Secret Bodyguard

by Lori Crawford

  “This’ll be fine. You’ll see.” Trevor broke the strained silence that was stretching between them.

  Erica just stood and studied him. For such a long time that he fidgeted. At last, she dropped her gaze and pulled her bag to a spot in front of the door to stretch out on the floor.

  Trevor frowned. “You can’t sleep down there. It’ll be cozy, but we can share the bed.”

  Erica never bothered to look at him. “I have to secure the door. There’s no lock.”

  She never ceased to amaze him with her dedication, but enough was enough.

  “No need to sulk because you didn’t get your way.” Trevor sat on the bed and pulled off his boots.

  Erica sat up one inch at a time and looked at him. “Sulk? Is that what you think I’m doing?” She was, but there was no reason for him to know that. “I think in all this hand holding and food playing and whatever you forgot why I’m here.”

  “I haven’t forgotten. Not for a second. And I can’t believe you were about to tell my mother. What’s wrong with you?”

  “What’s wrong with me?” Furious, Erica popped to her feet. “I’m not the one with the death wish. I mean that’s the only thing it could be that has you thwarting me at every turn.”

  Trevor stood to square off with her. “Thwarting? Sweetheart, take a look around. I’ve made every concession possible so you could do your job.”

  In no way intimidated, Erica stepped to him and put her hands on her hips. “Except follow the most basic instructions that would allow me to guard you effectively.”

  Trevor stepped nose to nose with her and spread his arms. “You wanna guard me? I’m right here. Guard away.”

  Toe to toe, nose to nose and everything in between, Trevor and Erica stared each other down. The anger simmering between them ignited into something else. Erica wasn’t sure who closed that last millimeter of distance, but suddenly their mouths were fused in a passionate kiss.

  Erica excused herself for kissing him back with everything she had in her because it happened so fast. When Trevor grasped her upper arms and drove her backward until he pressed her against the door she didn’t resist. Instead, Erica brought her hands up to tangle in his hair when she pulled him closer. With one leg, she hooked his hips, trapping him against her.

  Trevor would’ve smiled against her lips if he wasn’t engaged in the serious business of kissing her thoroughly. He wasn’t going anywhere. Not when this was where he wanted to be more than anywhere else in the world. The fact that she worked for him was dwarfed compared to the heat building between them. They could work it out. Now that he was positive she had feelings for him, hope sparked in his heart—along with other things.

  Feeling exactly how ready he was for her against her most intimate parts gave Erica pause. She couldn’t do this. Not and do her job to the best of her ability. She turned her head to break the kiss, but he was undeterred. He simply kissed his way down her neck. When his hand made its way to her breast for a caress, Erica sighed. She had to get out now. Before it was too late.

  “Trevor, no.” With flat palms she tried to push him away. She didn’t have enough leverage and he was determined to stay put. He did pause long enough to look at her with passion filled eyes.

  “You can’t be serious.” To prove his point, he brought both hands up to stroke her already straining nipples. He smiled. “See?”

  Erica batted his hands away and rolled to the side. Trevor stumbled against the door in the sudden absence of her body. He just managed to catch his balance.

  “This thing between us … it’s not going to go away.” Trevor turned to face her, unconcerned that his pants had quite a tent in the front. “Don’t you think we’ve fought it long enough?”

  “No. I don’t.”

  “I admit we have some things to work out.”

  “Don’t you think they should be worked out before we add another complication?” Erica risked getting close to him again to open the door. “I’ll be in the hall if you need anything.”

  “You know what I need, Erica.” Trevor relented and pushed the door closed. “Fine. But you don’t have to sleep in the hall. I’ll behave.”

  “Maybe it’s not you I’m worried about.” Her statement shocked Trevor enough that his pressure on the door slackened enough that she could escape. Erica fled into the hallway and pulled the door closed behind her.

  She sat on the floor and rested her head on her knees. She didn’t look up when she heard the door ease open behind her.

  “Please, Trevor. Just give me some space. Please.”

