19. Going To Be Rules
GOING TO BE RULES
She got it. She really did.
Fletcher Wilcox is this big, bad, mean bro.
He carries a gun. He flexes his muscles. He talks, people listen.
And maybe she was okay with that in her life.
Maybe she’d never had it before and though she always said she never wanted a guy like that, she was finding comfort in having someone in her space that she could lean on.
Could support her.
Protect her, though she really hated she needed that part.
Then they go from mind-blowing, body-tingling orgasms to fighting over her lukewarm breakfast that she’d slaved over this morning hoping to seduce him.
Guess she didn’t need to spend so much time in the kitchen.
“I don’t want to change course with this conversation if you’re not done saying what you need to,” he said.
Her gaze softened. Her jaw loosened.
Her tongue even slipped out between her teeth.
She wasn’t sure why it surprised her he was giving her the opportunity to keep talking before he moved on.
She’d bet anything that he was the patient one in his marriage.
That he wanted to talk things out rather than assume.
“I’ve said what I need to for now. I’m sorry that what I said caused you to react that way. I’m sure it’s not going to be the first time for both of us and we have to come to an understanding... if we continue.”
Might as well throw it out there so he didn’t think he was the one making all the decisions between them.
“I told you a lot. More than anyone else knows. That alone should say something.”
“It does.”
She returned to eating since he had too.
“There are going to be rules.”
Her head snapped up. “I’m not sure I like the sound of that.”
“Because you’re the one used to making them, right?”
She let out a light laugh. “Sometimes. Or sometimes it’s more like I need them to keep London in line. She can be a bit much.”
“Don’t kid yourself. So are you.”
She angled her head. “Why thank you. That’s a compliment. I’m used to everyone saying I’m the sweet one.”
His upper lip curled. “You can be. But I also think you want people to see that and not the other part. The vulnerable one that you just talked about.”
“Doesn’t everyone?”
“You’d be surprised how many people like the attention.” He put his hand up when she went to speak. “Present company excluded. I’m just saying, not everyone is like that.”
“But you are,” she said.
“I am. Back to my rules. They need to be there for your protection.”
“Really, Fletcher? How much danger am I in? A disgruntled former staff of a client I did work for comes in upset he lost his job. Yep, it rattled me. But he’s gone and you said it’s not him who sent the rat.”
“That’s right. It’s not. So until we find out who it is and their motive, then I need to keep a better eye on you.”
“How close of an eye?”
“Not one to the point we have to live together. I don’t believe there is that kind of danger. If you want to know the truth, it’s more about watching out who might be watching you.”
Her jaw dropped. “Seriously? You think someone was watching me last night? Wouldn’t I have felt that?”
Or was she too wrapped up with the guy on her arm? The fact that she wanted to be on a real date with him and not this fake one in the guise of security.
“Not necessarily. And yes. West knows my thoughts on it.”
“Did you notice anything last night?”
“Other than the woman next to me looks smoking in a sexy dress?”
“Awww, there you go being kind of sweet.”
“I’m not sure too many have said I’m sweet.”
“Then I’m going on record I am.”
“Documented. But no, I didn’t notice anything off. There were a lot of eyes on your table and almost all of them landed on Jamie.”
“It’s always like that,” she said.
“Leaving early, that helped. It let me see if anyone followed you out or noticed when we left.”
“No one did, right? Jeez, we stood out in the deli. I would have noticed someone else coming in dressed like us.”
“I saw no signs of anyone watching you last night. Nothing.”
“You’d know all the tells too, right?”
“I know enough.”
She was pretty sure he was being modest, but he wouldn’t have gotten his job if he hadn’t.
“So what are these rules?”
“Everything stays the same. No public transportation for you.”
“I rarely use it.”
“If you’re going to work with London, call for Marcus or take an Uber. Not shared, just the two of you. If you’re alone, you only get Marcus.”
“Why Marcus and not Colin?”
