Anna

I was losing my mind. Okay, so maybe my past was influencing my paranoia, but my spine tingled, and my skin was dotted with goose bumps as I walked down the street and to the apartment.

I peeked over my shoulder again at the two men in biker jackets that stalked with quick steps, trailing twenty feet behind me. When one of the guys—the uglier of the two, with a bulbous nose and swollen, inflated ears—made eye contact with me, I gasped and looked back ahead.

I debated ducking into a store or pub, but the street was busy enough to keep me safe. It was Grafton Street, after all. A tourist spot. Even for a Monday, the street was hopping. Men with guitars played, wailing Irish tunes drifted down the street, and people stood outside the row of pubs up ahead, enjoying happy hour. What can happen to me here?

I was being stupid. Just because the guys had been back there since I got off the bus didn’t mean they were following me.

I turned off Grafton and started down a slightly less busy street. I was only two blocks away from the apartment. I had memorized the route to and from the bus stop yesterday, to make sure I would have no hiccups getting to work on my first day.

As much as I wanted to steal another glimpse over my shoulder, I kept my head straight, looking forward.

I rounded the last corner.

I was almost there.

I pulled my arms across my chest and attempted to pick up speed. Why hadn’t I brought sneakers or boots to wear for the walk? My heels kept jamming in the cracks of the cobblestone pavement.

When I spotted the steps leading to the apartment building, I inhaled a lungful of air. I was so ready for this day to be over. It had been mentally exhausting, and mostly because of Adam. I still couldn’t believe I was going to work with him. It had taken all of my restraint to pull my gaze from his corded forearms at the office today. What were those markings? I’d never been one to be drawn to tattoos, but for some reason I couldn’t take my eyes off of Adam’s. Even thinking of it sent a strange warmth to my stomach.

Reaching the door to the apartment, I raised my hand, ready to punch the code on the device outside the building, but my hand hung in the air in front of the black keypad.

The two men who’d been at my heels were reflected in the glass door of the building. They had stopped at the bottom of the steps, and their eyes were focused on me.

My lungs expanded and my heart rate increased as I tried to figure out what to do.

I noticed other people passing by behind the pair of men. I lowered my hand, deciding I’d be safer on the street than in the building. They might force their way inside if I opened the door.

I turned around, not sure what to do or say. But what choice did I have?

“You’re Les’s roommate?” one of the guys asked. His eyes roamed over my body, the slow and torturous gaze of a man mentally undressing me.

Les? Ohh, Leslie. “Who are you?” I asked instead, hating how my voice quavered.

The other guy, whose face looked like he’d been pummeled recently, started to ascend the stairs, which caused me to take an immediate step back. But there was nowhere to go, and my body pressed against the door. “We need to talk to you, love,” the guy said in a soft voice as if he was a friend of mine.

Yeah, sure. Did he think sugary words would get me to open the door? I might be from a small town, but I wasn’t that naïve. “Please leave.”

“I’m afraid we can’t do that.” The man was now on the same level as me, and his face was inches from mine. I wasn’t sure where the other guy was—I couldn’t see anything past this hulk’s torso.

“Let us in.” He propped both arms over my shoulders, his palms pressing to the glass door on each side of me. My mind scrambled as I thought about what to do, and yet, my mouth wasn’t opening. Why wasn’t I screaming?

“Get the feck away!”

The back of my head hit the door as I heard Adam’s voice.

The guy in front of me lowered his arms and turned around. I caught sight of Adam shoving past the guy at the bottom of the steps. He leaped up the steps two by two and grabbed hold of the man near me. He shoved him up against the building.

I shifted away and tucked myself in the corner.

“What’re you doing here?” Adam yelled, raising his fist in front of the lecher. The man’s face remained unchanged, even his hands hung loose and casual by his outer thighs. He had no intention of fighting, and I wasn’t sure what to make of it. But the entire scene filled me with terror, and I shrank to a squat before them.

“We’re here to prove a point. Do what you’re supposed to, or no one around Les is safe,” the guy responded, flicking Adam’s arm with his index finger.

Adam took a step back and dropped his hands to his sides, but I noticed his fingers remained tucked into his palms. The muscles in his jaw twitched, the veins were prominent in his throat. I’d seen that look before—it was the look of a man who was ready to attack. “If you ever come near her again, I’ll kill you. Do you understand?”

The man tipped up his chin and straightened the lapels of the black biker jacket he wore. “Then you know what ya need to do.” The man looked over at me as he sniggered and then brushed past Adam.

Adam stood firm, watching the two men as they started down the street. When they were out of sight, he turned his attention to me. “Anna.” He knelt down next to me, his chest heaving up and down. “Are you okay?” He took my hands, but I flinched and retracted from his touch, pulling them to my chest. I snapped my eyes shut, fear still swelling harsh inside me.

