Read Online The Agent Next Door by Adrienne Bell - Free Book Online

light shining under the door. A
murmur of sound coming from the main room. She threw on her jeans
and inched out into the hall.
    A flickering blue light glowed in the main
room. The television was on, the volume turned low.
    Erin rounded the corner and found John
sitting on the couch. A floorboard creaked as she shifted her
weight, and he turned toward her.
    His eyes softened.
    “I thought you were asleep,” he said.
    Erin shook her head. “I tried, but...” she
trailed off.
    “That’s understandable.”
    Erin looked down at her bare feet. “Listen,
I’m sorry I was such an ass tonight. I don’t know where those words
came from.”
    “I do,” he said. “And you have nothing to
apologize for. You were right.”
    “Was I? Then I take it all back.” She forced
a laugh and tilted her chin up.
    It was hard to think of him as dangerous when
he looked like this—arms resting languidly along the back of the
couch, feet kicked out in front of him, his gentle gaze steady on
her.
    “Is there something I can get for you?” he
asked.
    “Yeah.” Erin fidgeted her thumbs against each
other. “Would you mind if I sat up with you for a while?”
    “Of course not.” He pulled himself up from
his lounging position. “But, there's nothing interesting on.”
    “That's okay. I just...” Erin hesitated,
unsure of how much she wanted to share. Screw it. “I’m just
scared and I don't want to be alone.”
    A flicker of surprise showed on his face.
Erin wasn't sure if was because he hadn't expected her to be
afraid, or hadn’t expected her to admit it. Either way, she didn't
care. She was too tired, too beaten down.
    She'd care again in the morning, she promised
herself. Once she'd gotten a little sleep and a little perspective.
Once she'd made it through the night. Then everything would be
better. Everything would be clear.
    “So what are you watching?” Erin asked as she
plopped down next to him on the couch.
    “Some old western,” John said.
    “Ah, some old western,” she said. “My
favorite.”
     
     
     
    ***
     
     
     
    John eased his arm around Erin, pulling her
closer. She'd fallen asleep against his shoulder a little over a
half hour ago, a mere twenty minutes after joining him on the
couch. He'd been surprised that she had lasted that long.
    She'd been through a lot today. More than a
lot. More than anyone should have to go through.
    Erin shifted just a little. A tiny quiver
rushed through her body. John reflexively tightened his hold until
she quieted.
    He knew he should pick her up and carry her
back to bed. He could tuck her in and she’d spend the rest of the
night in comfort.
    Instead, he slid down the cushions, moulding
her against his body, until they were stretched out on the couch
together. He rationalized that he didn’t want to risk waking her,
but he knew the truth. He didn’t want to let her go.
    She was brave. Braver than him. She had
admitted to being afraid. He never would, even though that’s
exactly what he was. Deep down, he was terrified that Kallus was
out there somewhere with his sights set on Erin. Add to that the
simmering rage that boiled inside him, and John’s emotions were
rioting inside him. He'd only kept his head on straight because he
wouldn’t be any use to her if he lost it.
    Erin murmured something in her sleep and
burrowed her face deeper into the hollow of his neck. John glanced
at the top of her head. A mess of blond locks covered his chest,
and swept down his arm.
    He took in a deep breath and enjoyed the
quiet of the house. Only the soft, rhythmic rise and fall of Erin's
breathing and the occasional settling of the house broke the
silence.
    She might not like who he was and what he
did—he’d never truly expected her to—but at least she recognized
that he could keep her safe.
    And he would, with his dying breath if need
be.
    Her breath swept across the exposed curve of
his neck, her lips close to his skin. He wondered for a moment how
sweet she would taste,