Erica shrugged. “Something about the next application looks horrible if you don’t get everything off.” Though she was dying to watch Trevor to see if he was buying the load of lies she was selling, Erica dipped her face in the bowl of water. She counted to ten then sat up and wiped her face on the towel. Trevor was still staring at her.
She gestured at his bowl. “You just count to ten. Then dry. She said to repeat that ten times.”
Erica watched when Trevor moved into position. He eyed the bowl like it was going to attack at any moment. In silence, she cheered him on. She knew he could do this.
When he dipped a finger into the bowl instead of his face, Erica slumped in disappointment. But she wouldn’t give up. “I’m so going to look better than you tomorrow night!”
Erica dunked her face again. When she dried it, she found Trevor staring at her with a resigned look in his eyes. “That’s a given. But I don’t want Jaclyn to look bad. She has enough of a challenge to work with here.” He gestured at his gorgeous face before putting it in the bowl.
Erica sucked in a breath. She couldn’t help the grin that split her face. He’d just taken a huge step in the right direction. Though she couldn’t tell him how proud she was of him because of her lie. Erica was willing to live with that. Once he got comfortable with the bowl, he’d be ready for the pool. She was more than prepared to wait until then.
Chapter Nine
By Erica’s estimation, there had to be at least a thousand butterflies attending the hoedown in her belly. She was thankful they didn’t begin their party until after she’d swum Trevor’s show. Thinking back on their perfect performance brought a smile to Erica’s face.
Sadly, it wasn’t thoughts of protecting Trevor that was the life of the party in her stomach. The actual case was progressing. Jason had leads to follow left and right. It was the whole teaching him to swim thing. Giving Trevor lessons on the sly, she couldn’t know if she was moving too fast or not. She had to trust her instincts. After two more weeks of their daily facials, Erica noticed that he’d become comfortable talking and breathing with his mouth just above the water. It was time to move on to phase two.
Erica selected one of Trecam’s safe houses for their stay because it had a pool in the back over which she’d have full control. Trevor didn’t know it yet, but he’d uttered his last excuse weeks ago.
Erica marched into his bedroom where Trevor was sitting on the bed clad in only a pair of shorts. One leg dangled over the side while he rested his forearm on a raised knee. Once again, Erica found herself trying not to drool over the sight of his broad chest and muscular arms. His thick blond hair appeared damp, but still curled at his neck. She spared a glance for the laptop between his thighs and continued to his bag that was tossed on a chair.
“What are you doing?” He asked while she rooted through his belongings.
She grinned triumphantly and pulled out his swim trunks. Waving them in the air, she stalked toward him. “There’s a pool out back. Let’s go.”
“I showered a while ago.”
“So you can shower again. Move it.”
“Will you be in it?” He quirked an eyebrow, but she could see in his eyes that his mind was elsewhere. Erica figured he was too worried about the upcoming lesson to put his usual panache behind the flirtation. She decided to shock him.
“What if I say yes?”
Trevor’s eyebrows disappeared up under his damp locks. The hope disappeared from his expression when he frowned at her. “What’s the catch?”
She tossed the swim trunks at him and headed for the door. Erica added a little extra sway to her hips and looked at him over her shoulder. “You’ll have to swim to find out.” With that, she pulled the door closed behind her so he could dress—or not. Although, she hoped he would. He had no idea how far he’d come, and she wanted to show him.
There were a million and one reasons Trevor shouldn’t follow Erica out to the pool. But most damning was the latest obstacle he’d just learned was between them.
When they’d pulled up outside, the address tickled in his subconscious, but he’d ignored it. As had become his custom, he’d teased her and made suggestive remarks until she’d headed back to the hotel to make her late night reappearance for the band’s sake.
While she’d been gone, he couldn’t get the address out of his head. He’d logged on to his portfolio and discovered the worst. The address was on a list of holdings he’d purchased. Those purchases made their way through shell corporations until they’d reached the assets of Trecam. This was one of their safe houses. There was no way Erica would have access to it unless she worked for Trecam and, thus, for him.
Trevor stood and fiddled with the trunks she’d tossed at him. He knew he should confront her with what he’d learned, except everything inside of him screamed that it would change their relationship in a fundamental way. He’d worked too hard to get them to this point, and he wasn’t about to undo it all. He’d tell her once he was more confident of where he stood with her.
Although he had always teased her that he just had seduction in mind, nothing could be further from the truth. He was beginning to see Erica having a more permanent place in his life. He’d been careful to keep her in the dark, but he’d kept tabs on how the band and crew reacted to her. She’d gotten overwhelmingly favorable reviews. It amused him to think how they’d all made a point of including her in the pool regarding his whereabouts the previous night even though they knew good and well he was with her. They didn’t know the bodyguard part, and Trevor was in no hurry to let them in on that little tidbit. Still, it meant a lot to him that his band approved.
It had been Trevor’s plan to woo her for real once she’d caught his tormentor. A truck sized wrench had been thrown into that plan when he learned she worked for Trecam. He couldn’t ask her to give up working for the most prestigious agency in the world. Which is what he’d have to do if they ever expected to see each other. He would give up the rock star thing in a hot second, but he couldn’t continue to fund Trecam if he did. That wasn’t an option because their causes were too worthy— too just. They’d caught the occasional stinker, but overall, they were making a difference. And they needed his money to do it.
