Her Protector

by Rianna Campbell

  “Would you like more water or something else?” She stood, suddenly nervous. She started gathering the dishes and closing up the takeout containers. He stopped her and when she looked at him, his eyes were intense.

  “Let me.” He said. He took the piled up plates and took them to the kitchen. She followed behind him and put the leftovers in the fridge before grabbing two bottles of beer. He took both from her, twisted off the caps and handed her one.

  “Cheers.” He said, holding his bottle up to hers.

  “Cheers.” She muttered.

  ✽✽✽

  She is so damn adorable I can’t stand it.

  Her laugh had made his heart stop. She seemed so free, so joyful. It was a gorgeous sound, throaty and genuine. It was the exact opposite of how she’d looked last night. It made him realize he would do a hell of a lot to make her smile and laugh. He didn’t know why it had affected him so much, but it was a visceral reaction to her emotions. Her sorrow made him furious beyond reason, and her happiness and made him feel like he was floating.

  What the hell is wrong with you?

  Connor sipped his beer and watched as Alexandra nervously backtracked to the living room. She positioned herself more toward the center of the couch, farther away from the chair he’d been sitting in.

  Her face when he sat himself down on the couch beside her was priceless. Here hazel eyes were wide and her cheeks were pink. Her lush lips parted with a sharp inhalation before she clamped them shut. She shifted nervously and looked away to set her beer down on the table.

  “So what should I call you?” He asked. He fought the urge to touch her face. To lift her chin so that she had to look at him. To wrap a bit of her hair around his finger. Sitting next to her he could smell almonds and honey-- warm and sweet.

  “Whatever you want.” She said. It came out as a breathy whisper and he almost groaned.

  “I don’t think you mean that.” He gave her a wolfish grin and she blushed.

  “I mean, most people call me Alexandra.” She corrected. “But I don’t have a preference.”

  “It’s a beautiful name, Alexandra.” He replied. She shivered a little and bit her lip. Jesus, she was going to kill him. “What have your boyfriends called you?”

  “Alexandra, Alex, Lex.” She frowned.

  “What do you prefer to be called?” He coaxed. She pursed her lips and cocked her head.

  “You know, I’m not sure anyone has ever actually asked me that before.”

  “Wankers.” Connor mumbled. She laughed and he had to cross his legs to prevent tenting his gym shorts.

  “Janie and Amanda, my sister, call me Lex. I think I like that better than Alex.”

  “Would you like me to call you Lex? ” He said softly. She blushed, but then gave him a wicked grin.

  “I could get used to that, I think.”

  “Lex it is.” He grinned.

  “So what’s our story?” She asked.

  They discussed every fictional detail until they agreed to stick as close to the truth as possible. And he flirted shamelessly with her the entire time. He couldn’t help it. Those bashful blushes and those all too rare mischievous grins were like a drug. He’d do just about anything to get one or the other.

  By quarter after five, they had everything squared away and he ran out of excuses to stay, unless…

  “Any plans for tonight?” He asked.

  Please say yes, even if it’s a run to the shops.

  “Not really.” She hesitated, biting her lip.

  Ask her to go for a drink.

  No, don’t. Your job is to protect her, not intentionally get her out of the house where it might not be safe.

  You’ll be with her, it’ll be fine.

  No. Do your job. Go home. Let Tom take over tomorrow morning.

  Fuck Tom.

  “Well, I’ll let you enjoy your evening then.” Connor smiled and stood up. She looked a little uncertain, but she didn’t say anything. He headed for the door and she walked behind him. He turned around and she smiled up at him.

  “I’ll be sure to lock the door behind you.”

  “Good girl.” He murmured, running his knuckle down her cheek. Her skin was soft and the way her breath hitched slightly at the contact made him want to kiss her. Hard. Instead he forced himself to turn and walk away.

  CHAPTER SIX

  I should have asked him to stay.

  But why would he? They had straightened out what they needed to, and she would be in for the night, by her own admission, so he had no reason to stay. She’d taken up his entire Saturday as it was, he probably wanted to get home and relax. Maybe he even had plans.

