“Should we go out there?” Taylor asked, looking out the window curiously.

“No,” she said. “You stay here.”

“Aw, come on,” Taylor said, pouting.

But he did as she said and stayed back as she walked out the front door and closed it gingerly behind her. As she stepped onto the porch, the truck came to a stop, puffs of brown dust flying up around it.

The driver’s-side door opened, and a huge—no, gigantic—man stepped out.

He straightened and looked around him, and she caught her breath at how striking his presence was.

She’d never seen anyone like him. When she’d read his letter, she’d scoffed at the idea of wanting anything more than a platonic relationship with a male escort.

Now, looking at the male specimen in front of her, she wasn’t so sure.

She heard Taylor open the door and come out behind her.

“Whoa,” Taylor said in a hushed whisper. “What’s with his hair?”

She had no idea. It was a striking dark gray shot through with strands of lighter silver, and it was shaved short on the sides and longer on the top, pulled into a thick, masculine brand that swung down his back.

But it was his body that drew her gaze most. Impossibly tall, thickly muscled, packed into a loose tee shirt that nonetheless bulged over tight biceps and sizable pecs but draped over what must be tight abs.

He was wearing dark-wash jeans over unbelievably long legs with powerful thighs and calves, and his expression was calm, even sedate, as he walked toward her.

His handsome, square-ish face with its strong jaw and perfectly straight nose showed none of the nervousness she felt. She felt as though her heart had dropped out of her chest and was crawling over the dirt toward him.

Or was that her ovaries?

What a man.

His full lips quirked as he came closer, and she looked up and saw beneath thick, arched brows that were the color of steel, he had long-lashed, dark-gray eyes that flashed silver in the sun.

She’d never seen anyone who looked anything like him. Perhaps he was like one of those actors who went prematurely gray or something, but all over.

“Are you an alien?” Taylor asked, stepping out beside her and looking dubious. “Why do you look so weird?”

She laughed, pushing Taylor behind her. “Kids, you know. No filter.”

Sever eyed the boy with a patient look that bordered on amusement but then turned to her. “Is it okay if I talk to you alone for a moment?”

Even his voice was attractive, deep and smooth with a slight growly burr she couldn’t place. Where was he from?

She bit her lip, reminding herself to stay in the moment. She’d hired someone for a reason, and it wasn’t to gawk at him. “Taylor, can you go inside and make sure the guest bedroom is ready?” she asked.

With a nod and another glare at their visitor, Taylor went to do as she said.

“Your son?” Sever asked.

She folded her arms and shook her head. “No, but I’m his guardian for the time being. I’m hoping to adopt him officially once the paperwork moves through the courts. His dad is an old friend of mine, and he is recently deceased.” She felt familiar pain come back and smiled wearily to mask it. “Left me this place and his son.”

“I see,” Sever said. “Sounds rough.”

“No,” she said. “Don’t get me wrong. I love it here. I love Taylor… It’s just… I could use some help.”

Sever walked back to his truck and gestured for her to follow. “Did you get my letter?”

“Yes, just today actually.” She ran a hand through her hair, feeling sweaty and hot, and not just because of the weather. Had it been this long since she saw a hot man, or was this one just exceedingly hot? “Our mail is really delayed.”

“I see,” he said. “And you agree?”

She cocked her head. “About what?”

“Keeping things professional,” he said flatly.

She nodded. “Sure, whatever you want. I’m just glad you’re here.”

He pulled a couple large duffel bags from the truck and shut the door behind him. Then he looked up at the house. “You know, your letter puzzled me. You want a man to come out here and act as your husband, but you didn’t say why.”

She shrugged. “Company.”

“Surely a woman like you doesn’t need to hire company,” he said. “I’m sure the men around here would be happy to provide it, if you wanted.”

She shook her head with a snort. “No doubt, but I can do without their company.”

His eyes became dark, looking like storm clouds. “Have they tried anything?”

“Not exactly,” she said. “But that’s part of why I’d like you here. Some of the guys would stop getting ideas if they saw I was taken.”

“I see,” Sever said. They started up the walk to the house, and he stopped when they were a few feet from the porch.

He looked over at her, pursing his lips. “I think I know the real reason you hired me.”

Shit. How did he know? Goose bumps rose on her arms as she wondered if he would be angry.

He grinned as he nudged the middle step of the porch with his toe. “Dry rot. You need some help with the house. How did you know I have contractor experience?”

She blinked at him, relief flooding her, along with confusion. “I didn’t. I—”

He raised an eyebrow. “I know. I was joking. Still, it’s kind of lucky, and I like to keep busy.”

“Oh, I see. I appreciate that, then, but don’t feel like you have to. As I said, I’m just—”

“Grateful I’m here,” he said, looking at her with that amused expression sparkling in those metallic gray eyes.

“Yes…”

By then, they were at the front door, and he stopped and reached out a hand. “I’m Sever, by the way. Nice to officially meet you.”

She flushed as she took his hand, trying not to think about how big and strong his fingers were. “Nice to meet you, too, Sever. I’m Lori, though you probably already guessed that.”

“I suppose I did,” he said. “So does Taylor know about me?”

She felt her blush deepen, dammit. “No. Well, he knows you’re here to help by pretending to be my husband, but he thinks you’re an old friend, not a stranger.”

“Well, I’m your friend now,” he said, putting an arm around her shoulder and giving her a light squeeze. She tried not to melt at the touch as he quickly released her and looked around the kitchen.

She didn’t sense anything untoward in the gesture. He just seemed to be someone who expressed himself that way.

