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"I’ll be the judge of that," she said, opening the bag and pulling out a chocolate glazed variety, to take a bite "Hood"

He leaned in and kissed her, licking his lip afterwards "You had icing on your mouth"

Lauren felt her cheeks heat, and prettythe rest of the weekend"

"What?" She asked in surprise at the announcement and then immediately set her donut on a napkin he’d placed on the table and shook her head in rejection "You don’t have to play bodyguard, Royce The building is secure"

"And yet you wouldn’t have slept if I hadn’t been here last night I’ withon with these threats in your environment and whether they are likely to continue But," he pulled her close, his lips lingering above hers, "I’d welcome the opportunity to have you into think past the warh her body "You’re iht you on this one and I’ut And ut tells me to keep you close"

"I don’t want you to babysit me, Royce"

"Apparently I’ve not been clear You interesttime I want an excuse to stay with you Now, I just need to hear you say you want me to stay"

She did want hies "Where did you sleep last night?"

"I didn’t"

"You didn’t sleep? Were you that worried about these calls?"

"I dozed off leaning against the couch at so the question

She studied hi between the lines of his es He orried and he wasn’t soht she was in trouble and no matter what his motivation, his duty, or his interest in her, it mattered to her that he was here for her

She brushed her hand over her cheek "You can’t stay withto sleep You have to be exhausted"

"I’et any sleep"

Heat and nerves collided inside her at those words She wanted Royce, and yet, she ay over her head with his she didn’t like to feel She was too drawn to this o to s?" he asked, continuing "Then, we can hunker down here and watch a movie, or I can beat you at tic tac toe I don’t care what Anything that will get your mind off this mess"