Viper ran a hand through his hair. “That bothers me. Dyson is not a stupid male, but the one here tonight acted irrationally. I believe he got angry that Callie was downstairs talking to me and that’s why he broke the window. The door was broken, so he didn’t need a second exit.”
“You’re thinking this rogue isn’t part of Dyson’s group, but one who is desperate for a mate and he has fixated on the librarian?”
“Yes.”
“Is it wishful thinking on your part because you want to spend time with her?”
Viper growled. “Of course not. I barely know the female. She means nothing to me. I’m just trying to protect her.”
Chapter 7
“I barely know the female. She means nothing to me. I’m just trying to protect her.”
Callie held her breath as she slowly backed away from the kitchen. She hadn’t meant to eavesdrop. Her intention had been to offer the men something to drink for helping her. She didn’t hear everything, but it was enough to know that Viper wasn’t interested in her.
It hurt, but better to know the truth now than for her to keep fantasizing over someone who didn’t think twice about her.
She rushed to the sofa and sat. When she heard footsteps heading her way, she picked up a book from the end table and opened it to a random page. It was upside down. She flipped it around, nearly falling off the couch at the sound of the gruff voice.
“What are you doing?” Viper asked.
“Reading.” She held up the book cover to show him. She watched his eyes scan the page, then squint before glancing away.
“We’re almost done. Are you sure you want to stay here? I’m sure that Valorie and the rest of the females at the ranch would be happy to make a room available to you.”
“I’ve got old trusty here.” She patted the shotgun on the coffee table. “I’ll be fine.”
“Do you want my number in case you get scared?” he offered.
“I’ll call the sheriff if I need anything.” She watched as the older one named Thorn headed for the door. “Thanks for coming out.”
Thorn waved at her but said nothing. What was it with these tall, sexy but silent ranch hands? “Wait, where’s the other guy, Tidas?”
“He is making sure everything is secure in the back and will leave through the gate.”
“Will he need the key?”
“Thanks to Sheriff Jenkins, we know where the spare key is.”
“Right, I probably need to find a new hiding place for it.”
“Do that tomorrow, not tonight.”
“Of course.”
They stood there staring at each other awkwardly. She didn’t want to say goodbye to him. Callie needed to get over her feelings. There was something she had to say to him.
“Thank you for all that you’ve done. I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t been here with me. I keep thinking about coming upstairs after closing up the library. I would have been alone with this creep…” She couldn’t hold back the tears. “Sorry, it just all seemed to hit me at once.”
Viper looked unsure of what to do, then he approached her cautiously as if hunting a scared animal. He gently wrapped his arms around her, loosely patting her back. “You’re safe.”
Callie was an ass for taking advantage of the situation, but she couldn’t help but embrace him. She placed the side of her head against his chest and wrapped her arms around his waist and pulled him closer. She inhaled a deep breath and took in his scent. It was masculine, woodsy, and heavy with his own personal musk. So damn good.
“Are you sniffing me?” he asked.
Shit! She was busted. “Sorry, you have incredible cologne.”
He pulled her closer and leaned down to inhale her scent near her neck. It made her shiver to feel his warm breath against her scent.
“You smell delicious,” he admitted in a deep husky tone. “You’re safe, Callie. I would let nothing happen to you.”
“You make me feel safe,” she told him, looking up at his handsome face. Her heart rate raced and being this close against him, she could feel his own pounding heart through his T-shirt. She was melting in his embrace.
“I could—” He was cut off by Callie’s phone ringing.
She pulled away and reached for her phone on the coffee table. “It’s Valorie.”
“I’ll lock the library downstairs on my way out. Lock this door behind me.”
“I will,” she watched him leave with longing and regret. It was better that he left. Otherwise, she might have embarrassed herself by throwing herself at him.
*****
Viper stood on the landing outside of Callie’s apartment. His hand was on the door handle, and he fought to get himself under control. He wanted nothing more than to go back inside and take Callie in a kiss.
When she talked about his scent, he took hers in. She was definitely attracted to him. His dragon growled with the need to claim her. Callie was so small and soft, a gentle female who deserved a male who could offer her more. Viper couldn’t even speak with her about any of the subjects in her thousands of books, because he couldn’t read any of them. It felt hopeless.
Letting go of the handle, he stomped down the stairs. He checked the entrance to the backyard, and then went to the front door. It only had a lock on the handle. He would have to lock it, and then close it behind him. Viper planned to speak with the security company to get one of those remote locks so Callie could lock the library from anywhere.
Once outside, he noted
