Page 9 of Fiercely Protective

I changed the subject. Blaze giving me advice on women was new, and it was beginning to irk me. I didn’t even want him to mention her name again. “What did you learn from Nickolai?”

He stepped farther into the room, his massive frame taking a seat in the chair by the bar.

“It wasn’t shocking that he already knew about the man in town claiming ties to the Bratva and has some news that you will find interesting. He and a few of his men will be joining us tonight, here.”

My frown deepened.

“What a great on-the-job training opportunity for your new…what are we calling her…your new personal attendant? It will be interesting to see what Nickolai thinks of your new little toy. Or do you plan on locking her away solely for your pleasure?”

I narrowed my eyes as he smirked at me from across the room. “The only thing that anyone needs to know is that she is mine. I am claiming her, and I will fiercely protect what belongs to me. Feel free to communicate that ahead of time to anyone who needs a reminder of how selfish and brutal I can be when provoked.”

He shook his head as an annoying grin spread across his face. “No, I don’t believe I will. Things have been too quiet lately. We could use the entertainment. A little competition between you and Nik for the girl might be exciting to watch.”

My frown deepened as I stared at my friend. He knew exactly what to say to get under my skin, but there was no one I trusted more with my life. Blaze was borderline psychotic, a natural-born killer. He took pride in bringing the most pain imaginable to anyone that crossed him. He enjoyed the hunt and didn’t mind getting his hands bloody. His enemies feared himand rightly so. But he was loyal, and when some serious shit hit the fan, I was happy to have him on my side.

“Just make certain you remember to be here on time tonight and keep your hands off the waitresses.”

“If I were you, it wouldn’t be the waitresses I was worried about.” He grumbled something else under his breath and slammed the door on his way out. But I didn’t have the time nor the inclination to be pulled into a dick measuring contest with Blaze. I had more important things to do, and first on my list was to go find what he had rightly called my newest obsession.

Bri

After I left Mr. Delaney’s office, Brenda gave me a quick tour of the club, showing me the upper rooms and the private room used only by Mr. Delaney. I couldn’t stop the blush that formed on my cheeks as I looked around the owner’s private suite in the light of day. Of course, it was the same one that he had taken me to last night. The same one where he had kissed me, touched me, made me feel things I had never felt before. Just the thought of his touch made me smolder, as if I were standing too close to a flame.

After her tour, I went to the bar where I could quietly wait and contemplate the terrible life choices I had made lately. Sure, the money was good; no, it was great, but I couldn’t stop the nagging feeling that this was something I would come to regret. I was getting the impression that there was quite a bit moreto Rogue Delaney than one would see at first glance and that instead of agreeing to be his employee, I should run…run far and fast.

I nervously drummed my fingers along the bar. Perhaps I made a mistake. I had never done anything like this before, and the more I sat and thought about it, the more ridiculous it sounded. I had basically signed a contract as a paid escort. And while he had honestly stated that he wanted me in his bed, he did say it would be consensual, so he wouldn’t force me. Could I believe that? It could be something he says to every girl he has offered this opportunity. For all I knew, he could be a serial killer, and this was how he got his jollies. But if that was the case, why make me sign a contract, why introduce me to Brenda and give me a tour of the club? And the money…I would make more in a week than I would make in a month working anywhere else. I rolled my eyes to the ceiling and huffed out a ragged breath. How did I come to this point where I would try to rationalize accepting such an offer?I knew the reason why; I just didn’t want to admit it.

“Are you ready?”

I jumped at the sound of his deep, sensual voice behind me. “I wasn’t sure if you would take me or if you had people to do these sorts of things for you. Forgive me for not knowing how an arrangement like this works. Don’t you have other things to do, more important things than shopping for my wardrobe?”

He placed a hand at the small of my back, forcing me to repress a shiver, and guided me toward the club’s exit.

“I trust very few people when it comes to things that I deem important. Besides, who better to know what I like than myself.”

Well, I couldn’t deny that logic. I did accept a job where the only requirement was to please him.Even as the thought raced through my head, my body warmed, and I slowly released the breath I had been holding.

We walked outside and headed toward a new blacked-out Jaquar where a driver was waiting for us. He opened the door and Mr. Delaney held out his hand to assist me into the back seat. After closing the door, he gave the driver instructions then walked around and climbed in on the other side.

“I have already made arrangements for you at a few exclusive boutiques and shops downtown. This certainly will not be the extent of your wardrobe needs, but it will give us a nice start.”

His eyes roved over the outfit I was wearing, and my cheeks flushed before the reality of what he said had time to sink in. I turned sharply back to him. “You had already made arrangements? How did you know I would accept?”

He turned his head to the side quizzically as if he couldn’t contemplate anyone doing anything except what he wanted. It was obvious that this man was not told “no” often.

“Let’s just say I had a hunch.”

I turned my head away from his magnetic smile and looked out the window as the city went past. When the car came to a stop outside a small but exclusive boutique with only the letter J on the door, he took my hand and brought it to his lips. A shiver crept up my spine.

“There is no limit to what you may purchase. I will also select a few things for you to try on, but feel free to pick out what you would like.”

This was starting to feel very much like aPretty Womanscenario, except he looked much more dangerous than Richard Gere.

“I can’t help thinking that I am going to regret this, and I should just have you take me back to my apartment. Is there anyone else, anyone who would be a better fit for you? I mean, I’m just a girl from a small town in Colorado. I’m not one of those high-class fashion models or glamorous ladies who frequent your club. I’m not the kind of woman you are used to being around.”

He leaned a bit closer and the air around me crackled with intensity.

“That is one of the reasons I want you. You worry too much, Angel, and in case you still aren’t convinced, I think you will fit me perfectly…or rather I will fit inside you perfectly.”