Page 11 of Going Down Hard
She grimaced. “Gee, thanks.”
“I didn’t mean you look bad.” Quite the opposite. She looked good enough to eat.Not going there.
She smiled weakly. “It’s okay. I get it.” She sighed and said, “I got a couple of hours last night, maybe the same the night before.”
“Why don’t you have a shower and I’ll see if I can find something to eat for dinner, then you can go to bed early. I’ll sit in the chair by the door so you know you’re safe.”
“And when willyousleep?”
“I can sleep in snatches sitting up. And I’m a light sleeper, so if anyone tries to enter the room I’ll be awake before they get through the door or window.” He’d probably be awake all night anyway, with her in the bed a few feet away, but he wasn’t about to admit that to her.
Glancing at the window then the door, she asked, “Do you think he’ll come here?” She chewed her bottom lip and Stone had to stop himself from walking over and tugging that plump flesh free. With his teeth.
“We think he’s close. I won’t lie to you about anything. I believe he’s here in town, which is why I need you to tell me if you see him or feel like you’re being watched. Anything that triggers your flight-or-fight instinct.”
“Do you have a gun?”
The question took him off guard, although it shouldn’t have. “Yes.”
“Will you teach me how to shoot it?”
“No.”
“But—”
“No. I’ll teach you some self-defense moves. Tomorrow. After you get some rest. But you’re not getting your hands on my gun.”
“I want to be able to protect myself,” she argued.
“That’s what you have me for.”
“And what about when you aren’t with me?”
Stone rose to his feet. “Let’s get one thing clear. The only time I won’t be right beside you, with my eyes on you, is when you use the bathroom—and I’ll walk you in and check the room before standing outside the door, so you’ll never be without my protection.”
“Oh.”
He moved closer, watched a shiver rock her body, her eyes widen as he got near. “Soph.”
“Yes.” She licked her lips.
“I’m not letting anything happen to you.”
“Because it’s your job.”
“Yes.” He lifted a hand, tucked a thick strand of wavy hair behind her ear. “And because I can’t bare the thought of anything happening to you.”
“We just met.”
He smiled. “Yeah. Doesn’t seem to matter.”
“Is this normal? When you guard someone?”
Stone shook his head. “Never before you.”
“I—”
“We need to hold that thought, Soph. I can’t do my job if my head isn’t in the right place. I need you to help me out here.”
