The bite of her sarcasm was so totally unexpected, he loved it. “Since I don’t want to get involved with either of them, even for a one-night stand, it gets tedious.”

“So you really have turned them down?” She quickly added, “That’s what they said. That they kept trying and you kept dodging them.”

He crossed his heart.

“Is it the proximity? That was Nikki’s guess.”

Since proximity would also put Alice off limits, he denied it. “That might have factored in a little. But mainly they’re both drinkers and heavy partiers.”

“And you’re not?”

“When was the last time you saw me head to a party?”

“I haven’t kept track of your agenda, one way or the other.”

Bull. Alice was far too aware of everyone and everything not to have noticed him. Even without her keen powers of observation, few would miss a man of his size. Thanks to a good draw from the family gene pool, he had both height and strength.

Men and women alike made note of him. But it wasn’t until Cash that Alice had acknowledged his existence.

He turned on a burner to get the skillet hot. “I work too many hours, and when I get some downtime, I like to kick back with my friends, which usually means watching sports, fishing, that sort of thing.” He opened a drawer and found an egg turner. “And I like to hit up the gym a couple of times a week just to unwind.”

“You look—” she coughed lightly “—physically fit.”

“Thanks.” He was in prime condition, but if she wanted to understate it, he wouldn’t debate it with her.

She got out bread for toast. It was interesting how easily they moved together to prepare breakfast.

“Another strike against Pam and Nikki—they’re not dog people.” He smiled at how Alice maneuvered around Cash without complaint, giving him the occasional pat or stroke without even thinking about it.

“That matters to you?”

“The dog and I are a package deal now.” He began laying bacon in the skillet. “Love me, love my dog.”

Silence filled the air. Had the love word thrown her when likening herself to a jealous wife hadn’t? The mysteries added up. “So, Alice, while we prepare breakfast, why don’t we have that talk?”

“All right.” She took down glasses and poured orange juice. “Before we get into that, though, would you like to tell me what you found while snooping?”

He went still, unsure if she bluffed, or if—

“I know you did, Reese.”

“You assume—”

“I know.”

Giving up, he said, “You’re loaded down with weapons. Want to tell me why?”

One shoulder lifted. “Self-protection.”

“Most people cover that with one gun.”

She avoided his gaze by turning the bacon with a fork. “So, what did you find?”

“Glock in bedroom closet, Taser in nightstand—”

“You got into my nightstand?”

Interesting reaction. “Long enough to see the Taser, yes.” He studied her frown. “I also saw the baton under your bed.”

Mouth tight, she asked, “Is that it?”

No f**king way. “There’s more?”

With only the slightest hesitation, she lowered the heat under the bacon, took his hand and led him out of the kitchen and down the hall.

Reese was so astounded by her touch that he barely noticed Cash trotting along behind them. It seemed that wherever Alice went, the dog followed.

She veered into the bathroom, released him and gestured behind the toilet. Frowning, Reese leaned around her to see...a revolver strapped to the tank. It was hidden from view so that only someone who knew where to look would find it.

He started to say something, but Alice walked out, so he followed, as did Cash. She went into her office, pulled her chair out from her desk and tipped it back to show another Taser and a spare cell phone attached underneath.

“Jesus.” Reese rubbed a hand over his head. “What else?” Because somehow, he just knew there was more.

She marched back into the kitchen, opened a cabinet drawer, and one by one, set out a flashlight, another spare cell phone, a big knife, mace and finally a stun gun. “I prefer a Taser so I won’t have to get close, but the stun gun is here just in case.”

Muscles knotted, tension mounting from her dispassionate explanation and overabundance of weapons, Reese growled out, “Why?” She had a damned fortress going on, and there must be a reason.

“I don’t want to be hurt.”

In contrast to his tone, hers was soft, and a little chilling because of it. It wrecked him, imagining what might have instilled so much caution.

His worst fears were confirmed when her big dark eyes lifted to his, and she said softly, “Again.”

CHAPTER THREE

METHODICALLY, ALICE replaced each item in the drawer. She heard her own heartbeat, felt the rushing of her pulse, but outwardly, she showed nothing but calm resolve.

God, how good she’d gotten at that.

For the longest time, Reese said nothing. She wasn’t sure what to expect, how he’d react.

But when he did finally move, it was just to turn the bacon.

She closed the drawer, searching for something to say. “You seem competent in the kitchen.” He seemed competent at everything. “Would you like to do the eggs, too, or should I?”

“Why don’t you take a seat, and I’ll handle it.”