Guardian (Wolf Shifter Romance): Reckless Desires (Alpha Protectors Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

doable?” I turned away, my feet carrying me into the kitchen where I pulled open the fridge and grabbed a bottle of water. Twisting the cap loose, I braced a hand on the counter and took a long drink.
    “Two weeks?” His voice was close behind me, and I stifled a jolt.
    “Two weeks,” I echoed, continuing to study the wall. Tension crept through my shoulders. Just two more weeks and then I’ll be free…
    A low growl sounded behind me, faint and strangled. “And then what? You think he’ll stop?”
    It wouldn’t matter. He wouldn’t be able to find me by then, but Cole didn’t know that. Didn’t need to know. “I need you for two weeks. Is that acceptable?”
    I forced ice into my voice, at the same time straightening my spine. Even knowing I shouldn’t, I couldn’t resist glancing over my shoulder. He was staring at me, his eyes glowing emerald green. Heat slid through me, burning away any doubt that I was doing the right thing. He will make sure I live long enough to have my second chance at life.
    “It’s a start,” he eventually murmured, running a hand through his hair and sending white dust flying. “Just know that when I take a job, I see it through to the end.”
    It almost sounded like a threat.
    “Pack a bag and we’ll get going.”
    At his words I spun around. “A bag?”
    “You can’t stay here. He knows where you are.”
    “I’ll call my agent, get her to—”
    “No.”
    “ No? ”
    “How did he find you this time?”
    “I don’t know but—”
    “I can keep you safe, but only if you do exactly what I tell you.” He turned and stalked off down the corridor, his wide shoulders filling the narrow space.
    I scuttled after him, his words grating on me. “What do you mean, exactly what I tell you? ”
    He stopped abruptly and I crashed into him, bouncing off his back. “Exactly that. No questions, no second-guessing. What I say goes.”
    “But—”
    “Or find someone else to protect you.”
    He was bluffing, he had to be. “Look at me,” I demanded. He wasn’t allowed to talk to me like this!
    He didn’t turn around.
    I changed tactics. “Cole, please look at me.”
    The breath left his body with an audible sigh, a shudder running through him. He twisted his upper body, craning his neck to meet my eyes. “This isn’t up for negotiation, Natasha. Someone just tried to kill you, and I can’t…I won’t let that happen. I need you to do as you’re told. Is that so hard?”
    I gulped at the dark expression on his face, the twist of his mouth, the furrow in his brow. His jaw was clenched, and a vein was thudding in his neck. The man was pissed, his body thrumming with tightly controlled tension.
    “Okay,” I whispered.
    Just two weeks…

Chapter Six
    Cole
    R elief cascaded through me at her quiet acceptance. The woman was a bag of contradictions, ice cold one minute, soft and welcoming the next. My wolf didn’t know what to make of her, and the man in me wasn’t much help either. One thing I did know was that when someone had tried to kill her in front of me, they had made a fatal mistake. She was mine to protect now.
    I watched her shove clothes in a bag, blunt teeth worrying her bottom lip.
    I mentally strapped my hands to my sides, forcing myself to maintain watch. Just because the threat had failed didn’t mean he wouldn’t try again. I couldn’t allow myself to be distracted, no matter how kissable her plump lips looked.
    Or how luscious her ass looked wiggling in the air as she struggled to close the bag.
    Hip bumping her out of the way, I tugged the canvas shut, sliding the zipper locked. “Is that everything?”
    She darted into the bathroom and returned with a small carry case. “Yes.”
    “Let’s go. Stay behind me.” Lifting her bag onto my shoulder, I strode down the corridor, stretching my shifter senses to the max. Reaching the front door, I scanned the hallway. Clear. I grabbed her hand, tugging her behind me and giving the open box of lilies a