She sits up and blows a hair from her eye. “I really don’t have a cocaine dealer. I don’t do drugs. At all. Be more than my career is worth. I feel naked without my phone.”

For some reason her saying that word has my gaze raking down her body as if of its own accord.

Oh no, this isn’t happening. I’m not going to let myself be attracted to the woman I’m guarding.

I take her phone out of my pocket and pass it to her.

“Listen, try to get some rest. You’re safe now. I’m going to check the alarms, make sure the doors and windows are locked. The windows to your room are alarmed, and the door will be too once I’ve activated it.”

“It makes me feel trapped,” she says as her face falls, the smile fading to nothing.

Not liking the sadness on her face, I hand her my card. “Put my number in your phone. Anytime you want to leave this room, call me, and I will deactivate the alarm. I don’t care if you call me ten times a night, if that’s what you need to feel free. The alarm is important, though.”

“How can anyone get in if the downstairs is alarmed?”

“The entire house isn’t a fortress, and even though it is as secure as we can make it, there are windows and other ways people could get in if really determined. This way, they can’t get into your room without me knowing.”

“You said that I had to have my door open, though, so how does it work?”

“Laser, but it’s not like in the movies. There’s no red beam, it’s invisible, but if someone crosses the threshold of your door, or tries to get in your window, it will activate. As well as the alarm, it activates a beam of light which will blind them long enough to ensure I can get to you before they can orientate themselves to the room, or do anything to harm you.”

She chews on her bottom lip. “I hope so. I know you’re Special Forces, and that means you’re highly skilled, but you will be sleeping when it goes off.”

I go to her, and not thinking it through, I tip her chin up with my thumb. Her lips part, and her pupils widen. I instantly regret my action because it is far too familiar and intimate. Clearing my throat, I let go and step back.

“I will be alert in an instant. I once slept in a tree for three nights. In my role, you learn to doze rather than deep sleep. Your body is constantly alert to threats when you’re on a mission. You never fully relax.”

Her features soften, and she lets out a soft rush of breath. “That sounds exhausting, Samuel.”