The Object of His Protection - Brenda Jackson [18]
“Like what?”
“Like the threat you made last night.”
He had an idea what she was talking about, but he didn’t consider those words a threat. He considered them a fact. “And what threat was that?” he asked, feeling an intense thudding of his pulse.
She hesitated, then expounded in a low voice. “The one you made after we kissed. What you planned to do the next time.”
“As far as I know there’s no law against saying something you intend to make happen eventually. But if it makes you feel better, I promise not to touch you until you’re good and ready. It will be your call.”
“Then I don’t have anything to worry about,” she said triumphantly, as if all was well.
“And why do you say that?”
She tilted her head and said in an irritated tone, “Because I’ve never been that forward with a man.”
He shrugged, not the least bothered by her attitude. “You will with me. I’ll encourage it.”
Charlene snorted. “Encourage what you want, it still won’t happen.”
He decided to set her straight about a few things so they could move on. “Since the first there has been sexual chemistry between us and we both know it. The reason we bicker back and forth as much as we do is to play it off. All I’m saying, Charlene, is that us being sexually attracted to each other is a fact, just like the fact that your life may be in danger. My main concentration now is to make sure nothing happens to you and to complete my investigation. You have no reason to fear me because I want you. I won’t touch you unless you say it’s okay and if you’re certain you won’t be doing that, then there shouldn’t be a problem.”
He saw the expression on her face and knew she was about to put up yet another fight. She was one stubborn female and at any other time he would have appreciated that quality since he didn’t run across many women like her. Most of them, he found, gave in too easily, especially when it came to him.
When time ticked by and she still didn’t say anything, he said, “Okay, just don’t be surprised when you find me parked outside your house tonight. As of this very minute I become your bodyguard.”
Her gaze narrowed. “You can’t watch me every minute while investigating the case,” she said smartly.
He smiled. “Yes, you’re right. I guess I’ll just have to drag you everywhere I go.”
She pushed her coffee cup aside and threw up her hands. “Fine. I’ll move in with you, but I’m not going to like it.”
Drey motioned for the waitress to bring him another beer while thinking he probably wouldn’t like it a whole hell of a lot either.
A few minutes later Charlene walked into her apartment with Drey following behind. “It’ll take me but a minute to pack,” she said over her shoulder as she kept moving toward her bedroom. When he didn’t say anything she stopped and turned around and was hit with a multitude of sensations, swift and fierce, when she saw him leaning against her closed door staring. “What are you staring at?”
He met her gaze. “You. But more specifically the shape of your backside. I like it.”
She crossed her arms over her chest. “Not that I care whether you like it or not, but I prefer you not to think of me as only a sex object.”
“I don’t. You’re smart, intelligent and attractive. You also have a body that I find fascinating. Why were you hiding it behind lab coats?”
“Everyone who works in the coroner’s office wears lab coats. At home I dress like any normal person. Until last night you had no reason to see me anywhere other than where I work.”
Drey lifted his broad shoulders in a shrug. “You’re right, of course,” he said smoothly. “Now I’ll be seeing you all the time.”
“If you’re going to have a problem with it, please let me know now. I won’t move in with you only to feel uncomfortable being around you,” she said firmly.
“I won’t have a problem with it and you’ll have no reason to feel uncomfortable. I told you where we stood. However, as a man I find it hard to ignore some things when it comes to a woman, but I’ll cope.”
Charlene saw the way he was looking at her and wasn’t so sure. Her uncertainty blended with apprehension.