Free Guarding His Heart by Serena Pettus

take over from here,” Jag said. “Thank you for making sure she got home and for protecting her. I’d never hurt her, but your scent set off my inner cat.” He studied her, noting that she suddenly became nervous, though she hid it well. Too bad he could smell it however faint. “What kind of tiger are you? A hybrid?”
    She shook her head, refusing to answer his question. “Don’t worry about it, slick. Lynn, don’t forget to call if you need a ride tomorrow.”
    “I’ll see that she gets to work,” Jag replied. “Liam and I will retrieve her SUV, as well.”
    The female seemed to know she was being dismissed. She gave him a dirty look before motioning to Lynn, her thumb and pinky making a phone shape by her head.
    “I’ll call you tomorrow. Don’t worry,” Lynn piped in.
    Kitty left, and a few minutes later, the sound of her car going down the driveway told him they were finally alone. If only he knew what he should do. Lynn sat on the couch, clearly uncomfortable, her eyes drooping a bit, and Jag found he didn’t care if they talked tonight or not. He just wanted to take care of her, and right now, she needed her bed.
    “Come on, beautiful. Let’s get you tucked in for the night. We can postpone our talk for another time.” When she moved to rise, he came to her side and scooped her up in his arms. With as much stuff as she bumped into coming in, she’d already have bruises come morning.
    His inner cat settled when her arms came up, wrapping around his neck while she allowed him to carry her down the hall. “Thank you,” she murmured.
    Jag gave her a little squeeze. “Any time.”
    “You don’t have to be nice to me, you know.” Lynn held him tighter as she spoke, as if she wanted to get as close as she could. “I was mean.”
    Smiling softly, he set her on the bed but remained bent as he replied, “You weren’t mean. You were hurt. I should have explained myself right away, but I wasn’t thinking straight at the time.”
    “But I wouldn’t let you explain,” she sniffed. “I was too busy being a bitch when you were being so sweet. The plants, the wind chimes, all the gifts… I loved them, and I should have thanked you.”
    Jag stood over her, Lynn’s arms still looped around his neck, and gazed into her bright green eyes. There wasn’t a doubt in his mind that she was either buzzing or already drunk, and he wondered just how much of this she’d remember when she woke. “Don’t worry about it. You just get some rest.”
    “Lay with me?” she asked when he tried to remove her hands. “I don’t want to be alone.”
    The fear in her eyes wrecked him. What could she possibly be afraid of? He watched over her by night, and Liam by day. Nothing would get to her to harm her in any way. “I can do that.”
    He slid in next to her and was a little surprised when she firmly attached herself to his side, tucking under his arm with her head resting just above his heart. He waited for her to get comfortable and felt her body grow heavy as she drifted closer to sleep. “Comfy?”
    “Mm-hmm. Thank you for staying. I know you’ll chase them away.”
    Jag stiffened, a small snarl ripping past his lips as he growled, “Who?”
    She yawned wide. “The nightmares.”
    Now, he understood. His little Lynn put up a brave front, but the alcohol had brought down her walls and had her confessing to her weakness. Admitting she was afraid was one thing, but putting so much faith in him, expecting him to chase away some evil vision in her dreams? It humbled him to know she felt as if his mere presence would be enough. She felt safe with him, and he never wanted her to feel otherwise.
    Wrapping his arms around her and pulling her in tight, he whispered, “I’ll always chase them away. I’m not going anywhere, beautiful. Just sleep now.”

 
    Chapter Five
     
     
     
    Lynn woke to her bed dipping then a warm body cozying up to her backside. She was about to unleash a scream when she heard Jag’s