Chaz had been watching the cascade of thick hair tumbling down around her face when her words finally seemed to register. His gaze met hers. Then a slow smile made the corners of his sexy lower lip turn up. Damn, she wanted to bite that lip, and then draw it into her mouth and suck on it until they were both a little breathless.

“I’m not going anywhere tonight.” His words were clipped and final, and he backed it up by crossing his arms over his massive chest.

“I can turn on my alarm. I’ll be safe,” Val insisted. The thought of Chaz spending the night was as exciting as it was frightening.

He shook his head. “No good, remember what your father said? I’m your shadow.”

“I only have one bedroom,” she lied. Well, it wasn’t exactly a lie. Her guest bedroom had turned into a huge walk-in closet a long time ago. There was a bed in there somewhere.

Chaz’s gaze moved to the couch. “Won’t be the first time I’ve had to sleep on the sofa.”

“You’re serious, aren’t you?” Val slapped her hands on her hips, unaware that the action pulled her blouse tight across her breasts.

“Yes, ma’am.” She began to tingle all over from the sensual look melting the chocolate of his eyes. “Unless you have a better idea.”

Yeah, you can always sleep on top of me. Val quickly banished from her mind the erotic thought of a naked Chaz keeping her warm. She thought about the dildo under her pillow. It would definitely come in handy that night. She’d have to keep it on low so he wouldn’t hear it from the sofa.

“Sorry,” Val said. “A pillow and a couple of blankets are all you’re gonna get from me.” She turned and went to her bedroom, closing the door behind her. Her victory of getting in the last word was short lived, though. When she turned to glance at the clock she found that it wasn’t anywhere near bedtime.