Free HIS Choice: An H.I.S. Novel (H.I.S. series Book 2) by Sheila Kell

enemy.
    She shook Trent’s hand. “Just give me one moment, Mr. McKenzie.” She pushed the door closed and pulled her gun from her purse frantically searching for somewhere to hide it so it would be handy should she need it.
    “You don’t need that.”
    She jumped and spun around. Her heart seized. She hadn’t heard him enter.
    He held his hands up in an I surrender pose. “If it makes you feel better, you may remove my weapon and hold on to it. It’s inside my jacket. Just don’t put it too far away in case we need it.”
    This day kept getting weirder. A criminal threatened her and then took her on her dining room table, at her willingness, and a protector who allowed her to remove his weapons. She laughed.
    He raised his eyebrows. “Are you sure you’ re okay?”
    Between breaths, she managed, “I’m fine. Have a seat, Mr. McKenzie. But, if you don’t mind, I’ll hang on to my gun for now.”
    A slow playful grin curved his lips. A devastatingly handsome man stood before her. A man whose smile would have women dropping their panties. His ocean blue eyes and darkened jaw even drew her to him.
    “As long as you don’t shoot me accidentally, I’m okay with it.”
    “Oh, so on purpose is okay.” The joke slipped out, and it lifted her spirits, lightening the mood.
    No more thoughts of a sexy criminal.
    The room reeked of sex. She would never let anything like that happen again. She must’ve been out of her mind. It had to be temporary insanity.
    “Well, it’s not preferable but if it brings out that brilliant smile of yours, I’m game,” Trent drawled smoothly.
    He thought to flirt. Why the hell not? She was single. AJ had been nothing more than…well whatever it’d been. Her stomach twisted in a knot. She’d been incredibly foolish.
    “Let’s get more comfortable. May I get you something to drink?” She froze. Wasn’t that what her last visitor had asked?
    Dang him.
Grow up girl. The man in front of me can protect me from AJ.
What happened today will not happen again with Trent by your side. AJ would never get close to her.
    “I’m good for now but thanks.”
    “Oh no! Bob! Bob! Come here, baby.”
    He spun around. “Who the hell is Bob?”
    Was that…? Yes. She heard him coming in the cat door at the rear of her house. “Just my furry, four- legged man.”
    “Crap.”
    Bob strutted into the room and wound around Megan’s legs with several loud meows before she lifted him. He’d bolted outside when AJ had entered. He was definitely not a protective cat.
    Trent took a step back.
    She tilted her head to the side and looked at him. “Is something wrong? You don’t like cats?”
    He put up his hands for a second time. “I thought animals loved me until one little spotted dog growled at me and wouldn’t let me near her master.”
    She lightly chuckled. “Bob’s not running away or hissing. I think you’re okay. Come closer. If you do this, he’s part of the package. Nothing happens to him either.”
    Trent dropped his head and shook it, muttering something under his breath.
    “What?” His comical behavior brought a smile to her lips. What could’ve happened with this dog to make this rather large man afraid of her cat?
    “Okay, but if it bites me, you’re taking me to the hospital. Without the damn cat.”
    “Aww. Come on, big baby.” She enjoyed teasing him, loved the lightweight feeling their conversation created. He’d set her at ease in no time.
    “Big baby, huh? Let’s see then, shall we?” That sinful grin and twinkle in his eye had to be breaking hearts everywhere.
    He stepped forward and slowly stretched his hand to Bob who immediately nudged his head under it, purring loudly.
    “He likes you. No problem. Here, now hold him.” She dumped the cat into his arms.
    “What the hell do you feed this thing? It weighs a ton.”
    “He’s big-boned,” she defended her cat. He had no fat on him. He was actually a large-sized cat. “And for the record, Bob is a he, not