Copper by Iris Abbott Page A

takes to keep you safe.” 
    “Consider it done,” Chrome said.  He gave Natalie a long look before disappearing from the room.
    Marla noticed that the tension in the room seemed to double.  “I feel dirty, inside and out.”  She wrapped her arms around her body.  “I’d give just about anything right now for a long hot bubble bath,” she admitted with a wistful sigh.
    “There is an oversized Jacuzzi tub in my bathroom, but I don’t have any bubble bath hidden anywhere.”
    Marla gave him a wry smile.  “Somehow that does not surprise me.  You don’t strike me as the bubble bath kind. You’re way too masculine for something so frilly.”
    “Normally, but I could be tempted.  A soak with you would be anything but an insult to my manhood.”
    The suggestive comment made Marla blush. 
    “Whoa,” Natalie interrupted, holding up her hands to silence the man. “Way too much info for me,” she told Copper.  “Marla, I grabbed your makeup bag and travel shower caddy while I was at the apartment.  Do you have bubble bath in there by any chance?”
    Her face brightened.  “Thanks.  I’m pretty sure I have a travel size bottle of bubble bath in one of those bags.”  She gave her sister a grateful smile. 
    Copper groaned. Both women whipped their heads around to look at him.  He gave them a terse nod.  “On second thought, even with a waterproof bandage, you probably don’t need to be soaking your wound. I think you should take a shower instead of a bath.”
    “You do not know how much I’m looking forward to relaxing in a tub.”  She frowned and disappointment clouded her eyes.  “You’re probably right.  I definitely don’t want to do anything to hinder the healing process. A shower it is then.”
    Copper looked like he wanted to be anywhere except standing in the middle of his bedroom, discussing the merits of a shower over a bath. “I’m going to double check the interior of the house to make sure all the doors and windows are secure.  Security has always been tight around here, but we haven’t done any visual checks lately. Now would be a good time to get one done.”
    He looked like he was struggling with the situation, and it endeared him to Marla.  She lightly touched his arm.  “Thank you for everything, Copper.”
    “You’re welcome.  When I finish the security check, I’ll see what Iron’s managed to dig up on his computer.”
    He turned to leave. Marla, who should have been relieved to get rid of his larger than life presence, found herself wanting to prolong their time together.  “Wait,” she called out.  When he turned questioning eyes on her, she forgot what she was going to say. 
    “Um well, it’s just that this is your room, and I don’t want to kick you out of it.  Natalie can help me move my things into the guestroom she’s using.  I’ll share with my sister.”
    “No!”
    The terse word made her eyes widen.  “Uh, I don’t feel right about kicking you out of your room,” she insisted.
    “Don’t worry, you’re not.”
    She started to panic. “I can’t share a room with you!”
    He gave both ladies a hard stare. “Nonnegotiable, so get used to it.”
    Marla glared at his retreating back, but she waited until he was out of earshot before speaking. “What an ass!”
    Natalie burst out laughing. “All of them can be at times, but they are solid to the core.  If Copper says he’s going to protect you then you’re about as safe as you can be.  I trust him, and you should too.”
    Marla twisted her hands together.  “Easier said than done.  He makes me nervous. Every time he’s around me I have a hard time breathing, my heart beats like I’ve been running a marathon, and my stomach feels like it’s twisted in knots.”
    Natalie shook her head.  “That sounds like sexual attraction to me.”
    “I kind of figured that out for myself,” Marla whispered. “He excites and scares me all at the same time.  He confuses me so much, I