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THE SUNRISE OFFERED glimpses of soft illumination through the sheer curtains. Morning had arrived. It was almost six.
All night he’d given himself ten-minute intervals to doze off and rejuvenate his mind between hours of mentally filing and storing the information in Izzy’s file. He’d abandoned his drink and kept the coffee maker topped up instead, refilling his mug and maintaining a steady, absorbing pace. But now, the sun had begun to rise and he wondered if he’d fallen asleep longer than intended? He couldn’t remember the last hour he’d glanced at the clock.
If he didn’t move, he’d be late. Unless, of course, Anton and Marc had headed down earlier this morning. It wouldn’t be the first time. Right now, in his predicament, being late seemed like the least of his problems.
He didn’t want to move from his stretched out position on Izzy’s sofa. Not because the comfort of the cushions eased his body into a cozy solitude—this sofa had been purchased in regards to looks not comfort. His damn back ached like an old man’s, and his neck could thank his arm for propping underneath, saving him from neck cramps. Soreness, another minor problem compared to the bigger picture: he’d fallen asleep with Izzy.
Hell, he hadn’t a clue how he’d ended up in this position without his body alerting him. Heavy sleep never seized him during the night. Not anymore. This, right here, right now, with Izzy curled up beside him, limbs tangled, feeling the steady beat of her heart against his chest, were all signs his ordinarily attentive body was going soft.
As he tilted his head, a whiff of her sweet scent kissed him good morning. He gently moved strands of silky hair off the side of her face, tucking it away and shifting to get a better look at her.
This scenario wasn’t anything like the night they’d spent at the cabin where fear had overcome her and he’d been on high alert in case her fears were more real than she believed. Today felt personal, triggering strange sensations inside him. It didn’t help that he noticed how perfectly she fit in the crook of his arm, or the heat searing his skin from where her fingertips had snuck through the slits between the buttons of his shirt.
He dropped the stupid ass smirk into a snarl. He needed to get out of here. Now. He should have packed up her files and left her after he’d shown her the couple defense moves to practice in case the day came when she might need to defend herself. Unfortunately, he didn’t doubt the day would come. She wasn’t an ordinary person and not simply because her trust fund could buy an entire province food for a year. That, in itself, singled her out. But her roots were where the real danger lingered, waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike.
He sighed, annoyed with his deep thoughts at this early hour. He was in need of caffeine, a shower, and a deep reality check.
What in the hell was he doing sleeping with her? Not sexually even, emotionally. He bloody hell emotionally had slept with her, even if she hadn’t a clue. He’d ignored all the signs that pointed to bad news: staying here longer than he should have, not wanting to move.
Shit.
He was experiencing feelings for her.
Shit
Emotional, heart flipping, body numbing, caring, protective, loving feelings.
Shit!
His jerky movement woke her.
Could this morning possibly get any worse?
He needed out. Now. Then he needed distance between them or a chaperone. Yes. A chaperone was exactly what they needed between them and the best men for the job were Anton and Marc. If Izzy and Gunner planned on acting like goddam teenagers who needed an escort supervising their interactions, then he planned on making sure they weren’t ever alone again without one.
He stilled as her supple body stretched across him before easing back alongside him in flawless harmony. He thought again about that cold shower.
Her eyes fluttered shut again, her long lashes sweeping her velvety skin. “Are you leaving?” she murmured.
His eyes dropped shut at how damn sexy her morning voice sounded and he muttered an unfriendly, “Yes.”
“Okay.” She rolled away from him, curling her backside against his front. It was all he could do not to moan and wrap his arm around her waist, tugging her closer. But he didn’t move.
Damn, he was in trouble on so many levels.
Time stretched by and her breathing steadied again. She’d fallen back to sleep. He started to curse himself again when, finally, his body conducted some common sense and climbed off the couch.
He grabbed his coffee mug, running his other hand over his face, and headed into her kitchen. No doubt Anton would be awake and there’d be silent disappointment awaiting him. He deserved it, but this would be the last time.
He set the mug in the sink, turning on the faucet and splashing cold water against his face. Just the morning wakeup call he needed because when he returned to the living room, he was more prepared for Izzy.
“Did you find anything?” Her voice sounded half asleep.
He sat on the edge of the coffee table beside her. “Yes.”
Her eyes fluttered open and a long yawn escaped her lips. “What?”
Even if he explained her file in detail, she’d forget in her groggy state. “Listen, come by the library today and we can talk there.”
Good, parental guidance in motion.
“Marc will be there. I don’t want him to know I’m evaluating my file.”
And fail.
Izzy sat up, leaning against the couch and rubbing her overly drowsy eyes. “Tell me now.”
How could he squeeze the details of her entire life into the course of ten minutes? He couldn’t. But he detailed the holes that didn’t make sense, and the missing parts that might be incorporated into others files in the basement. In the end, he told her to come to the library’s basement and read the files until something clicked. He prayed she would take his advice.