Christmas Present

by Lauren Wood

  “Really? Well, that’s great,” I said, not sure that I believed it. I didn’t know the new singer at all, and I wondered what kind of person this was that my father was getting involved in. But I knew I had to let him make his own decisions, just the way he was letting me make mine. And those decisions had made me the happiest I’d ever been. I knew he’d be able to do the same. But we’d always be there to take care of him when and if he needed it, and to help and take care of each other when we needed it.

  And my first year in New York with Hutch told me that we really might need it. There were things happening in his business that concerned me, employees I didn’t trust. They didn’t think much of me either, but they underestimated me, they thought I was afraid of them. But fear was no longer a factor in my life. In truth, they were afraid of me, and they had good reason to be. I was looking out for Hutch, but they were looking out for themselves.

  But this was a day for celebration, for love, for looking forward to a bright and miraculous future, one we could all share; children and grandchildren, good times and bad, the light and the shadows, until death did us part.

  THE END

  HOT BASTARD IS BACK: A BAD BOY SECOND CHANCE ROMANCE

  Chapter One

  “I don’t know why you think this is a good idea. I get death threats all the time. It comes with the territory when my business is about tearing down other businesses and selling off the parts. I've never taken any of them seriously. What makes these ones any different than all the rest?” Henry was the head of my security. He had some misgivings about letters. They gave him the idea somebody was out to hurt me.

  “I don’t normally prescribe to screaming the sky is falling when it isn’t. I know criminals like the back of my hand. This one has designs on making you pay.” Henry was dressed to impress, cleanly shaven with a suit made to accentuate the positives. We had a torrid love affair, but we realized we were better off in a professional capacity.

  “I still haven’t heard any reason why I should take these extreme measures. I don’t want somebody shadowing my every move. It’s an invasion of my personal space. I take exception to your suggestion.” I had gone over the letters personally and nothing jumped out at me.

  My penthouse office was the crown jewel of my real estate holdings. I sometimes lost track of what my money could buy. There was a cost and some people lost their jobs. I did my best to mitigate the loss, but it wasn’t always easy. It probably didn’t help I was 26-years-old.

  I was wearing one of many tailored pantsuits with the prerequisite suspenders over my buttoned-up red blouse. The legs were flared for style. The clothing was custom made and made me feel confident in my own skin. I was wearing white pants.

  “I’m going to have to put my foot down. When you hired me, you gave me a license to look after you in any way I deemed necessary. It could turn out to be nothing, but I don’t want to take any chances. Your safety is my business and I take it seriously.” His expression was cold and calculating.

  It was one of the other reasons why we couldn’t make it work in a relationship. He had no joy in his life. Sex was like going through the motions. I didn’t have anything to complain about considering his stamina was above reproach.

  “Henry, are you sure you really wanna take this stance with me? You only get one per year and this seems rather trivial. I’m going to give you this one chance to take it back. It’s rare for me to make any kind of allowance.” He hovered over me by a couple of inches, but no man had ever intimidated me. It was always the other way around.

  The power I had in my little pinky could ruin him. My employees knew never to cross me unless they were prepared to go to war. I could be a vindictive bitch. It was something that I was working on. I was always about self-improvement. It was something I stressed to those who worked for me.

  “Lila, I have a bad feeling. It has something to do with the wording of the letters. I consulted with a friend and he agrees with my findings. He’s freelance and he’s willing to provide you with his services. I would seriously consider giving him a chance.” It was in his contract and there was no wiggle room. If I was going to have to have a bodyguard then I was going to have to vet him personally.

  “I still think you are overreacting. There has been no indication of a physical altercation. My home hasn’t been broken into and none of my personal belongings have been disturbed or damaged. If you really think this is necessary then I will bow to your expertise. It’s not like you are giving me any choice.” I was a little perturbed and the very idea of somebody standing in close proximity watching my every move was causing my skin to crawl.

  “I would never mention it unless I thought it was necessary. Morgan Childs is waiting outside to speak with you. It might seem like an ambush, but I can assure you this is for your own good. I value my job and my position at your right hand. We work well together, but I can’t be with you 24 hours a day. The whole company is under the purview of my protective umbrella. There are many fires I have to put out on a daily basis.” I didn’t need to know the details. He had proven to be a valuable asset and one that I was hard-pressed to find anybody suitable to fit in his shoes.

  “I have a few minutes before my next meeting downtown. I will talk to him, but I’m not promising anything. I respect you more than anyone. I wouldn’t have slept with you otherwise. You know how selective I can be when it comes to inviting anybody into the inner sanctum of my bedroom.” The last one to have the fortune to feel the Egyptian cotton wrapped around them was him.

  It wasn’t the last time I had been with a man, but every other encounter happened anonymously under the cover of darkness.

  “There is one thing I should mention about him. He’s not much for conversation. Blending into his surroundings is necessary for his business. Don’t take it personally if he doesn’t want to interact with you. He has learned to separate business from pleasure.” Henry was able to convince me to take unnecessary precautions. This was the one time I felt like he wasn’t telling me the whole story.

