Page 56 of Beau

Aurelie rested her cheek against his chest, listening to the rapid beat of his heart, happy to know he was as stirred up as she was.

Beau’s hand smoothed up and down her arm in slow sensuous strokes.

She twirled her finger around his small brown nipple. “Just so you know, I still don’t trust you,” she whispered.

His fingers stilled for only a second before he continued stroking her skin. “Even after the best... you’ve ever had?”

She gave his nipple a slight pinch. “How do you know that was the best sex I’ve ever had?”

“Did I say sex?” He raised an eyebrow. “Surely, you know I meant gumbo. Although, I have to admit the sex came in a close second.”

“Are you kidding me?” Aurelie pushed up on her elbow, frowning. “Second?”

Beau chuckled and pulled her on top of him to kiss her soundly. “Okay, so maybe they tied for first,” he whispered against her lips. “The main thing you need to know, is that I would never intentionally hurt you. I kind of like you and your sassy spirit.”

She laid her head on his chest. “You’re just saying that because you don’t want me to fire you.”

“You can’t fire me,” he said. “You didn’t hire me.”

“Isn’t making love with me going against some rule or code of ethics?” she asked.

“Maybe if I worked for you.”

“But you work for my father,” she finished. “I’m still mad at you,” she said. “I don’t really know if I can trust you to tell me the truth.”

“I’m not married,” he said. “You can have our computer guru give you all the data on me if you want proof.”

“I just might,” she said. “Swede, right?”

He nodded, his chin brushing against the crown of her head. “And Hank Patterson can vouch for me.”

“Do you think they’ll find me here?” she asked.

“I hope not.” His arms wrapped around her, holding her close. “If they do, I’ll keep you safe.”

“I’m counting on it.”

A muffled thump sounded from somewhere else in the house.

Aurelie froze. “Did you hear that?” she whispered.

Beau rolled her off him. He slipped out of the bed, pulled on his jeans and reached for the handgun he’d left on the dresser when he’d stripped for his shower.

Another muffled thump sounded through the closed door.

Aurelie leaped to her feet, grabbed her shirt from the floor and pulled it over her head. She found her pants where Beau had dropped them on the floor and dragged them up her legs and things, buttoning them at the waist.

“Stay here,” he whispered.

The hell she would. If someone was out there, Beau was in as much danger as she was. Aurelie looked around the room for a weapon. All she could find was a pillow. She grabbed one from the bed and held it against her chest as Beau opened the door.

Something crashed in the kitchen.

Beau tiptoed down the hallway, the gun held in front of him.

Ignoring his order to stay, Aurelie followed with her pillow.

As they neared the kitchen door, a rustling sound was followed by scratching.