Free Undercover Elite (Undercover Elite Book 2) by Suzanne Steele, Stormy Dawn Weathers Page B

there’s no security system here; I’ll have my guys here tomorrow morning to install one.”
    “I can’t afford that!” Melissa squeaks, going pale as she experiences firsthand the force of nature that is Thorn.
    “I’ve got it covered, don’t worry about it.”
    I bite my tongue to keep from saying something snarky about him coming in and just taking over.
    “You guys need a dog, too. I’ve got a friend who works the K9 unit so I’ll be getting you a guard dog.”
    Melissa and I look at each other in disbelief. As much as I hate to admit it, everything he’s saying makes sense. The two things he’s mentioned are the best crime deterrents I can think of. For the first time, I’m beginning to wonder if he might be handy to have around after all.



Chapter Ten
    Thorn
    For the first time today the girl is at least smiling at me. It makes me wonder what she has up her sleeve.
    “Why are you being nice now?” I ask with narrowed eyes.
    “I’m just thinking you might be kind of handy to have around with me getting a degree in criminology.”
    “Yeah, well, I knew I’d win you over.”
    “I didn’t say that.”
    I turn to her roommate. “Melissa, I need you to be honest with me, have you had any break-ins here?”
    “Not break-ins, just creepy stuff like drunks knocking on the door in the middle of the night. One night someone threw a beer bottle against the side of the building. Most people in the neighborhood know I’m here to help people so they respect me. I’ll be honest; I hear gunshots and fights nearby sometimes. It can be scary being down here in this neighborhood alone.”
    “I still have a lot to do to get you two settled in – security system, guard dog. That sort of thing. I’d feel better about things if I stayed here tonight.”
    “There’s a spare bedroom.”
    I suppress a grin when I see Windy give her friend a dirty look. I guess she hasn’t warmed up to me yet. Looks like I still have some work to do on that front.
    “Oh, lighten up, Windy,” Melissa says impatiently. “I’d feel much better with an alarm and a dog. In the meantime, if he thinks you’ll be safer with him here tonight, then I say let him stay.”
    Windy cuts her eyes at me smugly. “You don’t have a change of clothes.”
    “I keep an overnight bag in my SUV,” I counter equally smugly, arching an eyebrow in victory.
    “Fine! Stay, I don’t care,” she huffs, throwing up her hands in frustration.
    “You two sound like a couple of kids,” Melissa teases as she rolls her eyes and shakes her head playfully.
    “Not a kid in sight,” I say quietly. “Not now.” Though I’m speaking to Melissa, I’m looking directly at Windy. I hear Melissa’s barely audible, “Whoa…” as she gives Windy a wide-eyed look. But Windy doesn’t see her because she’s looking at me. I think I’ve made my point, for now.
    I make my way around the building, inside and out, checking various doors and windows until I’m assured we are safely tucked in for the night. I sit at the kitchen table, entering some notes on my laptop and responding to emails. There are no fewer than three emails from Harley, asking about Windy. I can practically see his smug grin from here, the little shit.
    After a final check of all the locks, I go back to Windy’s room, where I’m greeted by a sight that melts my heart and hardens my cock: my woman, sleeping peacefully in her bed. A twin bed.
    Oh, hell no. Yeah, I’ll be doing something about that. That shit doesn’t work with my plans at all.
    I stand beside the bed and push down the urge to touch her. This is the first time I’ve been able to look my fill, so I do. She’s lying on her back in a white tank top, arms resting high on her pillow, her hands relaxed and open by either side of her head. A blanket is draped over her hips, revealing ample feminine curves that make my mouth water and my fists clench. I know from experience now that her breasts are more than a handful, even