Page 102 of The Innocent

Imogene hopped up on the stool and clasped her hands, her arms resting on the counter.

“Please.” She leaned to the right, staring at his profile as he looked out of the backyard window. “I don’t want to fight.”

He drew in a breath and turned, leaned back against the counter, and folded his arms over his chest. A harsh scowl deepened the lines in his forehead.

“You don’t go? There’s no fight.”

That wasn’t fair.

“It’s my job. And before you suggest I quit again, I can’t do that.”

His jaw squared, and his temple pulsed.

“I don’t get to choose my clients, Jekyll.”

He pushed off the counter and stalked toward her. He planted his hands on the breakfast bar, and she slowly lifted her gaze.

“That time I called you back. You were off. I heard it in your voice. And you’d just met with him, right?”

She nodded. Imogene couldn’t deny it. The meeting with Logan had thrown her off balance.

“I watched you that day at the coffee shop. He makes you uncomfortable.”

She sighed, and her shoulders sagged. “It doesn’t matter.”

He slammed his hand down on the hard surface, and she jumped back in her seat. He leaned across the counter. “It fucking matters to me. It’s your job, I get it, but when it puts you somewhere unsafe and alone with a guy on the sex offender registry” —his eyes darkened— “I got a fucking problem with that.”

Imogene sucked in a breath, dropping her hands to her lap. She couldn’t argue with him. Logan did make her uncomfortable. But…

“I just have one more meeting with him, and then it’s over so…”

His gaze darkened. “You don’t have any more fucking meetings with him. You’re gonna call your boss, tell her that you’re not meeting with him, and she needs to find someone else to do it.” His nostrils flared. “And if she’s any good, she’ll assign that motherfucker to a man.”

He had a point. She looked down at the counter and lifted her hand to her mouth, nibbling on the corner of her nail.

Jekyll reached across the counter, pulled her hand from her mouth and slid his hand over her knuckles. He threaded his fingers through hers.

“This isn’t me telling you how to live your life. I don’t give a fuck where you work. As long as you’re safe. I’m trying to protect you. You’ve seen a lot.” He squeezed her hand. “I’ve seen more, and I’m not letting anyone fuck with you.”

It was a sweet sentiment and a rational thought. She couldn’t remember the last time anyone put her well-being before everything else.

“I’ll call Judy and see if I can switch with someone.”

“You do that.”

****

This was a wild turn of events. Usually after sex, Jekyll was itching to get the woman out of his bed and hoping it was the last time he saw her. With Imogene? He was watching the clock wishing time would slow down.

After breakfast, she’d left to take a shower and get ready. Meanwhile, Jekyll was at the sink rinsing dishes. Fucking Cleo and her plates. After he loaded the dishwasher, he returned a few texts. He’d pretty much ignored his phone yesterday.

“I’m going to have to get you an apron.”

He glanced up, and Imogene muffled her laugh, staring at his shoulder. He had forgotten he’d draped the hand towel there after drying his hands. Again, fucking Cleo. He tossed it on the counter and shoved the phone in his pocket.

Imogene continued staring as if she had something to say.

“What?”