Protectors Read Online Free PDF

comfortable to have the kitchen counter between them. He
    didn’t try to invade her space.
    “Where did Tyler go?” she asked, trying to sound nonchalant.
    “He ran into town to get some things. We needed a few groceries,
    and he wanted to pick up some things for you. Shoes were at the top
    of the list.”
    “Oh. I’m sorry that I slept so late. It’s not like me…”
    “You were exhausted. There is nothing wrong with getting a lot of
    rest while you recover.”
    “Yes, but I feel guilty that he’s shopping for me. I’m sure that I
    can manage—”
    “Please don’t say any more. There are some things that you just
    can’t argue with Tyler about.” He smiled, his fondness for the other
    man clearly evident. “You’ll never win.”
    “Maybe, when he gets back, if it’s not too much trouble, could
    one of you take me back to where you found me? Jeremy should be at
    work by now, and as long as he didn’t do anything to my car, I should still be able to reach the state line by nightfall.”
    Gage didn’t answer her right away. Instead, he took a sip of his
    coffee and considered her with a calculating gaze. His blue eyes were sharp, intelligent.
    “If that’s what you want,” he finally answered, “then sure. We
    will take you back there to get your things and your car. If everything seems to be okay, we’ll book you a couple of nights in a hotel in
    whichever state you’re heading to, just long enough to get your
    bearings.”
    “Oh that’s not necessary. I’ll find a place to stay.”
    “You can’t put the reservation in your name. He could find you.
    Let me book it for you—”
    “No,” she interrupted, rather harshly. “I can fend for myself.”
    “Don’t argue with me,” Gage snapped.
    Sara took a step back, ready to bolt for the door if he came toward
    her.

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    “Wait! I’m sorry,” he said in a softer tone. “I didn’t mean to raise
    my voice. Really, I just want to help. I would feel terrible if
    something bad happened to you out there. Please let me do what I can
    to see that you are safely out of the state.”
    They considered each other across the counter in an awkward
    silence.
    She spoke first. The words were barely a whisper. “I thought that I
    would go south…maybe? Through Wyoming and eventually into
    Colorado...they say that Denver is nice.”
    He gave her a soft smile. “Denver is great. You’re gonna love it
    there.”
    They faced another awkward pause.
    “You know it’s only about a nine hour drive,” Gage said. “If you
    stayed one more night you could get an early start and make it the
    whole way in one day.”
    Their discussion was cut short by the sound of tires on the gravel
    drive. A wave of relief came over Sara when she realized that Tyler
    was home.
    He burst through the door a moment later, shopping bags wrapped
    around each wrist. Gage moved automatically to take some of the
    bags from him.
    “Are there more to be brought in?”
    “Just a couple,” Tyler answered. He kissed Gage on the corner of
    his mouth as he handed off the grocery bags and went back for more.
    The familiarity and comfort between them was easy to see as they
    managed the simple domestic chore. They set the bags down on the
    counter and began to remove the contents.
    “How are you feeling this morning, honey?” Tyler asked Sara.
    Getting his first real look at her today, he drew in a sharp breath. “Just look at your eye! Does it hurt? I’m going to kill that bastard.”
    Sara instinctively put her hand over the bruise on her left
    cheekbone. It was tender, but it didn’t really hurt unless she touched it. “It’s fine. It doesn’t hurt. I’m sure it looks worse than it is.”

    34
    Samantha Blair
    Tyler pulled a bag of frozen peas from the freezer and wrapped a
    clean dishtowel around it. “This will reduce the swelling.” He crossed the room to her and gently cupped the side of her face in his large
    hand. “Let me see.”
    Sara obediently took her