  “I’m not looking for his friendship or to become his lover. I will listen to what he has to say and then I will make an informed decision. By all means, go and fetch the young man. Waiting doesn’t seem like something he’s used to.” California sprawled out in front of me. I could see the ocean in the distance and I wondered when the last time I sank my toes into the sand.

  “He has a military background. I have known him to do the impossible without even flinching. He has escaped death too many times to count. It’s as if he snubs his nose at anything remotely dangerous.” I found it interesting, but I was still not convinced of his ability to stay quiet.

  “You don’t talk about your time in the service. When you mentioned he was freelance, I’m assuming you mean he’s between jobs. Is there a reason I should be concerned about taking him into my employment? Be perfectly honest with me.” I didn’t mean to put him on the spot, but there wasn’t many I trusted to have my back.

  “He has had a tough time finding his place in civilian life. He has changed dramatically and is the reason why he is no longer with his wife. It’s a good thing they didn’t have any kids before he shipped out five years ago. Morgan was devastated, but you couldn’t see it in his outward appearance.” His commitment to his country gave me a reason to give him a moment of my time.

  “I can’t believe you would even consider making him responsible for my safety. It seems unconscionable for you to even make the suggestion. I don’t need a man like that dealing with his own personal issues to be distracted.” I felt his true purpose for coming here wasn’t necessarily about the undertone of the letters.

  “I admit that I’m a little biased when it comes to Morgan. He’s my best friend and he deserves a chance to get his life back. This will give him something to concentrate on. You don’t know how many times I’ve had to watch him take assignments nobody in their right mind would take. The brass calls him out of the blue and he grabs his bag and is out the door o
n the first flight to some war-torn country. I’m worried he’s going to get himself killed because he has nothing to live for.” He sounded dangerous and I felt compelled to show him a bit of mercy.

  “I know you mean well. Having a good heart sometimes gets you into trouble. Look what happened when you fell into the lair of my depravity. You had no idea what you were getting yourself into until I had you handcuffed to the bedpost. Edging is one of my favorite pastimes with a potential conquest. The expression on your face when I got you right there and then stopped was priceless.” It would be nice to revisit the past and see that same expression again.

  “I don’t really want to talk about the past. In the present, Morgan is waiting outside those doors. I will give you the proper incentive to look past his appearance. You give him one week and I will… I will let you do whatever you want to me over the weekend.” It was an interesting proposal and one I was inclined to accept with certain conditions to be named later.

  I gave Henry an imperceptible nod.

  He went and opened the door with Morgan stepping in with his hands behind his back. I could see the reflection of him in the glass window in front of me. My legs trembled and there was the telltale sign of arousal with a bit of moisture in my panties.

  Chapter two

  I couldn’t seem to move from my current location. Morgan wasn’t dressed for an interview unless the interview was being conducted at a homeless shelter. The green army jacket and the threadbare jeans gave him the air of somebody who didn’t give a damn. His strong work ethic aside, there was something there making me ready to throw caution to the wind with my panties hanging from the chandelier in my bedroom.

  I swallowed hard and steeled my nerves for what was to come. Getting closer, I was able to smell his natural scent like an animal behind cage doors.

  “Henry has told me a lot about you.” He abruptly turned and zeroed his eyes like a laser beam in Henry’s general direction.

  “My life has always been classified with a need to know basis. My service is redacted and not many know the true purpose of my missions. I’m on a furlough from the service. Henry consulted me on your problem and I see the reason why he has raised a red flag. I’ve done my due diligence on you, Lila Robards. I would say you have the unnecessary ability to get under the skin of others.” He was standing at attention with a regal bearing, but I could tell he was wired tight and ready to fight whenever the need arose.

  “I don’t necessarily agree with your assessment of the situation. Henry has problems and he can take things personally when it comes to my safety. I expect this is going to be boring for you. Standing and looking menacing doesn’t seem the correct way to use your unusual skills.” I wanted to shake his hand, but feeling him touch me was going to make for an awkward moment.

  “To be completely honest, I really don’t care what you think of me. My business is to make sure nothing happens to you. Henry would never let me live it down. We don’t have to like each other to work together. I am at your disposal in whatever capacity you desire to use me.” I heard the last few words and it brought to mind my feet in the air with my high heels punching holes in the upholstery of the ceiling of my expensive sports car.

  “I’m afraid this may not work considering my independence. I like to do things my way. It’s nothing personal and maybe we should reconsider having you work for me.” I wanted there to be no mistake about his position. There were several positions I was thinking about making good use of his body.

  “I will stand quietly and only answer when spoken to. If I suspect there is a threat then I will act with extreme measures. That is when you will do what you are told without hesitation. I don’t need you second guessing my decisions. Do we understand each other?” It wasn’t so much a question than it was a declaration. I had never had anybody talk to me with such impudence. It was refreshing to not feel his mouth kissing my high heels to climb the ladder of success.

