Jamison did not look her way again, to her extreme disappointment.
At the end of the show, she went backstage and congratulated Colin on a terrific performance—along with a glob of other people. Jamison and Mart were in full bodyguard mode, so she melted toward one of the couches to wait for everything to settle down.
Finally, the high spirits and possibly high people disappeared, leaving the crew and basic staff.
“’Night, all,” Colin said to his band. He headed straight for Alexa. “Ready, love?” Taking her hand, he escorted her to the limousine.
Cameras flashed. Screaming fans shouted from behind concrete barriers. Alexa’s heart pounded with excitement as she walked beside Colin. He waved his free hand and smiled, but said nothing. He slid into the limousine after Alexa. Mart and Jamison squeezed into the front seat, next to the driver.
Colin hugged an arm around her shoulders. “How was it? Be honest.”
“Terrific! Incredible,” Alexa sparkled.
Colin sighed in satisfaction. “How about a nightcap when we get back?”
“Sure.” Just for a little while, she promised herself. Colin always behaved like a perfect gentleman, but tonight he was high from the show. Frankly, she was, too.
At the luxury apartment building, they left Jamison and Mart and slipped alone into Colin’s flat, where she accepted a cold soda.
“You’re a good girl, did you know that?” His eyes gleamed, still glowing from the excitement and adulation of the evening. He joined her on the couch.
“I try.”
Colin rested his arm along the top of the couch. This time, she didn’t pull away. “Where do you see yourself in five years?” he unexpectedly asked.
Alexa blinked at the serious topic. “I don’t know. Married. With a family, maybe.”
“Anyone special?” His blue gaze was intent.
Alexa felt flustered. “No.”
“Good. Just wanted to make certain. How about we spend tomorrow evening together? No notes or tape recorders. Just fun.”
Alexa smiled. “I’d love to.”
“Good. Be ready at seven o’clock. And bring a jacket. It might be windy.”
Alexa knew he had an early afternoon concert on Thursday, instead of an evening one. “Where are we going?”
“It’s a surprise.”
She grinned back. “I love surprises.”
After a little more small talk, Alexa finished her drink and headed back to her room, accompanied by Mart. A surprise! What could Colin mean? Her mind spun with exciting possibilities as she bid Mart goodnight and let herself into her flat.
Jamison prowled the kitchen.
“Isn’t it a lovely evening?” she sang out, floating toward her room.
He came closer. “Is it?”
Alexa halted, sensing unknown, suppressed emotion in him. She frowned. “Are you a sourpuss?”
“No. Enjoy yourself with Colin?”
Her ebullient feeling soared again. “Of course. And tomorrow…” she twirled, “we’re going somewhere special.”
“Are you drunk?”
Her mouth gaped open. “No! How dare you? You know I don’t drink.”
“You’ve been acting tipsy all night,” he growled.
So that’s what this was about. With a grin, she asked sweetly, “Did I disturb you at the concert?”
He swiped a hand through his black hair. Alexa wondered what it felt like. Wiry or soft? And then she blinked. What did she care what Jamison’s hair felt like?
“You’re acting like a child again, princess.”
“Please!” she scoffed. “I was having fun. You looked so ultra-serious that I decided to blow a little sunshine your way.”
His brows wrenched together. “You like this, don’t you?”
“What?”
“Twisting men around your fingers. Then you can satisfy your lust for power and control over them.”
Alexa laughed out loud. “That is absurd!”
“You blow me a kiss, just to get under my skin. Who knows what line you’re feeding Colin.”
“I am not feeding Colin a line!” she said indignantly.
“But it’s okay to feed me one.”
Alexa stared at him. “You knew I was playing with you.”
“Why?” He paced closer now, making her feel uncomfortable.
“Because I like to yank your chain. You know that.”
“Am I entitled to yank yours?”
“Don’t be ridiculous. You do it all the time. Why ask permission now?”
