Free Waiting For Wren (Book Five In The Bodyguards Of L.A. County Series) by Cate Beauman Page B

Brothers for life.”
    They’d see about that. She rested her aching head on the arm of the couch again.
    “You left out the blue roses when we talked.”
    “You asked about tonight.” She closed her eyes in defense against the naked light bulb shining from his ceiling. “Believe me, I’m not trying to keep secrets.”
    “All the pieces are important. From now on, you share everything.”
    She opened her eyes and met his cool, serious gaze. “Why are you getting upset with me? I just told you I didn’t leave out the roses on purpose.”
    “I can’t help you if I don’t know what I’m dealing with.”
    She’d never seen him like this. He was usually too busy being smooth. “I’m sorry. Like I said, I didn’t leave the roses out on purpose.”
    “When was the last time you had something to eat?”
    And just like that, the tense moment was over. She scrunched up her nose at the thought of food. “I’m not hungry.”
    He grunted and walked to the kitchen, opened a cupboard, and something clattered moments before the microwave hummed and a pan scraped against one of the burners. Minutes later he came back. “Here.”
    She opened one eye and peeked at the perfectly golden grilled cheese on the plate and the poop-brown coffee cup in his hand. He’d cooked for her. She stared up at him, more than a little surprised. “What’s in the mug?”
    “Decaffeinated green tea with honey.”
    Who was this sweet, sexy god with the amazing body and gorgeous face? Her stomach fluttered from his kind gesture, and she ruthlessly ignored the uncustomary hitch as she reached up and took the dish. “Thank you.”
    He set the cup on the coffee table. “Go ahead and take a bite. You look like hell.”
    And Tucker Campbell was back. She put down the sandwich she’d picked up. “Stop with all the flattery. I can hardly take it.”
    He grinned. “Just eat. We’ll both feel better if you do.”
    She grabbed the half and shuddered as she brought it to her mouth. Food was the last thing she wanted. She darted him a glance from under her lashes as he stared down at her. Trapped by manners, she nibbled at the buttery whole wheat and gooey cheddar jack. She chewed, swallowed, and bit in again, oddly comforted by the simple meal. “It’s good.”
    “There’s probably more calories in that sandwich than you eat in a week.”
    She frowned. “I eat. I eat plenty, thank you very much. I just choose healthy options.”
    “Your luggage still in your car?”
    She picked up the other half after devouring the first. “Yes.”
    “I’ll go get your stuff.”
    “No,” she said quickly, thinking of Tucker alone in the dark parking lot.
    “I know we’re mixed up and everything, but I think it’s too soon for you to be walking around my apartment naked.”
    She snorted out a laugh. “You wish.”
    He sent her one of his slow grins. “Maybe.” He took a step toward the door.
    “Wait.”
    He turned. “What’s wrong, Cooke?”
    She thought of the dead cat and the moonless night. “What if he’s out there? What if he hurts you?”
    He winked. “I’ll be okay.”
    She studied Tucker’s white cotton t-shit hugging his broad shoulders and impressive arms. His navy blue gym shorts hinted at his powerful thighs and showed off his well-shaped calves. He could definitely take Rex if he needed to. She shrugged her embarrassment away and focused on her dinner.
    “Keep this up and I might start thinking you’re actually sweet on me.”
    “Dream on,” she said without out heat, answering his teasing smile.
    Tucker’s cellphone rang. He glanced at the readout. “It’s Ethan.”
    She winced. “I didn’t want to tell him about this yet.”
    “Too late.” He pressed “talk.” “Campbell. Yeah, she’s right here. She’s shaken up but fine. I was going to call you.” He tossed her a scathing look.
    Wren could only imagine what Ethan was firing in Tucker’s ear. She sent him an apologetic smile.
    “They just left,” he