Suspicion lurked in the dark gaze. “You did it on purpose.”
Alexa gave him a cheeky grin. “I’ve got to keep you on your toes.”
“I can’t figure you out, Alexa.” He opened the door.
“Don’t try,” she advised. “You might hurt yourself.” She was very aware of his light hand on her back, urging her into the hall. Thankfully, the disturbing pressure fell quickly away.
“I don’t intend to do that.” He sounded grim, like he meant it.
They descended in the elevator in silence. Outside, Alexa observed brightly, “What a beautiful day!”
Jamison did not bother to respond.
Alexa wasn’t sure if she felt happy or sad that she had succeeded in pricking last night’s bubble of camaraderie. But she felt more at ease. As she had suspected, high heels and light, prickly banter were the best ways to keep him at arm’s length. She wouldn’t think too closely on why this seemed so necessary.
They entered the ancient, beautiful church and found seats. Here, she noted, Jamison allowed only two feet between them, instead of the three feet in England. Good, or bad?
Good, she decided. Friendly, but the perfect amount of distance. She sent him a perky grin.
“Alexa…”
“Ready to translate for me?” she demanded.
His broad shoulders relaxed back against the pew. Amusement simmered in his gaze. “Absolutely. At your service.”
“Glad to hear it,” she approved. “I’ll tell you when I need help.”
The service began. Alexa had taken four years of French in high school, but that had been over ten years ago. It tested her to the limit to try to understand the sermon. Jamison, on the other hand, seemed to understand every word. A few times she whispered to him, asking what the pastor had said. She struggled through the hymns in the hymnal, and then it was over.
“I liked it,” she said, descending the steps. Alexa suddenly had to know the answer to a question which had been burning in her brain ever since visiting his church in England. “Are you a Christian?”
“Yes.” He glanced at her. “No need to look so surprised.”
“It’s just you don’t seem…”
“You don’t know much about me, princess.”
Alexa believed this. He surprised and disturbed her more every day.
He said, “Are you a Christian?”
“Yes!” She was offended that he had to ask. “Is it really that hard to tell?”
“You never know until you ask.”
What sort of an answer was that? Alexa frowned. “I’m trying to pray for you,” she said primly. She quickly refreshed his memory. “The sermon in London was about loving your enemies.”
“Thank you.” He gave her an odd look. “I need all the prayer I can get.”
“I’m sure you do.”
He gave a short chuckle, and looked away. “Okay, princess. Let’s get home before we start slinging mud at each other again.”
“I’ll be good if you will.”
He did not reply, which was probably for the best.
Alexa dressed with care for her date with Colin. With a critical eye, she scanned her image in the closet’s full-length mirror. The pale green silk dress fell in classic, simple lines down her willowy frame. She wore gold heels for flash, gold earrings, and a gold cross necklace. What would Colin think? She tucked her hair behind one ear, feeling self-conscious, and then tugged it back out. More hairspray. That’s what she needed.
Finally prepared, she gathered up her digital recorder and the outline. She had sent Colin a copy, just like she had promised, but she wanted to be able to take notes on her own copy. She spun back. Her purse!
Finally, she emerged into the living room, where her bodyguard watched soccer. Jamison stood and flipped off the game. “Ready?” He looked at her, and went still. “You look nice.”
Alexa grinned, feeling oddly pleased. Was that the first, true compliment Jamison had ever paid her? Yes, indeedy.
Jamison opened the door for her, but did not touch her back, as he had for church this morning. “You’re wearing perfume,” he said, walking beside her to the elevator. “Pretty serious about this date, aren’t you?”
Alexa would not tell him that this was a tester date, to see if something existed between Colin and herself. Instead, she said, “I’m dining with a famous star. How else should I dress?”
He did not respond, and they ascended to the penthouse in silence.
At Colin’s door, Alexa said to Jamison, “Why don’t you take the evening off? Go kick up your heels with the locals.”
