Chapter Four
Clancy
This phone call from my sister is a perfect reminder of why I no longer answer when her number flashes on the screen.
She rattles on and on about the potential danger her friend and co-worker could be in on this job as if I’m completely wet behind the ears and have no fucking clue how to do my job.
She then has the audacity to threaten my manhood if I don’t keep said friend safe.
Terra has always been a pit bull, but this is fucking ridiculous. Her protectiveness of those she cares about is extreme. It’s the reason she refuses to give up on checking in with me even though I clearly don’t want her to.
I suppose as someone who protects people for a living I should be more understanding, but seeing as I’m a lost cause, there’s no making sure I’m okay.
I never will be again. The things I’ve seen and done have ensured my mind is a place where demons roam and there’s no eradicating them.
They’re there to prepare me for the trip south I’ll be taking when I eventually find myself in an early grave.
Because there’s no doubt on either account, that’s how it ends for me.
It’s a miracle it hasn’t already. Only some higher power knows why I was spared when so many good men were not. The cracking in Terra’s voice draws me back to the current conversation.
“I’m just worried about her and you. I don’t want anything to happen to either of you. I know you’ll protect her with your life. It’s what you do, and you’re damn good at it, but I’m worried about who’s going to keep you from spiraling from things beyond your control while you do that.”
Her sniff causes the fractured pieces of my heart to fissure further. Hearing one of the strongest women I know show weakness cuts deep. I hate that I’m part of the reason for it.
“I’ve got this,” I say with more conviction than I feel, at least regarding my spiraling.
The protection piece is a walk in the park, and I have no qualms about promising to keep her friend safe.
“Lone Star wouldn’t have hired me if they thought my head wasn’t on straight and I wasn’t capable of doing the job.
You’re worrying over nothing. Go do your job and make men’s testicles crawl back up into their stomachs, why don’t you? ”
She huffs. “I do have a meeting today where I’m going to eviscerate the opposition.” I can hear the smile in her voice as she turns her attention to her work. “I’d better get going. I love you baby brother.”
“Yeah, you too,” I grumble before shoving my phone in my back pocket.
With my hands on my hips, I do some box breaths in an attempt to calm the war of emotions she evoked.
Once I have my shit marginally under control, I scrub my hand down my face and seek out the eyes I’ve felt drilling into me for the last several minutes.
My heart skips a beat as an angel appears before me through the plate-glass window of Pepper’s.
Pale blonde hair falls in waves around her plump face.
Her green eyes are fixated on me. Normally, someone watching me would have my spidey senses tingling.
I could definitely feel her gaze on me, but the prickling sensation that warns me when something isn’t quite right with a situation is notably absent.
In its place, though, is a throbbing of a different variety. Desire pulses through me as I drink my fill of the woman inside. Her thick curves have my dick twitching as thoughts of sinking into the pillowy softness of her flesh race through my mind.
Her eyes shoot to mine as if she only now realizes I’m watching her too. She bites down on her plump bottom lip as our gazes lock, neither of us looking away. Several breaths pass before I tear mine away with a groan.
Stomping over to the cafe door, I jerk it open.
A scan of the interior confirms what I already suspected.
This is my sister’s friend, the one I’m supposed to be protecting.
And she certainly isn’t the nerdy academic I’d been expecting.
Isn’t it just my fucking luck the first woman in years who piques my interest is the asset in my latest assignment.
Which means she’s off limits.
In a multitude of ways.
Not only is she an asset, but she’s my sister’s friend.
That’s certainly not a line I want to cross.
The woman is already a big enough pain in my ass.
I can only imagine what she would be like if she were to find out I was involved with her friend.
Last, no one should be saddled with my demons.
I refuse to get tangled up with anyone who might get caught in the crossfire of my life, which could result in their paying the ultimate price.
Heaving a deep sigh, I plop down in the chair across from her. She arches a brow at me like I didn’t catch her ogling me as her forefinger worries the ring on her right thumb.
“Emerson Pearson, I presume?”
“Clancy Bingham?”
And fuck, if my name from her lips in that husky voice doesn’t have me thankful I’m sitting down. This woman is going to be trouble with a capital T.
“That’s me, darlin’.” Don’t know where the fuck that came from either. Never had the urge to call a woman pet names before, but it slipped right out without a second thought. And damn if I don’t love the slight pinkening of her cheeks in response, even if she’s also rolling her eyes.
“I don’t think Terra gave the right warning about you,” she mutters.
I tip my head to the side with a smirk. “So she did warn you about me then? And just what warning did big sis have?”
She studies me for a brief moment before looking over my shoulder. “Doesn’t matter.”
I’m about to argue with her when we’re interrupted by Rose, the waitress who’s an institution here at Pepper’s. “Hey Clancy, what can I get for you today?”
I tip my chin at her in greeting. “I’ll take an iced tea to go, please.”
Her eyes dart between Emerson and me. “No pie today?”
I give my head a shake. “No. I’m good, had a late breakfast and we’ll be heading out soon.”
“Alright then. Be back in a second with your drink. You need anything else, hon?” she directs at Emerson.
“No ma’am. Thank you, though.”
Rose leaves to fetch my tea while Emerson picks up her fork, scooping up a bite of pie. I’m mesmerized as the flaky crust and sugary nuts disappear between those plump lips. She hums, eyes falling closed as she chews the dessert, and a look which can only be described as pure bliss falls over her.
My dick hardens as I imagine creating a similar response while both of us are naked and wrapped up in each other.
Rose returns with my drink, and I gulp from the plastic straw in a futile attempt to cool myself. What was supposed to be a routine job has me ready to run for the hills, and it hasn’t even begun yet.