by Dawson, Zoe
“No, I made it up. I blurt out these idiotic, random non sequiturs to Jared.”
Brooke looked over the cantaloupe, smelling and squeezing each one. “Like what?”
Poe put a bunch of grapes in her basket. She hoped Jared liked grapes. “Like did he know the clavicle is the only horizontal bone in the body?”
“Was that really random?” Brooke picked over the lettuce until she found a bunch she liked. Poe grabbed some, too.
“No, I was ogling his clavicle.”
“You’re the only person I know who would say clavicle. So maybe it’s not random.”
“I didn’t do that when I was practicing with Miles.”
Brooke grabbed a zucchini and held it up. “Ah, that’s because Miles is gay and you’re not attracted to him.”
“Are you saying I’m attracted to Jared?”
“If the zucchini fits…Duh.”
“Stop with the zucchini,” Poe said with a snort.
Next it was the meat case. Brooke picked up chicken and ground beef and set it in her basket.
“Does Jared give you the tingles?”
Poe listlessly looked over the meat. “Yes.”
“Did you think about him last night?”
She chose chicken strips and put them in her basket. “Yes, until I fell asleep.”
“But you still put up the argument that he’s not your type.”
“Yes, look at me. I have two tattoos, one on the front of my shoulder that says Nevermore in the shape of a raven because I’m extremely clever, and one on my ass. I pair up red riding hood capes and schoolgirl skirts with combat boots.”
“And rock it.”
“Damn straight. I believe there will be a zombie apocalypse someday and blurt out random facts to an almost-complete stranger right before he’s going to kiss me.”
“Wait, you have two tats?”
“Oops, I didn’t tell you that?”
“No.”
“Well, I didn’t want my mother to freak, so I put it on my butt.”
“OMG. Now I have to see it.”
“Really—now? You want me to drop my drawers right now?”
“No, not now, but later. Wait. What did you say? He almost kissed you?”
“Are we having the same conversation, Ms. Airhead?”
“Oh, you say you have blurt-itis, but you keep all the juicy tidbits to yourself. Dish now, nerdette, while you help me pick out a body wash for Drew. Ooh, this one smells good.”
Poe shook her head. “Nope that’s not Drew.”
Brooke looked indignant. “How would you know?”
Poe gave her a wink. “I stealth-smelled him.”
“Hey, keep your nose off my man.”
They looked straight-faced at each other and then both laughed.
“This one?”
“Nope, too flowery, definitely not Drew.”
“You blurt out random stuff with us, too.”
Poe rolled her eyes. “Yes, but you already know I’m weird.”
“You don’t want Jared to know you’re weird?”
“I think that horse has already gotten out of the barn. I’m random, weird and awkward. ”
“The trifecta of nerd.”
“Hey! You can pick out your own body wash.”
Brooke grabbed her around the shoulders and grinned. “I’m sure you weren’t that awkward. Give me an example.”
“I grabbed his hips and tried to teach him how to thrust. I was teaching him the Travolta moves and he looked so stiff.”
“And not in a good way.” Brooke snickered and elbowed Poe.
“Are you going to be immature about this?”
“I’m afraid I am. I can grab the zucchini again.”
“No, not the zucchini. And you’re supposed to be the nurturing one. Fine. I grabbed his hips and told him to feel what I was doing. I ‘blurted’ out ‘make it natural like when you’re with a woman.’”
“You didn’t,” Brooke covered her mouth and laughed harder.
“I did. But he got worse and even stiffer.”
“You probably gave him a hard-on.” Several women in the aisle glanced at them.
“Shhh.” Poe hissed, smiling reassuringly at the women and turning back to Brooke. “You’re going to get us kicked out of here,” she muttered
“I doubt it. There isn’t a woman here who doesn’t want to hear about hard-ons.” Then Brooke looked around at the numerous shoppers and raised her voice. “Am I right?”
Several women sniggered and rolled their carts over to the next aisle.
Poe closed her eyes in total embarrassment. “You are something. Are you going to let me tell the rest of the story?”
“Yes, sorry.”
Brooke stuck another body wash under Poe’s nose. Mmm cinnamon, spicy. “That’s Drew.”
Brooke dropped it in her basket. “Continue.”
“So, because that wasn’t enough nerd fail, I grabbed his wrists and put his hands on my hips.” Poe grabbed a couple of frozen pizzas out of the glass case.
“Oh, man. I wish I had some popcorn. Is it getting hot in here?”
“You’re a mean, mean girl, Brooke Palmer.”
“Yeah, yeah, keep going nerdette.”
“I rolled my hips around and then thrust and released and asked him if he understood what I was talking about.”
“And, did he?”
“There was utter and complete silence, so I turned to look at him and he was looking at me with that intense Jared stare, like he was going to devour me whole.”
“Definitely sounds like he has the hots for you. What happened then?”
“I tried to escape, but he had me caged in with his arms. Facing him was a bad idea. Our gazes got more tangled and breathing was hard. My heart was beating like a mule kicking the side of a barn. Thud, thud,” Poe thumped her chest to demonstrate.
Brooke had opened the box of soft chocolate chip cookies that she’d picked up in the bakery and popped one in her mouth. “And?”