“I’m so sorry. Are you all right? Did they touch you?” There was an edge of anger to his voice. His hand came down over mine, but this time I didn’t pull away. I opened my eyes and looked up into his blue ones as I pushed up to my feet. He rose with me.

“I—what . . . what was that? Who were they?”

“Let’s get you inside, and we’ll talk.” He punched the code, and we went up the three flights of stairs in silence. My heart rate began to normalize as we entered the apartment and locked the door.

I dropped my purse on the floor and moved to the couch, still in shock at what had happened. But what exactly had happened? And what did they want Adam to do?

“Jesus Christ. I’m gonna kill Les.” He came into the living room and slumped down in the chair. He popped open the top two buttons of his dress shirt and wrapped a large hand around the back of his neck. “You can’t stay here. Les—Leslie . . . he’s in a bit of a jam, and anyone connected to him—”

“I’ve never even met him.” A breath of air rushed from my lips as I tried to digest the situation. This was crazy. Where would I live? I had started looking for a new place but hadn’t found anything.

“You can stay with me.” He was staring at the ground beneath his feet. His elbows rested on his knees, his hands clasped, hanging in the air between his thighs.

“No,” I managed.

“Why not?” He looked up at me now.

“It wouldn’t be appropriate, for one. Plus, I don’t know you.” I bit my thumbnail and crossed my ankles, regretting the fact that I’d worn a pencil skirt. It was difficult to sit on a couch and not worry about flashing him. Of course, that appeared to be the least of my problems right now. “Maybe I should go back to Kentucky. Maybe I shouldn’t be here.”

But God, I didn’t want to be there, either.

“No.” Adam shook his head as he stood. He folded his muscular arms across his hard chest and bent his head, his eyes finding mine. They were a soft blue. “You shouldn’t let my idiot friend’s problems ruin your time here or your opportunity with the company.” He made a tsk noise. “I can stay at my home outside the city, or even in a hotel, while you stay at my flat.”

My mouth opened round in shock. “I would never ask you to do that. And what if those guys show up at your place—what if they find me there?” Or just as bad, what if someone at the company found out I was staying at Adam’s?

He blew out a loud breath and rubbed his hands down his face again. His skin flushed slightly. “What’s all of this about? I should know what I’m caught up in.” Was it something illegal? No, a billionaire businessman wouldn’t get caught up in something like that—would he?

He turned his back to me and moved to the opposite wall. He pressed his palms to it, just beside the TV, and he lowered his head. I wasn’t sure if it was anger or sadness—maybe both.

His shoulder blades pulled together as I moved with careful steps up behind him. “Adam.” I cleared my throat. “Sorry. Mr. McGregor.”

Adam faced me. He was entirely too close. I could almost smell the autumn leaves and cool breeze on him, as well as a deep, masculine smell. It was intoxicating . . . and distracting.

He looked down into my eyes, his lips a hard, straight line. “Pack your bags.”

So he had no intention of telling me anything, huh? I took a small step back, trying to break free from his magnetic pull. “I’ll go to a hotel. If I can’t find a place to live within a few days, I’ll have to go back home. I can’t afford much.” My eyes lowered to the floor, but Adam’s hand beneath my chin had me looking back up at him.

“I’ll take care of you.”

“You don’t even know me,” I whispered. “And I could never accept that kind of help.”

“Les got you into this mess—the least I can do is help you out of it.” He angled his head, his eyes dipping to my lips for a moment before lifting back up again. My entire body warmed. What was it about this man that made me excited when I should be scared shitless?

“Besides,” he allowed his hand to drop, “I protect what’s mine.” He chuckled a little, breaking the tension. “I mean my employees.” He smiled. “I’m very protective of the people in my life.”

It was sweet but unacceptable. “I’m sorry, but I can’t let you do that. I really appreciate it. Just because you’re a billionaire doesn’t mean you need to fork out money for me. I don’t like handouts.” I pulled my bottom lip between my teeth and thought. “Maybe I can get a second job—a waitress or bartender thing on the weekends. I did that in college.” Well, for a little while, anyway.

He shoved his hands in his gray slacks pockets and shook his head as his lower lip turned down. “No.”

“No?” I perked a brow in surprise and folded my arms across my chest.

I didn’t need someone bossing me around. Someone controlling me . . . Chills wrapped my spine as my body shuddered.

“You shouldn’t be dealing with a bunch of drunk blokes. That scene can be rough.” Then a sudden glimmer came to his eyes, and my stomach sank. “I know how you can repay me if it means that much to you.”

I glared at him in sudden disgust.

He held his hands up and laughed a little. “I didn’t mean whatever it is you’re thinking. Get your head out of the gutter.”

