Her Protector

by Rianna Campbell

  “Yes. I really needed to pick up groceries yesterday.” She replied, picking a piece of imaginary lint off the sleeve of her coat.

  “So, you were merely inconvenienced because you couldn’t go out.” He replied, turning to stand in front of her. “You’re not upset that I had to go and you didn’t hear from me for ten hours?”

  Eleven hours, asshole. But she wasn’t going to take that bait.

  “Yes, and no. Respectively.”

  He gave her a considering look which she ignored, instead focusing on the floor numbers as they lit up and silently wishing the elevator would move faster.

  “So, you’re not disappointed that we didn’t get to fuck like bunnies right there in your kitchen yesterday morning?” He took a step forward and leaned with both hands on the wall of the elevator, caging her in.

  She could smell his cologne, that manly cedar and pine scent that made her think about the outdoors. She could feel the blush rising as the image of she and Conor, lying naked together on a bed of pine needles came unbidden to her mind.

  “No.” She shrugged, telling herself that sex on a bed of pine needles would probably be horrible.

  “Bullshit.” He growled. He moved closer, leaning down until they were eye to eye. His face softened and he frowned. “I’m sorry, Lex. I got called away and then a million other things happened and I didn’t even have time to breath until I got home.”

  “It’s fine.” She said flatly.

  “It’s not fine.” His voice was quiet but laced with tension. “I should have called, and I didn’t. I’m sorry.”

  “Really, it’s not an issue.” She said, keeping her expression and her voice neutral.

  The doors opened and she ducked out of the elevator and into the lobby. He caught up to her and escorted her toward the Hummer.

  “I’d like to get my car.” She said. “Since it’s been here all weekend. I understand I may not need it for the foreseeable future, but I’d rather leave it at home for the duration instead of here.”

  “I’ll have someone get it for you tomorrow.” Connor replied. Alexandra stopped walking and dug in her four inch heels, even though her feet were killing her.

  “I’d rather do it now, if you don’t mind.”

  Connor sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “Fine.” He walked her to where her car had been parked since Friday morning but motioned her to wait when she went to get in. To her surprise he got down on the pavement and, lying on his back, he examined the undercarriage. When he was done asked for the keys and popped the trunk, then searched the interior. Then he gave her a curt nod.

  “Follow me and don’t leave the vehicle until I give you the all clear.”

  He waited while she got in and started it. She turned on the seat warmer and the heat and backed out. When Connor saw her pulling out of the garage, he pulled into traffic and stopped, giving her a space to pull into behind him.

  Alexandra chewed her lip all the way home. She was afraid of what would happen if he came inside. She wasn’t afraid of him, but she was scared that she wouldn’t be able to resist and things would go the way of Sunday morning. She didn’t know how to handle this and she was sure it would end badly for her.

  She liked him. She was attracted to him. She wanted to trust him, but that impulse had proven to be dangerous in the past. This was precisely why she’d given up on men a long time ago. Too much work for what was usually too little reward.

  He pulled into the first of two open spaces in front and got out. He scanned the street and, once satisfied, walked back and opened her door. He kept his hand on her back as she mounted the steps and opened the door. Once unlocked, he slid inside and began his sweep.

  She waited and fidgeted. When he returned he was noticeably agitated and for a moment she was afraid he’d found something. He seemed to read her mind and he sighed.

  “Everything’s fine.” He said. “At least in the house.”

  “Good. Thank you.” She replied, removing her coat and hanging it on the hook by the door. She took off her shoes and tossed them by the stairs so she could grab them when she went upstairs. She waited to see if he would stay or go and held her breath. He shut the door and locked it and took a step toward her.

  “Can we talk about this?” He asked, a stubborn set to his jaw.

  “What is there to talk about?” She said, turning into the living room. She kept going straight through to the kitchen. She pulled a bottle of water from the fridge and opened it, taking a long sip.

  “Do you want to just forget yesterday happened?” He asked. His eyes were smoldering and intense. He was looking at her like he was a hungry lion and she was a porterhouse. This was dangerous.