  Tension still thickened the air between them. He knelt beside her to whisper, “This is far from over, Erica.”

  Trevor kissed her shoulder. “Good night.” He pushed the door closed, but she noticed that he didn’t latch it. She pulled it the rest of the way herself. The last thing she needed was that invitation.

  Trying to distract herself, Erica checked her text messages. She was dying to hear that Jason had caught the guy. The sooner that happened, the sooner Erica could get back to her regularly scheduled life and Trevor could stop pretending she was more than nearby and available.

  Jason’s message buoyed her spirits though it wasn’t exactly what she’d hoped for. They had an eye on a suspect. Jason promised to keep her up-to-date. Erica studied the photo attached to the message. The man, one Edward Worthingham, looked so ordinary and plain, but there was an arrogant look in his eye. She shook her head. No matter. He’d be in custody soon enough. They’d already tied him to having paid for the bomb and the snakes. She was almost free. With that suddenly depressing thought, Erica nestled against the doorjamb and tried to relax.

  Inside the room, Trevor was having trouble getting his mind to calm down. Prowling the area that had once been his childhood haven did nothing to relax him. He could use a cold shower. But that meant stepping over Erica in the doorway where he knew she’d be because her sense of duty wouldn’t allow her to go any farther. Besides, he’d promised her space. And he intended to give it to her.

  Trevor paused in his pacing and considered the window. It would have to do. He strode to it and slid it open without a sound. It brought a smile to his face when he rested on the sill and inhaled fresh, but chilly air. That and his memories of sneaking in and out of his room via this route when he was young had the desired effect. After a few more moments, he left the open window to climb into bed. While he got comfortable, regrets that Erica was sleeping on the uncomfortable hallway floor assaulted him. Vowing to make it up to her, he drifted off to sleep.

  “Erica?” Erica opened her eyes to see Abigail standing over her. It was a really bad sign that she hadn’t even heard the woman approach. How exhausted must she be? “What are you doing out here?”

  Erica sat up and tried to ignore her protesting muscles. She wasn’t sure if it was a sign of age or a testimony to the comfort of the hardwood floor. “Just resting. Did you need something? Did you want Trevor?”

  Abigail planted her hands on her hips. “You don’t raise five children and not learn to recognize when your questions are dodged.”

  “I’m not … I’m just,” Erica faked a yawn hoping it gave her confusion credibility while she tried to come up with a suitable excuse.

  “Dodging.” Abigail’s expression softened, and she knelt next to Erica. “That son of mine knows better than to treat you like this. If you fought, why didn’t he put you in one of the other bedrooms?”

  “I’m fine where I am, Mrs. Cole.” Erica held the woman’s gaze the best she could. Finally, Abigail stood.

  “I was headed downstairs to start breakfast. Why don’t you join me? And what happened to Abby?”

  “I really can’t, Abby.” Erica shifted trying to relieve the numbness in her backside.

  Abigail studied her for another moment, and then nodded. She turned to continue toward the stairs.

  “Mrs… . Abby?” Erica waited until the older woman looked at her. “I’m sorry about last night. I wanted you
to know that I’d never try to separate you and your son.”

  Abigail gave her a tight smile then disappeared down the stairs. Erica dropped her head against the door with a quiet thump. That went well. She tried to settle in for a few more Z’s, but her instincts went on high alert. Ignoring her creaking muscles, she stood and listened through the door. A frown furrowed her brow when she could make out whispers. Trevor didn’t talk in his sleep. Erica pushed the door open. Her heart thumped wildly in her chest when she saw a dark figure standing over Trevor’s prone body on the bed.

  Without a second thought, Erica launched herself across the room and took the man down with a flying kick.

  Trevor sat up and sleepily rubbed his eyes. He didn’t quite trust his vision when he saw Erica locked in battle with an assailant. Not wanting to believe she’d been right about finding a hotel, he kicked his way free of the tangled covers and stood.

