Her fingers trace the tribal patterns on my forearm. “Don’t worry about Brody. He hates everyone. If you’re doing right byme, he won’t exile you. That’s why he hired you in the first place. Besides, we’re on the run and don’t need to seek shelter at the farmstead manor.”
Before I can reply, an alert appears on my phone. There’s movement detected at the driveway entrance. Perfect timing. Our house is just around this bend.
“Do you see that, Spud?” Bianca’s voice is sweeter than her lilac perfume. “Daddy is grinning like the stars just aligned. I wonder what’s waiting for us at home.”
My jaw drops when two men haul the biggest mattress I’ve ever seen out of the back of a moving truck. “What did you do, Colton?”
“Got you a new bed.”
I gawk at the scene unfolding through the windshield. Suspicion was raised the instant we pulled up to the house a few moments ago. To see an unmarked vehicle idling in the driveway was a shock. The fact Colton didn’t seem bothered in the least was a bigger one. Our safety is supposedly at risk and he’s inviting randos to drop by? Well, I might’ve overreacted.
“But I already have a bed.” And it looked brand-spankin’-new until I defiled it last night.
He kills the ignition and slips the keys into his pocket. “That one hurt your back.”
“Most do. That’s just the way it is.” There’s a crick in my left hip as we speak.
He just shakes his head. “I’ll keep tossin’ ‘em out until we find one that doesn’t. This brand is rated as the best on the market for scoliosis.”
“Okay, that’s super thoughtful. Cue the heart flutters and romantic orgasm, Stalker. But for the record, I’m not that much of a princess.” As I sit and watch him hop out to come get me.
His long strides eat the ground, delivering him to open my door in three seconds. Colton unbuckles my belt, hoists me into his arms, and sets me on my booted feet. “You are, baby girl. That’s one reason I love you.”
The way he casually slips that into our conversation bobbles me. I swoon a bit, slumping against him. His blue stare smolders into mine. This man makes it easy to fall, knowing he’s right there to catch me.
But I’m not there yet. Not even close. I straighten and brush imaginary dirt off my jeans. The moving men are carrying the wrapped mattress toward the porch. That gets Spud’s attention.
Our dog leaps from Fern in a wide arch, landing in front of us to create a defensive wall against the intruders. Hair stands up straight on his back when he bristles. A low growl warns the guys to stop or he’ll pounce.
“At ease,” Colton croons.
I gawk when Spud’s butt meets the gravel. “The fuck?”
He shrugs. “Figured he might respond to the command. Might try it on you later.”
“Good luck with that,” I scoff. But the submissive part of me is already preening.
“Don’t talk back.” His palm lightly connects with my ass.
“Hey!” But I wiggle for another.
“Boss?” That comes from the taller of the two currently balancing what I imagine to be a very heavy load.
My brows lift at his voiced concern. “Boss?”
“Don’t recognize them from the trailer sales lot? Best of my overnight crew right there.” He jogs over to them, keying in the code for the lock pad.
I shuffle after him at a slow drag. Colton is teasing me, but the urge to thump my own forehead is strong. With all that’s going on, it’s easy to forget he’s the head of security for our family empire. Not to mention his permanent post within Benson Farmstead, which allows him to be glued to my side at all times. He’s obviously in charge of many men to keep us all safe.
“Take it to our room.” He instructs as I park myself beside him. “Up the stairs. Second door on the right.”
“Got it, boss.” They move swiftly to follow his order.
Meanwhile, I cross my arms and stay put. “Ourroom? I agreed to date you, not become a domesticated couple.”
“You’ve also been very vocal about wanting sex, which means we’re sharing a bed.” The man makes it tough to argue with him.
Which is why I stand quietly as the security guys heave the discarded mattress to the truck. After rolling the door down, the swap is complete. It didn’t take them longer than five minutes.
