Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 55606 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 278(@200wpm)___ 222(@250wpm)___ 185(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55606 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 278(@200wpm)___ 222(@250wpm)___ 185(@300wpm)
“Are you afraid you’re going to bring trouble to their door?”
“I know I will. Plus I know her husband isn’t a staunch supporter of mine.” A wry smile. “Pretty sure I wasn’t easy for any of you to keep an eye on.” She scrunched her toes. “I know he loves her and that’s why I don’t comment about his behavior to me. He’s worried I’ll bring more trouble to their home. As much as I hate it, and that he views me in such a light, I respect it because he’s trying to keep my sister safe. And their son.”
He tucked some hair behind her ear, wanting to continue watching her features and expressions. The hard shell around his heart cracked at her admission.
“There was more than one occasion where I heard your name accompanied by a few choice words.” He shook his head. “How is it Atlanta PD had a file on you but he couldn’t find anything on you?”
“It gets wiped.”
He shook his head. “But you’re not in WitSec anymore. What’s the reasoning behind it?”
“They don’t want me coming to light. I’m nothing more than a huge shame on the Company. I’m a mistake that shouldn’t have happened, and if it comes to be public knowledge, they’ll look worse in the country’s eye than they already do.” A shrug. “So it’s best for them to keep me off any and all radars. Well, that’s what stories are made from.” She readjusted her position then tugged his shirt down over knees. “I’m just a ghost. One they wish they could rid themselves of for all eternity.”
While her words were spoken with a hint of sass, he heard it. Buried deep beneath the don’t-give-a-fuck attitude. The pain and the longing.
“Come here.”
She tilted her head in his direction, one eyebrow up in silent question.
“Don’t make everything such a battle, woman. Get over here.”
Jasmine shuffled over to him on her knees and his cock jumped in his jeans. Ignoring his libido, he tugged her to his chest and let her curl up against him. It took a bit of wriggling and muttering to herself before she settled into him.
Finally.
His arms wrapped around her and his chin on the top of her head, they just lay there on the couch. He held her until her breathing deepened, then he dozed as well.
* * * *
His phone vibrating woke him.
With a yawn, Lance pulled it out and answered in a low voice because she still slept in his arms.
“What?”
“Mr. Jankovic requests your presence.”
Translation—the boss is calling, get your ass over here.
“Gonna be a bit. You woke us.”
“Just you.”
That was it, the call ended.
Lance wasn’t liking this feeling at all.
“They want you alone?” She didn’t stir from her spot against him and he wasn’t in any rush to make it happen.
“Yep.” Lance twisted some of her hair in his fingers. “I don’t like it.”
“I think that’s the general idea. I’m a wild card and he wants you off your game, thinking and worrying about me.”
I am.
She pushed up and gave a small grin. “Good thing it’s just a farce and you know I am more than capable of taking care of myself.”
“I know you can.” He cupped her cheek. “Doesn’t mean I won’t still worry.”
“I’m going to ghost when you leave. You won’t see me. I’ll be around.”
Immediate refusal leaped to his tongue. She covered his mouth with her hand.
“Not up for argument. You wanted me to help you. I’m helping, but I’m also not stupid enough to remain in this place like a sitting duck.”
“You’re going to piss him off, aren’t you?”
That full megawatt smile got him deep in his gut. “Why, it’s almost like you know what a troublemaker I can be.”
She hopped off him and he grabbed her shirt before she could get all the way out of reach. Jasmine let him reel her back to stand between his legs. Hand on her waist, he tipped his head back to glance up at her.
“I’m going to call you later and you’d better fucking pick up.”
Jasmine lowered her head, her black and dark blue hair falling around him like a silk curtain. “You do know I suck at taking orders, right?”
He sought her skin below the cotton shirt. “I know you suck and I love it. But I’m serious, Jasmine.” When he reached her warm, soft skin, he breathed more easily. It was just a fact of how things were for him now. Especially with this woman.
“There’s not a man alive I will allow to boss me around blindly, Lance. No matter how much I love sucking his dick. There’s another around the corner. I do what’s best for me. Believe that.”
Every single male protective instinct roared to life. On their heels were the possessive ones this woman, and only her, brought out in him. These far surpassed the protective urges he had as a cop toward people.