Harlequin Romantic Suspense April 2021 by Karen Whiddon (good e books to read txt) 📗

They had first stopped by his condo so that he could pack a bag and had considered staying there since it was a secured building. After discussing it, though, Trace had decided that she might be safer in a safe house. They didn’t know exactly who they were dealing with yet. If Daniel Atkinson was involved or was the person who’d hacked the bank system, they might also know about Trace. He said he wasn’t willing to take any chances with her safety. Which was why he had just finished double-checking windows and the security system. Now he was walking around the outside of the property.

Connie strolled through the immaculate three-bedroom, two-bathroom single-level home located in a suburb outside of the city. LEPA owned a few safe houses in the area, but Trinity had discussed selling some of them. So far, they rarely needed them since their clientele mostly preferred staying in their own properties when hiring protection.

She stepped into the master suite and glanced around. She had been responsible for remodeling and furnishing this home. White walls were the backdrop to the brightly decorated room with beige and taupe accents.

Connie hugged herself as she took in her new surroundings. Her home had burned down a couple of days ago. Yet it still seemed unreal. It was as if she was living someone else’s nightmare, but that wasn’t the case. She was actually homeless. There were moments in the past days that she’d tear up and think about all that she had lost. Telling herself that it was just stuff helped for a minute, but the reality spoke louder. That stuff was a big part of her life that held so many memories. Some things just weren’t replaceable.

Okay, girl, shake it off. Connie couldn’t allow herself to sink into despair. She’d had enough of that. It was time to come up with a game plan. There was so much to think about. Rebuild? Or buy a new home? The whole process would be like starting her life all over again. Right now, though, she had to stay strong and stay safe.

She glanced in the attached bathroom that was large with a gorgeous soaking tub. Something she definitely planned to use while there. Pulling open the drawers in the vanity, she saw that it was fully stocked with every toiletry they could possibly need.

“Everything is locked down, but there’s something we haven’t discussed,” Trace said when Connie exited the bathroom. He was leaning against the door frame, and he still looked a little tired. Hopefully, he’d get caught up on his sleep while they were there.

“What’s that?” She sat on the foot of the bed and kicked off her new tennis shoes. Trinity had done some shopping for her and had clothes and a few other items delivered to Langston’s home before they left.

Trace dropped down on the bed, then lay back and stared up at the ceiling. “Sleeping arrangements. How do you want to do this?”

Connie crawled farther onto the bed and propped up on her elbow. “What do you mean?” Staring down at him, she caressed the light stubble on his cheek. He hadn’t shaved in a couple of days, but she liked the look. It made him appear even more rugged and badass.

Trace reached over and slid his hand onto her thigh. Not in a sexual type of way, but in a way that let her know that he just wanted to touch her. Connie liked that about him. Even when they were riding in the car, he’d hold her hand or rest his hand on her leg. Anything to be in contact with her. It was comforting.

His eyes drifted closed and for a minute she thought he had fallen asleep.

“I mean, technically, I’m supposed to be guarding you,” he said, his voice low and raspy, the way it had been the day before when he was half-asleep. “I should probably sleep in one of the other bedrooms.”

“Why?”

“Because you’re a distraction.” She tsked, and his eyes popped open. He turned his head slightly and met her gaze. “I mean, a gorgeous distraction.”

She smiled down at him and placed a quick kiss on his lips. “Good save, but I still don’t understand.”

“It’s never a good idea for security specialists to guard anyone they’re attracted to. It’s too easy for situations to get complicated. I don’t want there to be a time when I’m curled up with you and someone gets the jump on me. Or catches me unalert. That would be putting us both in jeopardy.”

Connie nodded her understanding, but she didn’t like the idea of them sleeping in separate rooms. “Well, technically, you took a few days off of work. So even though this is LEPA’s property and you’re part of their security team, you’re not here in an official capacity.”

A slow smile tilted the corners of his mouth. “Beautiful and smart. You’re right.”

“Besides, you saved my life in the middle of the night when I was lying curled up beside you. I guess I wasn’t that much of a distraction.”

“Another good point.” He reached up, placed his hand behind her neck and pulled her closer. “Just so we’re clear. You’re a distraction whenever I’m around you, but that night was all about taking care of my woman. Me getting us out of that house had nothing to do with work or anything like that.”

“Well, maybe you should take care of your woman right now. Then again, maybe I should take care of you.”

Connie straddled him and covered his mouth with hers. In a matter of days, they’d gone from good friends to lovers. In her heart, though, he meant so much more to her. He had sacrificed so much of himself for her. She kissed him with passion, wanting him to feel how much she cared for him...how much she loved him.

Connie wasn’t sure when her feelings had blossomed into something that was so strong and satisfying. But for the first time in her life, she