Allen swallowed audibly, but Giddon shifted his focus to Lisa. His gaze was blistering, his voice controlled. "Did you invite him here?"
She sucked in a quick breath and met his gaze steadily. "Am I not allowed visitors?"
Eyes of blue ice turned on Allen and Giddon's voice was almost a growl. "Did she invite you?"
Allen swallowed again, almost cringing as he licked his lips and turned desperate eyes on Lisa. His display of cowardice was pitiful.
"Why else would he be here?" she cut in.
The frigid gaze swung back to her. She lifted her chin, defying him to lash out at her again. She had no intention of letting him turn her into a mouse. Either he would give her due respect or he could find another sitter. His piercing gaze held hers for a moment, and then his expression softened ever so slightly.
"In the future," he spoke crisply, "I'd appreciate it if you consulted me before inviting guests into my home." He gave Allen a last threatening look and stalked off to the house.
Allen watched him enter the house before he turned to Lisa. "That's your boss? What a jerk! Who does he think he is?"
Lisa stared at Allen in disbelief. Where did he get the nerve to call Giddon a jerk, after hiding behind her? He had been perfectly content to step back and let her bear the brunt of Giddon's anger, even knowing that he had arrived uninvited. She gave him cold stare. "Wouldn't you think it improper if I invited guests to your house?"
Allen looked surprised. "But you didn't invite me."
"Exactly," Lisa answered crisply and brushed by him on her way to the house.
"Lisa!" Allen's voice was high and sharp. He was brave now that he faced only a woman. She didn't look back, but his muffled curse chased after her. From the door she turned and watched as he climbed into his car and drove away. Why had he come to this house, and how did he know the way?
Giddon was leaning against the kitchen sink, frowning into a cup of coffee when she entered. He lifted the cup to take a sip and his eyes met hers accusatively.
"For what it's worth," she began, "I didn't invite him, but . . ."
"I know," he interrupted. "I heard him harassing you." His gaze lowered to her swimsuit. "I'm not surprised, considering your lack of clothing."