His strong hands closed around her arms, just above her elbows. His eyes looked impossibly dark and dangerous. “You blew me a kiss. Does that mean I can return the favor?”
Alexa stared at his mouth—a well-shaped mouth it was, too—coming inexorably closer.
“No,” she squeaked.
“Why?”
“Because it isn’t done! You’re my bodyguard.” Why she wasn’t slapping him and running away, she couldn’t figure out.
“You mean I’m not a real man with real feelings. You can play games with me, then blow me off, and I can’t respond?”
“Yes,” she agreed, heart pumping too fast.
“Bull,” he said quietly. “If you play with me, you get the consequences.”
“No,” she gasped, but it was too late. His mouth touched hers, and the shock of it rocketed to her toes. His lips roughly caressed hers, and the flaming friction made her tremble. A sizzle began to burn, low in her tummy.
He broke contact and stepped back. The dark eyes burned, but quickly hardened.
“Unless you want more, I advise you to direct your game playing to one man.”
Her lips throbbed. “You mean Colin?” she forced out. “I don’t play games with him.”
“Then ask yourself why you do with me.” With that, he turned on his heel and shut himself in his room.
Alexa stared at his closed door, trembling. Why hadn’t she tried to escape? Why had she let that happen?
Because she had wanted to know what his kiss would feel like.
Now she knew, and it disturbed her. It was just an experiment, she told herself. Like seeing if her tongue would stick to a frozen flagpole in the dead of winter. A dare she had unfortunately accepted as a child. Neither, she determined now, was an experience she intended to repeat.
Chapter Eleven
Alexa received a call from Beth the next morning.
Her sister said, “I got your message. So, you’re in Barcelona now. Lucky chicky!”
“You shouldn’t be calling me,” Alexa said. “This will cost you a fortune.”
“Even though I don’t have a bestseller, I don’t think it will break me.”
“Bestseller?” Alexa squealed. “No. You’re pulling my leg.”
“Number five for nonfiction this week.”
Alexa had to sit down. “I can’t believe it.”
“Believe it. I’m cutting out the New York Times list as we speak.”
Alexa whispered a silent prayer of thanks to God. She had been thrilled to be published—but to be in the top ten of the New York Times list! She couldn’t believe it.
Beth said, “And with this next book you’re writing, you’re going to be hot property, Alexa. You can write your own ticket. Maybe even sell some of that fiction you’ve been writing.”
“This is a dream come true.”
“Soon the royalties will start pouring in,” Beth predicted. “So, how has it been going there?”
“Oh.” Alexa pulled her mind back to reality. “Fine. I went to a concert last night. It was fun.”
“Colin’s, I assume.”
“Yes. He asked me out tonight.”
“Again? Where’s he taking you?”
“It’s a surprise.”
“I expect you to tell me all about it.”
“I will.”
“Your book’s coming okay?”
“It’s almost half done. I’ll try to get more anecdotes from
Colin tonight, even though he probably won’t want to talk business. He’s got so little free time that I’ve got to take advantage of every moment I can.”
“Are you falling for him?” Caution laced her sister’s tone.
“Colin? No.” It was true. She liked him a lot, but falling in love with him? Not yet.
“What about your bodyguard?”
Alexa stiffened. “What about him?”
“Have you called a truce?”
“Not exactly.” The memory of last night’s kiss seared her mind again, as it had ever since she had woken up. She had repeatedly ordered herself to forget it.
“What happened?”
Alexa remained silent.
“Alexa. This is me, your sister. Give me the dirt.”
Reluctantly, she admitted, “He kissed me last night. But it didn’t mean anything,” she rushed to make clear. “He was just mad and wanted me to pay…a consequence.”
Her sister pealed with laughter. “This ought to be good. What’d you do?”
“Nothing much. At the concert he looked so stoic and vigilant. I wanted to have a little fun with him, that’s all. I smiled at him, and he didn’t like that, so I blew him a kiss. It was all in fun,” she said, as her sister snorted in her ear. “But he got really hot under the collar about it.”
