Live Wire (Ramsey Security #2)

Eventually I sleep easily, even after Brad's teasing left me flustered in a startling way. When he laughed, I didn't know how to respond. Men never speak to me in such a way. Is this my punishment for years of dark choices? I lust after a man, only for him to laugh in my face. Somehow, the idea of this being a punishment calms me. In fact, the experience might make me stronger.

Except I feel weak in the morning upon finding Brad pumping weights in his gym. Shirtless, he's a perfect specimen. Broad shoulders, thick muscled arms, a hard defined stomach and legs like glorious tree trunks, I can't imagine the cult freaks overpowering him. He's soft inside though. I think most women might even call him sweet.

"You don't have to stand at the door," Brad says, doing another rep.

"I know."

"Do you not like talking with your clients?" he asks, finally focusing his blue-eyed gaze on me. "Does it affect your objectivity?"

"No."

Brad studies me, and I can't imagine what he's thinking. He writes music for a living. Country songs full of angst and whining. A sensitive artist isn't the kind of man I've spent my life around. I wonder if this is an act on his part. Is he playing a role to push me to work harder? Does he believe treating me tenderly, even seducing me will protect him?

His laughter wasn't very seductive last night, yet he left me wanting more. I recall how closely he stood. How he asked if I was frightened of him. How he found me amusing. I pretended to be angry. I was instead curious rather than upset.

What does he see when he looks at me?

Leaving his weights, Brad pulls on a shirt, slides on a pair of sandals, and walks towards me. I assume he'll pass me by, but he stops instead and studies me.

"I feel you thinking about me," Brad says. "I like that feeling."

I nearly flee from the heat of his gaze. Can Brad really read me so well? Is he mocking my lust? Despite the shock of his words, I am no shrinking violet.

"It's my job to think about you."

Brad's gaze lingers on my face. I'm dissected, studied, and what? Does he embrace what he finds in me or am I unworthy of this pretty boy's interest?

"This might surprise you, but I don't have much experience with women."

Sizing up his large build again, I doubt his statement. He doesn't lack for women. I refuse to believe such bullshit. Yet with him focused solely on me, I'm lost in his blue eyes.

No, I refuse to bow to him. A woman is only as powerful as her ability to say no. I am powerful, and I tell myself repeatedly "no" whenever I swoon for this beautiful man.

"You've spent the last ten years hiding in your house with your mom, so I'm not actually surprised by your lack of a social life."

My words strike Brad at his male core. I might as well mock his manhood by claiming he possesses a small dick. The temporary hit to his ego passes. He scratches at his chin and wags his finger at me.

"I'm onto you."

Even struggling for a blasé comeback, I remain speechless while he walks past me and leaves the room. A few minutes pass as I stand dumbfounded by his behavior. Finally following him, I continue pretending I'm unaffected. Brad stands now in the kitchen, smiling slyly at me.

"If you're fine in here, I'll check the perimeter."

"Is that code for take a walk?" he asks, still grinning. "I wouldn't mind a stroll."

My mind searches for a reason why he can't join me, but I find none. Brad likely wouldn't care if I have the best reason in the world. He seems rather intent on tempting me today.

Once Brad follows me out of the side door, his dogs race to him. I dodge their interest, but he smiles big for them.

"You like dogs?" he asks, petting the bouncing animals.

I keep walking, leaving him with the animals. "No."

"Why?"

"They lick."

Brad says nothing, and I finally glance back at where he's giving me a sly grin.

"I'll make a mental note about your licking aversion."

Staring at him, I pretend I don't understand. He stares right back at me, daring me to keep lying.

"You're behaving oddly. Should I call your mother?" I ask.

Brad throws his head back and laughs while walking past me. "Yes, I'm sure we'll enjoy that conversation."

I hurry to catch up with his long strides. He strolls down a pebbled path leading to a garden. All the added pollen sends a sneeze rising fast inside me. The sound of my squeaky sneeze stops Brad. He glances over his wide shoulder and smiles at me.

"Allergies? We have plenty of pills inside the house."

"No, I'm fine."

"You hide it well."

"I won't take the bait."

Brad grins. "Not yet, but you will. It's killing you to play coy."

"No, it's..." I stop myself from saying anything else.

Brad now follows me while I walk along the fence, searching for weak spots. I reach the spot where I lost the lurker from last night. I climb the fence enough to see over the side for anything the target might have dropped when he ran. What I find is a makeshift ritual site with a slaughtered rabbit surrounded by candles.

I wish I'd taken the shot.

"Problem?" Brad asks, doing his best to sound uninterested, yet I recognize the fear in his voice.