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

isn’t the Four Seasons or anything, but I think we can be comfortable here.”
    “Sure.” She nodded, but he knew she didn’t really agree with him.
    “I’ve got a surprise for you, but first we need to talk.”
    “I thought men didn’t like to talk.”
    He shrugged off her put-down. “Real men don’t mind talking. It avoids complications.”
    “Oh, I get it.” She nodded and one corner of her mouth tipped up in a quirky grin. “You’re going to lay down the law. I’m sure you’ve got a dozen rules you expect me to follow.”
    “Actually, there’s just a few.”
    “Well, I’ll agree to your rules if you make one concession.”
    Jake had a choice to make. He was willing to give a little to get a lot, but with Bobbie it could turn out to be a huge mistake. He got the feeling he was about to make a deal with the devil. A devil he loved and desired, but a devil nonetheless. Yet once she got her way she’d go back to the sweet yet sassy girl everyone loved. He’d be taking a risk, a big risk. Still, it would be worth it if she promised to do what he asked.
    “We can discuss it, but first I think we need to clear the air about a couple of other things.”
    “You mean you and Kerri.” He nodded and she sighed. “Jake, you don’t owe me any explanations.”
    “Bobbie.” He wanted…needed to clear the air.
    She covered his mouth with his fingers. “I think we should sleep together.”
    He tugged her hand down, but didn’t let it go. “What?”
    “You and I should share the bed while we’re here.”
    Even that was too much of a temptation. “I plan to sleep on the couch.”
    “And you’ll wake up sore and tired if you get any sleep at all. Some protector you’ll be in that condition. You said you were going to be with me at all times. I learned on my trip that I have trouble sleeping in new places, so I think I’ll sleep better knowing you’re right there with me.”
    “Bobbie, I don’t think us sharing a bed is a good idea.” In fact, he was sure it wasn’t.
    “I’ve seen those TV shows where witnesses get whatever they want. I’m not asking for much, and in return I’ll follow your rules. If you can’t do this for me then you can take me home.” She got to her feet, but Jake tightened his grip on her hand and pulled her back down.
    Jake didn’t trust himself to just sleep with her. She must have some kind of plan rolling around in that devious mind of hers. Maybe she was just trying to test him? Could he be reading too much into her request? Bobbie was strong, but her wanting him there might be as simple as her being frightened or nervous. If she’d feel more comfortable with him beside her, it wouldn’t be right for him to tell her no because he was a coward. In truth, if their roles had been reversed he would have wanted her with him. Hell, he wanted her with him all the time.
    “Fine, we’ll share the bed. Now can we talk about what happened while you were gone?”
    “Actually, I have a few questions about how we’re supposed to survive up here.”
    “Generator for electricity, and wood for the stove. No phone, but as for the surprise I mentioned, there is a portable DVD player and stack of DVDs in the bedroom. There’s a radio and CDs on the counter. I even packed a few board games and a deck of cards.”
    “Okay, but I meant what do you plan on feeding me?”
    “Hungry.” She nodded and he laughed. “I know after living with Sam you’re used to having gourmet dinners, but our fare here will be less elegant.”
    “As long as we not going to be hunting for our dinner nightly I’m good.”
    Jake got up and went into the kitchen. He opened the cabinet and pulled out a loaf of bread. Out of the dorm-size fridge he got cheese, a pack of deli meats, and a small jar of mustard. It only took him a few minutes to whip them up a few sandwiches. He added a handful of salt-and-vinegar potato chips to each of their plates before carrying them to the couch. She smiled at him