  “Maybe.” She said with a shrug.

  “Do you feel like it was a mistake?” He asked. His voice was deceptively calm. He was prowling toward her. There was no other way to describe it. He moved with an easy grace but the power in his body was unmistakable.

  “I don’t know what to think.” She admitted. “I can’t deny there was… chemistry between us, but I don’t know what it means. I’m not good at this.”

  “What aren’t you good at?” He asked. He was still moving closer.

  “Casual sex? Dating? Relationships? Take your pick.” She shrugged again. “I don’t know if this means anything or if it’s just because of proximity. I mean we were together Friday night, most of Saturday and yesterday morning. It’s possible any two reasonably good-looking people of the opposite sex might develop an attraction given they spent enough time together, even if it’s only temporary.”

  “Reasonably good-looking?” He smirked and arched an eyebrow.

  Uh-oh. Oh, no. No, no.

  “You’re missing the point.” She said, punctuating it with a tip of her bottle in his direction.

  “Do elaborate.” He said. He had stopped roughly a foot in front of her and shoved his hands into his pockets, drawing her attention to those enticingly lean hips. She focused on drawing in steady breaths.

  “The point is, this is an unusual and complicated situation. There’s a professional relationship here that needs consideration and I think it’s best we try not to muddy the waters with any interpersonal issues we might have.”

  He pursed his lips in thought and she hoped, and also feared, he was getting her point.

  “Let’s look at this rationally.” He nodded. The look in his eyes said that he was prepared to fight this out and for once, she wasn’t confident in her ability to win. “One, we have a legally binding contract with your employer and have committed to the job. I would never let interpersonal issues interfere with my ability to perform my job. If, for some reason, I did not think I could be objective, I have six employees that can more than handle the professional issues.

  “Two, I can assure you that I have been thrown into close quarters for extended periods of time with members of the opposite sex, some of them reasonably good-looking, and I haven’t wanted to fuck them. Three, this is more than attraction, and I think you know that.”

  He shifted forward, caging her in against the counter. It seemed to be an irritating habit of his. She licked her lips nervously and his attention focused on her mouth.

  Mistake.

  You didn’t beard the lion, you didn’t bait the bear, you didn’t tug on Superman’s cape.

  “Four, you are not reasonably good-looking, Alexandra. You are impeccable. Absolute perfection. Does that satisfy your qualms?” He whispered. His lips were inches from hers and her brain had ceased to function. Her mouth hung open but nothing came out.

  Connor kissed her and lightning threaded through her veins. Her whole body went on high alert as he slid his lips slowly over hers, nipping and sucking her bottom lip. Her body responded automatically and she arched into him.

  Stupid body!

  His hands found her hips and pulled her to him. His tongue brushed her lips and she let him in without a thought. The kiss became volcanic- hot languid movements of his tongue and lips t
hat built into a molten hot explosion of need that left them both breathless.

  Alexandra’s head was spinning as she gasped for air. Who needed air when she could have kisses like that? At that moment she would have foregone air, food, water, sunlight- anything- as long as Connor kept kissing her. And touching her. And-

  Stop. This is insane.

  Connor took a deliberate step back as if it caused him actual physical pain to separate from her. He put a hand on her jaw, stroking with his thumb.

  “You’re confused, and a little freaked out.” He said gently. Alexandra just nodded. “I’m not a complete asshole. I’m not going to push you. I want you to be sure.” Alexandra nodded again. Too overwhelmed for thought or speech.

  “But this isn’t going to go away, and I don’t want to ignore this.” His eyes were sincere and there was an earnestness to his face that made her believe him. “I’ll give you time and space if that’s what you need, but not too much.” He said the last with that oh-so-sexy smile that made her heart race.

  He took her hand and threaded his fingers through hers, tugging her away from the counter. He led her through the dining room and living room to the foyer.

  “I can’t be here tomorrow. I have things I can’t reschedule. Jackson is on your detail tomorrow. I’ll text you a photo so you know who you’re looking for.” He scrutinized her face like he was struggling with something, or like he was trying to commit it to memory. Alexandra flushed under his gaze but didn’t look away.