  “I will give this one shot to make this work or we will amicably separate at the end of the week.” I remembered what Henry said, but the face I was seeing riding to completion wasn’t his. Morgan had replaced him.

  “There is no time like the present to get started. These walls are thin enough for me to hear about your meeting downtown. I’ve taken the liberty of having the car brought around to the back of the building. We will be leaving by the stairs.” It was dirty in the stairwell, but being with him made me feel like a dirty girl. It was fitting and somewhat erotic to think of him touching me with his rough and ready hands.

  “I have agreed to this on a provisional basis. When it comes to my safety, I will allow you to guide me with your helping hand. Don’t make the mistake of overstepping your bounds. If I feel you are trying to embarrass me and usurping my authority then we will have to revisit this arrangement.” I grabbed my purple leather jacket from the back of the door. It didn’t fit with the ensemble, but it was the only jacket I owned which made me look like a million bucks.

  “I believe you have a hidden doorway behind you. I doubt many would recognize it’s there, but I see it clear enough with my scrutinizing eye for detail.” It was impressive and not many had any knowledge of my hidden exit. “I took a moment before coming over here to familiarize myself with the blueprints. I see something left out of the original designs. There is a space originally used for a private bathroom. The dimensions have considerably changed.” He walked right into the bathroom and opened up the door connected to the cabinet with no regard for my personal space.

  He motioned with his hand and I followed a little disappointed that I wasn’t going to be able to see him from behind. The green army jacket didn’t cover the best parts. He moved with no wasted motion.

  “I have to get back to work, but I will check in periodically to see how the two of you are making out.” Morgan and I looked at him amused by his suggestive comment. “I didn’t mean it like that. I have to be very careful how I tread to avoid miscommunication.” He closed the bathroom door.

  I went ahead of Morgan with the lights automatically illuminating everything in front of me with a motion sensor. I had contracted the work to a relatively unknown company to assure myself there was very little chance of a digital footprint.

  “Henry has my deepest respect. He does have the tendency to put his foot in his mouth more frequently than not.” I nodded my head with confirmation as I continued my downward climb of the stairs made of pure metal with a railing to match.

  “I knew from the moment I met him that he was one of the good ones. I doubt he mentioned anything about our past relationship. I don’t want to give you the impression I make a habit of sleeping with my employees.” The confession came out of the blue like I couldn’t prevent what my mind was thinking and what my mouth was going to say next.

  “He did make mention of your relationship after a few beers. It was one of his regrets. He really wanted to make it work with you, but he knew he was better off letting you fly on your own.” I wasn’t expecting this kind of transparency. He was soft-spoken, but his words were carefully chosen.

  “I really thought everything that happened between us was in the cone of silence. It does make sense for him to brag about his conquests when he is overindulging. Sometimes I wonder what would happen if the enemy used liquor as a form of information gathering. We all know the best type of torture is to sexually seduce a person until they are screaming their secret from the top of their lungs.” I found myself opening up to him by no fault of my own. It was easy especially with the awkward silence penetrating the air every time he left something unsaid.

  “I believe that is one of the secrets better left unexplored. I would rather have somebody electrify my privates than to contend with a seductress trying to get into my pants.” His attempt at humor was met with a bemused cock of my eye.

  “I didn’t take you for somebody who had a sense of humor. There might be some surprises in store for me when it comes to peeling back the layers of your personality. If we are g
oing to do this then we should be on a first name basis. Morgan, this wasn’t my idea, but I don’t think it comes as any great surprise.” I was sweating profusely and the heat within the closed environment was stifling.

  “I have learned to acclimate to the individual I’m assigned to. I might not have much to say, but I do keep up with current events. Some people may not agree with the new president of the United States, but they fail to realize his power is limited. There are those he has to listen to. There are guys like me who follow up on those things that need a delicate hand.” I had the feeling he was being sarcastic. I didn’t see anything delicate about the rough edges of this man.

  “It’s a good quality and one you have acquired recently. I don’t know many who could do what you do on any given day. It’s a testament to your character and the strength of your fortitude when it comes to protecting those you are assigned to. I don’t think that it’s necessary for me to praise your service to your country. Everything you have sacrificed is not in vain.” I was getting to know him and I felt like I could tell him anything without judgment. I made an involuntary gasp when his two hands grabbed me by the shoulders to prevent me from going any further down the stairs.

  I was about to question him on the reason why he took the action until I recognized the wire running from one side of the stairs to the other. It seemed unfathomable that I would get caught with my pants down.

  “I don’t want you to move a muscle or it might be your last.” My high heel had made contact with the tripwire. I heard what sounded like a gun about to go off.

  Chapter three

  He carefully moved around me walking over the wire and kneeling to take a closer look. There was no sound other than my breathing. He looked up with a stoic expression not giving away what he was truly thinking inside. His dispassionate demeanor was causing me some concern. He had no vested interest in keeping me safe other than the almighty dollar. I had to assume his training prevented him from walking away when things got tough.