“So right after the concert he grabbed you and kissed you?”
“Well, first I went up to Colin’s for a nightcap.”
“I see. And how long did this nightcap last?”
“What does that matter? Maybe an hour. Maybe more. That’s when Colin asked me out.”
“So after this nightcap you went back to your apartment and found Jamison hot under the collar.”
“Yes. Pretty much that’s what happened.”
“I see.” Laughter still bubbled in Beth’s voice.
Alexa frowned. “What do you see?”
“Apparently more than you do, sis.”
“This morning I’m going to tell him to back off. He behaved very unprofessionally last night.”
“You do that. Let me know how that turns out.”
Alexa frowned again. “I wish you’d stop laughing at me!”
“I’m sorry, Alexa, but your life sounds like a soap opera. How was it, by the way?”
“What?”
“The kiss!”
Alexa rolled her eyes, but unfortunately, her sister couldn’t see. “Average.”
Her sister snorted again.
“Okay! Slightly above average.” She refused to admit to more than that.
Beth’s laughter quieted. “Slightly above average, hmm?”
“Don’t make something out of it,” Alexa warned.
“I think the question is; why aren’t you? Knowing your powers of understatement, I wonder if the kiss was more like an A plus.”
“Beth, stop it! It means nothing. The man irritates me at every turn. I can barely breathe without him in my face. I told you, I’m going to tell him to back off.”
“Uh huh. Tell me something. Why are you so determined to push him away?”
Alexa gaped soundlessly. “I am not.”
“Right. Does this have something to do with your long dating criteria list?”
“It’s not like that with Jamison! Colin is the man I’m interested in.”
“Really?” Her sister sounded dubious. “Then why are sparks flying between you and Jamison?”
“I won’t answer that ridiculous question, because you’re not listening to me. Colin is civilized, refined…everything I want in a man.”
A pause elapsed. “You’ve finally found the perfect man, and it’s Colin, the rock star?”
“Well, I can’t tell if he’s absolutely perfect yet. I’m still getting to know him.”
“You mean you’re looking for excuses to push him away, like you’ve done every man since Paul.”
“That’s not fair.”
“Isn’t it? Tell me again why you have that long list?”
Stiffly, she returned, “I don’t want a man like Paul.”
“Paul had blond hair, too. And he appeared to be civilized—until he dumped you.”
Tears threatened. “You’re not being fair, Beth.”
More kindly, her sister said, “I think you need to be honest with yourself. Otherwise, when you do find the right man, you’ll chase him away.”
“Now you’re being cruel.”
“I don’t mean to be. But I want you to be happy, Alexa. And until you face whatever’s got you running scared from connecting with another man… I’m afraid you’ll never find that happily-ever-after you want.” Another pause elapsed. “Do you still love Paul? Is that it?”
“No. That was a gigantic mistake.”
“I want you to be happy, Alexa,” her sister repeated gently. “I love you.”
Alexa wiped away a tear, and wondered why it was even there. “I know you do, and I love you, too.”
“Everything will work out,” Beth said with strengthening confidence. “You’ll see. I’ll be praying for you.”
Alexa heard a faint wail in the background.
“Uh oh,” Beth said. “Annie’s crying. I’ve got to go. Call me the next time he kisses you. Smooches!” Her sister hung up.
Alexa stared at the phone. Next time? There would be no next time! In fact, she would make sure of it right now.
Unfortunately, when she entered the living area, she found Mart. Her gaze swept the room. “Where’s Jamison?”
A smile lurked in his green eyes. “He’s helping train security for the concert. He’ll be back this evening.”
“Oh. Well, good.” Alexa felt unsettled, but relieved, too. Maybe Jamison would decide to forget the whole incident. A day apart would certainly do them both good.
She smiled at Mart. “Well then. I’d better get to work.”