  If she called Janie, she would almost certainly invite her to come out with her tonight. Then she could call Connor and tell him that Janie was dragging her out and he’d have to come back. And they’d have to act all cuddly. He’d have his arm around her, or his hands on her, and she could just enjoy it. She could pretend, just for a while.

  Don’t be stupid. This isn’t a game. You’re safer at home, alone.

  Is it worth it if it means being alone all the time?

  It wasn’t the first time that she'd thought about it. She had intentionally isolated herself from the world, with the exception of her parents and a few friends. She didn’t trust easily and it had never been worth the risk to try.

  Dating, sex, marriage, friendship- the more people you let in the more opportunities for pain and disappointment. And not just for her. The people who loved her had been through enough.

  Her decision made, she put her phone face down on the coffee table and walked to the bookshelf. She pulled out her old copy of Pride and Prejudice and got comfy on the couch. She used to read through all of Jane Austen’s novels at least once a year, but it had been a while since she’d had the time. She opened it to the first chapter and smiled at the familiar words.

  But she had trouble concentrating. She read the same page three times before she gave up. Instead, she got up and went to the kitchen. Pulling out her recipe book that her mother had given her with all her favorites, she started gathering ingredients. She measured, mixed, and scooped and an hour later she had four dozen chocolate chip cookies cooling on the counter.

  She tasted one and savored the warm melty chocolate. This was a good batch, but it still wasn’t quite right. Her mother always joked that the extra love made them special and that was why she couldn’t get them exactly the way her mother had made them.

  She was contemplating what she could do differently- maybe a pinch more salt and a bit less flour?- when her cell phone buzzed from the living room.

  She flipped it over and saw Janie’s name on the caller ID.

  “Hey.”

  “Lex! What are you doing tonight?” Janie asked. She sounded even more enthusiastic than usual. That was never a good sign.

  “Nothing, why?” Alexandra asked. Even though she’d thought about calling Janie earlier, she was getting the feeling Janie had something in mind besides a casual girls’ night at a club.

  “One of the guys I met last night is a drummer in a band and he put me on the list for his gig tonight. He said I could bring friends. Will you come?”

  “Uh…”

  “Please?? I wouldn’t mind going alone normally, but this bar is outside my usual radius and I’m not sure what to expect.”

  “If you’re worried about it, why are you going? Can’t you just wait and meet him for coffee tomorrow or something?”

  “A date… for coffee… on a Sunday?” She scoffed. “What am I, 80? Besides, didn’t you hear me? He’s a drummer. So hot.”

  “This isn’t some dive in Hell’s Kitchen, is it?”

  “No, soho. It can’t be that bad.”

  “Where in Soho?”

  “Baxter Street.”

  “That’s not Soho!” Alexandra protested. “That’s Chinatown, Janie!”

  “So, it’s a little south of Soho. Please? I promise we won’t stay too long.”

 
“Fine.” Alexandra huffed. “But I’m bringing Connor so I’m not stranded when you ditch me.”

  “I wouldn’t do that.” Janie replied, injured. “But I’m cool if he wants to come too.”

  “What time?” Alexandra sighed, though she couldn’t help the smile that came with it.

  “Show starts at ten. I’ll meet you out front. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I really appreciate it.”

  “What do I even wear? What kind of bar is this?”

  “Just a normal bar. Wear whatever you normally wear to a bar. Gotta go. See you later!”

  Janie hung up before Alexandra could explain she didn’t normally go to bars. She hadn’t been out in anything other than her work clothes in so long that she had no idea what that meant, let alone what that meant to Janie. Janie was unique and her idea of style, though it was perfect for her, was not the same as Alexandra’s.

  First things first. She called Connor. While the phone rang she realized she was nervous. Would he be mad that she’d sent him home just to call him back and tell him he had to turn around. He’d been gone less than two hours.

  “Lex? Something wrong?” He answered. They way he said that made her stomach flutter and she froze.