Trevor heaved a heavy sigh. No way could he work through this tonight. He considered the trunks he had gripped in his hand. The last thing he wanted to do was suffer through a swim lesson. Just because she’d left, didn’t mean she’d given up. He was surprised to have put her off this long. With excuses already tumbling around in his brain, Trevor shucked his shorts in favor of the trunks and headed out to the pool.
Erica crossed from one side of the pool to the other with her strong eggbeater. She alternated between holding each arm up and both and watched the door for Trevor’s appearance. She smiled when he showed at last. She whip kicked to the shallow end.
“Come on in. The water’s amazing,” she invited when she sat on the stairs.
He eyed her for a long moment. Erica held her breath. He had to make the decision. She couldn’t just push him in. Not if she expected to keep the progress they had made. After a long while, he stepped from the deck and into the water. His brows shot up in apparent surprise.
“It’s warm.”
“I know. Isn’t it great?” She patted the stair beside her. “Have a sit down.”
Erica watched with bated breath when he hesitated. Trevor eased his tall frame down until he was sitting next to her. He looked at her seeming somewhat amazed.
“It’s not that bad.”
Confident she had him right where she wanted him, Erica leaned back in the water. “I heard tomorrow’s show has been sold out for weeks,” she commented. She fought a satisfied smile when she saw Trevor recline in the water, too.
“The rumored scalped price is seventy-five percent higher than what we charge. I’m thinking about sending out my own scalpers. That way the people who are working could at least benefit.”
Trevor and Erica sat there on the st
airs discussing everything under the sun for over an hour. Not once did Trevor complain. Nor did he get out. Erica smiled to herself. Phase two was complete. Although, something about his demeanor still nagged at her. She remembered her insinuation to convince him to come out and realized that not once had he mentioned it. He hadn’t even made any of his other innuendos either. Erica decided to put it down to his overcoming his fear of water. Pride in him made a smile burst forth on her lips.
“What’s got you looking like a Cheshire cat over there?”
She hadn’t planned to tell him about her fib, but she couldn’t hold back her glee. Besides, she wanted him to celebrate, too. It was his milestone.
“Do you realize how long you’ve been sitting here?”
Trevor shrugged. “Yeah. So?”
“You’re progressing very nicely with your swim lessons.”
He looked at her like she’d just sprouted a third eyeball. “Lessons? We never even began any lessons.” He turned his nose up. “I have half a mind to demand my money back.”
Erica laughed at him. “I’ve been giving you lessons since we left.” He still looked blank. She challenged, “Dip your face in the water.”
He frowned and looked at the water for such a long time that Erica began to think her celebration may have been a tad premature. Then Trevor complied. He sat up and wiped the water from his eyes with a calm hand. Erica clapped with glee.
“What’s the big deal? It’s no different that Jaclyn’s bowls.”
“Exactly.”
Erica watched the light dawn in Trevor’s eyes.
“There was never any ‘new makeup’ was there?”
Erica shook her head. “Sorry I had to trick you, but you kept fighting me. And look at your progress. You’re more than halfway to knowing how to swim outright!”
Trevor eyed her, hope shining in his eyes. He dipped his face in the water again. Longer, this time. After a long moment, he sat up with a huge grin on his face. “What’s next, Teach?”
Erica shook her head. “Class is over for the day. We’ll pick up here, tomorrow.” They shared a smile. But it was one she hadn’t seen on Trevor before. She didn’t know what it meant. Or if it meant anything at all.
“What is it?”
He leered up at her. “Just enjoying the view.” Erica didn’t buy it for a second. Before she could question him, he stood to go inside. “G’night.”
Erica caught up to him by the patio door. “Trevor? Is there something I should know?”
He affected a blank look, and she could tell it cost him. Something was definitely going on. “Not a thing.”
“If anything else has happened, you need to tell me.”
He lifted a finger and traced a drop of water along her collar bone. Like he’d just realized what he was doing, he jerked his hand away. The rock star smile surfaced. “Just a personal epiphany.”
She knew he was telling her as much truth as he was going to. “Good night, then.”
“G’night.” Trevor ducked inside. And she let him.
Trevor was hell on wheels the next day. Erica fought to hold on to her own temper while he sent the band and her through all sorts of needless changes. But what puzzled her most were the sympathetic looks she was getting from everyone. From the band, the crew, the backup singers and dancers. When they were nearing show time, Erica began to put two and two together. Her worst suspicions were confirmed when Megan shooed everyone out while she fitted Erica. The woman had done a marvelous job recreating the suit demolished during the yacht crash, and Erica learned in short order that in addition to being a fabulous seamstress, she also considered herself to be mama hen. Very funny since she was the youngest on the crew.
“I used a softer material around the seams. How’s it feel?” Erica twisted from side to side and smiled when nothing chaffed.
“Perfect. Trevor is lucky to have you.”
