He swore under his breath.
It was just another reckless move on his part. And it only made Nicole more vulnerable. But, he had a foolproof plan to rectify that situation.
Straightening, he pushed his weight against the door. The outer barricade didn’t budge an inch. The maintenance worker had done a good job, considering. But, it still wouldn’t be enough to keep Nicole’s boogey man away.
When the police had arrived earlier and began their search, they’d been surprised to find the metallic doorknob wedged into the kitchen wall. He had shrugged off their questions, carefully explaining that he had mastered professional kickboxing. And now, he could add lying to his list of misdeeds.
His eyes ran over the door’s sleek tanned finish and assessed the damage. The light, brown wood jutted with large, pointy splinters, and it was gutted across the door’s entire width.
The maintenance worker had grumbled and complained the entire time as he’d boarded it up, citing that “unruly occupants like him were the reason that the city was going bad”. He couldn’t blame him. He’d be pissed off too if he had to clean up someone else’s mess.
Even Detective Garcia had stared at him bemusedly when he’d arrived on the scene. The man didn’t ask any questions. Yet, the detective was clearly perplexed by the double-bolted locks swinging loosely from their hinges at strange, bizarre angles.
Fuck, I’m slipping up, he cursed silently.
At this rate, before long everyone would know his well-kept secret.
He wasn’t ‘normal’.
But, that was a risk that he’d have to take.
He’d do whatever necessary to keep Nicole safe.
“What happens now?” she asked, and her voice was strangely detached and devoid of emotion.
Turning from the door, he faced her.
The uncertainty played across her ashen features as she sat primly on the plush sofa. Her chin quivered, and then her jaw tightened as she fought to maintain control.
“You’re going to make it through this,” he insisted, crossing the room, and then paused before her. “And I’m going to be with you every step of the way.”
“There’s something that I need to talk to you about,” she said stiffly, raising her chin. “I promise that I won’t take much more of your time.”
“Fire away. I’m all ears.”
He dropped down onto the soft cushions alongside her, carefully keeping a short distance between them.
“Actually, I have a business proposition for you,” she said, turning towards him.
“What kind of business proposition?” he asked casually, though he’d planned to broach the same subject earlier on. She’d beaten him to the punch.
“I want to acquire your services,” she said, voice trembling. “Seeming that I’m at the top of the serial killer’s list, I need a bodyguard. And I think that you’re the perfect man for the job.”
“Nicole, I think that it’s a ---”
Breathless, she rushed on. “I know that this is rather sudden, and you’re probably swamped with a big case load already.”
True, he agreed silently.
But, he’d definitely make an exception in her case.
“And undoubtedly, you’re accustomed to catering to an elite clientele, whereas I’m just an everyday, average citizen,” she droned on.
No, there was nothing ‘average’ about her.
Raising a brow, he watched her.
“I can’t pay much. And I may as well tell you now. My payments will have to be monthly since I receive a monthly stipend from the Atlanta---”
He wouldn’t take one red cent of her money.
“Yes, I’ll take the job,” he interrupted smoothly.
“You will?” she asked, finally pausing for breath, the relief evident in her voice. Her eyes shone with tears, and she blinked them away. “Good. I guess it’s settled then. You are officially my bodyguard.”
“At your service,” he replied curtly. “But, I won’t accept any monetary payment.”
“But---” she stammered.
“Those are my conditions. Agreed?”
She jutted her chin stubbornly. “There has to be some way that I can compensate you.”
He shook his head. “No, I’m not taking your money. And before you start ranting about not accepting charity, or someone pitying you, I’ll tell you now that’s not the case. So, save your breath, sweetheart. Those are my conditions if you want me to take the job.”
She frowned at him heavily. Not that she agreed with his conditions. But, he was the only person that she trusted or wanted.
“Of course,” she said, finally nodding her head in agreement. “I’m sure that you want him off the streets as much as I do.”
It was his time to agree. He did want him off the streets, but more importantly, he wanted him away from her. “But, I must warn you about some things,” Xander interrupted quickly, smoothly changing topics.
“Like what?” she asked, her tone piqued with avid curiosity.
“Sometimes, I can be a hard fellow to get along with.”
“I seriously doubt that. But, how so?”
A hint of a smile played at her lips.
Good, he thought quietly.
Maybe a little lightness could penetrate the somberness.
He went on. “Whether you want to believe it or not, I’m even more obstinate than you are. So, get that fact straight in your pretty, little head right now, Miss Williamson. And I almost always get what I want.”
Pausing, he looked at her.
A warm flush now covered her cheeks, and now, she seemed more herself.
“So, it’s either your way or no way, huh?” she prodded. “Then, I must willingly assume offhand that we’ll butt heads more often times than not. Are you sure that you know what you’re getting into? Just ask Leslie, and she’ll tell you that I can be a hard case sometimes.”
“And one that I’ll happily and willingly crack wide open,” he suggested, the words slipping out before he could stop them. Down boy, he cautioned himself, you’re getting way in over you head. His voice roughened. “Like I said---I can be very difficult at times.”