  The figure didn’t stay down long. He sprung from his back to his feet and launched a flurry of punches and kicks at Erica. She never shied away. A couple connected, making Trevor cringe, but she held her ground. When Erica continued to back away, the figure continued a blitz of punches.

  Once she got near the wall, Erica timed her defense so a punch that would have done her major damage connected with the solid logs framing the window sill. While the guy took a necessary moment to regroup, Erica let loose with her own attack.

  Using her feet for the most part, she drove the figure into the closet door. Trevor could only watch in awe. She was amazing to behold. He’d hate to be the guy who’d burst in on them. Except, the attacker turned the tables on her. She fired off a kick, but he caught her leg and flipped her over.

  Trevor flinched when she landed on her back with a soft “oooofff.” The man tried to get out of the corner by diving over her and tumbling to his feet. But Erica caught a handful of his sleeve. The sudden shift in his body weight sent the guy sprawling across the bed. His sleeve ripped clean off revealing a heavily muscled arm filled with tattoos. He bounced and landed on the floor with a thump.

  Trevor gasped when he recognized the tattoos in the moonlight. He rushed into the fray. He pulled Erica away from the attacker when she tried to bring her mighty heel down on the guy’s groin.

  “What are you doing? Let go!” She demanded while Trevor fought to hold her still.

  “Cut it out! Both of you!” Trevor commanded when the guy got to his feet. Trevor knew he’d be furious. And that brought a smile to his face.

  The guy flipped on the overhead light to reveal a scowl on his chiseled face. “What the hell, Trev? I come in to say hello and this is how you treat me?”

  “It’s your own fault, Jordy. And you just got your little Navy Officer butt kicked. By a girl.” Trevor grinned from ear to ear while Jordan continued to scowl at them both. Erica looked over her shoulder at Trevor.

  “Jordy? As in your brother?”

  “She didn’t kick my butt. I wasn’t going full out.”

  Trevor laughed and released Erica. “Yeah right. Erica, this is Jordan. Jordan, Erica.”

  Trevor and Jordan shared a manly hug, and then Trevor socked Jordan in the gut. “For the record, I don’t appreciate you wailing on my girl like that.”

  “She attacked me. What’s your issue, lady?”

  Erica planted her hands on her hips to glare at Jordan. “My issue? You came in a window! How is that normal?”

  Seeing the utter fury in Erica’s eyes that was mirrored in Jordan’s, Trevor stepped between the two of them. “Children, children …”

  Erica spun on Trevor and interrupted. “Children? Do not patronize me, Trevor.”

  “I’m not patronizing, I’m just … things have gotten a little out of control.”

  “A little? Oh that’s rich. And who do you think is responsible for that?” She planted her hands on her hips while she issued the challenge.

  Trevor frowned. “Surely you don’t think I’m …”

  “That’s exactly what I think. From the very beginning, you’ve insisted on having things your way. And look where it’s gotten us.”

  “Okay, so there’ve been a few bumps along the way.”

  “A few bumps? What if he hadn’t been your brother?” She poked him in the chest. Hard. “I’m done coddling. I’m the bodyguard; you’re the client. You will obey my every command without even looking like you’re going to question it. You’re not going to offer alternatives, suggestions, or even fashion tips.”

  “Wait. She’s your bodyguard? Mom said …” Jordan looked between the two of them with a smirk.

  “Not talking to you.” Erica whirled around and nailed Jordan with such a harsh look that the bigger man retreated a pace. She turned back to Trevor. “That’s the first thing to go. These stupid cover stories. I’m not your swimmer. I’m not your girlfriend. I’m here for one reason and one reason only. That’s to protect your sorry behind even from you if necessary.”

  “Then what am I supposed to tell everybody?”

  “Completely up to you and no longer my problem. Though, might I suggest the truth?”

  “Mom’ll have a fit …”

  “She’ll get over it. You will remain attached to my hip at all times. Where I go, you go.”

  “Does that include the shower? Wanna protect me, too?” Without even bothering to look back, Erica shoved her elbow in Jordan’s gut.