He sent her an unreadable, faintly amused look. “Have fun, Alexa.”
With a grin, she knocked on Colin’s door. “Good night.”
Jamison waited until Colin opened the door, and then disappeared in the direction of the stairs. Briefly, Alexa wondered where he was going, but then Colin grabbed her whole attention. He wore a steel blue suit tonight, without a tie, and the top buttons of his shirt were undone, as if he hated the restriction around his neck. The blue suit amplified the color of Colin’s eyes. He looked incredibly handsome.
He took her hand and pressed a kiss to the back. “You look gorgeous,” he said with warm approval, and urged her into his penthouse.
Alexa caught her breath. The lights were low, and candles burned on every available surface. Across the room, velvet dusk enveloped Paris. Lights twinkled as far as her eyes could see. A table draped in white linen had been set beside one of the floor-to-ceiling windows, with a chair on either side. A low candle in a cut crystal holder was set between the two place settings, complete with crystal wine glasses and silver.
“It’s beautiful,” she breathed. “You shouldn’t have. Not for me.”
“Of course for you,” he said. “What will you have? Sparkling cider, or cola?”
He had paid attention. Colin knew she didn’t drink alcohol, and that her favorite drink was cola. Alexa felt flattered. “How about cola for now, and the cider with dinner?”
“Perfect,” he agreed. After delivering their drinks, he sat beside her on the sofa. His arm slid along the back, behind her shoulders. He lifted his glass. “Cheers. Here’s to getting to know you better.”
“Cheers.” Alexa touched his glass. As she sipped her drink, a note of caution slipped through her. The romantic mood of the penthouse, Colin’s arm behind her... She placed her drink on the coffee table, and scooted back at the same time she turned toward him. “Colin, I’m flattered by all you’ve done. But…are you trying to put a move on me?”
Colin gave a startled laugh. “You are too clever by half, Alexa.”
“Don’t get me wrong,” she said, gesturing to the room. “I love the candles and the opportunity to spend time with you. But I’m not going to be swept away…or whatever it is you might intend.”
Colin laughed out loud. He withdrew the arm he’d placed on the sofa back. “Okay, Alexa, you’re safe,” he chuckled. “I won’t use my charming wiles on you. If you do think I’m charming?”
Alexa sent him a tiny smile. “Of course. But I’d rather get to know the real you. Not some act you put on.”
He leaned toward her, his gaze serious. “You mean that.”
“Of course I do. I’ve already seen a little of who you are, Colin. You don’t need to pretend to be anyone else.”
“All right, then.” He lifted his glass again. “To truth and honesty.”
“Amen,” she agreed.
“Your faith means a lot to you, doesn’t it? Tell me about it.”
A little surprised, Alexa told him how she had become a Christian a few years after her parents had divorced. “It was a hard time,” she said. “I felt lost and alone, and then I met Christ, and I knew I’d never be alone again.”
He nodded. “You’re serious, aren’t you?”
“Yes. I know I probably sound like one of those Jesus freaks. But God is real. I don’t know what else to say, excep
t you can find that out for yourself, too, if you want to.”
Colin twirled his wine glass. “I’ll think about it. I was brought up in Sunday school. My mum insisted on it.”
Alexa nodded, and changed the subject. “Tell me more about your childhood. What were your parents like?”
“And there goes the recorder,” Colin said ruefully.
“Please?” she said. “Just one story. I’m running out of material, Colin, and I need to finish this book. You’re my only source, so far.”
“I’ve talked to my band, and they’ll meet with you next week. Maybe Sunday.”
“Terrific.”
“And what about Eve? Have you interviewed her?”
“I’ve been meaning to talk to you about Eve.” Alexa hesitated. “She seems to dislike me. Every time I try to talk to her, she attacks me and accuses that I want to hurt you.”
Colin frowned. “That’s not right.”