“Don’t worry,” she insisted. “I’m more than an equal match. And you’ll realize that soon enough.”
Suddenly, an unpleasant thought occurred to him. What if she had someone special in her life? Not that it was any of his business or concern anyway, he scoffed. “One more thing,” he added gruffly. “I don’t deal with irate, idiotic boyfriends either. If he gets in my way, I’ll have to handle him my way.”
With those words he stood, and then he glanced down at her.
A strange expression played across her face, and she began to say something.
He glared openly.
The last thing he wanted to hear about was some washed-out, playboy loser!
“Xander, I ---”
“Come on. We need to get a move on it,” he broke in, already heading for the wide hallway that led to the bedroom. He called over his shoulder, “Garcia expects us to be out of here in twenty minutes or less.”
“Where are we going?” she asked.
Hopefully, the nearby hotels hadn’t booked up yet.
“My place.”
A bewildered expression covered her face.
His place?
The idea had never occurred to her that her temporary, living arrangements included just a short jaunt from her own apartment. Not that the idea was a terrible one, she mulled quietly as her face colored again. She’d never been alone with a man before sharing such intimate, close quarters. Not that anything like that would happen between them.
But, still.
The two of them.
Alone.
She couldn’t tamper down the thrill of excitement that ran through her. Now, she could no longer hide from what he awakened within her---feelings that she didn’t even know existed.
A warm flush stole across her features. Last night’s forbidden fantasy had lef
t her breathless and wanting more. And that ‘more’ is just what she wanted to explore, she thought shamefully.
Stop it, she admonished herself.
The man isn’t the least bit interested in you at all!
But, he had seemed jealous when he’d mentioned something about an ‘idiotic boyfriend’, she reasoned. Obviously, he assumed that she had one. It’d been on the tip of her tongue to deny that she even had one, but he’d cut her off quickly. And she hadn’t pressed the issue.
And even the faintest notion that he was jealous was enough for the moment, she smiled to herself. At least it did show that he cared.
With the time that they’d already spent together, she’d been learning just little things about him. Like how his voice would drop low whenever he was pondering something serious. And he’d give that light, sexy laugh of his when he was clearly amused.
He was caring, thoughtful, wonderful…
The fresh tears glimmered in her eyes. “My hero,” she whispered.
Sobering, she leaned forward on the sofa.
She hadn’t even contemplated the ugly thought…
What if he was already involved with someone?
Certainly, he’d never have problems finding a woman to warm his bed. And besides that, what woman with any sense would resist his dangerous sex appeal?
Her enthusiasm dimmed.
Who was she kidding?
A great catch, she certainly wasn’t.
And it was foolish to even think she stood a chance!
Grasping the sofa’s arm, balancing herself, she stood.
“Time to stave off impending disaster,” she whispered. “Like a broken heart.”
Slowly, she walked towards her bedroom, but with less confidence now. Her intruder had managed to strip away her beliefs in her own capabilities. For the first time in a long time, that thin repressive shred of helplessness threatened to overtake her. She forced the unpleasant feeling away as she edged towards the bedroom. When she reached it, she could hear Xander’s footsteps as he milled about.
“Hey, hold on a minute. Your bedroom is roped off with police tape,” he said quickly, joining her side, and took her hand. “Let me help you.”
Again, she was rendered speechless by their closeness.
“Bend down just a little,” he instructed her, lifting the tape while pulling her through. After she passed through, he dropped it back down. “Time to get you packed up.”
Not saying a word, she straightened before standing still.
“Your suitcases are on the bed, open and ready,” he retorted, moving away again. “But, I decided that I’d leave the packing to you.”
She shook her head. “I’m not going.”
“What in the hell do you mean---you’re not going?” he asked incredulously.
“Don’t curse at me! Just as I said, I’m not going,” she frowned. “I can take care of myself. And I will not be bullied or bossed around, by you or anyone else.”
“Nicole, you are being overly ridiculous right now. And we don’t have time to stand around while you have one of your childish, hissy-fitted episodes. Although you’re probably overdue one since you haven’t had one in awhile.”
Gasping, her mouth flew open in shock. “You have some nerve speaking to me this way! And I will not be ordered about like a child!”
“Well, stop acting like a spoiled brat, and I would,” he said, angered. “After everything that’s happened tonight, you should be eager to get out of here.”
“And you think I don’t want to?” she snapped. “This is the last place that I want to be. But, my staying at your place is simply out of the question!”
Chest heaving, she stalked across the room to the small dresser. Yanking it open, she rummaged through the toiletries and undergarments. As he stopped behind her, her movements quickened.
“Why?” he asked deadpan.
The pure, raw heat radiated from his hard body.
If she moved even just a little bit, they’d be close.
Oh, so close.
The heat spread from her nape on across her face. “I just think that it’d be more suitable if we’d find a hotel that had adjoining rooms. We’d be close, but separate.”
Slamming the drawer closed, she brushed past him.
He followed her to the bed.