“What is it then?” I asked, relief making a quaver in my voice.

“I’ll give you an address, and you can meet me there after work tomorrow.”

“That’s all I get?”

Another smile skirted his lips. “Aye.”

I shook my head no. “That doesn’t work for me. I need to know what I’m getting into.”

He stepped back in front of me, and I gasped at the quickness of his movement. “Just trust me.”

I swallowed. “Trust a man I barely know?”

“You came to Ireland for a job you’d never tried, at a company you didn’t know. And you agreed to live with someone you met online. I’d say you have a bit of experience with trust.”

“And you think that means I should trust you?” I accused.

“Yeah, I do,” he said in a low, smooth voice, his eyes holding mine for a long, torturous heartbeat. Then he left my side, taking all the air with him.

* * *

“I don’t know what to say right now.” I fidgeted with the hotel key card in my hand, not sure if I could look Adam in the eyes.

We’d taken a cab to a hotel because he only had one helmet for his bike, and I wasn’t about to get on the back of one of those death traps, anyway. He’d been texting someone the entire way over, and I did my best not to peek at his smartphone. He had a right to his privacy, after all. But his face had been tight, and anger rolled off him in waves. Whatever kind of trouble Les was in had Adam riled up. And I still couldn’t help but wonder what it was.

It was all so strange. A few weeks ago I was at my parent’s farm, riding Java, wondering what I’d do with my life. And now I was standing in some ritzy hotel at the city center of Dublin, swapping numbers with my boss so he could protect me from the thugs who were after my roommate.

What a mess.

“Are you good?”

I glanced over at his large hand on my shoulder, and he immediately retracted his arm.

“Aside from the fact that two sasquatches cornered me at my building, um, yeah, I’m peachy.” I puckered my lips and made a strange, half-growling noise. I suspected it was completely unattractive, but he still smiled.

“I won’t let anyone hurt you.”

“I appreciate that you want to keep me safe.” I perked a brow as his lips parted, but no sound escaped. “But—”

“Oh no. There’s a but?”

I slapped at his chest, and his eyes darted down to my hand. I pulled it back like he was on fire. I hadn’t meant to do that. Jeez. How could I already feel like I was on a touching basis with my boss?

“I’m nervous someone at work will get the wrong idea about us. If anyone finds out you’re helping me pay for this place . . .”

He dragged his gaze up to meet mine. “My name’s not on the room—yours is. And I paid in cash.” He took a step back and scratched the back of his short black hair, which was close cut around his ears, but a little longer on top. “And to be honest, I’d tell someone to go eff themselves if they said anything to me.”

“And what about if they said something to me? Or if I’m offered a job at the end of this, and they think it’s because . . .” I tipped my shoulders and pulled my lip between my teeth, tasting sweet cherry lip gloss on my tongue.

“Because of what?” His right brow lifted, and there was a hint of amusement in his eyes.

Oh he loved to make me uncomfortable, even after everything that had happened today. “I won’t give you the satisfaction of saying it.” My lips spread into a smile, and I almost forgot about what had brought us here.

“No worries. Nobody would ever think you and I would be together.”

My lungs deflated at his words.

The back of his hand touched my cheek, and I sucked in a breath, my head reeling. “You’re far too innocent. Too good. No one would ever believe you’d put up with a man like me.” His voice was raspy enough to harden my nipples.

Before I could say anything further, he took a step back. “Goodnight. I’ll see ya tomorrow.” His hand dropped, and he turned. My eyes remained on his back until he disappeared around a corner.

Once he was out of sight, I tilted my head back, staring up at the ceiling for a moment, trying to find my bearings in the sea of Adam. I wasn’t the type of girl to lose control over a guy’s looks—these were uncharted waters.

I realized I was just standing in the hall, which was not exactly the best idea after what had happened only an hour ago with those two assholes. I quickly swiped my keycard and rushed into the room, dragging my bag behind me.

I flicked on the lights, and my eyes widened at the size of the suite. Adam had said he’d get the smallest, cheapest room.

Ha. What a liar.

The suite was bigger than Les’s apartment, not to mention nicer. This wasn’t just a hotel room—it looked like a corporate rental, complete with a large kitchen, dining area, and living room. There was another door off the living room, which I assumed led to the bedroom and bath.

I grabbed my cell and scrolled to his number. My fingers moved in quick, angry jabs.

You’re in so much trouble!! Whatever you have me doing tomorrow better be good!!

I was about to chuck my phone on the couch, but it started to vibrate against my palm.

That was quick.

Anna, I promise, it will be one of the best things you’ve ever done.

The winking emoji made me smile, which was just wrong, given the circumstances. I groaned as my mind began to imagine all the things I could do with him.

Damn you, Adam McGregor.