Free Rare Find by Dale Mayer Page A

There was no way. She'd have known Ronin's energy anywhere. That didn't mean someone couldn't be using him to attack her though. Stranger things had happened. And she'd let him inside the house.
     
    A basic rule. Another of her grandfather's rules broken this last week.
     
    But anyone who could do what this guy had almost done last time, most likely didn't need to be inside her home. He could be outside prowling the grounds. He could be miles away.
     
    Trusting her instincts, she peered around the door. Ronin stood there in his jeans, bare chested, his gun in his hand.
     
    Shit.
     
    Why wasn’t Tripod having a fit over the gun?
     
    "Are you okay?" he repeated.
     
    She took a deep breath and brushed a long strand of hair back off her face. "Yes. I think so. I just woke up a few minutes ago." She motioned to the firearm. "What are you doing here – and with that?"
     
    He glanced around her room as if still searching for something wrong, then glanced down at the gun in his hands. "Tripod sounded the alarm."
     
    She stared at him, then at the massive dog that strolled into her room, looking unconcerned. "Really? And what alarm was that?"
     
    The frown as he glanced down at the dog sitting quietly, calmly at his side, was telling. "He woke me up, started whining and wouldn't quit until I followed him here."
     
    "Interesting," she murmured. Since when had Tripod taken to a stranger like that? Normally he'd have barked until he lost his voice. Or called to her telepathically. She eyed the dog suspiciously, asking mentally, What are you up to?
     
    He stared back with an innocent look on his canine face.
     
    But she knew him. And he'd done what he'd done for a reason. The end result was he'd brought Ronin to her rescue. To her bedroom.
     
    And she had woken up with that sense she was being hunted. Maybe Tripod had brought Ronin here in response to her own fears…
     
    "I had a bad dream. That's all." She managed a natural smile. "Tripod must have picked up on it."
     
    "What kind of a bad dream?" His voice hardened. "And don't lie to me."
     
    She could just imagine him in an interview room. He was a good cop. And suspicion wove through his voice. He needed an explanation. She likened him to a bulldog, not willing to let go of something he wanted.
     
    She gave in with grace. "I had the feeling I was being hunted."
     
    His gaze narrowed. "As in an intruder, a nightmare or a psychic attack?"
     
    She winced. "A nightmare – I hope – but...there's no way to tell at this point."
     
    "Do you still feel that way?" He glanced around the inside of her room, those sharp eyes peering into corners looking for hiding places. Then he spun around to check in the direction of the hallway and other rooms behind him.
     
    She shook her head. "No. The air is lighter now. The sensation is gone."
     
    He studied her.
     
    She stared back calmly.
     
    "Good. Then try to get a little more sleep." And he walked around the side of the bed, placed his weapon on the night table and lay down on top of the covers. He closed his eyes.
     
    "Uhmmmm?" She stared at him in shock. "What are you doing?"
     
    "Going to bed. I suggest you do the same. If anyone is going to hunt you, they'll have to go through me," he muttered before a yawn took him. He rolled onto his side and looked ready to fall asleep.
     
    She didn't know if she was outraged or honored. That he'd want to protect her went along with his cop image, but she didn't want him here in her room if it was just professional…
     
    Wait. Of course she did. She didn't want to be attacked, but at the same time she wanted it to be more than for just a professional reason on his part. She hesitated then asked, "What if I don't want you sleeping here?"
     
    "Too bad. Besides, I've wanted to sleep here for a while. Now's my chance."
     
    She gasped at the smirk in his voice. She'd been wanting the same thing, but not like this.
     
    She didn't know what to do. What to say.
     
    He rolled over,