High Voltage (Ramsey Security #3)

“Don’t make it sound so clinical. I’m a man, not a calculator. I didn’t make a decision to want you. I saw you and thought you were hot. You hit me, and I thought you were super hot. I watched you the last few months and thought you were more than hot. I fell in love with you. I didn’t settle for the best model in stock.”


“I’ve never been the romantic sort. Even now I feel weird about love and all that comes with it. I mean I wanted that stuff when I retired, but I guess I didn’t really think I would find it.” Minka frowns, causing a cute furrow to her thick brows. “In fact, I think I always expected to settle for some loser. I told Troy otherwise, but I was lying to us both.”

“Well you’re in love now so get used to all the sappy, romantic stuff.”

Minka stares at me with wide eyes. “Babies scare me. They’re loud and smelly, and I’ve heard they bite.”

“All true, but they also laugh and clean up real nice, and I’ve seen them dance. That's pretty funny.”

Minka glances around the empty courtyard. “I bet our kid would have a lot of dark hair.”

“Oh, yeah, and baby hair is really soft. Like feather soft.”

Minka’s expression shifts into something I’ve never seen before. I realize she’s putting aside her need to control everything. She’s finally letting herself dream.

“I’d be willing to have one. No promises on more than that.”

Grinning, I look up at the ceiling and then back at her. “I just knew I’d talk you into loving me and having a kid. Before moving to Houston, I asked God to give me a submissive woman, and here you are.”

“I’m really going to kick your ass.”

“I know, but it’ll be worth it. You should see your face when I say shit like that.”

Minka wraps her arms around me and gives me a big happy smile.

“Let’s finish this job and get started on all the bling and babies and other stuff.”

“First we gotta see your mom. Also, I want you to meet my mom.”

“What if your mom doesn’t like me?”

“I’ll talk her into it. I’m pretty good at conning chicks.”

Minka shakes her head, but she can’t stop smiling. I got her wrapped around my little finger. As good as this feels, I can’t deny she has me wrapped around her finger too.





24


Minka

Bluffing a Bluffer

My cell vibrates on the nearby towel. Submerged in the bubbling hot tub water, I force myself to reach for the phone. Dino watches me in the lazy way he’s been watching me since we arrived at the hotel.

The caller ID shows Rafael Ramsey, and I’m fairly certain I know why he’s bugging me this late in the evening.

“What’s up?” I ask casually.

“Tell me you didn’t call in the Arizona Moving Company.”

“I refuse to dumb down things for you. Figure out the answer on your own.”

Rafael sighs. “I didn’t think you’d gone insane, but Dino might have fucked you stupid, so I needed to ask.”

I nudge Dino under the water with my foot. He smiles as his fingers slide around my ankle.

“Dino’s dick is impressive, but my brain remains intact.”

“Good to know. Vaughn called Cooper who called me. Let’s just say they weren’t happy.”

“I’m not their therapist, Rafael. Did you tell them that when they were crapping themselves?”

“No. I consider these people friends.”

“Oh. Well, keep in mind I don’t know them, so I’ve been running with the hostile angle. Was that a mistake?”

“Does it matter at this point?”

“No.”

“So, do you have this handled?”

“We’re golden. Black will be dealt with, and you’ll be the hero. The world will applaud your superior managerial skills.”

“I do enjoy a good standing ovation.”

“I know you do, and since everyone thinks Dino and I are idiots, you’ll get full credit.”

“Works for me. Have fun with your Italian Sausage.”

Frowning, I sigh. “Harlow has a big mouth.”

“I don’t know what you mean,” Rafael says, laughing. “Night.”

Hanging up, I set the phone back on the towel and then reach for Dino.

“Was that stressful for you?” he teases, wrapping his arms possessively around me. “Italian Sausage, huh?”

“How did you hear that?”

“I have excellent hearing. Probably because I didn’t grow up listening to shitty rock music full blast.”

“I called you that in the most endearing way,” I murmur against his throat. “So fucking endearing.”

Searching for his erection, I moan once his hard flesh strokes the tender spot between my legs.

“The shop is back open,” I whisper.

“I was ready to break in if it wasn’t.”

Holding his gaze, I roll my hips. “Can we do it here?”

“No. Someone might see. Only I get to see what’s hiding in here,” he says, sliding his fingers under my bikini bottom and inside my hot center. “Do you understand?”

“What if I didn’t?”

“I have a few ideas about how to make sure you did.”

“Are you threatening me?”

“Yes.”

A smile spreads across my flushed face. “This is why I love you.” Dino’s steely gaze falters, and I can’t help laughing. “You didn’t think I’d be that big of a pushover, now did you?”