Poe looked at her wryly, then the box in her hands.
“Don’t worry. I’ll pay for them. What happened?”
“I said, and I quote my crazy nerdette self, ‘Did you know that each of the suits on a deck of cards represents the four major pillars of the economy in the middle ages: hearts represented the Church, spades represented the military, clubs represented agriculture, and diamonds represented the merchant class?’”
“Then what? Did he kiss you?”
“God, I could only wish. That would have least shut me up. No. I then said, ‘The king of hearts is the only king without a moustache.’”
Brooke burst out laughing, the box of cookies tumbled out of her hands and scattered all over the floor.
“Get out of here.”
“Then I stepped on his foot, elbowed him in the jaw really hard and fell right on my ass.”
Brooke clutched her stomach and doubled over, as Poe picked up the scattered cookies, trying to contain her laughter while she plunked them back in the box.
“And, Brooke, I was exactly at crotch height, and I can confirm for you, even after I almost knocked him out, there was absolutely no doubt about his hard-on”
One of the women who’d been eavesdropping in the bath products aisle was picking up a loaf of bread. Brooke had to lean on Poe, she was laughing so hard.
“I think it’s time to check out,” Poe said as the woman put her bread in her cart with raised eyebrows and fled from the two crazy women in the bakery section.
#
Jared called Harper from the lobby of her penthouse. The doorman wouldn’t let him go up unless Harper was aware he was on his way. Daisy was lying down on the floor. Probably felt good after the heat outside. When Harper answered, he said, “It’s me. I need to talk to you.”
“Okay, come on up.”
“Tell that to your very vigilant doorman.”
He handed the phone to the doorman, who finally let him get in the elevator. When Harper opened the door, Ja
red stalked in.
“Where’s Poe and what are you doing here?”
“She made a grocery run with Brooke. I have one of my guys tailing them, don’t worry.”
“Why are you here?”
“I don’t think I can continue to do this.” He set Daisy down on the rug and she sniffed around. Blue, Harper’s poodle trotted into the room and made a beeline for Jared.
“What? Why?”
“I’m deeply attracted to Poe and I don’t like lying to her.”
Harper’s poodle stopped in front of him and sniffed at Daisy, dancing back when the little hound let out a soft bay.
He reached down to give the standard a pat but froze at Harper’s next words.
“Would you rather she be dead?”
He ran his hands through his hair and closed his eyes tight while the cries of agony, the blood, the sound of rapid gunfire all clamored in his head. When he opened his eyes and looked into her stricken face, tears welled. His voice came out in a terrible whisper. “Don’t say that.”
“Oh, God, Jared. I’m so sorry. I’m distraught. Sit down.”
She walked to the kitchen, waving away the maid who showed up. Getting a glass, she poured some water and walked back to him. “Here. Drink this.”
“I need something a little stronger than that.”
Harper nodded, getting a knowing gleam in her eye. She walked over to the bar and poured them each a drink. Back at the sofa, she held his out. “Bourbon. Bottoms up.”
Suddenly from the hallway, there was a banging on the door. Brooke’s voice was loud through the door. “Harper! Poe and I are here. You’ve got to hear this.”
Blue barked and Harper shushed her.
Jared shot straight up from the sofa, sloshing his drink onto her carpet. “Shit,” he hissed.
Harper looked freaked out as her maid made her way to the door. “Jared hide!”
He shoved the drink into her hand, grabbed Daisy and flipped over behind the sofa as Brooke and Poe exploded into the foyer. Daisy made a startled little grunting noise, but thank God didn’t bay.
“You have got to hear what happened to Poe. We can’t stay long, because we have groceries in the car.”
“What? Are you okay?”
“I’m fine” Poe said. “As nerdy as ever.”
The sound of her voice travelled through him like a drug. He closed his eyes and concentrated on staying still and imagining himself invisible.
And she told the whole story of their disastrous practice session. He had to cover his mouth to stifle a guffaw when she got to the part about the cards. That was classic Poe, and he’d loved every minute of it. He sighed. He couldn’t walk away from protecting her, no matter the consequences. He just couldn’t.
“Oh, Poe,” Harper said, her voice on the verge of tears. Jared hoped she kept it together.
“Why aren’t you laughing?”
“I’m sorry. It’s very amusing. I must be tired.”
“Then we should go and let you get some rest,” Brooke said. “But first, drop your drawers, Poe and let’s see this tat.”
“What tat?” Harper said.
“The one on her shapely ass.”
“Oh, God, this really isn’t…”
“Wow, Poe. I love it,” Brooke said. “It’s so you.”
A flood of heat shot straight to his groin and he gritted his teeth against the groan struggling to emerge.
He needed to be thinking about his assignment. He needed to be thinking about how to get the dance steps right. He needed to be thinking about how to make sure she was covered by his elite team 24/7.
He did not need to be thinking about seeing the tattoo on her ass. The ass she was baring to her girlfriends at this very moment.
Jared felt the sofa jiggle as they rose and he breathed a sigh of relief. The maid passed by him and never even batted an eyelash. He had to cover his mouth again the situation was so absurd.