“If you want, I can show you to your room,” she said. “I’m sorry it’s not much of a ranch, more of a homestead at the moment, but it really is nice and quiet out here.”

“Sounds great,” he said, following her up the stairs, his heavy footsteps echoing the thudding of her heart.

She stopped at the top of the landing and walked along it to the door that led to the guest room.

She opened the door and glanced inside. Everything looked ready, and Taylor had already gone elsewhere. She’d go look for him after making sure Sever was situated.

Sever walked in, scanning around him. He walked to the window and peeked out and then looked back at her with a grin. “This will do fine.”

“I’ll let you unpack, then,” she said, keeping her hand on the handle. “But I know you’re probably hungry after the drive, so feel free to join us downstairs when you’re ready.”

Then she shut the door behind her and rested for a moment, catching her breath with a hand over her rapidly beating heart.

How was she going to stay calm with a man like that in the house? And what’s more, why did she instantly feel she could trust him?

She’d known she was taking a huge risk bringing someone out here, but Date-A-Dragon seemed to have a solid business they wouldn’t want to put in jeopardy. And besides, they couldn’t be that bad if they would send someone here to help her.

Plus, with everything going on, she didn’t really have a choice.

She exhaled slowly, trying to block any more thoughts about the gorgeous man currently in her guest room, and then made her way down the stairs, wondering what a man built like that would want to eat.

* * *

The place was even quainter than Sever had imagined. And Lori, the woman he was working for, looked nothing like he had pictured either.

Every time he looked at her, he felt an odd twisting in his stomach that he didn’t know how to label.

Regardless, he would keep this professional. This was a chance for a break from all the bullshit that had plagued him from the moment he’d awakened in this new world, and he wasn’t going to squander it.

Also, whatever the human said about just wanting company, he was quickly sensing there was more here than anyone wanted to say.

Still, the best thing to do now was to unpack, settle in, and get to know the humans he’d be working and staying with.

He’d just opened his suitcase and began moving clothing into drawers when there was a knock on the door and then it opened slowly.

Sever looked up to see Taylor peek around the door before boldly coming in.

He could remember being Taylor’s age and sympathized. It was an awkward time, just old enough to want to be a man, yet not having the size and the strength of one.

He could only imagine being unable to protect Lori on his own had been frustrating for Taylor.

Or maybe the boy with the long blond hair and dark-blue eyes that were currently narrowed wasn’t worried about things like being able to protect someone, as Sever had been when he was his age.

Sever looked over. “Can I help you with something?”

Taylor nudged the door shut behind him with one foot, and Sever had to admire his bravery.

“How old are you?” Sever asked.

“Twelve,” Taylor said. “Not that it’s any of your business. I just need to know why you’re here.”

“I thought Lori already explained it to you.”

Taylor shook his head. “She said some things. Like you were a friend. But I don’t know why you’re here now. What do you want?”

Sever raised an eyebrow. “A man doesn’t need a reason to come in and provide help.”

Taylor just cocked a hip impatiently, his boyish face still tight with suspicion. “People don’t do good things for nothing.”

“She’s my friend. Isn’t that enough?”

“You didn’t come before,” Taylor said.

“Did she need me before?”

Taylor blinked nervously, and it was clear he wasn’t sure how much he should say about his and Lori’s situation.

Interesting.

Taylor folded his arms stubbornly, and Sever found himself liking the boy already. “Still, I’m just here to let you know that if you hurt her, you’ll answer to me.”

Sever looked the boy over once more, seeing more than he initially had. There was a strength there, unusual for a boy his age. A wariness and a stubbornness that would probably see him through a lot of tough times. Probably had already. Those dark-blue eyes appeared older.

“Come sit down,” Sever said, patting the edge of the bed. “We can talk while I’m unpacking.”

Taylor just stared at him, his hands falling to his sides. “Why?”

“While I’m here, I might as well get to know you better. You seem like a nice enough guy.”

“Even though I just bothered you?”

Sever shrugged and put another stack of shirts away in a drawer. “No bother. You can stay or go as you want.”

Taylor edged closer to the bed and sat on the very edge farthest from Sever with a little sigh. “Why is your hair like that?”

“Why is yours like that?” Sever asked, nodding at the shoulder-length, blond hair that he hadn’t seen on many modern human males.

“It just grows really fast,” Taylor said. “I don’t know why. Lori says I should be proud of it.”

“You should,” Sever said.

“The kids make fun of it. I don’t have any friends out here.”

“Their loss,” Sever said. “If it’s a part of you, then people should learn to accept it. Or you can just learn to not care.”

“Is that what you do?” Taylor said, scooting a little closer curiously, eying Sever’s hair.

Sever laughed. “More or less. But I don’t remember anyone picking on me as a kid. I was too busy with the village.”

“Village?”

Oops. “Never mind. Anyway, I was born with this hair, and I’ve had this braid as long as I can remember. It’s a part of who I am, so I’m not going to lose it, even if it does sort of stand out.”

“I get that. It’s nice,” Taylor said.

“Thanks,” Sever said, putting the last of his things in and pushing the drawers shut. “Should we go down and get some dinner?”

“Lunch,” Taylor corrected. “I didn’t make any for you, though.”

“I can get my own,” Sever said.

That seemed to add a little more admiration in Taylor’s eyes. Sever got the impression of a boy who was desperately trying to find someone or something to trust in the world.

For now, that could be him.

“And Taylor?”

“Yes?”

“I’m not going to hurt Lori,” he said. “I’m here to protect her.”

Taylor blinked at him in surprise and then stared as Sever walked past him and out the door, heading toward the steps.

Time for lunch.