  “Are you there?” He said, his concern evident.

  “Yeah,” She choked out. She cleared her throat and added, “Everything’s fine. I, um, hope I’m not bothering you. Are you busy?”

  “No. Not at all.” He didn’t seem annoyed, he seemed… relieved?

  “Good.” She breathed. “Janie called and begged me to come out with her to see some band. She’s into the drummer, apparently. I hate to do this, I mean I know you were just here, and if you’ve got something more important to do I can just call her back and tell her that something came up and I can’t make it.”

  She was babbling so she snapped her mouth shut before she could go any further. There was a beat of silence on the line that made her nervous. He was pissed for sure.

  “You know what, just forget it. I-”

  “Lex.” He cut in. His tone was firm but soft. “Stop. What time do you need me to pick you up?”

  “The show’s in Chinatown and it starts at ten, so… nine? Is that okay?”

  “That’s fine.”

  “Are you sure? I mean I can really cancel if you don’t want to go.”

  “Do you want to go?” He asked.

  “Not really,” She laughed nervously. “But I feel like I should. She doesn’t know this guy at all and she’s never been to this place before. I’d feel like a shitty friend if I let her go alone.”

  “Then we’re going.” He said easily. She could almost hear his easy grin. “You don’t have to ask my permission, Lex. I go where you go, that’s all there is to it. You’re not bothering me, and nothing is more important right now. Got it?”

  She couldn’t keep the smile off her face. It was so unexpectedly sweet.

  “Got it.”

  “Good. See you at nine.”

  ✽✽✽

  Connor showered, shaved, and ran his fingers through his damp hair. A club in Chinatown wasn’t a very specific description of the atmosphere he should expect, but he figured a suit and tie would be overkill. He went casual with a pair of black jeans, a band t-shirt and a hoodie over his shoulder holster. He pulled on and tied a pair of work boots and grabbed his coat on the way out.

  He’d parked his Hummer on the street outside Alexandra’s brownstone by 8:45. He checked the street, both sides, as usual, before exiting the vehicle and climbing the steps to her door. He knocked and a few minutes later he saw her peek through the window to see who it was. He stepped back so she had a clear view and a moment later the door opened.

  “You’re early.” She said, pulling him inside and shutting the door behind him. She locked it automatically without him having to remind her. “I’m almost ready.”

  She looked perfectly ready to him. She wore tight, dark jeans that hugged her legs from luscious hips to slim ankles. Her feet were bare and he found himself staring at her toes, which were painted a vibrant blue and covered in glitter. It was… cute. Fun, different but still adorably feminine.

  “My eyes are up here.” She chuckled, and his eyes wandered to her face, albeit slowly and via the rest of her. He noticed her t-shirt and laughed, pulling his hoodie open so she could see his.

  “No way.” She grinned. “Flogging Molly.”

  “Yup. Had this shirt since high school.”

  “Same.” She laughed.

  She started up the stairs and without willing himself to, he followed her. She didn’t object.

  “I just need to finish getting dressed.”

  “Take your time.” He replied, looking around her bedroom.

  He’d seen the room twice before when he’d checked the house. It was a good sized room with an attached bathroom and a walk in closet to the left. On the right, in the center of the wall was a Queen sized bed covered in a cream colored down comforter and an array of pillows in shades of purple. The headboard was a rectangle padded in cream colored brocade that was subtly patterned with vines. There was a large dresser against the far wall, a vanity on the wall to the right of the door, and a flat screen tv hung on the wall above it.

  Tonight, every surface- the bed, the dresser, the vanity, and the floor- was covered in clothes. It looked like her closet had vomited all over the room.

  “What happened here?” He asked in mock horror.

  “I couldn’t decide what to wear,” She said. “Janie said to wear whatever I normally wear to a bar. I had no clue what that meant because I don’t go to bars, except with Janie. And that’s only after work, which means I go in whatever I’ve got on.” She sighed rummaging through a pile of clothes.

