“No, thanks, not yet. I need coffee first.”
He got up and poured her a cup, then set it in front of her before sitting down again.
“Did you see anything this morning?” she asked.
“No, but Maverick smelled something. He barked and propped himself up on the fence. I just don’t know if it was from the other night or new.”
“You still think an alarm system is necessary? I mean, what if they don’t come back? We’ll have spent all that money for nothing.”
“For me, money isn’t the issue. Security and safety are most important. I told you, I’m planning to pay for it. It’s the least I can do. I want you both safe, and there will be times when I’m not here. Consider it an exchange for rent.”
A cloud passed over MJ’s face, and she glared at him. “Rob, we have a relationship, and it isn’t one of landlord and tenant. I hope I’m more to you than a place to stay!”
“I’m sorry, sweetheart. I stuck my foot in my mouth. I don’t consider you my landlord.” He got up and pulled her up into his arms. “I never kissed any of my landlords.” He dropped his head and captured her lips in a deep, intense kiss.
She relaxed in his arms, and sighed into his mouth, igniting his libido. Damn, but this woman could turn him on without even trying. Her calling him out for his comment was the sexiest damn thing. What on earth was wrong with him?
He leaned in again and tightened his grip on her hips. Someone moaned. Maybe it was him. Maybe it was her. The chemistry between them became molten, as she kissed him back, her sweet tongue tangling with his.
When they finally broke apart, he glanced at the kitchen clock. Damn. Frank would be here in ten minutes. Not nearly enough time to slake their desire for one another.
“Sorry, babe. We don’t have enough time before the alarm guy comes, but I’d love a rain check.”
MJ looked up at him, a dazed expression on her face. “Crap, you’re right. I have to go get dressed. I’ll take my coffee with me. Back in a few.”
Right at eight, the doorbell rang, and he hurried to answer it with Maverick at his side.
Frank met them, dressed in a navy polo shirt with his logo and the words “Protect and Defend” embroidered in gold thread.
“Want some coffee while we talk more about the system you’re going to install?”
Frank nodded. “Sounds like a good plan.”
Rob ushered Frank into the kitchen where he poured coffee. Maverick followed close behind, keeping his eye on the newcomer. MJ showed up moments later, looking more put together than he would have thought possible in such a short time. She’d tamed her hair into a low ponytail and had on body-hugging jeans with a red sweater.
Rob introduced her to Frank, and the man laid out his plan for the security system. “I’ll alarm the fence and install several motion-activated cameras to capture pictures of anyone who gets into your yard. All the doors and windows will have an alarm.You’ll be able to turn off the outside security when you’re outdoors, and you can leave it on for the inside, or you can turn off both. We’ll design the coverage in such a way that you won’t have false alarms because the system is recording one of you or your dog as an intruder.” Frank summarized his other recommendations and gave them a new price, one reduced with a twenty-percent discount for military veterans.
“What do you think, MJ?” Rob asked. He wouldn’t mess up again by not consulting her.
“It makes sense, I guess. I’ve never worried about security in my home before. This is a small town.”
Frank responded, “I know many people believe that when they live in a small town, there’s not much crime. Unfortunately, nothing could be further from the truth. Both Ridgeview and Green Oak, although small in population, have the same problems cities like Knoxville have. Breaking and entering, burglary, sexual assaults, vandalism, and even murder. Maybe you won’t experience those things, but given that someone has already targeted your house and yard, you’re wise to do something. These days, people need drugs and money to buy them. Much as we hate to think about anybody breaking into our homes, it happens all too often.”
“I think it’s the smartest thing to do, MJ,” Rob chimed in. “We’re both gone during the day. Maverick will protect you when you’re home alone, but I hate the thought of him being at the mercy of somebody high on drugs during a break-in. We’ll both be able to monitor the alarms with our phones, and we can have the Ridgeview police respond.”
“The price I quoted you will include six months’ monitoring by us. If we see that someone has breached the property, you can authorize us to call the police.”
MJ nodded. “All right. You’ve both convinced me. I know my brother will be on board with this, too.”
“Install it, Frank.” He leaned in and kissed MJ. “I’m going to watch him work if that’s okay with you.”
She rolled her eyes. “Go ahead. I know boys like their toys. Just come back in when you’re done and show me what to do.”
“Of course,” said Frank. “You need to know how to set the alarm, how to turn it off, and how it alerts your phones. It’s easy, so don’t worry.”
Several hours later when the men finished installing the system, Frank took them both through the steps to set the alarm, and how to turn it off, giving each of them separate passwords, and helping them set it up on their phones. He gave them each a card with his private numbers on them.
“Call me anytime. It
