be unfair when the man’s never laid a hand on me.’
    ‘Unlike me.’
    She relaxed into another smile. ‘You can take care of yourself, babe. Unless those sexy muscles are all for show.’
    ‘If he came after me it would make our job easier.’
    ‘I don’t want him coming after anyone.’ The voices in the living room rose again, distracting her.
    ‘What’s that? The shouting?’ Colt asked through the phone.
    ‘Pete and Suzette are fighting. I better go and diffuse the situation. Tell me I’ll see you tomorrow.’
    ‘You’ll see me,’ he grumbled like he’d been busted. ‘Cover that window with plastic or cardboard and call a glazier first thing.’
    ‘I will.’
    ‘Do you want me to do it?’
    ‘Come in and cover my window?’
    ‘Arrange to have your window replaced,’ he said. ‘I’m not sure that the guy won’t be back tonight.’
    ‘Thanks, I’ll definitely sleep better knowing that you think that, especially since you’re the expert in this field.’
    ‘I’m round the back, I’ll watch the back window all night,’ he said. ‘No one will sneak inside, I promise you, Cherrypop.’
    ‘If you’re up all night watching my window then you won’t have a chance to sleep. Why would you do that?’
    ‘Because otherwise you won’t settle and you don’t need the stress.’
    She wondered if he knew how much of himself he had revealed to her during this conversation. It seemed that he’d had a fright too. Or maybe it was his professional pride that was wounded, but Lyssa knew it went beyond that, she just hoped that it reached to the personal.
    ‘That’s very kind of you to be so considerate.’
    ‘Ruger’s sitting outside the front, far enough away that he won’t get noticed, but you’re safe, Lys.’
    Such an act of kindness spread warmth from her core to all of her extremities. ‘Send your brother home. You can come and protect me from the inside.’
    ‘You’re a client,’ he said in an almost sing-song voice.
    ‘Is that all that’s stopping you?’ she asked. ‘If I was to put my hand in your jeans now, what would I find?’
    ‘You’d find yourself in trouble, doc, because you shouldn’t mess with patients.’
    ‘You’re not a patient,’ she laughed. ‘That was a smokescreen appointment… but if you want me to stop pursuing you, I get it. I’ll give you a reprieve… at least until tomorrow night.’
    ‘You’re a saint,’ he said and she heard his blessed smile. ‘Cover the window and get rid of your guests. Ruge and I will watch your ass.’
    ‘I know how you enjoy doing that, babe.’
    ‘Oh, I do, but watching is allowed.’
    ‘So is touching,’ she purred. ‘If I didn’t think that he was watching I might be tempted to give you a show… Think about that while you’re watching my bedroom. Goodnight.’
    Hanging up, she was pleased with her tease and she took some time to immerse herself in her hormonal response to the man who stirred her feminine desires, then she got up and went to