  “You could wear a sack and still look beautiful.” He said. She turned toward him, smiled and then blushed. She muttered a thank you and went back to looking for… whatever it was she was looking for. He couldn’t stop staring at her.

  Her hair was wavy in a way that looked natural but probably look an hour to do. Her makeup was subtle, only enhancing her naturally high, always blushing cheekbones, dark lashes, and those warm, amber and jade eyes.

  She was beautiful, just as she was. It didn’t matter what she wore, she would look amazing in anything. Case and point, she bent to tug on a pair of socks and he noticed that even in jeans her body was a work of art. A living, breathing, warm, soft sculpture of womanhood.

  She pulled on a pair of knee high black leather riding boots over her jeans, put on a chunky leather bracelet and wrapped a houndstooth scarf around her neck.

  “I just need to grab a coat.” She mumbled, heading for the closet again. Connor just stood, watching and enjoying the tight fit of her jeans and t-shirt. She came out of the closet with a black leather moto style jacket and did a little spin.

  “Well? What do you think?” She asked. He took a moment to look her up and down. As if drawn by a magnet, he prowled toward her. Her eyes grew bigger, as did his grin, with every step. He didn’t stop until they were toe to toe and she had to tilt her head back to see his face. He leaned forward to whisper in her ear.

  “Perfect.” He said. She looked away but he could see the flush creeping up the back of her neck. So damn cute.

  The bloody club was in a strange no man’s land between soho, tribeca and chinatown. The address was officially chinatown, but it wasn’t surrounded by restaurants, asian grocery stores, or shops selling chinese clothes and knick knacks or knock-off Prada purses, so it didn’t feel like chinatown.

  The place itself seemed nice enough. Clean, decently lit and absent the stink of stale beer and cigarette smoke you found in most dive bars. The bar appeared well stocked and the bartender was a clean cut young man in a white dress shirt. His sleeves were rolled up and he looked to be mid 20’s. No grizzled prospector type with a 12 gauge loaded for bear under the bar within easy reach.

  Connor relaxed a fraction and escorted Alexandra to a table in the far corner, off to
the side of the dance floor and a low wooden stage. Alexandra was busy looking for Janie and her hand popped up when she spotted her at the other side of the room.

  Janie made her way through the crowd, which was getting denser by the minute, and gave Alexandra a hug.

  “Thanks for coming.” She beamed. Then she surprised him by giving him a quick squeeze as well. “You, too, big guy.”

  He gave her a smile.

  “Any time.”

  “The band won’t be on for a while, yet. Sound check and all that. Want a drink? I’m buying.” Janie asked, motioning to the bar.

  Connor pulled out a chair for her, instead.

  “I’ll get ‘em.” He said, waving away her protest. “What can I get for the two most beautiful girls in the room?”

  Alexandra gave him a suspicious look and Janie simply gaped at him.

  “I know you want a G&T, don’t ye?” He smiled at Alexandra as she removed her coat and pecked her on the cheek.

  Janie found her voice and held up her glass.

  “Another old fashioned for me, please.”

  “Coming right up.”

  Connor headed to the bar, glancing back over his shoulder every once in a while to check on them. Before he made it three feet, he heard Janie mutter, “If you ever decide you’re done with him, I’m next in line.” Connor chuckled.

  ✽✽✽

  “Seriously. He’s fucking gorgeous, Lex.” Janie practically swooned. She kept sneaking glances over her shoulder as he stood at the bar waiting for their drinks. “And that ass. My Lord, I could just bite it.”

  “Janie!” Alexandra gasped, blushing for her. “Keep your voice down.”

  “And that voice,” Janie continued as if Alexandra had never spoken. “Yowza. Hot, sexy and with a Scottish accent. It’s like heaven. Hey, does he have a brother?”

  “Sister.” Alexandra gave her a saccharine smile.

  “Hmm..” Janie thought for a moment. “If she’s as hot as he is, I might be persuaded to switch teams.”

  “You’re terrible.” Alexandra laughed. “And no, you wouldn’t. You like men too much.”