Page 70 of Humility

“I’ll get out the ingredients,” Jasmine said, but I grabbed her hand before she could walk away and, with a little tug, wrapped my arms around her.

“Oh…” Her face turned as red as her ripe tomatoes. She had a sweet innocence but shocked me as she grabbed my face and kissed me hard.

Groaning, I picked her up and walked into the living room, laying her on the couch without breaking the kiss. Jasmine didn’t let go and shuddered as I settled on top of her.

“I barely know you,” Jasmine said, her voice husky, when I broke away and nibbled on her neck.

“I know,” I said, but I didn’t stop.

“Tell me this first.” I stared into her eyes, worried she would ask me about the late-night dreams. “You don’t have a girlfriend, or married with a family or anything? That’s not why you keep running off all the time?”

I smirked. “I really want to tease you and say yes just to see what you would do, but the answer is no. I don’t have anyone special in my life…other than you.” I loved how she looked away, her expression so vulnerable for someone so powerful. I had to taste her again and dropped my lips to hers just as my phone rang, and I closed my eyes with a heavy sigh.

“Don’t answer it,” Jasmine said, and fuck I was tempted. “You said it’s your day off. They can’t call you into work on your day off, can they?”

“My boss can. He is really fucking annoying like that.” I glared up at the hidden camera in the room and decided I needed to switch off my phone the next time. It would totally piss Angelo off, but it would serve him right.

The phone stopped ringing but immediately started again. Annoyed, I pulled myself up and grabbed the cell from my pocket.

“Boss?”

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing,” Angelo growled into the phone.

“Trying to enjoy my day off.”

“I fucking see that. I said keep an eye on her and keep her safe, not fuck her on the couch.”

“I’m capable of doing both at the same time. I multitask well,” I said, and knew I was pushing my luck.

“If you make me come over there, I will bury you six feet under, and Jasmine can visit your grave instead.”

“Fine, I will come into work for a little while.” I hit end and wanted to throw the phone, but that wouldn’t stop my frustration with the situation. Angelo needed to lighten up.

“You need to go,” Jasmine said as she slowly stood.

“Duty calls. How about I make it up to you and take you to dinner tomorrow night?” Cupping her face, I wanted to give Angelo the middle finger, but I didn’t trust him not to shoot me. “The Pond has great casual pub food and an easy-going atmosphere. The bartender, Lucky, has a huge personality. You’ll love it there.”

“So, an official date without a phone?”

“Not a single phone call. I’ll even turn it off.”

Her smile lit up the entire room. “I’d love that.”

“Great, then it’s a date.” I gave her a quick kiss and let her walk me to the door. Lingering on the threshold, I kissed her again, and she moaned. “See you tomorrow.”

Grumbling the entire way, I reached the main house in record time and slammed the front door as I marched inside.

“Are you fucking kidding me,” I yelled as I stomped toward the office. Angelo was pacing in front of the monitors when I walked in, but Dario was nowhere in sight. That wasn’t good. If we really got into it, there was no one to break us up. “What the hell was that?”

He wheeled on me, and I braced for him to charge across the room. “I told you. No fucking her on your own?”

“We were only making out, and what the hell is your problem? We’re supposed to be in this together, but the moment I get close, you pull the plug.”

“You can get close without fucking her, and don’t deny it, I know that was next.” He tapped the gun sitting on his desk, and I shook my head. “Your job is to protect her.”

“Oh, you mean protecting her by following her around town and killing five people while it’s her face that the authorities plaster on television, calling her a person of interest?” Angelo looked away.

“I took care of that.”