Page 50 of Roughing
I didn’t hesitate any longer. “Of course I want to try.”
“I have a few ground rules.”
Well, crap, here it came. Every muscle in my body tensed, and I fretted about what those rules might be. Michella with rules was better than no Michella, right?
“Overprotective and smothering behavior is a deal breaker. Getting insanely jealous, another deal breaker. Seeing other women—”
“And men,” I added.
“Yes, that goes for me too. Deal breaker.”
“I can do that.”
“Are you sure?”
“Your lack of faith is disappointing.” I grinned at her.
“Do you blame me? Case in point, you punched Gordon at the gala.”
“Yeah, that wasn’t one of my shining moments, but he did throw the first punch.”
“Briggs, I can’t have you going all caveman on me. I have a habit of picking destructive bad-boy types who take action before they think. I’ve promised myself I’ll do better from now on.”
I wanted to declare she couldn’t do better than me, only I didn’t believe that was true. In fact, I wasn’t sure why she’d want to be with a guy like me.
“I’m trying hard to be the guy I need to be.”
“I know you are, or I wouldn’t have made this decision.” Her smile warmed every cold part of me.
“How about we celebrate?” I lifted my brows and raked my gaze over her body so there’d be no doubt regarding the kind of celebration I had planned.
“I’d love to, but I have to get back to work.” Michella’s downturned face and deep sigh punctuated the regret behind the words.
“Are you doing another stakeout?”
“Maybe.”
“I’m in.”
“As long as you don’t distract me.”
“Scout’s honor.”
“You were never a Boy Scout.”
“Maybe not,” I admitted, because I’d been anything but a Boy Scout growing up, though I’d never gotten into big trouble, just teenager stuff like underage drinking and playing pranks on teammates, friends, and neighbors, not all of which went over well with the victims.
“I’m probably making a mistake, but I’d love some company.”
“Great.” I was excited for any reason to be with her and get some Michella time, even if it didn’t involve sex. Not that I didn’t want more sex, because I sure as hell did, but because I was determined I could be the man she needed.
ChapterEighteen
APPROACH WITH CAUTION
~~Michella~~
Briggs and I jumped into his truck and headed for the office. I wanted to grab a pair of binoculars before we set out to stalk my ex.
