“Trevor?” Erica put a hand on his arm, startling him out of his musings. “You okay?”
Trevor pulled away from her touch, working hard to keep his rock star smile on his face. “Great. I’m great.”
She studied him for a long moment. It was like she knew what he’d been thinking. He prayed he hadn’t been that transparent. Trevor held her stare. Finally, she let up and tucked the offending hand in her coat pocket.
“I know you’re tired. It shouldn’t be much farther.”
Trevor fought to hold on to his smile and nodded. The moment she turned away, he grimaced. He was delusional. Had to be. No other explanation was logical. Trevor decided to reflect on his unwitting companion. Though he was sorry she’d gotten caught up in this with him, he wasn’t sorry to have company. Especially company who looked like her. He considered their short acquaintance and found he was impressed with her on more levels than her beauty. The woman had brains and guts to spare. Focused on his recent panic in the water, he was very much lacking the latter. He was glad she was around. She turned to give him a questioning look. Even though he knew the view to be better with her in it, he hurried to catch up.
Erica slowed the pace a fraction. She didn’t want Trevor to pass out on her. Something had to be wrong the way he’d started to lag behind. The moment they found shelter and got a fire going, she was going to check him from head to toe for injuries.
Erica squinted into the darkness. It could just be her, but she thought she could make out a section in the rock face that was a bit darker than the rest. Had she found the caves? Not wanting to get Trevor’s hopes up, she fought the urge to run ahead and cheer and shout. They were on it soon enough anyway.
A relieved smile lit Erica’s face when she discovered that it was indeed one of the caves she’d remembered.
Trevor stared at her for a moment. Asked, “What is it?”
“Our accommodations for the night.” She pulled a cigar lighter from her pocket and flicked open the flame. “Maybe. I’ll check it out.”
She moved toward the entrance, but he grabbed her arm, stopping her.
“That’s too dangerous. I should check it out.”
Erica gave him an amused look. “Why?”
“Well, because, I’m the man. That’s what we do.”
Erica just about stifled her giggle. “Well, The Man. Do you have a light?”
“You do.”
“And that’s why I get to check it out.” She tried to pull out of his grasp, but he held on.
“No way. It’s too dangerous.”
“That’s why I’m going first. A whole lot more people would miss you than would miss me.” She squirmed out of his grasp and went inside the cave.
Trevor stared after her. He replayed their entire association in his mind. When he removed his gratification toward her from the equation, suspicions that had just begun to creep around his brain suddenly solidified in his consciousness. He wasn’t in the least bit happy with what he’d figured out. The pygmies were only a pace or so behind.
The competence he’d admired in her had to be a given in light of what he now suspected. It was no wonder she’d been so efficient in getting them off the yacht and to land without the least little indicator of panic. Now that he was thinking it over, there was no way it was a coincidence that she’d been on his yacht today for the party. Yeah, she said she wanted a job, but the timing was far too pat.
As was her handling of him. It had been short work for her to get him to agree to hire her for the show. Before she’d even proven she could swim no less. He had to admit, the idea of a synchronized swimmer in a rock show was a novel concept. He did like being different. Maybe he should go ahead with the idea, but with a different swimmer.
The moment the notion crossed his mind, his gut seized. He knew in his gut that Erica’s feelings would be hurt if he went forward without her. No matter how good she was at manipulating him, she hadn’t been faking her love for swimming. No. That sentiment had come from deep inside her, and it spoke to something deep inside him.
Erica came out of the cave, and Trevor forced a smile to his lips. Her sure footsteps reminded him of why he was upset with her. Maybe they could still do the show. If only he could get her to drop the other nonsense.
“It’s a little cramped, but no other critters seemed to have claimed this cave for their home. We can build a fire near the mouth and stay pretty warm for the night.”
He raised an eyebrow and stared at her. “That your professional opinion?”
“What?”
“What’s next, chief?”
Erica studied Trevor. She couldn’t imagine what had happened in the thirty seconds it’d taken her to secure the cave, but something must have. They didn’t have time to pursue it now. They had to get a fire going.
“Wood.” She looked around the rock face and into the trees. “We should be able to gather what we need.”
Trevor followed Erica and helped get the wood. His body language screamed that he was ticked about something. Erica didn’t have the slightest clue what. A few minutes later, they were tucked inside the cave sitting near a roaring fire to dry them out.
Erica pulled off her boots and wiggled her numb toes near the heat. She looked at Trevor who in his obstinacy kept everything on and tried to turn his body like a rotisserie chicken. It didn’t work very well because the cave was too short for either of them to stand to their full height. He settled for rolling on the cold ground.
“You should take off your shoes and socks at least. They’ll dry faster that way,” Erica suggested. She shrugged out of her coat and spread it next to the warmth. Even though it didn’t offer much coverage, Erica was grateful for her suit since it was already dry.
“I’m fine, thank you.”
Erica frowned at his stilted tone. Gone was the camaraderie they’d shared earlier. She didn’t understand it. And she wasn’t about to put up with a temper tantrum.
“You wanna get whatever it is off your chest now?”
Trevor stared at her for a long moment. “I changed my mind. I don’t think you’ll be joining my show after all.”
