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“Change your instincts around my girl.”
“For sure, man.”
Ike should have liked Beau, besides the initial too-flirtatious comments about Myra. He’d been friendly and almost too accommodating.
“He likes to remove fingers from men who touch me.” Myra bounced up the stairs in front of them while the men carried the luggage. She glanced back at the two of them, grinning. Her smile was so breathtaking Ike’s chest felt tight. “Right, shnookums?”
Shnookums? Ike would’ve laughed at the ridiculous pet names she kept throwing out there, if they weren’t playing this role for the cocky playboy following Myra far too closely up the stairs.
“Right,” he affirmed. “Any man touches my girl, and I remove his middle fingers. Without any weapons. You don’t really need your middle fingers, but it is a painful process.”
They reached the second floor and headed down the hallway.
“Sheesh.” Beau laughed as if the threat was some hilarious joke. “Ike with the threats and death glares. Myra calling her ultra-tough stud all these cheesy pet names, while she’s tougher than him and looks like a gorgeous angel who wouldn’t hurt a fly.”
Ike almost dropped the luggage and showed him how it felt to have his middle fingers removed. He supposed it was a gruesome threat. Maybe he needed to start smaller and implement the punishments so Beau knew he meant business.
“Until I knock you both flat on your backs,” Myra sang out.
“Seriously.” Beau grinned and winked. He stopped in front of the last door. “Ike, will you be okay when Myra pretends to be my girlfriend in public?” He held up his perfect hands. “I actually need all my fingers for my career.”
Ike definitely wouldn’t be okay. He shrugged and managed, “Be very careful how you touch my girl.”
“Noted.” Beau winked and grinned as if they were buddies. Then suddenly he looked almost … sad. “Hey, when we meet Bermuda and Donavon, the jerk she’s with now, will you remove his fingers for me?”
Ike shrugged. “We’re on your dime. Whatever you say.”
Beau laughed and nodded. “I like you.”
Ike didn’t really like the guy. Maybe he would if Beau wasn’t pretending to be with Myra and complimenting her all the time.
When Ike didn’t respond, Beau said, “You saw all the guest suites earlier. This is my favorite one. It has the best view of the ocean and a huge shower for you two to share.” He gave them a knowing grin.
Ike’s stomach flipped over. He released the suitcase handles and met Myra’s gaze. He saw the concern that flashed in her eyes. It was one thing for her to throw out silly pet names, for him to get comfortable holding her hand and touching her lower back or even calling her his girl, but staying in the same suite? There had to be some lines drawn.
“We actually need our own rooms,” Myra said in a rush. She pulled out a silver cross from under her blouse. “I’m a very traditional Christian. I believe in abstinence before marriage and complete fidelity after vows are made.”
Ike stared at her, enthralled. Just when he thought she couldn’t be any more attractive, she shone with purity, light, and the Savior’s love.
She bit at her lip and as she met his gaze, her dark eyes lit up with a sweetness he felt was only for him. She was saving herself for marriage. Self-control, loyalty, and Christian values. If he could let himself fall in love, he’d already be halfway there with this surprising and intriguing security specialist.
“Dude!” Beau’s gaze swung between the two of them. He slapped Ike on the shoulder and grinned. “You’re a better man than me. Myra might be more tempting than any woman on earth and the warrior woman angle is really hot, but no fun before marriage? It really, really must stink to be you, bro.”
“No.” Ike couldn’t peel his gaze from Myra’s beautiful face. “I share her Christian values and honor and respect her for living up to them.”
“Thank you,” Myra whispered.
The look they exchanged was as intimate as her slow handholding in the car or the kiss on his neck. It was difficult to remember why he couldn’t let his heart wrap up with hers.
“Wow.” Beau shook his head. “Good for you two, but …” He whistled. “You do realize it’s 2024 and nobody on earth shares your ‘values?’” He mockingly made quote marks.
Ike finally yanked his gaze from Myra. “You’re wrong. There are many people who still exercise restraint and care more about lasting love and honoring God’s commandments than they do their selfish desires.”
“Yikes. Preach it somewhere else, bro.” Beau grinned as if he thought this was all a joke. He pointed to the next door down. “Take any of the other bedrooms you want. According to Coach, you two are my only friends this week. Of course, Myra and I are more than friends in public.” He looked Myra over, and Ike could almost hear the wheels spinning in his disgusting head. If the superstar could, he’d love to talk her out of any kind of self-restraint and into his bedroom.
Over Ike’s incapacitated, mutilated, lifeless body.
“Sounds great,” Myra chirped before Ike could issue a silent warning. With this guy, he might have to make it verbal as well. Maybe a couple physical reminders wouldn’t hurt, as in some pounding of Beau’s pretty boy face for five or fifty minutes. He didn’t need his teeth to play football. Though he might lose those lucrative advertising contracts.