Megan shot a knowing look at Erica in the full length mirror. “I think he’s lucky to have you.” The woman returned some straight pins to her bulging pin cushion so she could speak more clearly. “Just you hang in. Whatever bug he got up his butt will die soon enough.”
Erica looked at the woman with a puzzled frown. “Wait. You think I had something to do with it?”
Megan cocked her head to the side and smiled. “It’s just a little lover’s quarrel. Trust me. You’ll get through it.”
Erica put her hands up and shook her head. “Lover’s … no. Where on earth did you get that idea? I’m just like you. Part of the staff.”
“C’mon Erica, we’re not stupid. Everybody knows he goes wherever he goes at night with you.” Megan pulled another costume from the rack and made some adjustments.
Erica was stunned to her core. She tried to laugh it off. “Whatever. I’m at the hotel with you guys every night. What Trevor does is his business.”
Megan put down her work to give Erica her full attention. “We all like you. That means you’re family. We’ll play along with your lies—for a while. Then you might want to try something new.”
“My lies?”
“You don’t have to worry about your reputation. We all know Trevor would never get involved with a woman unless he was serious. That and his incessant asking what we think of you. That’s why I can tell you without a doubt that this spat, whatever it is, will blow over.”
Erica was so furious all she could see was red. She’d been killing herself to keep her cover alive where the band was concerned. To find out that he’d casually told them everything snapped the camel’s back in two. Although it appears he left out a detail or two, Erica seethed. She wondered what Megan would say if she told her the whole truth. Erica shook off her vindictive streak. She had to come up with plan B. And maybe find a silver lining to this little development.
“It’s not a lover’s spat. He was fine one moment, the next…” She gestured to where Trevor issued a well-timed bellow. “I can’t figure it.”
“That is odd, indeed. I’ve only seen him act like this one other time. It was when it looked like he wasn’t going to get something he wanted.”
Erica frowned and glanced at the closed door. “And what happened?”
Megan shrugged. “He got it.”
Lindsay, the stage manager tapped on the door before sticking her head in. “Five minutes to curtain, Megs. Who do you need?”
While Megan ran over the list of people on whom she needed to make last minute adjustments, Erica replayed the previous night’s events in her head. What had changed? He’d said it was personal. So it couldn’t have anything to do with her. He’d known all along that he couldn’t have her. But that hadn’t stopped him from chipping away at her resistance anyway. She remembered his sudden backing off. Had something happened to make him realize that his efforts were fruitless?
“Knock ‘em dead!” Megan told her then pushed Erica out of the dressing room to make room for those coming in.
Erica stood against the wall for a long moment considering. Her more charitable half that wanted to give Trevor the benefit of the doubt was scorched away by the half that was white hot anger. How dare he jeopardize his life so carelessly when she was busting her butt to save it? With her fury rolling off her in waves, she went to find Trevor. They needed to work this out now.
She reached the edge of the stage just when the auditorium went totally black. She could feel the rush of audience anticipation when a lone white light swept over them. At length, it blasted full power on the stage where Trevor stood wearing his rock star smile.
The crowd went wild. Trevor was eating it up. The man was born to perform. The tense lines that framed his eyes all day began to ease when he launched into the first number. Seeing him having a blast when she was so furious with him just made Erica that much angrier.
Before she could think of a suitable punishment, Lindsay took her arm. “In the tank you go, Eri.”
Even the nickname Lindsay insisted on calling her irritated Erica. She took a breath and tried to
remind herself that the girl had nicknames for everyone. She gave the stage manager a brittle smile and headed off to slide in the water for her performance. Being in the water meant she wouldn’t be able to catch Trevor when he came offstage for his wardrobe change either. But she had a job to do. She let Lindsay push her away.
Erica just went through the motions during the beginning of the routine. She still performed with excellence, but her heart just wasn’t in it. She missed her timing on a hybrid and had to improvise to get back on track. This was all Trevor’s fault. No fair he was having the show of his life while she was struggling to even concentrate on what she did best.
Erica swam under the stage for her appearance on Trevor’s left. He was standing where he always stood singing his heart out and grinning at her when she surfaced for a jump. Erica couldn’t take anymore. She did some quick calculations in her mind and rewrote this section of the routine. Instead of spinning quietly down, she did quick twists and splatted a leg down on every rotation. She sprayed Trevor with each splat. She longed to see his face, but she settled for hearing his voice falter through the underwater speakers.
This time, when she surfaced, a huge smile was on her face. She quirked an eyebrow at Trevor and she saw the answering anger spring in his eyes. Erica swirled so her back was to him and did a surface boost. When she came back down, she arched her back to send another spray of water Trevor’s way.
She grudgingly gave him credit. He kept singing just like he’d arranged for this shower in the middle of the show. Still, he had nowhere to go. Only a shallow, narrow bulkhead that doubled as a stage running through the middle of the pool. Erica’s domain. When he hugged the edge opposite of where Erica was, she swam under the stage and surfaced. When she came up, she took a mouthful of water and sprayed his chest with a graceful arch of the liquid. All Trevor could do was glare at her. She smiled and continued to swim, splashing him every chance she got. By the end of the number, Trevor was just standing there and taking the punishment.
Secret Bodyguard Page 11
