Everything He Risks (Bookkeeper for the Billionaire #4)(3)
Author: Thalia Frost

“I will.”

“Oh, and Ms. Pate?” Castrono halted at the door, turning.

“Yes?”

“Be careful. Rock Weldon has many enemies. Most deservedly.” Without another word, he and his partner exited.

I sat down heavily. “Wow.” My hands were really shaking.

The detective doesn’t like him, most deservedly.

I sighed and stood, pacing. Was the Rock I knew the real one? Doubts flooded my mind.

“It’s too late. I’m already in love with him.” I squared my shoulders and gazed into the standing mirror in one corner. “And I’m going to see him through this. I know he’s a good man. I just know he is. In my gut.” I smiled at myself, feeling a bit better in spite of my nerves.

I shimmied out of the hastily-chosen sundress and changed into lacy black lingerie and a matching pantsuit that showed just the right amount of cle**age. Then I spent some time in front of the mirror. I had never considered myself vain, but putting on makeup could be very soothing. On my second coat of mascara, Rock’s voice cut through the room.

“I’m home, Lacey.”

I sucked in a breath, lust and relief flooding through me in nearly equal measure. “I’m coming.” I ran to the door and threw it open.

He stood there, leaning against the jamb, clothing askew. A bandage on his arm showed clearly through his shirt. His face moved in shadowed planes, his lips a thin white line.

“You should be in bed.”

He winked. “I have every plan to be. The doctor told me to rest up. I said I would but that we were still getting engaged tonight in a very public way.”

I led him in to the room, wanting to kiss him all over. “Lie down. Let’s talk.”

He did as I asked, and my heart squeezed as he unfolded on the bed with a sigh as weary as a young child’s after a tough day. “Can you help me with my shirt?”

“My pleasure,” I whispered, swallowing hard. I was wet, and this man was totally vulnerable and weak.

He makes me crazy.

I sat beside him and helped him sit up again.

He moaned as I worked the shirt over his head. “I need buttons from here on out only.”

“For sure.” I smiled as the shirt came off, showing his sculpted chest. I threw the top aside and ran my fingers down his pecs. “Thank God you’re all right.” My voice shook with emotion, and I didn’t try to hide it.

“It wasn’t my time, but I’m going to find out what bastard did this.” Rock frowned, catching my hand in his right one, the side that was undamaged.

His gaze held mine, and I couldn’t breathe for a moment.

“This is all my fault, Lacey. I’m so sorry about all of this.” His words were a caress.

“Don’t beat yourself up. You just got shot.”

“Look at me. Why did you do that…flick your eyes away?”

My God. How can he read me so well? Part of being a CEO of a company maybe.

“I don’t know how to say it.”

“What? Tell me now. I need to know what’s going on. It’s important. Someone’s trying to kill me. Has anyone hurt you?” His grip on my wrist tightened, and I winced.

“No.”

He brushed my hair behind my ear. “Good. So what is it?”

I made a decision then and there not to tell him about the phone call. I trusted him, but something held me back. I needed that little secret to myself, just in case all of this fell through and Rock wasn’t the man I thought he was.

“Lacey? Tell me.”

I moved to unzip his pants, and he inhaled sharply. “Just getting you undressed and comfortable like you asked. Do you want to go to your bedroom, or are you going to stay here with me while you nap?” I batted my eyelashes at him.

“Here is fine. Spill it.” His gaze on me never wavered.

“Okay. Don’t get mad that I didn’t tell anyone till now.” I took a deep breath, still unable to meet his eyes.

“I can’t promise that if it’s something that will hurt you…or us. I have a quick temper with some things. My father’s legacy.” His mouth tightened.

What did he do to you?

I helped him stand as his pants slid to the floor. Just the sight of him in black briefs that hugged all the right places made my mouth dry.

It’s not right to take advantage of a wounded man.

“Sit down first.”

He did so with a long sigh and a wince. “I’m sitting.” Rock raised an eyebrow, and I wanted to jump him.

“Someone came into my room last night.” I bit my lip.

“What?” Rock tensed up. “Who and how?”

“A man…a man in a mask who called himself Lucifer.”

Rock’s mouth fell open. It was the first time I’d ever seen him shocked. “Are you serious?”

“Completely.” I shrugged tensely.

“What did he say?” Rock’s voice rose, and I saw that he’d grasped the implications of such a visitor.

“That you aren’t such a good man…for me not to go through with your plan—whatever it is. He didn’t seem to know—or I was going to die.” I swallowed hard around the lump in my throat.

Rock bolted up from the bed and began pacing.

“Rock, please.” I moved to him, putting a hand on his good shoulder.

“I’m fine, Lacey. I can still walk.” He gave me a dark look, and I plopped back down on the bed.

“What are you thinking?”

“That I don’t like this one bit and that he was bluffing…whoever he is. He doesn’t know there is a plan, but he will tonight.” Rock’s mouth was set in a grim line. “I’ll have to tell George to step it up. Of course, I don’t plan to let you out of my sight until this thing is over.”

Wetness pooled between my legs as Rock leaned toward me and took my face in his hands.

“Please be careful, Lacey. If you ever seen that man again, don’t wait to tell me. I don’t care if I’m laid up in the hospital.” Emotion lowered the timber of his voice, and his hands slid down either side of my throat in a sensual caress.

I moaned, wanting him more than I had to that point. “But when will it be over?”

“Soon, I hope. But in an hour we have a board meeting. I’ve called the group to Venice.”

I gasped. “Really?”

“Yes, they’ll be the first to know of our engagement.”

I could hear the victorious note in Rock’s words. “Oh.” My throat grew tight.

Is he happy or just glad he’s going in for the kill?

“But first…I need you to administer your healing touch, Ms. Pate.” Rock squeezed my throat ever so lightly, and the world spun. “I see you do trust me, Lacey.”