  “Do you understand these rules as I have laid them out for you?” Erica stood and waited for Trevor’s response. He stared at her through narrowed eyes obviously not liking anything she’d just announced.

  “And if I don’t?”

  Erica shrugged. “You didn’t hire me, and you can’t fire me. I won’t let you stop me from doing my job. I will handcuff you to me if need be.”

  “Dude! She has handcuffs.” Jordan rubbed his meaty hands together in delight.

  “Fine,” Trevor spat.

  “Fine,” Erica echoed.

  “I’m telling ya, dude. Go for the handcuffs,” Jordan encouraged.

  With an eye roll, Erica spun on her heel and headed for the door just as it was shoved open. Cliff loomed large in the doorway with an unhappy scowl on his face.

  “What’s all this racket in here?” His face lightened a little when his gaze landed on Jordan, but he held onto his scowl. Trevor and his brother adopted innocent expressions telling Erica that they’d gone through this many times in the past.

  Jordan spoke up first. “Trevor’s girlfriend got a little rowdy.” Erica turned a disbelieving look on him. He shrugged. “Sorry, Dad.”

  “That’s not …” Erica tried to defend herself, but Trevor talked over her.

  “… entirely true. Jordan startled us is all.” Trevor slung an arm around Erica and gave her a squeeze. She shot him a warning look. “We didn’t mean to wake you and Mom.”

  “Good to see you, Jordan. Now, get to your room.” He stepped to the side and swept a hand the direction Jordan was to go. The man obeyed without hesitation. Still, he threw a smirk over his shoulder at Erica when he passed. Cliff turned his attention back to Erica and Trevor. “You two, back to sleep. I don’t wanna hear another peep outta any of ya.”

  “Yessir.”

  A few hours later, they all sat down to breakfast where Abigail’s amazing cooking threatened to cheer Erica right up. But another “what if” would cross her mind and she went right back to the fear infused place she’d inhabited since she’d found Jordan standing over Trevor. What if it hadn’t been Jordan? What if she hadn’t run away? The list went around and around. Each time it ended with her failure that could’ve cost Trevor his life.

  Needing time to sort through everything, Erica was happy to let Jordan relieve her for the day after she’d learned of his impressive naval background. At nightfall, Trevor found her lounging under a tree checking Jason’s progress on her Treo.

  “You get reception out here?”

  Not daring to go into detail about Trecam’s vast resources that allowed her to g
et reception almost anywhere in the world, Erica just smiled and discreetly put the device away. “I see you survived the day with your brother.”

  Trevor joined her on the ground and handed her a plate of food. She nodded her thanks, but put the plate aside.

  “What’s wrong? I tested it all out myself.”

  Erica found herself cracking a tiny smile before she could help it.

  “Oh good. There’s hope for you yet.” Trevor picked up the plate and held a forkful of green beans to her lips. “I know for a fact that you haven’t eaten since breakfast. So here.”

  “You don’t know for a fact.” Erica pushed his hand away.

  Trevor sighed and abandoned the plate. “Don’t do this to yourself, Erica.”

  “I left you unprotected. There’s no excuse for …” Erica shook her head and stood to pace so there was some physical distance between them.

  Trevor refused to let her go that easy. He blocked her path and held her still so she had to look at him. “What matters is you were there if I needed you.” Trevor rubbed Erica’s arms. “Just like you always are.”

  What a complicated statement. Becoming more complicated by the second, she admitted and enjoyed each pass his hands made over her skin. He must have read her mind in her eyes because his stare heated while he studied her. She shook her head and backed out of his grasp. “Trevor, no. What you’re feeling—it’s just gratitude. Like you just said, I’ve been there for you in difficult times. It’s not surprising that you fancy yourself attracted to me.”

  Trevor shook his head. He closed the distance between them again. “I know gratitude. And sweetheart, this ain’t it.” He lowered his head bit by bit for a kiss even while he released her arms. She knew she should move. She wanted to move. Nothing was stopping her from moving. She didn’t have her back against a wall. He wasn’t holding her. She could definitely move. And she did.