“I’m not angry with her. I think she feels insecure for some reason. I don’t know why, Colin, so please be kind to her. But I just can’t work with her.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” he said slowly. “I’ll speak to her, but I’ll be careful about it.”
“I know her mother just went into the hospital. Maybe that’s why she was so upset yesterday.”
Colin looked confused. “She has a mother? And she’s in the hospital?”
“Her foster mother.”
A knock came at the door, and Colin stood to open it.
A porter appeared, pushing a cart with silver-domed dishes on it.
Colin took her hand. “Dinner, my lady, ordered from the finest restaurant.”
Alexa grabbed her outline and recorder and followed him to the table. She settled the white linen napkin across her lap while the waiter served their salads. “Merci,” she told him.
And then they were left alone. The outline didn’t fit on the table, so Alexa shoved it under her napkin.
Colin poured sparkling cider, and lifted his own glass, “To a wonderful evening.”
Her stapled pages slipped to the floor between their feet. “Cheers,” Alexa hastily agreed, and bent to retrieve the errant pages.
Colin watched her flushed attempts to get herself to rights again. “No one’s ever brought an outline on a date before,” he said with a grin.
“You’re a hard man to get alone,” she explained. “I have to take advantage of every opportunity.
“As I intend to make the most of this opportunity,” Colin said. “Tell me about your childhood.”
Alexa smiled at Colin’s deft conversation switch. Obligingly, she told him about her home life. How her parents had loved Beth and her, but couldn’t get along, especially as she entered junior high. How she had been a brainiac in school, and had entered the National Spelling Bee as a child. “But I never made it past the state level,” she said modestly.
“Fascinating,” Colin said. “A beautiful girl, and a good speller, too.”
“Perfect combination for your book, right?” Alexa grinned.
After this, she managed to steer the conversation to Colin, and her recorder silently documented each word. Colin brimmed with anecdotes, and even slyly slipped in a few questions for her, too. By the time dessert—a delicate pecan and brown sugar torte—was finished, Alexa estimated she had accumulated thirty pages worth of material on her recorder. She clicked it off, and with a sigh gazed out at the sparkling lights of Paris. What a delightful evening. Good company, fun conversation…
“More cider?” Colin asked.
“No. Thank you. I think I’m about to turn into a pumpkin.”
“What?”
Alexa laughed. “From Cinderella, remember? I’m getting tired.”
Colin smiled across the table, and his unconscious charm warmed her. “I’ve enjoyed the evening.”
“I have, too.”
“I tried not to put on any pretences.”
“I know.” Alexa smiled.
Colin took her hand and intently gazed at her. “I want you to see the real me.”
Alexa was flattered, and gently squeezed his hand. Flutters went through her heart at his obvious meaning. However, something cautioned her to be careful. “You’re an incredible man, Colin. One day, you’ll make a lucky woman very happy.”
His intent, questioning gaze searched hers for a moment longer. Then he said, “I can live with that.”
Alexa gathered up her things, and Colin called Mart to walk her downstairs. Mart edged into the hall, waiting, as Colin told Alexa goodnight.
“Call me if you need anything. Are you ready to travel to Barcelona tomorrow?”
“I still need to pack, but it won’t take long.”
He took her hand again. “Good. I intend to spend more time with you there.”
“I hope so. We’ve got a lot more book to write.”
“You’re a funny girl, Alexa. I don’t mean for the book.”
It was impossible to ignore his meaning this time. “Thank you,” she said softly, and Colin leaned toward her. He meant to kiss her! Flustered, Alexa turned her head at the last moment, so his kiss landed on her cheek.
Now, why had she done that? What would he think of her?
She pulled away. “I’m sorry, Colin. I think I’m a little… confused.” But about what? That was the question.
He nodded, blue eyes surprisingly understanding. “You want to go slow. You told me that before. I understand.”
Alexa smiled weakly. At least someone did. Impulsively, she hugged him. “Good night, Colin.”
“Good night, love.”