  “I am sorry.” He said. “I was an arse. I should have taken a minute to let you know what was going on.”

  “Yes.” She said, but she smiled to take the sting out. “You should have.”

  Connor looked a bit relieved and some of the tension left his body. He swept her to him, one hand on her waist, and one on her neck, and kissed her. It was a swift, brutal kiss that made her lips tingle.

  “Lock up behind me.” He whispered, against her lips. He gave her one more soft smooch, and then turned away.

  CHAPTER TEN

  Jackson, as it turned out, fit the job requirements perfectly. Tall, and insanely handsome, he had a close cropped beard and hair long enough that he kept it pulled back in a knot at the base of his skull. Throw him in a flannel shirt and give him an ax and she’d swear he was a lumberjack. Or maybe a cowboy, since he seemed to have a southern accent.

  As it was, he wore a dark suit, expertly tailored, that made him look like an A-list celebrity on his way to a premier. Chris Hemsworth maybe? No, more like Jason Momoa. Jackson’s hair was a dark rich brown, as were his eyes, and his skin was a glowing bronze. She’d given up on her pasty ass every getting that kind of color.

  He introduced himself, as Sam had, handing her his ID so she could examine it. He was polite and professional, and smiled almost as easily as Connor. She locked up, making sure she had everything she needed and he opened the door to a black Range Rover and helped her inside.

  “What, no Hummer?” She joked as he pulled into traffic. Jackson laughed. It was a rich baritone rumble that rolled over her like honey. All of these men were potentially lethal. She could easily see having a heart attack in the next week.

  “I prefer the Range Rover. Mr. MacLachlan doesn’t much mind what we drive as long as it’s reliable and properly outfitted.”

  “Outfitted?” She asked.

  “Yup. Every work vehicle we drive is armored and has been fitted with bullet-proof glass.”

  “Wow. No wonder he didn’t want me driving around on my own. My Beamer certainly doesn’t have bulletproof glass.”

  Jackson chuckled again and nodded.

  “So is Jackson your first name or last name?”

  He looked at her briefly and raised an eyebrow. He gave her a rueful smile. “First name. Nobody’s ever asked that.”

  “Do you prefer to be called Jackson? Or is there something else you’re more comfortable with?” She asked. She employed this tactic with her clients. It showed that she really cared about them as a person and not just a dollar sign. It put them at ease and earned her a measure of their trust.

  “Jacks, Jackson, Hunter, anything is fine.”

  “Well, Jacks,” He grinned and she couldn’t help but smile back. “Are you stuck on babysitting duty all day?”

  “Yes ma’am. I’m afraid you’re stuck with me.”

  “Dear God, don’t call me ma’am. I hate that. Call me Alexandra, or Lex. Either is fine, as long as it isn’t ‘ma’am’. And I’m sure I’m lucky to have you on my team.”

  “Thank you very much… Lex.” He beamed at her. You’d think she’d just given him a raise or a puppy. She smiled back.

  “In that case, you and I are going shopping after work. Do you mind?”

  Again he gave her an odd look, like he didn’t know what to make of her. “Not at all. Groceries, shoes or clothes?”

  “Groceries. Why?”

  “Just thinking ahead. If you wanted to go shoe shopping I’d have to call someone to bring an extra car.”

  “I see. You’re a smartass.” Alexandra said feigning exasperation.

  “Better than a dumbass.” He grinned.

  “You know what. I like you, Jackson.”

  He looked startled, and a little uncomfortable.

  “I think I like you, too.”

  “Good. That should make this easier.”

  He frowned, but didn’t say anything.

  Jackson pulled up in front of the building and parked in the closest empty spot. He got out and walked around to open her door for her. He escorted her to the security desk and she gave him a smile.

  “Thank you. I’m not sure when I’ll be done tonight, but I’ll call you about half an hour before I plan to head out. Okay?”

