Page 8 of Ferocious Protector

“He’s lucky I didn’t leave his sorry ass on the street where he almost landed. We better let the others know about his connections though. I can give the guys a call.”

She nods. “Or, we could run out to Coles. You ride horses?”

“I love horses. It’s been a minute though. Don’t get too many chances moving from base to base.”

Her eyes meet mine. “Let’s head out there then. He has a ton of property not too far out of town. He only bought so much property because strangers were trying to buy it up who wanted to turn the surrounding area into something we don’t want it to be but we all love it out there.”

“I’ve heard it’s a nice property. Beckett told me about it on one of our calls when he was buying a piece of Cole’s land, and built a big, beautiful house on it for him and Jules.

Patti Ann tilts her head as she speaks. “Mason and PJ don’t live too far away; they have a nice horse farm not that far from Cole and Krissy. PJ loves horses. She tended bar and worked at Cole’s ranch, but once Mason bought their own, she only helps Lettie every once in a while and spends most of her time training. People come from miles around to get her to train their horses.”

“And where do you live, Patti Ann?”

Her eyes widen in surprise. “Umm, a little way out of town, but not that far, about a mile and a half. Why?”

“Because until I get to the bottom of Tucker, you’re not going home alone. You’re either staying with me or I’m coming home with you. Which will it be?”

8

Patti

How the hell am I supposed to argue with that because right now not one relevant argument is coming to mind. “You’re used to being in charge. Something they teach you in boot camp?” I ask.

Blake smirks and settles onto the bed, drawing me to him. He kisses my lips, and I swear those annoying little butterflies start dancing in my belly again. When he releases me, he pushes a piece of dangling hair from my face. “Why don’t you eat and get showered up? I can call the guys while you’re getting ready, then take you by your house to change clothes before we head out.”

I look at my dress he’s saved from the floor and folded over the chair in front of the desk. “Yeah, showing up in that little number would definitely cause a stir. Not that they didn’t know what we were up to anyway, but still. A change of clothes sounds good.”

“You can pack a bag while we’re there. We can stay at your house if you need to, but I’d rather stay here since he won’t know where you are.”

I reach up and kiss his lips. “Thank you. I kind of like your take charge personality. It comes off more as thoughtful caring than overpowering and bossy, you know. It’s a refreshing change.”

He laughs, standing and walking to his sandwich, then unpeeling one and handing it to me before taking a bite of his own. “I would have given you the coffee too but then that sheet you’re hanging on to might slip exposing those lovely breasts. That would be a damn shame.”

My cheeks heat. “A real gentleman during the day.” I take another bite of my sandwich, trying to keep my mind off of all the ways he was not in the slightest a gentleman last night, ravaging me until he made me scream his name.

He walks to his coffee and takes a sip. “If there’s something about last night you didn’t like, you should tell me now because if not I plan to do the very same thing again tonight.”

“Oh, do you now? And just what makes you think you passed the test for another date?”

“A test?” Blake asks after finishing the last bite of his sandwich and swallowing. “Is this a real thing or something you just concocted for me?”

“Ha! I’ll have you know I have some pretty high standards. I don’t date. No dates. Just a few dances with some local guys in the last few years, maybe a drink and a roll in the hay. Dates, they require a multitude of effort and tests.”

His eyebrow arches. “So, we’re considering last night a date or a roll in the hay?”

My eyes meet his sparkling, blue eyes. “I’m still thinking.”

“I ordered your drink, your dinner, we danced, I asked you to wear a dress for me and you did. It definitely constitutes a date. And at the risk of moving too fast I want another. How about we go horseback riding and find a place to go swim today. Beckett sent a message and said we should meet everyone out at Cole’s.”

“Oh, you do like to take control, don’t you?” I ask as the butterflies continue to dance in my belly as he looks at me with mischief in his eye.

“You have no idea how much I like control, but I plan to show you a little bit more tonight. Now go get in the shower before I carry you in there and have my way with you again.”

I laugh, popping the last bit of sandwich into my mouth. “You are trouble with a capital T, but yes, let’s go to my place, I’ll change and grab a bag, and we then can head out for the day. It actually sounds like a lot of fun.”

“Date number two,” he calls from the room.

The minute I’m under the water common sense starts to take hold. This thing is moving way too fast. He’s not from around here. I shouldn’t have worn that damn dress, no matter that I loved the way his eyes heated up when he saw me walk in.