He tipped his fingers to her. “Later.”
But Alexa found it hard to concentrate on the book. Her mind kept returning to her sister’s words. Was Beth right? Was she running scared? Or maybe even hiding behind an emotional wall? Surely not. Her list of dating criteria was logical. It encompassed every virtue she admired most in a man. No. She was on the right track. Being careful was only wise. She simply hadn’t found the right man yet.
One thing was for sure. It was not Jamison.
That night, when Jamison ushered Alexa down to the limousine to meet Colin, he was all cool and professional. Distant. She had only been alone with him for one moment today in the flat, and it was clear from his attitude that he didn’t want to discuss last night. In fact, it appeared he wanted to forget it had ever happened. Which was fine by her.
Tonight, Jamison wore a dark maroon tie and a black suit jacket to complement his unending black wardrobe. The cut accentuated the breadth of his shoulders, but with no extra fluff, unlike Colin’s suit jackets—she had noticed they were cut a little larger than his frame. Now, comparing the two as Jamison stood beside Colin, waiting for her to enter the limousine, she was surprised to see that the bodyguard’s frame, even though he was shorter, easily eclipsed Colin’s. Of course, he did work out all the time.
She dismissed these inconsequential thoughts as Colin slid in beside her. She grinned. “Give me a hint. Where are we going?”
He smiled. “You’ll see soon enough.”
The limousine wound through the busy streets of Barcelona until they reached the harbor. Alexa breathlessly turned to Colin. “We’re going out on the water?”
“Yes. Do you like cruises?”
“I love anything to do with the water. Colin, this is perfect!” Impulsively, she hugged him, just as Jamison opened the door. His face remained expressionless, but the dark eyes looked cold. Or maybe she was imagining it.
Alexa followed Colin to the huge powerboat waiting at the dock.
“I’ve asked them to tour the harbor while we eat dinner,” Colin said as they walked up the gangplank.
Alexa sighed. �
��Fabulous.”
The small ship was beautiful. Clean, shining white decks, plush interior. And on the aft deck a table had been set up with sparkling crystal and red damask napkins.
“Colin,” Alexa said. “You shouldn’t have! This is too much.”
“How can it be too much? You love it and I love it. Now we can enjoy it.”
Alexa followed Colin into a tiny sitting room with deep red couches.
He said, “The wine steward is sick today, but Jamison has agreed to fill in.”
Apparently, Mart got to stand guard on deck—the cushy job, by all accounts. In fact, as the engines rumbled to life, Alexa wanted to be on deck, too. She loved the feel of the wind in her hair.
“What would you like to drink?” Colin was asking. Jamison stood nearby, waiting patiently, his body language unassuming and deferential. However, she wasn’t fooled. She struggled to ignore him. “A cola, please.”
“And I’ll take a scotch on the rocks, to start,” Colin said. He settled back on the couch, his arm behind her shoulders. Jamison returned soon with their drinks. His fingers brushed hers as he handed her the cold glass. Why did she get the feeling it wasn’t accidental? She frowned up at him and found his eyes gleaming at her. The troublemaker! Her skin prickled, and she was relieved when he left them alone. It wouldn’t do to be more aware of Jamison’s presence than Colin’s.
“I brought my digital recorder in my purse,” she confessed. “I know you don’t want to talk business tonight, but maybe you could tell me a few stories about your early career. I know your fans will love your personal anecdotes.”
Colin laughed. “Maybe later. Let’s enjoy our time for now.”
“Could we go out on deck? I love looking at the ocean.”
“Of course.” He stood immediately.
On deck, she led the way to the bow of the boat, and stood, wind whipping through her hair as they cut through the waves. She smiled at Colin. “I love it out here, don’t you?”
“I didn’t realize you had such an adventurous side to you.”
“I don’t know about adventurous. But it’s exhilarating. It makes me feel alive. And God feels so close.”
Her Reluctant Bodyguard Page 17
