He had to leave. Right now. His scent would be all over the warehouse. She didn’t even like Malcom to visit, or work on anything because she knew he would leave behind his scent. Ridley’s was much more aggressive . . . and . . . and interested. She tried not to panic.

“I’m going to design a security system for you,” he said, and walked away from her, putting distance between them, studying the lofts that had been built to hold freight. “It wouldn’t take that many cameras. A few motion detectors. Nothing fancy.”

“I’m saving,” she told him, trying not to sound as if she was choking.

“I didn’t say anything about paying,” he snapped.

She winced. His voice was a lash. He really, really was a nut about a woman being safe. She took a breath and let it out.

“I know you didn’t. You’re being kind and I appreciate that, but I’ll keep saving and eventually I’ll be able to pay for a good security system.” She was proud of the “firm” in her voice.

He turned his head and shot her a look of absolute impatience. “What the hell kind of crap is that, Cat? You’re living here now. You admitted to me you were followed once already. A woman looking like you, living alone in a warehouse in this district, is just plain nuts.”

“It’s my home and I happen to love it. And this area isn’t that bad.”

“The coffee-house is situated on the edge of ‘not bad.’ This warehouse is in the ‘bad.’ We passed three bars. We passed a pawn shop and two tattoo parlors. A biker gang hangs out on the third block and they’re rough as hell.”

She’d seen them. She was very alert to potential problems and that was why she was careful to stay in the shadows and not walk down the center of the sidewalk where everyone could see her. He didn’t get that.

“I’m careful.”

He sighed. Ran a hand through his dark, thick hair. He had nice hair and when he messed it up like that it was even nicer.

“Your next day off is day after tomorrow. I’ll be here in the morning to install your security system. You know how I like my coffee.”

She glared at him. “How would you know when my next day off is?”

He flashed her a grin. “Kitten. Come on. I pay attention. David has a big mouth and he was bemoaning the fact that half the patrons know when your day off is and they don’t bother to show. Apparently they come for your coffee. I know when your day off is because I go to Poetry Slam for your coffee as well.”

“You do?” Her heart started beating normally again. That made sense.

“I do. You make kick-ass coffee. I was hoping you might have a machine here.”