Free The Object of His Protection by Brenda Jackson Page A

shimmering pond in the background. The expression on the woman’s face was both exotic and erotic.
    “I see you like this one,” she heard Drey say, coming up behind her. She tensed, immediately feeling his heat, which made her totally aware of his masculinity. Those thoughts made her even more determined to keep a tight rein on her control as well as her common senses while around him.
    “Yes, it’s different, although I’m surprised to find such a painting in your living room. It seems more fitted for the bedroom.”
    Drey chuckled. “Yeah, probably, but I prefer to have it out here.”
    “She’s beautiful.”
    “Thanks. When I see her I’ll tell her you said that.”
    Charlene spun around, her eyebrows arched. “You know her?”
    “Yes. I know her. That’s my mother.”
    Charlene blinked before turning back at the picture, amazed. “Your mother?”
    Drey smiled. “Yes. She was only twenty-three when it was painted and she gave it to my father as a wedding gift.” He didn’t say anything for a while, then added, “I recall it was one of Dad’s most prized possessions.”
    Charlene could clearly see why. As she’d said earlier, the woman was beautiful. Although he had told her about his parents, he hadn’t said a lot about his mother, other than the state of her health. He’d mostly spoken of his father. She wondered if his relationship with his mother was strained for some reason.
    “Come on, I’ll give you a tour of the place and then I’ll show you to the room that you’ll be using while you’re here.”
    The tour made her realize even more just what a beautiful home Drey had. His kitchen, with stainless steel appliances, was to die for, large and spacious. He told her he enjoyed cooking and spent a lot of time in the kitchen. She could tell just from looking around that like her, he was neat and tidy and liked nice things. She could also tell that his tastes included the exotic and she figured they were mainly because of his background.
    He worked from his home, so the room he considered as his office reflected such. It wasn’t cluttered although a number of files were open on his desk. He told her that he had a woman come in a couple of days a week to file and manage the books.
    The guest room was neatly decorated although he told her that in the three years he lived there she was officially his first guest. The view out of her bedroom window faced the lake. The only problem she had was the proximity of her bedroom to his. It was directly across the hall.
    Overall, she liked the layout of his home. It was rather spacious for one person, but he indicated he didn’t like the feeling of being cramped.
    He had just placed her luggage on the bed when his cell phone rang. He pulled it out of his pocket, glanced at who was calling and then flipped it open. “Yes, Mom?”
    A few moments later he said. “Good. I’m on my way.”
    He glanced over at Charlene as he put his cell phone back in his pocket. “I need to go visit with my mother for a while. Will you be okay here while I’m gone?”
    She waved off his question. “Of course. After I unpack I intend to sit outside on the patio. “You have a beautiful view.”
    “Thanks.”
    She studied his features, saw the dark look in his eyes and the way his nostrils flared. He was staring at her and the look at that moment was so blatantly sexual, she felt chills run up and down her spine at the same time blood raced through her veins.
    “If you get hungry before I return, I have a loaded refrigerator.”
    She straightened her shoulders. “Thanks.”
    He suddenly took a step forward and on instinct she took one back, but not quick enough to stop him from reaching out and letting his fingers gently grab her wrist to bring her close to him. “Where do you think you’re going?” he asked in a husky tone.
    She stood close to him. More than ever she could feel his heat. Standing this close was causing all types of emotions to bombard her inner