Slater

The rest of the day seemed to go by in a whirlwind of activity, which included Izzy donating a small fortune to the shelter, adopting Lola and Winston, buying them everything they could ever need or want at the local pet store, getting them home and settled, while I wandered off to call Emerson to update him on what was going on.

Needless to say, he wasn’t too happy. “Look…I wasn’t expecting her to keep us on once they found who was behind her mother’s murder—and I’m glad that you’ll still be there to keep an eye on her. But you know I think you’re overstepping. Even if she’s no longer a client, this is a bad idea.”

I certainly didn’t think so. Not when I was truly starting to care about her. “If this is what she wants too and I’m no longer working as her bodyguard, then I don’t see how I’m overstepping. As for bad ideas, you can’t tell me you’ve never gone done that road.”

That got me a groan. “I have—which is why I’m telling you this is a bad idea.”

“I appreciate your concern, but I think I need to see this through. I’ll keep you updated.” I hung up and wandered back to find Izzy and Colton playing with Lola while Winston wandered about the room, scoping it out.

I pulled Colton aside with a tilt of my head while Izzy was busy with Lola. “We’re basically off the job, unless something changes and there’s a new threat or if the asshole who shot her mom gets out on bail.”

“But…you’re going to be sticking around, right? To keep an eye on her. Among other things.” Colton’s eyes were bright with mischief, since he knew me all too well, and if anyone had seen the progression of my relationship with Izzy, it was Colton.

“It’s not like that, and you know it.” This wasn’t just about sex. If I was simply looking to get laid, I could accomplish that easy enough without complicating my work life. As my gaze wandered over to Izzy, who looked over and smiled at me, I couldn’t ignore the feelings that stirred deep inside me. “Fucking hell, Colton…I like her. A lot.”

“Can’t blame you there. There’s a lot to like. A bit out of your league, though. No?” Colton’s eyes wandered around the luxurious residence, making his implication clear. Though my family had money, Izzy’s money was different. It was old money, with titles, and wealth, and vast fortunes.

I knew I was more than a little rough around the edges, and I would never really fit into her world. But if she didn’t care, then neither did I, and at the moment, I just wanted to get to know her better. It’s not like I was asking her to marry me and bear my children.

Not yet. But I chose to ignore that little voice.

I shrugged. “Maybe she feels like slumming it for a little while. And if that’s the case, then I’m happy to oblige her.”

“I bet.” Colton laughed with a shake of his head. “Call me if you need anything. Since you clearly don’t need me around anymore, I’m going to get going.” He wandered over to Izzy and gave her a hug good-bye. “Stay safe. It’s been a real pleasure, Izzy.”

“The pleasure was all mine. You both took a situation that could have been dangerous and scary, and you saw me through it. For that…I’ll always be grateful.” Izzy saw him out, but by the time she returned, she was looking nervous. “Guess it’s just the two of us now.”

“It is, love.” I crossed to her side and knotted my fingers with hers, though I didn’t pull her close. “But I don’t want you stressing about any of this. You get to set the pace. Okay?”

She nodded, looking a bit more relaxed, even as she closed the distance between us, shy yet seductive so that it was damn near impossible to resist her. “Is it bad that I don’t want to take things slow? I feel like I’ve been waiting for this my whole adult life—and then some. Not to mention these last few weeks…”

I groaned, knowing exactly how she felt. And now? It was all I could do not to strip her gorgeous body naked and ravage her. “Whatever you want, kitten.”

Grabbing her hips, I pulled her close, loving it when she slipped her hands up my chest and around my neck, her green eyes looking up at me expectantly. “I think I may need you to take the lead, Slater. I know you want me to set the pace, but I’m too clueless to really do that.”

“Then how about you let me take the lead, and you can tell me if you need me to slow things or speed them up—or stop altogether.” I nuzzled her, brushing my lips against hers in a tease of a kiss, wanting to slowly stoke her need for me so that when I finally took her, she’d be begging me.

“I can do that.” Her words were spoken as a murmur against my lips as I pulled her to me, pressing her body to mine as I caught her mouth in a passionate kiss, my tongue dancing over hers as one kiss teasingly led to the next. Yet I needed to try to take things slow, even if I could think of nothing but sinking into her tight body.

Though I forced myself to break from our kiss, I didn’t pull away, needing her close. “How about I cook you some dinner, and we watch a movie.”

Not that I’d be able to keep my hands off her if she was nestled up against me on the sofa.

She gave me the most adorable pout. “I suppose I could do with something to eat. Though we might need to order something in instead. I’m afraid I don’t have a whole lot in my fridge, and I haven’t had any groceries delivered since this mess started, not wanting to bother with clearing anyone through all our levels of security.”

“I’m game for whatever you want to do.” As long as we eventually ended up in bed, naked.

When all was said and done, we ended up ordering in some Thai, grabbed some beer to wash it down with, and then plopped ourselves on the sofa to eat and watch a movie. But by the time we’d finished our meal and nestled against each other for the evening’s entertainment, it became clear that it didn’t matter one bit what movie we’d chosen. Not when her body was curled up against mine, making it impossible to keep my hands from gently teasing her, tracing her curves with the tips of my fingers.

But when she teasingly kissed and nipped at my neck, making my cock ache for her, I knew that there’d be little chance of us taking it slow or ever making it to the end of the movie.