  Jackson gave her a dazzling smile and a wink before turning and walking away. Janie happened to be heading in with a cardboard carrier filled with coffees. Jackson held the door open for her and treated her to an appreciative smile as she slid by him. Janie openly gaped and walked backward through the lobby until he was out of sight.

  “Careful, Janice.” Alexandra admonished. Janie whipped around, surprised.

  “Did you see him? Jesus, Mary and Joseph.” She glanced over her shoulder even though he was long gone. Alexandra laughed.

  “What happened to your cowboy drummer?”

  “I’m not dead, Lex.” She huffed.

  “Shall we?” Alexandra asked, gesturing to the elevator. She snagged the largest cup, which she knew was hers, and took a long sip. Venti whole milk caramel macchiato with extra caramel.

  “You’re an angel, Janie.” She sighed as she took another sip. Though her aforementioned pasty ass wouldn’t thank her.

  “I know.” Janie said, sounding smug.

  “Seriously, though. How’d it go Saturday night?” Alexandra pushed. It wasn’t like Janie to be tight-lipped and she wanted to avoid any more conversation about Jackson.

  “Fine.” Janie shrugged. Double uh-oh.

  “That bad, huh?” Alexandra grimaced.

  “I don’t know,” Janie sighed. “I mean he’s gorgeous and all that, but he was so… wholesome.”

  “Wholesome?”

  “Yeah, like he belonged on the fucking Waltons or something. Or maybe in Mayberry.”

  “So he’s too… nice?” Alexandra asked.

  “Nice isn’t bad, but he was so… bland. Even his drumming was bland. Not bad, just not… thrilling.”

  “Ah, no spark.” Alexandra nodded.

  “Exactly!” Janie let out an exasperated breath. “Am I being crazy?”

  Alexandra frowned. Normally Janie was so nonchalant about men. If it didn’t work out, she didn’t sweat it. She wanted what she wanted and she made no apologies about it. Plenty of fish in the sea and all that.

  “No, Janie. If there’s no spark, it’s not really worth it, is it? I mean it’s not like you didn’t give him a shot, right?”

  “Yeah, I guess.” Janie sounded dejected. Janie didn’t do dejected.<
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  They arrived at their floor and Alexandra motioned Janie into her office.

  “What’s going on, Janie?” She said, ditching her purse and sitting in one of the client chairs in front of her desk. “Why do you seem like someone kicked your puppy?”

  “I don’t know.” Janie sighed. “I guess… I’ve never been the relationship type really. I think… maybe I might be starting to think about looking. Possibily.”

  Janie was clearly upset so she tried her best not to laugh at her lack of enthusiasm.

  “And what changed?”

  Janie looked a little uncomfortable. “Well, I think it started a while ago. It just doesn’t seem as much fun as it used to. I used to be totally good with just casual dating, a good roll in the hay now and then. But lately… it’s just not that great anymore. And then I saw you and Connor the other night. I mean the way you looked at each other and the way he took care of you after…”

  After I freaked out.

  “It was… sweet. Nice. Then you guys left and I sat there thinking and I found myself wanting to actually get to know him. Luke, I mean.” Janie sounded appalled at the thought, and like she might actually be a little nauseous. “So I did. Instead of going back to my place or his, we sat and talked. And he was sweet… but… boring. If I’d just fucked him, I wouldn’t have known because I wouldn’t have bothered to talk to him after.”

  At that, Alexandra did laugh.

  “Oh, Janie. You’re growing up.” She faked a sob and wiped at non-existent tears.

  “You are such a smart-ass.” Janie rolled her eyes. “Why did I bother.” She started to get up.

  “No, wait. I’m sorry. Don’t go.” Alexandra said. “I couldn’t help it. I don’t think you’re crazy, I just think maybe your priorities are changing. You’re starting to want something more serious. Dare I say, possibly something more permanent? I never judged you before, and I won’t judge you now. You deserve to be happy, whether it’s hooking up or shacking up.”

  “Thanks.” Janie gave her a wane smile. “I never thought I’d see the day, but I guess it had to happen eventually.”

  Alexandra gave her a hug and then told her to get to work.