Total pages in book: 20
Estimated words: 18620 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 93(@200wpm)___ 74(@250wpm)___ 62(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 18620 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 93(@200wpm)___ 74(@250wpm)___ 62(@300wpm)
That’s where he crosses the line. No way in hell is he getting close to her while I’m off arresting the criminals. “No,” I say, my voice steady and low, like gravel scraping against metal. I step forward, planting myself between her and the other agents, feeling a growl ripple through my chest. “She’s mine. Let me get her out of the way before you engage.”
The atmosphere thickens, an electric pulse buzzing around us. I can see her surprise morph into something akin to curiosity, those wide eyes studying me. She doesn’t look scared, and that fires me up even more. In a place like this, beauty is an anomaly, but every instinct tells me she isn’t involved in her boss’s schemes.
I don’t know what it is about her that has me ready to throw down just to keep her safe, but it’s primal, raw. The job’s not done, I know that, but right now, all I want to do is ensure she’s not collateral damage in this war. The criminals can wait. Right now, I have a gorgeous angel to protect.
The moment I step closer to that desk, it’s like the world falls away. I’ve seen countless faces in my line of work, but this gorgeous brunette just stole my goddamn heart with a single look. She sits there, defiance radiating off her like heat from a wildfire on a summer day in Texas, and I can’t help but want to find out more about her. Hell, I’d tear down the walls around this place if it meant keeping her safe.
But I don’t have time for the butterflies flapping around in my stomach. “You need to come with me,” I say, my voice low and commanding, but it falls on deaf ears. She narrows those stunning eyes, arms crossing over her voluptuous chest, and all I can think is that her defiance is beautiful.
“No,” she snaps, her tone sharp enough to cut glass. The universe just loves to fuck with me. Goddamn. Put a leash on me and call me hers. “I don’t know you from Adam. You’re out of your goddamn mind if you think I’m going anywhere with you.”
We've got a crime boss to take down. The rest of the agents are waiting for my signal to storm Oscar’s office down the hall, and I don't have time to debate the merits of her opinion. Keller glances over, giving me a warning look, and I know I have to act now.
With no thought of subtlety, I rush around the desk and hoist her over my shoulder. She lets out a surprised squeal that sends a rush of adrenaline coursing through me. The primal instinct to protect her at all costs kicks in. I know it’s not exactly romantic, and I feel like an asshole when she kicks and thrashes, fists pounding against my back.
“Put me down!” she demands, but it’s not happening on my watch.
“Not a chance,” I growl back, already striding toward the elevator as the four other agents stand ready to take down our target.
In the midst of her struggles, she reminds me, “You have to grab my purse. It’s in the right desk drawer! Please.”
For a second, I hesitate, figuring she can get her goddamn purse later. Then she adds, “I have evidence against Oscar on a memory stick in my purse.” Her urgent tone tells me there’s no arguing with her, even if it sends me deeper into chaos. I bolt back to her desk, yank open the drawer, and toss her purse strap over my other shoulder.
Preston holds the elevator door for us with a huge smirk on his face. “That purse really goes with your outfit.” He snorts as I storm past him.
“Fuck off.” I flip him off as I rush inside with her still slung over my shoulder. She’s relentless, still squirming and pounding against me, but I hold on to my precious cargo.
”You’re strong-arming me!” she protests, flailing her arms around.
“I’m saving your life," I shoot back, deadpan, our little back-and-forth a twisted kind of dance in the chaos. The elevator pings as the door shuts, and I’m finally able to release the breath I’ve been holding since the moment I laid eyes on her.
She huffs in frustration, but I can see the fight starting to fade. “You can’t just manhandle me!”
With that, I step out of the elevator, determination set in my jaw. “I'm not taking risks with you, sweetheart, not when your safety is on the line. You can thank me later.”
“Don’t hold your breath, Barney.” She struggles a little bit, rubbing her plump tits against my upper back, and I feel my cock turn to stone in my goddamn pants. Just what I need.
When we’re finally outside the building, I find Stone standing next to a cop car with the terrified receptionist sitting in the back seat. As much as I hate to leave my spitfire with anyone else, I know I have a job to do. I can’t exactly woo my girl until we take out the trash.