To Protect the Heart of a Brazen Woman [Brazen Sisters 6] (Siren Publishing Classic) by Rita Sawyer

longer.
    At least Bobbie would have a little entertainment while she was stuck here, but instead of focusing on the words, she thought back to the duffle bag lying on the only bed in the place. Whether he knew it or not, they’d be sharing that bed tonight, because there was no way he’d be comfortable on the lame excuse for a couch that was taking up most of the space in the main room. The only other option was the floor. Bobbie knew she’d never get any sleep knowing he was uncomfortable. Okay, more uncomfortable than her, because the bed didn’t actually look that comfy, either.
    She knew Jake wouldn’t give in easily with his noble sense of right and wrong. It would take some doing to make him see she was right, but Bobbie could be pretty persuasive when she wanted something bad enough. Her biggest weapon was going to be Jake himself. She’d just have to hold back on the tidbit that she’d be dressing scantily until after he agreed to share the bed with her. Then if he had any complaints she would just remind him that he said whatever it was she needed could wait.
    She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Jake wasn’t doing this for fun. It was part of his job to protect her, but he was right. They could at least try to enjoy their time together. And really, it wouldn’t hurt for her to have some time to relax and clear her head before school started next week. That was if they caught Patrice so she could get back to town and start her classes on time.
     
    * * * *
     
    Jake released a shuddering breath as he shoved cans of soup into the cabinet. Twenty minutes and she already wanted to go back. Not the best start, but at least she caved in pretty easily. Not that it was a good thing when it came to her. One thing he loved and hated about Bobbie was that she was always four or five steps ahead of everyone else.
    He’d seen it with her sisters. She always knew what was going on before they did. He didn’t know how she did it, and truthfully, didn’t want to. Jake loved the thrill he felt when he knew something she didn’t, but there was always retribution when she found out he didn’t tell her. He smiled, remembering how pissed she’d gotten at him for not telling her that he found out Joey’s husband had dabbled in information gathering for the government.
    First, she’d pouted for a few days. Then she had stopped in at the station with a dozen of her sister Sam’s fresh-made apple-cider donuts. That would have been fine, but the tiny little sundress that barely covered her ass had made him break out in a sweat. His three deputies had been falling all over themselves to do her bidding, while he’d hidden in his office.
    Eventually, she brought him a couple of donuts and mug of coffee, but not until she flirted shamelessly, teasing his men. Lucky for him, they all—along with most of the other guys in town—knew she was off-limits, otherwise he would have had to intervene. Instead, he’d done his best to keep his distance from her. But it hadn’t been enough because when she sat on his desk and swung those long tanned legs, his cock pulsed in tempo. Once she was sure she’d gotten him worked up so good he wouldn’t be able to leave his office for a while, she left wearing a huge smile.
    Ever since that day, he’d decided to be careful not let her know when he’d kept something from her. Obviously, he’d fucked up with this Kerri situation. He glanced over his shoulder to where she sat on the sofa. Even from a distance, he could see the stiff way she held her shoulders. In order for this thing to totally work, he needed her to relax. He didn’t think that was going to happen until they cleared the air between them, which meant he had to come clean about how things had been when she’d left.
    He picked up the empty boxes off the table and put them next to the wood stacked by the fireplace. Bobbie laid the book she’d been reading in her lap as he approached her.
    “Listen, I know this