A light bulb went on in her mind.
“You're helping me because you're scared of JJ,” she said with a smile.
“A little,” he admitted grimly. “Come on.”
He escorted her a block down the street, touching her as little as possible, and into a small, pay lot. He opened the passenger door of a dark Land Rover and offered her a hand. She'd never been one to get too hung up on how a gentleman was supposed to act because let's face it she never kept a man around for more than a night or two.
But feeling his skin against hers, noting his strength…an awareness she’d never felt before traveled up her arm, through her nervous system and settled deep down inside.
Baby couldn't stop grinning as he climbed behind the wheel next to her. Though she hadn't known Joe too long, she knew that there wasn't much that scared him so the idea of JJ laying down the law, it was all she could do to hold in her giggle. And giggling was much preferred to the alternative — letting all her stress go via her tear ducts.
The drive to her townhouse was short and quiet. After all the times he’d escorted JJ for their weekly Girls’ Night, he obviously didn’t need directions, which she found rather hot.
Joe didn't fill up the air with pointless chatter, which she appreciated. And he didn't insist everything was going to be all right. Her smile faltered.
His closeness would have to be a reassurance of sorts. Pulling to the curb in front of her little porch, he put the vehicle in park and looked around. She knew why and she shivered. Someone was watching her; that someone knew what kind of car she drove and where she parked and—
He exited before she could start to hyperventilate and she focused on his brooding good looks as he circled the hood. Wrenching open the door, he offered her a hand.
As she slid her hand into his and his grip tightened she felt a tremble, indescribable and yet so very potent, travel through her. Every nerve ending perked up and her eyes swerved to his. His eyes were wide and his frown deepened. So he felt it too…
After helping her from the Land Rover, he let her go abruptly.
He escorted her to her door and held out his hand. “Keys.”
She lifted her right brow in her trademark who-do-you-think-you-are-mister way. It had flattened plenty of opposing council members and even more handsy bar-goers. But she handed him her key chain. A quick thrust of the key into the lock, a flick of the wrist and they were inside. No missed attempts, no fumbling for Joe, just economy of movement.
He ushered her into the entryway and locked the door.
“Stay here while I look around.” He paused to give her a hard look. “Think you can handle that?”
“Is it my hair?” She asked, still grasping for a reason he thought so little of her.
“What the hell does your hair have to do with anything?”
“Well, I didn't run over your pet. I didn't sue your grandma. Maybe you just don't like blondes.”
“I like blondes.”
“You just don't like me. So noted. Go have a look around. You'd be surprised what I can,” she let her tone drop seductively, “handle.”
He shook his head as he turned away. Gracious that man needed to loosen up. If they were both wound so tight, one of them was bound to rupture something.
Get Your Copy
Get My Newsletter
If you’d like to learn about my upcoming releases, please sign up to my mailing list. You’ll also be able to access my free reads library.
Sign up at:
http://gillianblakely.com/newsletter/
Author Bio
Gillian Blakely is the contemporary alter ego of NYT bestselling author Selena Blake.
An action movie buff with a penchant for all things supernatural and sexy, she combines her love for adventure, travel and romance into sensual contemporary romance and spine-tingling paranormal romance. Selena’s books have been called “a steamy escape” and have appeared on NYT Times, USA Today, Amazon and AllRomanceEbooks bestseller lists, been nominated for awards, and won contests. When she’s not writing you can find her by the pool soaking up some sun, day dreaming about new characters, and watching the cabana boy (aka her muse), Derek.
Fan mail keeps her going when the diet soda wears off so write to her at [email protected].
Other Books by Gillian Blakely
Series: Girls’ Night Trilogy
Scoring With The Football Star
Saved by the Reluctant Bodyguard
Series: SEALs of Roseville (Spinoff of Girls’ Night)
At Her SEAL’s Command
Toying with Her SEAL
Second Chance with Her SEAL
Surprising Darcy (short contemporary erotic ménage)
Just a Little Taste (short contemporary erotica)
Falling for His Fake Fiancée (Book 2, Girls' Night Trilogy) Page 27