Working fast, she tossed the small delicate items into the open suitcase, and then turning, she collided into his hard muscular frame. As he grabbed her waist to steady her, she took in a shaky breath.
His sexy tone held a slight edge. “Are you afraid to be alone with me, or are you worried about what other people will think?”
“Now, you’re being ridiculous. Of course I’m not worried about any of that,” she said, keeping her head downcast. “Why would you think such a thing?”
But, she was afraid of what she really wanted---him.
“Then, what is it? Don’t you know by now that you’re safe with me?” he asked, hurt filling his tone, but then he masked it quickly. “Nicole, look at the practical side to it. I’m your bodyguard and that means around the clock protection. We are two rational adults, and this is a pure, business relationship. And I would never overstep my boundaries. You are my client, and things will be strictly professional.”
But, what if she wanted him to overstep those boundaries?
“Besides,” he continued,” my apartment is an exact replica of yours minus the girly furniture, mind you. It will exude an air of familiarity for you, and it will be much easier for you to maneuver around my place than some staid, hotel room. And on top of that, you’ll be wasting money. Come on, Nicole. I know that you don’t want to admit it, but you know that it makes sense to do things my way.”
With reluctance, she pulled away. “I know that you’re right. It’s just that right now, I’m not thinking too clearly about anything. Xander, I’m sorry.”
“Don’t--you have nothing to be sorry for. If anyone should be apologizing, it’s me. I didn’t mean to come down hard on you like that,” he sighed. “Let’s just move on from it. Finish packing, we don’t have much time.”
“The sooner we leave, the better,” she mumbled, already trailing to the large walk-in closet. Face pinched in a frown, she stopped at the middle of it.
“Is there anything that I can help you with?”
“As a matter of fact, there is,” she said, sifting through the clothing on the rack. “Would you grab my automated clock from the nightstand? Oh, and my shoes from the rack. They’re on the right side of the bed.”
“I’ll take care of it.”
The clothing nearly weighted her down as she slung them over her arm. She pushed the hangers aside, and then chose several shirts and blouses to compliment the bottoms. Releasing her breath, she heaved them on top of the pants. Maybe a lazy man’s load wasn’t the correct approach to take now, she mulled.
Startled, she jumped when she sensed movement beside her. “Oh!” she shrieked, losing her grip on the clothing, and dropped them on the floor. Flushing with embarrassment, dropping to her knees, she moved to retrieve the clothes. “You nearly scared me half to death.”
He knelt beside her. “Sorry about that. I didn’t mean to startle you.”
She shook her head. “No, it’s not your fault. After everything that’s happened, tonight, my nerves are just on edge.”
“That’s completely understandable. Here, let me help you,” he said, already picking items from the floor. Then, humor laced his tone. “With everything that you have in here, you’re lucky to be moving around anyway.”
She gave him a playful nudge. “Stop being so mean.”
Laughing, she turned towards him, just as they both grabbed the silk blouse.
Their laughter fled.
As his large hand closed around hers, the hot heat flooded through her. His breath teased her face like white rain, cascading over it in a sensual stream. And like before, it held a mix of mint and brandy---a dangerous combination for a sexy virile man.
Unconsciously, she moistened her lips, and then caught her bottom lip between her teeth. Heart beating fast, she fell deeper into the spell.
He gazed at her in the murky darkness.
And her sweet allure was more lethal than before.
Heaven help him, but she was beautiful.
What other woman could make a misshapen ponytail and a freshly scrubbed face so sensually and potently attractive?
Her full lips were caught innocently between her teeth---definitely a turn-on for a hot-blooded male like him. Her breath was sweet. Possibly, a lasting effect of the sweet nectar from the fruits and fine berries they’d dined on earlier.
It fanned across his face like a sweet caress. And he wanted to embrace it.
Fully.
Completely.
For a mere second, his inner voice urged him to move closer.
Would she turn away?
Or jump full-fledged into the fire with him and allow it to consume them both.
Just then, her phone rang in the bedroom.
Startled, they jumped.
“T-the phone,” she stammered. “Someone’s calling.”
“I know. Come on, let’s get you off the floor,” he said, helping her to feet, and the space was even more confined now as they faced each other.
“Thank you,” she whispered, upturning her face to his.
His voice sounded strange to his own ears. “My pleasure.”
This is going to be difficult, he thought, staring down at her.
How was he going to stay away from her?
Breath hitching, her thick black eyelashes fluttered nervously. And as her sweet lips parted, he caught a flash of her perfect white teeth. Staring down at her, his breath quickened. “Nicole, I want you to remember one thing.”
The sweet innocence played on her face. “And what’s that?”
“That you’re not alone in this.”
“From the moment we met, I’ve known that,” she admitted, blinking back fresh tears. “I’m so happy that you’re a part of my life.”
“And I’m happy that you’re a part of mine.”
A new tension radiated in the tight space.
Perhaps it was their mutual awareness that their relationship was developing into something more.
Dragon Reign: A Paranormal Love Tale Page 25