Erica raised an eyebrow. She couldn’t imagine what she’d done to change his mind. Other than save his life.
“What? Why?” She injected a little hurt in her voice. “I had my heart set on swimming again.”
“Cut the crap, Erica. If that’s even your name.” He stood to pace, his frustration rolled off him in waves, but his bent posture prevented it from being effective so he sat down again. “I know you’re my bodyguard.”
Chapter Five
“What I don’t know is who hired you.” Trevor stared at her, a hard, betrayed look on his face.
How in the world had he figured that out? Erica worked to keep a confused expression on her face. “Are you nuts? Do I really look like some big, beefy bodyguard?”
Trevor barked a mirthless laugh. “That’s the genius of it. They send you in with your hot little figure and synchronized swimming thinking I’d never be the wiser. Well, I got your wiser right here.” Trevor spun on the floor until his back was to her, shutting her out.
Erica opened her mouth to protest, but she gasped instead when the mother of all cramps set in her leg. She rubbed at it frantically, but the muscle refused to relax. She wasn’t surprised. Cold water always had that effect on her. It was the intensity that knocked her for a loop.
Erica gritted her teeth and leaned against the cave wall. She would not cry. Especially now. Trevor would think she was faking. She had to find a way to get back in his good graces. But she’d have to figure out how after the cramp went away.
Satisfied that he had her where he wanted her, Trevor threw a smirk over his shoulder at Erica. He was surprised to see her gripping her leg and sucking in short gasps of air. Forgetting his anger, he crawled over to her.
“Erica? What is it? What’s wrong?” He put a hand on her cheek trying to get her to look at him, but she kept her eyes screwed shut w
hile clutching at her calf. “Talk to me, Erica. What’s wrong with your leg?”
For a moment, Trevor suspected she was playing him. Then he touched her leg and was shocked that the muscle was hard like the rock floor they were sitting on. He replaced her hands with his and massaged for all he was worth. Teeth clamped, she sat back and let him.
The cramp was a stubborn bugger. It moved from muscle to muscle. The moment he’d gotten one worked out, another would clench. Trevor would fight that one, too.
He could see in her face that the pain was excruciating, but she never made a sound. Not one tear fell. They pooled beneath her lids, but they didn’t make it down her cheeks. Like she’d done for him in the water, he talked her through it.
“Just relax, hon. Feel how it eases with every second that passes.” He kneaded and kneaded until his forearms threatened to revolt. “Doesn’t that feel better? The pain is going away. See how the muscle is relaxing. Just keep breathing.”
It took a while, but Trevor could feel the muscle settle into a more natural state. He eased up on the pressure, but remained vigilant for any others that might be locking down.
“Thank you,” Erica said when she could breathe again. The man had amazing hands.
“You’re welcome,” Trevor breathed. The woman had great legs.
Erica couldn’t tell if he was trying to prevent the cramp from returning or if he just wanted an excuse to keep touching her. Since it felt so good, she wasn’t about to protest. He continued the massage while he asked, “What was that?”
Erica shook her head trying to blow it off. Some kind of bodyguard she was turning out to be. The light bulb flicked on in her head. Maybe she could use this …
“The cold water. Makes my legs cramp.” She experimented with flexing the offending leg. “Though it’s never been that bad.”
Trevor kept up the massage. Subtly, his hands changed their objective and began caressing her calf instead. For a moment, she sat mesmerized at the warmth spreading through her. It had nothing to do with the fire flickering beside her. Erica met Trevor’s eyes head on. She saw that a little of that warmth was heating him, too.
Trevor broke the silence, but not the contact. “Good to know. We’ll make sure the water in your tank is heated.”
His words could have a couple meanings. However, she needed them back on track. “You mean I’m not fired. You’re dropping this bodyguard nonsense? I mean, what kind of a bodyguard is a near cripple?”
“Consider it dropped. For now.” Trevor regarded her. “Though I should probably fire you anyway.”
“You can’t be blaming me for what happened on your yacht.” She slanted him a look. “Will I need to hire a bodyguard to hang around you? It seems like you attract danger.” She watched his expression turn thoughtful. He continued to rub her leg. Erica knew she should move, but wasn’t in a hurry to break their connection. Besides, she didn’t want to jar him out of his thoughts. She’d been dying to broach the subject with him all day. She needed to hear his take on what was going on.
“You might.” He smiled his rock star smile for her. He wasn’t going to say anymore. Erica pulled her leg from his grasp and sat up to look him square in the eye.
“I’m serious, Trevor. After I read about that bomb, I almost decided not to audition for you. And now your yacht …” She threw a vague gesture toward the cave opening. “What is going on?”
“Honestly? I don’t know. Idle threats come with the territory. Bombs and yachts towed into cliffs are foreign to me.” He sat beside her, draping his arms over his knees. “You shouldn’t worry though. Once we go on tour we’ll be perfectly safe. The cops will arrest the culprit long before we get back.”
Erica heard truth in his statement and studied Trevor. He even looked content to leave it to the cops. It wasn’t that he was trying to be difficult and not hire a bodyguard. It seemed to her that he didn’t believe he was worthy of one. That and something she couldn’t quite put a finger on. She was baffled about how to deal with this assignment. Spoiled, arrogant brats she could handle. Humble, down to earth celebrities she wasn’t so sure. She hadn’t even known they existed until just now.
