house and created more distance between them. He knew only one thing. That he wanted Julie Fraser with every beat of his sorry heart. He wanted to feel her under him as he pushed deep inside her. Wanted to hear her call his name as he touched and tasted every last inch of her.
“You only know what?” Julie followed him into the house, both her tone and steps hesitant.
Shit. He shouldn’t have started this. He walked around her, kept a large distance before he lost all sense of reason and lunged for her. Again. “I know that I can’t get you out of my mind. Ever since the shooting at the house, I’ve been thinking that someone could take a shot at you anytime and it’d all be over.” He shook his head, pissed that he sounded like some overprotective gorilla. He took the last few steps for the door, needing the space before he did something he’d regret.
“Wait a minute.” Her voice rose with an edge of anger. “What are you doing? Where are you going? You’re leaving?”
Troy turned. The mix of anger and uncertainty in her eyes made him sick inside. He didn’t want to upset her or hurt her in any way, and getting involved with her on any level would mean more trouble than he could handle.
“I shouldn’t have come over.” He shook his head. “Shouldn’t have rang the doorbell in the first place.”
Staring at him, she crossed her arms over her chest and narrowed her gaze. “What is the problem?” She shook her head. “You’re going to need to spell it out for me because as far as I can tell, we’re two consenting adults and—” She stopped suddenly. “Are you married? Because if you’re married then you’re right, you can haul yourself out of my house right now. I never saw a ring on your finger, but if you think I sleep with married men, then you’d be categorically wrong.”
Troy closed his eyes and dropped his chin to his chest. He believed her. Everything he’d seen between her and Ari until now made perfect sense. Her body language had told the story, but he’d become so damn cynical that he wouldn’t believe his own eyes.
It didn’t change the fact that he still worked for Ari. It didn’t change the fact that he’d been watching her for weeks, months with the sole intention of nailing her to the wall when it came to wrecking a marriage.
He’d been wrong. His relief didn’t temper his frustration with the whole situation.
“Well, are you?” Her voice sounded razor sharp, and America would have been hard pressed to find their Sweetheart anywhere in the vicinity.
He met her gaze. “No.”
She huffed and shook her head. “Then what is the issue?” When he didn’t immediately answer, she paced in front of him. “Let me ask you something. Do you think I kiss a lot of guys the way I just kissed you? Do you think I—” She let out a frustrated groan that mirrored his exact aggravation. “I just don’t get it.” She stared at him and waited.
He couldn’t tell her he’d been hired to watch her, not while Sophia remained a client. He had strict confidentiality issues. His reputation demanded it. “I like you. A lot. Too much,” he said. “This is just—” Talking had never been his strong suit. This conversation was killing him.
“Just?” she prompted. “What? Just bad timing? Just plain crazy? Just not what you wanted?” She shook her head. “Maybe I’m not what you thought I’d be? I have no idea. People think one thing of me, and when they get the real me it’s a completely different story. I’m not glamorous or exciting or lead a wild life. Well, fine.” She gestured behind him. “Walk out the door. But don’t think you’ll get another chance to come back in.” Turning, she faced the slider doors that led out to the narrow backyard.
Troy’s heart felt like a twenty-pound medicine ball. It sunk hard and fast. He wanted her more than anything he’d ever wanted in his life. He wanted her with a powerful need that shot from his chest clear down to his toes. He craved the taste of her, the feel of her in his arms. His pulse thudded hard and fast as he stood frozen on the spot. He wanted her because of all the things she wasn’t. Who needed glamorous when you had down-to-earth and real? Who cared about wild when you craved steadfast