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She opened her mouth to thank him again, staring at Finn when he kicked off his shoes and preceded her into the living room.

Was he looking for a night cap?

“Don’t take this the wrong way, Finn, but tonight has sort of thrown me for a loop and I’m wiped.”

“No problem.” He took a seat on the couch, propped his feet on the coffee table, pillowing his hands behind his head.

Curious, she leaned a hip into the doorway. “What are you doing?”

“Getting comfortable.”

Oh, really? “Here?”

He nodded, then had the gall to shut his eyes.

She crossed her arms, caught between confusion and amusement. “Finn?”

He cracked open an eye. “Mmmmm?”

“It’s time to go.” He didn’t protest when she walked over and nudged his feet off the table.

“I’m staying here.”

“I don’t think so.” She stifled a yawn with the back of her hand. It had been one hell of a day and right now the only thing she wanted to do was crawl into bed. Tomorrow she’d have to tell Marion about Dade and that wrenched her insides more than discovering Dade’s body in the first place.

Finn leaned forward, but didn’t get up. “I’m not letting you out of my sight until I hear from Reece.”

“But you know I didn’t shoot Dade.”

“As you’ve pointed out before, I really don’t know you at all.” The arrogant tilt of his head was suddenly more annoying than sexy.

“Fine. Knock yourself out. I’ll go stay at Marion’s. She needs to hear about Dade anyway.”

That got him to his feet and fast. He even managed to skid to a halt in the doorway before her. “You’re staying put, too.”

Bree snorted. “What are you going to do—restrain me?”

“Now that you bring it up that doesn’t sound so bad really.”

“And now is not the time to be all flirty and cute with me.”

He grinned.

Tension stretched up the back of her neck, sinking deep into the muscles at her shoulder blades. “Let me get this straight. You don’t really think I killed Dade, but you still think I’m a flight risk?”

He shrugged, shoving his hands in his pockets. “A guy can never be too careful, especially when he puts his neck on the line.”

“And we’d hate to see any harm come to that.”

“There, something we can both agree on.”

Bree waited until he started back towards the couch and then made a move for the door. He must have expected the response and planted an arm against the jamb at the last second.

He sucked his bottom lip between his teeth thoughtfully, drawing her gaze to the slow slide of his lip as he released it. “You’re not afraid to spend the night with me, are you?”

She damn well hadn’t been, right up until he said it in that dark, sexy voice. Bree tipped her face up. “I don’t like being taken advantage of.”

One smooth dark brow arched. “Is that what I’m doing?”

“You’re using this as an excuse to hang around.”

“As attractive as I do find you, Bree, even I’m not that desperate for attention.”

“This really isn’t necessary. In fact I think it’s ridiculous.”

“I’d like to think of it as covering my ass.”

The man had to be more stubborn than her brothers or even Mark. “I’m not going anywhere, Finn.”

“And I plan to make sure it stays that way.”

“For how long?” she asked through her clenched jaw.

He shrugged.

“So you’re telling me that if I try to leave my own house—”

“I’ll be right on your heels.”

Her eyes narrowed. “Are you going to watch me pee when that comes up, too?”

“That depends on how big your bathroom window is.”

“You’re insane.”

“Rational thinking is highly overrated in situations like these. Much better to go on instinct.”

“And what is your instinct telling you now?” She meant for the comment to push his buttons. Instead he edged closer, his gaze dropping to her mouth.

“That you should go to bed and lock your door.”

Bree swallowed tightly, wanting him to go and at the same time just plain wanting him. “Should I be worried?”

He eased away from her. “We can talk about this in the morning.”

On a sigh, she started for the stairs. “There isn’t anything to talk about. In the morning I’m going to get up and go to work, and you better not be here when I do.”

“Don’t bank on it,” he challenged.

She spun back around. “This is my house.”

“And I just lied for you back there.”

I didn’t ask you to.” She crossed to the door with intentions of holding it open until he left. She appreciated his help but didn’t need another watchdog. Her father had been more than enough for one lifetime.

he caught hold of his wrist, not surprised when he didn’t budge an inch. If he continued to be so stubborn, she couldn’t be held responsible for what happened.

“Thank you for doing what you did, but I’m sure we can see each other in the morning. Maybe meet someplace for breakfast.”

“I make a mean pancake.”

“That’s it,” she shoved at him. “It’s time to go.”

The jerk laughed at her. “Maybe I will have to restrain you after all.”

She snorted. “Good luck with that.”

“Keep it up and you might regret testing me.”

“Now I’m really worried.” Though the fact that there were precious few inches between them did kick her heart into the next gear.

“You should be.”

“You’re not about to lay a finger on me and we both know it.” Damn, she hoped she knew it.

He flattened a palm against the wall next to her head, and she tried not to think about where that gesture had led them last time even as her body hungered for it.

“Think you have me all figured out, do you?”

She needed to stay focused and not get sucked into the desire slowly licking through her belly. “I’ve got a good handle on your type.”

“Oh, this I’ve got to hear.”

“You’re a player. Cocky. Charming. Don’t like anyone, especially not a woman, to say no to you.”

“Wow,” he mocked, his voice seductively soft. “I’m impressed.” He planted his other hand on the other side of her, caging her between his arms. “There’s just one thing you’ve clearly forgotten from the last time I stood this close to you.”

She rocked back on her heels, her skin hot in anticipation of a touch she craved more than her next breath.

“I’m impulsive as hell.” He dragged her to his chest and crushed his mouth to hers.

The force of the kiss, the sheer intensity from the arms holding her, the feverish demand of his lips, had her looping her arms around his neck to hold on for however long the ride would last.