“Because Marcus is a retired NYPD. He knows what is going on. He’s your driver, and if he’s not around, you call me.”
“That’s a little excessive, don’t you think? For a dead rat and a note and nothing else. I don’t even know what it is I’m supposed to stop looking for. That’s ridiculous. Maybe someone made a mistake.”
“People don’t make mistakes like that,” he said.
Not what she wanted to hear.
Not that she believed it either, but it was worth a shot.
“So the gist is that if I leave my apartment, Marcus or you have to drive me, unless London is with me. What if I just want to run to get food around the corner? Or go to the bodega? Does Marcus or you have to hold my hand?”
“Have it delivered,” he said. “Or you call us.”
“This is going too far,” she argued. “How long is this going to go on?”
“A few more weeks. If there isn’t anything else, we can cut back. I’m still looking into things.”
“Okay, then tell me, we do all of that. We follow your rules. What about you and me? Where does that fall into place?”
“Protecting you comes first.” His voice was firm. Strong. Reassuring.
Then her eyes went to the gun in its holster on the island. The one he’d had on his ankle.
“And that part aside? Is no one supposed to know what we did in my bedroom not that long ago?”
“It’d be for the best.”
“The best for you,” she pointed out.
“I’d prefer your cousin doesn’t know,” he said dryly.
“Which one is that? I’ve got a lot of them.”
“Don’t be cute.”
“I like being cute. Would you like a coffee? I’m sorry. I didn’t even offer you one and I know you drink it all the time.”
“Actually, I drink two a day. The rest is water.”
And in his black travel mug, he was only letting people see what he wanted them to.
Even something as simple as his drink preference.
She’d have to remember those things.
“How many cups did you have today?”
His lips twitched some. “One.”
She pushed back to make another. Just to busy her hands and mind while she let their conversation process some more.
“I’m assuming you drink it black? That would be right up your alley.”
“Do you always assume things?”
Her shoulders dropped. “No. I try not to.”
He kept eating and reached for more bacon. At least she was providing a good breakfast for him.
“I drink it black.”
“You just had to make me feel bad about that guess, didn’t you?”
“No. Only you can control how you feel, not me.”
“Don’t bet on it,” she mumbled, then put her cup under the spout of her fancy machine that she and London splurged on.
She needed another for herself and carried his to him before she returned for hers.
“Are you going to be testy when I call you out on things?”
“I’m not normally that way. I guess it depends on if you’re calling me out or teasing. Like flirting, and I just need to learn your angles.”
“Does it matter which one it is?”
“It one hundred percent does,” she said firmly.
She grabbed her cup, poured creamer in it, and then went back to sit by him. She was done eating at this point.
“Then I’m teasing. Most times, with you, that is what I’m doing.”
“Wish I knew before.”
“And now you do.”
“But it’s not going to change the first part of your job?”
“Absolutely not. Are we going to butt heads there? Most likely. I’m not backing down though.”
“Not even if I put a sexy dress on for you again?”
“Nope. I’m not into fancy all that much.”
“How about a white T-shirt, no bra, and a thong with athletic shorts.”
“Now that—that would push the meter some more.”
“I’ll keep it in mind. Can I let London know what is going on?” She stopped him before he could speak. “Before you answer, you should know—I don’t hide much from her because I can’t. It’s true about those twin things. She’ll know when something good or bad is going on with me.”
“Then there was no reason to ask,” he said.
“You’re okay with it?”
“Doesn’t seem as if I’ve got a choice, does it?”
She didn’t want him to feel that way. “You’ve got one.”
“For now, if she keeps quiet, I’m good with it. Though I’m sure she’ll tell Spencer?”
“He won’t say anything if she does. Trust me, he struggled with having a relationship with her along with a working one. He’d understand.”
“Does this mean we’re okay now?”
She pushed back from her chair and moved closer, then crawled onto his lap. “I’m okay. Are you?”
“Yeah,” he breathed out and kissed her forehead.
She snuggled in some, knowing they got through that.