Daisy sniffed at his face, then licked him.
When the women were gone, Harper came around the sofa. “Do we need to discuss this some more?”
He rose, cradling the dog. “No.”
“Just hold it together until this guy is caught. I have a private investigator working on it.”
“All right.”
“What changed your mind?”
“She did. I’d better get back there.”
Harper nodded. “Thank you. And I’m so sorry about what I said.”
He waved his hand. “I know you didn’t mean to hurt me. You were just trying to protect your friend.”
Harper scratched Daisy’s head. “She is really cute.”
The pooch bayed as if to say, you’re damn right.
Back at Poe’s apartment, he found her standing in the entryway, her face drained of color.
She whipped whatever was in her hand behind her.
“Hi,” she chirped. “Did you go for a walk?” Damn. She even sounded guilty.
“Yes,” he set Daisy down and unclipped her leash. The Terrible Two bounded into the room and danced around her until Daisy followed them into the kitchen.
Poe’s voice was strange, with apprehension and fear wrapped around each syllable.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
He walked up to her and reached around and grabbed the letter.
“What’s this? Someone is threatening you!”
She bit her lip. “Yes, but I think that’s all it is. I’ve contacted the police.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I don’t know. It’s my problem, not yours. You barely know me.”
“I’d like to get to know you better.”
Her eyes widened and he ground out, “Like a friend.” Though they both knew it was a lie.
“Oh, well, that’s good, since we’ll be stuck together for three weeks.”
He nodded. “I can drive you to work and pick you up if you’d like.”
“No. Thank you for the offer, but I need to do this for myself.” Her eyes got moist and his heart turned over in his chest. “Do you understand? I can’t let him win. I’ll be careful.”
He stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her, unable to just do nothing when she was feeling scared and alone.
He promised himself he wouldn’t make the situation between them any worse. She buried her face in his chest and slipped her arms around his waist.
“I’m getting a lot of hugs lately. It’s nice, especially with you.”
Yeah, great. Now he was finding his rational decisions a little harder to hang on to.
His body was finding it even more difficult. But he was a man, after all, so it wasn’t his fault Poe felt good in his arms. He liked how her soft hair feathered along her delicate jaw. “It is very nice,” he said, his voice rough.
She looked up at him, and it was not helpful to his resolutions to have her studying him like she was thinking the same forbidden things about him. Temptation swirled around him. He really was here to do a job. He couldn’t afford to be distracted.
“You don’t have to handle this alone, Poe.”
“There’s nothing to handle. It’s just someone blowing off steam.”
“Steam? I’d say the bruises on your face say differently.”
“That was a mugging and had nothing to do with this.”
“You’re sure about that?”
She released him and he reluctantly let her go.
“You don’t really know me that well, Jared. I worked hard to get to this point in my life, and now it’s second nature. I’m used to handling myself and my own problems. I’m not a baby anymore and I don’t want to be treated like one.”
“Baby? What does that have to do with this situation?”
“I was the baby of my family, and they always treated me like I was a naïve little helpless female. I’m not helpless. I may still be a bit idealistic and choose to look at the glass as half full, but I’m not helpless.”
“Asking fo
r help doesn’t make you helpless. I could look into things—”
“No!” She stepped back and he backpedaled. Harper was right. Poe absolutely would not tolerate having him acting as her bodyguard. He would have to continue to be sneaky about it, even though he’d rather not be.
“It was just a suggestion. I withdraw it.”
“Good. If I thought for one second you’d use your contacts to handle this situation for me, you’d be out the door. I will take care of it.”
“All right.” Dammit, this situation was difficult. He had feelings for her, but if he wanted to help her, protect her, he had to bury them and he had to bury his instinct to help her. And he had to lie to her. Neither of which was in his nature. Problem was, he was involved. Over his head involved.
This started out as something he could do to repay what Aiden had done for him. And when Harper came to him he’d only had a passing acquaintance with her. But now he was involved. Harper meant something to him, that tough-as-nails woman who harbored and concealed a soft, tender heart where her friends were concerned.
He didn’t know Callie and Brooke, but he suspected he would like them as well.
Poe still looked scared, but determined to handle this problem herself. He’d let her think he was going along, but after all that he’d been through and the men he’d lost, he wasn’t about to abandon her to some unknown shithead who thought it was fun to terrorize her. He would tie the guy up in knots if he ever got his hands on him.
His unexpected attraction to Poe was a problem. One he’d have to deal with.
“Did you settle in okay?”
“Yes, I’m very comfortable. Thanks again for taking me in. It was kind of you to help me.”
She nodded. “My motive wasn’t purely altruistic. I need you, Jared, for the competition.”
“Ah, I see. So you’re just using me.”
“Precisely. I hope that doesn’t hurt your feelings.”
“No,” he said, “Use me all you want.”
“Thanks. Well we should get you to bed.”
His heart jumped up its beats from rested to sprint speed.
“I mean into bed. Not in my bed, but yours, even though technically it’s my bed.”
He smiled.
“Don’t smile at me like that.”
“I can’t help it. You’re pretty cute.”
“I’m what?”
“You heard me, darlin’”
