19
Discipline and Boundaries
Q uinn slipped to the bathroom to get ready for bed. When she came back to the living room Alex was back puttering in the kitchen, but he had set out a sheet on the couch with a couple of pillows, and he had a thick cozy quilt laid on top turned down ready for her to get in. Quinn’s heart squeezed at the sight. He might not like to show it, but it seemed like Mean Hot Cop had a sweet side.
“Perfect,” she groaned sleepily sliding her weary body under the quilt.
“Comfy then?” he asked, avoiding eye contact as he flicked out the kitchen light.
“Mmm hmm.” She nodded sleepily.
“Right, well, I’m down the hall if ye need anything.” His voice had that gruffness to it again.
She smiled closing her eyes. “Good night, Sergeant Mackenzie.”
Oh, she’s a handful , he thought to himself. He stood there for a moment, brooding. Her breathing deepened, and she was already asleep. Alex shouldn’t be surprised. The lass had quite the ordeal today. That was his cue to get himself to bed, but instead, he found himself moving towards her. Standing by the settee, he studied her. Her full lips were gently parted as she took deep slow breaths. The sight of her silky auburn hair scattered across the pillow gave Alex the urge to run his hands through it. Stiffening, he realized his thoughts had once again gotten away from him. He turned and strode to his bedroom.
After trying to get comfy and flipping from one side to the other, Alex finally lay on his back throwing his forearm across his head. Every time he tried to clear his mind and willed sleep to come, thoughts of her skittered through his brain like a pigeon flapping around a warehouse not knowing the way out. He kept replaying the memory of carrying her to the fireplace. When he picked her up, his only thought had been to get her close to the heat of the fire, but with the way she wrapped her arms around him and leaned in, her face was near his neck. He’d felt her soft intake of breath. Christ. It haunted him.
Not only was he frustrated having to fight erections around her, but he also felt perturbed that she seemed to think of him like he was her bloody knight in shining armour. He wasn’t going to be anyone’s Lancelot. Yes, he felt the need to protect her and didn’t like that she’d gone through what she had, but that was simply because he was a cop. Protection was an instinct, or so he told himself.
Alex sighed heavily and rolled over. A lass had been his downfall in Scotland, and he’d be damned if he’d ever let that happen again. As much as he wanted to fuck Quinn West or at least his cock did, he knew better. He knew that even casual sex could lead to disaster. Coming to this country was a fresh start for him, and there was no way in hell a pretty face lush-lipped pain in the arse lass was going to wreck it for him.
One day, he’d likely move back to his homeland. It was where his family lived after all, and when he did, maybe then he’d settle down with a woman. Maybe. Or perhaps he’d enjoy a peaceful life akin to a monk’s. His semi-stiff cock seemed to snicker at the idea.
Alex originally came to Canada on a work exchange, but one year had now led to two. In all the time he’d been here, he’d steered clear of any kind of love interest. He knew the trouble it could cause.
Living in this remote area of the mountains served him well. Close to town, but not too close. He spent a lot of time in the backcountry. He and Bear hiked these mountains together. His pup was all the companionship he needed.
Compared to his policing career in Scotland, being a cop in Canada was a piece of cake. Most of the crime was small kind of stuff. Although occasionally, he’d get involved with some big shake-ups in the larger nearby city. The occasional adrenaline rush of those jobs was just enough kick to his otherwise peaceful existence. Alex had found a haven here in Canada, and the last thing he wanted was for a lass to ruin it.
He suspected he knew what the problem was with Quinn West. She was attracted to him and had that subtle way of flirting with him. It was no wonder he was reacting to her. The last thing he wanted was for her to get the wrong idea about this situation they found themselves in.
Christ, from what he’d gathered about the lass, she was probably dreaming of sugar plums and fairies right now with him as her hero come to the rescue. Alex shuddered at the thought. There would be no fling, no romance, none of that shite. There was attraction. He could admit that, but he’d be sure to keep the lass at a distance. Easier said than done with her right under his roof, but he’d put his foot down if he had to. He had no intention of being her bloody knight in shining armour.
The moonlight reflected bluish shadows of gently falling snow on his ceiling. It snowed hard earlier, but at least the wind had died down a bit now. Hopefully, the storm would pass by sooner than anticipated. However long this situation lasted, Alex needed to set some boundaries. Perhaps he’d allowed too much tonight. Let his guard down. He didn’t need to spend the time getting to know her and vice versa. He could tell she wanted to know more about him, but he was not interested in all that. Best if they stayed as companionable strangers.
It pissed him off that his body had reacted to her though. In the early days after arriving in Canada, he’d been tempted by a few lasses, but he’d stuck to his guns. He taught himself to be immune, to not let them penetrate his senses. At first, it was almost like a game for him, a challenge and Alex loved a challenge. It had surprised and pleased him how disciplined he’d become, and he maintained it knowing it served his purposes.
All he had to do was get through the next few days—hopefully less. Keep her at a distance. He could do that. Discipline, he reminded himself. The woman who’d put him through hell back in his home country drifted into his mind unbidden, but it served as the reminder he needed. He’d not let any lass into his life.