Promise finished doing the dishes after eating a remarkable stew while the Viking scouted outside the home for any threats. Who’d have thought the muscled badass would be such a good cook? Dinner had been delicious and comfortable as they discussed current politics, movies, and the possibility of religion. The meal had been enjoyable and relaxed. Every once in a while, he’d study her with that brilliant blue gaze, and her hormones would wake right up.
It was good they’d determined they’d have a sexual relationship while he served as her bodyguard. Oh, it might be improper, but she didn’t care. She hadn’t had a good orgasm in way too long, and these things were physical—not emotional.
He appeared at the sliding glass door and opened it, letting in a rapidly escalating wind. “We’re clear.”
She wiped her hands on the dish towel and hung it on the proper hook. “I imagined we would be.” She waited until he closed the door and locked it. “Do you really believe I’m in danger?” Based on the financial report of his corporation, he didn’t need the extra money for protecting her, so there didn’t appear to be an ulterior motive for the claim.
“Yes.” His size overwhelmed the breakfast nook, and a stray red leaf clung to the right shoulder of his black shirt, which was still shoved haphazardly into ripped jeans. “What do you think?”
She ran through the facts in her head again. “I’m uncertain. There does seem to be a killer targeting physics experts, as bizarre as that sounds. Of course, killing in general is bizarre, so that tracks.” She thought it through as he watched her with that incredible blue gaze. “My instincts, which I rarely heed, are telling me that something is going on and that I am in danger.” Hopefully the authorities would catch the killer soon.
Ivar nodded. “Good. If you realize you’re in danger, you’ll take precautions.”
“Like hiring you,” she murmured. “Speaking of which, we should negotiate a contract.” They should get all the business out of the way before retiring to the bedroom.
Amusement tilted his upper lip. At least, it looked like amusement. “Ah, Missy. Let’s just consider my protection services as part of the grant process. I don’t need your money.”
No, it did not appear that he did. She stilled. “Missy?”
He blinked. “Sorry. Nickname for Promise? It just came out.”
She warmed anyway. “I tried to use it as a nickname in high school but my parents wouldn’t allow it.” They thought it made her sound too, well, something. “I guess since we’re talking about becoming intimate, it’s something you could try.”
His eyes lightened, and humor filled them. For some reason, it made her feel good. As if she’d made him happy for a moment. She cleared her throat. “I think our business and personal interactions should be kept separate,” she said.
He nodded. “Okay.”
The man was so agreeable. She nodded and crossed the kitchen, her breathing accelerating enough to be noticeable. They’d already agreed to have relations, and she’d shaved her legs earlier that day, so there wasn’t anything to be nervous about. This was a normal bodily function. “So, are you tired?” she asked, moving toward the bedroom.
“No,” he said, following her close enough she could feel the heat off his body. The man was definitely hot blooded.
Warmth trickled into her face. “For some reason, I’m experiencing nervousness about this.”
He paused at the foot of her bed and looked around. “I could find some candles and play music.” His hand looked big and broad when he ran it through his thick hair. “I don’t have much experience with seduction.”
Seduction? She didn’t need to be seduced, and with a body like his, he probably had women jumping all over themselves to bed him. Even with the scars down his neck, or maybe because of them, his features combined into a combination that was as deadly looking as beautiful. Add in the spectacular blue eyes, and no doubt he rarely lacked for female companionship. So that probably meant he’d never had to work for it. She sighed and moved to the bedside table. “Don’t worry about it.”
“I’m not,” he said, rather dryly.
She opened the drawer and withdrew two condoms, their wrappers only a little dusty. It had been quite a while. Then she placed lube and her pocket rocket on the table, shutting the drawer and turning to face him.
His head cocked to the side in almost slow motion, his gaze on the narrow pink cylinder.