Guarding Valentina [Paladin Protection Agency 3] (Siren Publishing Classic) by Susan Hayes

He laughed and leaned back as if he expected her to smack him.
    “Thanks a lot, Snuggles.”
    “You’re welcome.”
    “I missed you. I’m glad your back, Jase.”
    Jase leaned over and gave her a one-armed hug. “If he hurts you, I’ll turn him into my personal chew-toy. And then I’ll sic Jazz on him for good measure.”
    “Oh man. She was scary before she got pregnant. He’d never survive an encounter with a pissed-off, hormonal werewolf!”
    “Damn straight.” He beamed with pride at the mention of his coming parenthood. “Speaking of which, I should call her and let her know I’m going to be home early. We’re all supposed to be snug at home before nightfall every night until this is over.”
    “I guess that means I should go track down my new bodyguard and take him home with me.” She glowered at Jase as he started to smirk. “To sleep on my couch .”
    “Uh-huh. That’s what I told myself that first night I took Jazz out for dinner. Good luck sticking to that plan.”
    “I have always had more restraint than you,” she answered pertly and stood up, stretching before she remembered that she was still a little battered and bruised from last night’s attack.
    Jase caught her wince and said, “You really should go home and get some rest. We’re not going to be getting much sleep in the next few days, and you need to heal up.”
    “All right, I’m going.”
    “Val, be careful. You’re going to be the easy target tonight.”
    “I’ll be careful. I have no intention of letting him get that close to me again.”
    She went to track down Aedan. There were only a few hours of daylight left, and they had things to do before the sun went down.

Chapter 5
     
    “Does this really work?” Val couldn’t keep the doubt out of her voice as she stared at the new squiggles and swirls that had been carefully applied to a variety of surfaces around her home.
    Aedan looked at her in surprise. “Most people care more about whether it’s going to wash off afterward. And yes, it will work. Short of him blowing the walls off or burning your house to the ground, this is now a sanctuary.”
    “If it works, it’s never coming down. I like the idea of being permanently vamp-proof.”
    “A sensible woman, I knew there was a reason I liked you.”
    They’d been bantering back and forth for the hour it had taken them to ward her house. She found herself at ease with Aedan in a way that wasn’t common for her. They fit together well, and there had been none of the usual awkwardness that came with being forced to spend time with a virtual stranger.
    She finished the last glyph and reached down to grab the picture that would be re-hung over it, hiding it from casual observation. As she lifted the heavy frame, her shoulder twinged again and she swore under her breath. Before she could even straighten up, Aedan was behind her, taking hold of the frame as he lifted it out of her hands.
    “You could have asked for help,” he chided her.
    “I had it.”
    Aedan’s body pressed against hers as he deliberately stepped into her space to hang the picture back on its nail. “There, all done.” He didn’t move from behind her. Instead, she felt his fingers trace gently down her shoulders. “Stay still.” His breath fanned over her neck, and that simple contact sent sparks skittering down her spine. Her pussy clenched, and she had to fight the temptation to lean back into the warm comfort of his body. When he started to massage the knots in her shoulders, she couldn’t stop the low groan of pleasure his touch produced.
    “You don’t have to do that.”
    “No. But I want to. If I had been faster last night, he wouldn’t have been able to hurt you, so the least I can do is help you now.” His fingers were magic. They sought out every tender spot and pressed just hard enough to border on painful without ever crossing the line.
    “It wasn’t your fault. I shouldn’t have left Nick alone.”
    He worked his way along