“We should get some sleep. I think morning’s gonna be here before we know it.” Erica lay by the fire and draped her coat over her. She held up the edge for Trevor to join her. He shook his head.
“I’m fine. I’ll …”
“It’s gonna get cold. We need to share the warmth.”
Trevor looked at Erica holding up her coat in invitation. How he wished it were a different invitation. The fact alone made it impossible for him to join her. He’d already overstepped the boundaries by massaging her leg long after it had ceased needing the massage.
She sat up and smirked at him. “Don’t tell me you’re a prude.”
“Come on, now. I’m a Rock Star, baby. I couldn’t be a prude if I wanted to.” Trevor injected all the swagger he could find into his voice. He watched Erica try to bite back a giggle. It was clear she didn’t believe him. He wasn’t sure if he should be offended or just hurt. “I’m just watching out for your virtue. That’s all.”
This time she did laugh. “Very sweet of you. Now, would you get in? I’m freezing.”
Trevor met her challenging look with one of his own. She’d asked for it. He couldn’t be responsible for his actions being snuggled up with temptation like that. Who was he kidding? His parents raised him to be a gentleman first. Darnn them.
He scooted next to her then tucked the coat around them both, and then prepared for a restless, tortuous night. Remembering her blush earlier, he decided to share the misery. Trevor molded himself to her and draped a leg over hers. She stiffened. Smirking behind her back, he said, “You were right. This is much warmer.”
“Much,” Erica agreed. “Now would be a good time.” Erica said her body relaxing bit by bit.
He rested his chin on the top of her head. “A good time for what?” He couldn’t believe how good she smelled even after their unexpected swim. And don’t get him started on how well she fit against him. It took every bit of his self-control to keep his hand from splaying across her flat stomach and imagining how it would feel expanding with his child … What the heck had just crossed his mind? A kid? He wasn’t ready for a kid—and with Erica no less. He’d just met the woman. He remembered how she’d tumbled into the pool, and a grin pulled at his lips. Maybe there was such a thing as love at first sight. Whoa! Trevor had to get a grip. What was it about this woman that had him thinking of hearth and home? If he were smart, he’d get up right now and take his chances with the freezing to death. It was quite obvious that he was pretty dumb because he stayed right where he was.
“Were you very young when you almost drowned?”
Her quiet question was even more effective than the cold shower he now longed for. Who did she think she was asking such personal questions? They’d just met! He wanted to tell her to take a hike. Then he realized that in his snuggling, his hand had decided—of its own volition—to get comfortable by cupping a healthy portion of her breast. Who was he to claim a personal violation when he’d been the first offender?
“I was three. Jordan was five.” Because he’d been so young at the time, it was hard for him to remember the incident. His subconscious mind, on the hand, was very quick to sound warnings whenever he got too close to being submerged in that much water again. Much like he’d been tonight.
“Do you remember much about it?”
Erica’s voice brought him back to the present. He appreciated that she hadn’t once mentioned his almost drowning them in his fear. He shook his head and moved his hand to her shoulder like he’d meant to all along.
“The water was really white and choppy. I see Jordan reaching for me. But that’s about it.”
He felt Erica inhale for another question, but she held it for a minute as if deciding whether or not to ask. Like he’d known she would, she went for it.
“And Jordan?”
Now Tre
vor understood her hesitation. “He’s a salvage diver with the Navy.” Trevor shrugged. “He’s always been much better at facing down his fears than I am. Probably ‘cause he’s the firstborn.”
Erica smiled at the affection she heard in his voice when the subject turned to his family. From her research, she’d known Trevor was one of five, but she hadn’t had time to dig very much deeper. She justified this interrogation as background research instead of classifying it as her simply being interested. He was a client and nothing more. It didn’t matter that her body wanted his hand to return from her shoulder to its previous resting place. To keep it from looking like she knew too much, Erica asked, “It’s just the two of you?”
“Five. Jordan, Sarah, me, Lucy, and Adam.”
“And you’re in the middle of all that!” Erica shifted on the hard rock floor. “No wonder you’re so levelheaded.”
Trevor chuckled. “I like to think it’s just maturity. Lord knows, I was a handful when I was little. My mom still prays every day that I have a kid just like me so I can see what I put her and Dad through.”
“And I thought only my parents did that.” Erica shook her head. “They think I’m thwarting them on purpose by not finding a guy and settling down with a houseful of little me’s.”
“Are you? Thwarting them on purpose?”
“There’s barely room for me in this costume. I don’t think I could fit a baby, too,” Erica answered with no hesitation. She realized the lines between personal and professional were blurring in a hurry. She had to be on her guard much better than this.
“What happens after the swimming?”
Instead of shutting the conversation down like she should, or better yet, turning it back to him to mine for clues, Erica said, “The swimming is never really over. People can compete into their nineties. There’re always coaching jobs and water shows. If you get in the loop, there are commercials and TV shows. Lots of options.”
Secret Bodyguard Page 6
