Free Damon (The Protectors Series) Book #1 by Teresa Gabelman Page A

hand.
    “You need to listen to Mitch and get out of town for a while.” Damon leaned down closer to her level.
    Feeling more tired than she ever had in her life, she turned to look at him, laying her head on the
    steering wheel. “I can't afford to take off work Damon. Who will pay my bills? Who will feed my
    turtles?” She just stared at him, as if she could find the answers in his eyes. “I don't have anyone and
    I'm not going to live with strangers.” That was all her life had consisted of growing up. No, she
    wouldn't put herself in that position again.
    Damon rubbed his eyes and sighed. “This is your life we're talking about.”
    “You're right. It is my life and this isn't your problem, Damon.” Nicole started her car with a rattle and
    puff of smoke. “Now please shut my door so I can go home and go to bed.” She wanted to add, so he
    could go back to his girlfriend, but didn't. She wasn't in high school anymore. She really didn't know
    what she felt for this man and she was afraid to find out. A broken heart was definitely something she
    didn't need right now.
    “Dammit Nicole, get out of the car before I pull you out.” Damon stepped back and that was the break
    she needed. Slamming into gear she lifted her foot off the brake and took off, her door slamming shut
    from the force of the car speeding off.
    “Pull me out, my ass.” Nicole snorted then glanced in her rear view mirror thinking to see him
    standing in her dust, but to her horror he was running right up behind her leaping into the air before
    landing on the top of her car with a loud boom. Screaming, she let go of the steering wheel, her hands
    flying to her face covering her eyes she slammed the brakes. “Are you freakin crazy?!” she screamed,
    afraid to look to see him splattered all over the hood of her car.
    Jumping down, Damon threw open her door almost yanking it off the hinges. “Get out.”
    Turning her head, she peeked through her fingers, hoping to find him in one piece and not a bloody
    mess. Seeing him standing in her door unhurt pissed her off to a roaring level ten. He had just scared
    the crap out of her. Jumping out, she punched him as hard as she could in the stomach feeling a
    wicked satisfaction when she heard him grunt. “What were you thinking? I could have killed you!”
    “I'm a vampire, remember?” He stated with a sloppy grin, rubbing his stomach. That had actually hurt
    a little.
    “That doesn't mean I couldn't have run over you.” She slapped him in the chest. Twice. Hard. Shaking
    her hurting hand, she glared at him. “You scared the crap out of me.”
    “You think that's scary?” He leaned in her face with a glare, then grabbed her hand and rubbed it
    gently. “That's nothing compared to what could be coming after you.”
    “I'm....” She cleared her throat, looking at his large hands rubbing hers. Just that small touch made her
    skin crawl in a good wicked way. Okay, Nicole, get a grip. Lifting her eyes to his, she pulled her hand
    away. “I'm not leaving my home and job. I'll be careful.”
    Damon nodded, turned away and reached in her car taking the keys out of the ignition. “You have to
    be the most hard headed, stubborn human I have ever met and believe me I have met a lot of them.”
    Grabbing her elbow, he headed back to the warehouse.
    “Hey...” Nicole straightened her legs trying to stop, but she slid right along behind him in the gravel.
    “What are you doing? Give me my keys dammit!”
    “Stop or you're going to hurt yourself.” Damon slowed, but still pulled her along. When she didn't start
    walking, but kept skidding along the graveled parking lot, he stooped, hitting her in the stomach with
    his shoulder, lifting her off the ground.
    “Put me the fuck down!” Nicole grunted as her soft stomach bounced on his shoulder.
    He whacked her butt. “Watch your mouth.”
    Sucking in her breath Nicole snarled. “You did not just spank me.”
    “I'll do it again if you don't watch