Read Online Protect Me: Protectors at Heart by Joellen Lee - Free Book Online Page A

her problems? People tended to not want to get involved, but this guy would not back down.
    “My name is Jared McKellen but everybody calls me Mac.” His hand reached across the table as if this were a business meeting.
    She stared at that huge appendage with the fleeting thought that he would have made a good football player. Timidly reaching across, she lay her hand in his expecting a bone crushing grip. Instead, he covered hers with his other hand making her feel completely surrounded and safe.
    “Krista Adams,” she stated quietly.
    “Pretty name.” He nodded toward the waitress coming their way. “I recommend the cheeseburger. Best burgers this side of the Trinity River.”
    Going with his recommendation, she sat back and waited, not volunteering any other information than her name. This was proving difficult as his stare kept her pinned in place and made her want to talk to fill the silence. Just this little time together and she could tell he would sit for hours to get what he wanted. She always thought she wanted a patient man, now she wasn’t so sure. She felt a moments respite when he spoke.
    “You landed in the right place Krista. Let me tell you about my business and this town.” He sat back with his arm across the back of his booth, totally relaxed.
    “I run a security firm that branches out into all the different ways there are to keep people safe. Need your house secured? No problem. Bodyguard? Rescue a loved one from hostile territory? I’m your man.” Now he leaned forward with both hands on the table. “Need protection from an ex-husband or boyfriend? Or even a current husband? I don’t discriminate.”
    Raising his eyebrows, he waited. She dropped her eyes and stayed silent.
    Sighing, he continued. “This town is a haven for ex-military, men or women. They come here because we live by a certain creed. ‘We protect.’ That’s it, simple and self-explanatory. We are not vigilantes, we’re protectors of those who need it.”
    The thought of staying somewhere safe, where everyone protected the weaker members was tempting. Sadly, he wasn’t interested in her as a woman, only as someone in need. While she’d been listening, she’d also been fantasizing about him bending her over and fucking her until she screamed. Fantasies were like that, no moral compass, no getting to know you and talk about relationships. Have momentary pleasure and move on with no past garbage to get in your way, a steamy hook-up and goodbye.
    Nice to think about but she could see herself getting hooked on this guy and wanting to hold on dearly. The way her life had been going lately, the thought of clinging to this guy was so very appealing.
    She had to clear her throat twice since her nerves were eating her up. She tried a small smile and hoped she looked confident. “It sounds very nice, but I can’t afford you.”
    “Pro bono Krista, with one stipulation.” He held up one finger.
    Aha, here it comes. He wants sex. Which made her fantasies take flight.
    “What are you thinking about? That look on your face…” His voice lowered. “I’d pay good money to know.”
    She blushed, embarrassed and wondering how much she’d given away. Waving him off, her look implored him to continue. His disappointment almost made her laugh.
    “Okay, but soon you’ll talk.” His smile was pure sin. “Anyway, I’ll protect you for free with the understanding that you pay it forward. And by that, I don’t mean going after a bad guy. If you see someone in need, you’ll help or get help for them.”
    “That’s it?” She squeaked in surprise.
    “Yes, but I do have some rules,” he said.
    She shivered, something about the way he said ‘rules’ made goose bumps pop out on her arms.
    “First, you’ll be staying at my house.” His look kept her from interrupting. “You will tell me how you got that black eye and who gave it to you. I hate lying, so no lying or prevaricating.” He paused and she managed a slight