And then she was in the hall, walking beside Mart. Why had she withdrawn from Colin? Why didn’t she want him to kiss her?
Had she lost her mind?
Colin was the most handsome, charming, genuinely nice man she had met in a long time. And she liked him. How could she not want him to kiss her? What in the world was her problem?
Nothing made sense, so Alexa decided to latch onto Colin’s explanation for her behavior. She wanted to go slow, and be careful. Well, that much was true. She would not cheaply or easily throw her heart away again. In college, she had been lonely and starving for love. Now she knew that she could survive on her own. The man to whom she gave her heart would have to earn her trust, first. She would have to know him well, and long. Frankly, she still didn’t know Colin that well.
She definitely liked him, but her sister’s cautionary words flitted through her mind yet again. “Be careful.” She would continue to take the warning to heart.
Chapter Nine
The next morning, Alexa grabbed breakfast and quickly packed up. She had come to actually like her Paris prison, she reflected, zipping her suitcase closed. She cast one last, fond glance around her room. Someday she would come back and sightsee everything she had missed this time.
But she was eager to see Barcelona, Spain, too. Of course, she had watched the Barcelona summer Olympics on television when she was younger, but what would it be like to visit in person?
She dragged her suitcases into the living room. Jamison’s gigantic black case already waited beside the door. He sat on the couch, finishing a muffin for breakfast. It was the first time she had seen him since he had dropped her off at Colin’s last night.
“Good morning!” she said.
“You’re in a good mood. How was your date?”
“Terrific. Colin is a sweet man.” It was true. It was also true she still didn’t know what she felt for Colin. Why hadn’t she let him kiss her last night? The question kept circling through her brain.
“You’re falling for him.” Jamison crumpled his napkin. His knuckles flashed briefly white.
Alexa didn’t know what to say. “He seems to like me, too,” she said at last.
“What’s not to like?” He stood up.
Alexa’s eyebrows shot up. Was that an actual compliment—for her?
But before she could speak, Jamison continued, “Colin likes beautiful women. Ke
ep using that card to your best advantage, Alexa.”
She gasped. “You rude man! How dare you accuse me of manipulating Colin? As if that’s the only thing he could like about me.”
Jamison moved to the sink to wash out his cup. “I never said it was.”
“What kind of a remark is that?” she accused. “It’s not even a backhanded compliment! Are you reverting back to your obnoxious self?”
His dark eyes flashed. “Don’t you like me best this way?”
Better than too chummy. Sadly, this was true. Part of her missed the comfortable camaraderie of their walk on Saturday night, and even the time at church yesterday, but this prickliness was best.
“I know ‘beautiful’ is a dirty word in your books,” she said. “Why?”
“It’s a conversation that wouldn’t interest you, princess.”
He was wrong. She did want to know, but refused to admit it. She pressed on with her attack. “Well, I prefer to take ‘beautiful’ as a compliment. So be careful how you throw it around. I might start to think you have inappropriate feelings for me.”
His white teeth flashed in a smile. “You don’t like peace, do you?”
“Do you?”
Whatever snit had attacked him relaxed out of his stiff shoulders. His black gaze burned into hers, and her heart thumped uncomfortably fast. “About as much as you do, Alexa.”
Apparently, he preferred the walls between them, too. She wondered why.
He asked then, “Packed up? Colin’s meeting us downstairs.”
Barcelona was a bustling city, Alexa noted through her new apartment window. The flat was similar in layout to the one in Paris, but the walls looked whitewashed, the floors were of red tile, and the heavy furniture was made of dark wood and leather. Dusk descended over the city, five stories below.
“Pizza’s ready,” Jamison announced. He dropped the hot pan with a clatter onto the stove top.
“Yum.” She scooped two slices onto a plate and followed him into the living room. Alexa let him take the couch, while she took the chair. The coffee table served as the dining table.
Her Reluctant Bodyguard Page 14
