“What did you slip on? Is that blood? Are you bleeding?” He looked her over but couldn’t see any source for the red liquid lying on the floor.
Wait. Not blood.
Some other red liquid. Then he saw the shards of glass.
Bare feet.
Fuck.
“Did you stand on the glass?” he asked, remembering her sharp cry of pain.
She flinched, and he sucked in a deep breath. Fuck. He was messing this all up.
She’s the client. Not someone he should be snarling at. His shortness with her came from worry. But she didn’t know that.
Okay, he was also feeling short-tempered because he’d been made to wait at the gate, then on the doorstep for her, and Brick wasn’t a guy who had much patience. Waiting around, doing nothing, it wasn’t in his nature. He was a man of action.
But if he wasn’t careful, he was going to lose this job before he’d had time to earn any money.
“There’s sharp glass around and you have bare feet. That’s juice?”
She looked from the liquid to him and gave a small nod. He wondered why she couldn’t talk. Injured vocal cords? Something else? She wasn’t what he’d expected. He’d thought she’d be perfectly composed. Maybe cool and haughty.
This is what Elias and Sterling were warning you about. Don’t let your prejudices make you judge her before you even know her.
“Did you stand on some glass?”
Tears filled her eyes. Fuck. The urge to take her into his arms, to hug her and hold her was so strong that it nearly hurt trying to resist it.
Another nod.
He glanced over at her feet. One was hidden beneath her dress. Was she holding it up? Shit. How was he going to take care of her when she wouldn’t let him touch her?
“I need to look at it.” He tried to make his voice more soothing. But the wary look she shot him said that she wasn’t buying it.
So, she was smart too. He wasn’t much for soothing. Being calm and gentle didn’t come easily to him. He was rough and emotionally unavailable, according to Linda.
But it was obvious that this girl needed him to ease his edges off, or she was going to bolt like a rabbit.
“I’m Brenton Sampson. Everyone calls me Brick, though.”
She didn’t react. It would help if she could talk. What had her brother said about communication?
“Do you have something you can use to talk to me?” he asked. He really wanted to check that burn, but he wasn’t sure that she would let him touch her.
Yep, he’d really made a great first impression.
“I’m the security specialist that your brother hired to guard you.”
She nodded slowly. Right. So, she knew who he was. But she still looked ready to run at the slightest hint that he meant her harm.
Easy. Just move slowly. Talk quietly.
“Would you let me look at your foot and your hand? They’ve got to be sore?”
She shook her head and he tried to work out which question she was answering.
“You won’t let me look at your foot and hand?”
She just eyed him. Not an outright no, but not a yes, either.
The need to pick her up and just take care of her was riding him hard.
You can’t touch her without permission unless she’s in danger.
A shrug was his only answer. Shit. This was going to be more difficult than anticipated. How did he communicate with her easily?
“A way of communicating with you would really help right now,” he muttered.
She nodded then turned to limp away.
“Shit, don’t walk around with a piece of glass in your foot.”
Freezing, she shot him a look. He expected to see fear in her eyes, but instead, her gaze was filled with irritation. He ran his hand over his face. He needed to calm himself.
The job. You need this job.
Then he noticed blood on the floor. Actual blood this time. Fuck.
“You’re bleeding. That’s it. I’m touching you, so you need to deal.” He didn’t know how deep the cut was, it might not be a matter of life or death, but he was certain that her brother wouldn’t appreciate him standing there while she was hurt and bleeding.
Fuck. His Daddy instincts were screaming at him. But as he reached for her, there was a noise behind him. Her eyes widened. He turned towards the threat, reaching for his gun.
“Whoa, it’s just us.” Elias held up his hands and Sterling shot him a look as they both walked through the door.
Shit. “Sorry, I didn’t hear you coming.” Suddenly, he felt someone press up against his back. Someone small, who was trembling.
“Juliet,” he said in a low voice. Was that soothing? He grimaced, fucked if he knew. The look Elias shot him was filled with surprise, so maybe he’d managed it. “Juliet, it’s okay. These are my friends and work colleagues. This is Elias.” He pointed at the dark-skinned, giant man who waved down at the woman peering around from behind him.
She twisted the back of his T-shirt in her hand and he remembered that being on the list of instructions. What had happened to this girl that she couldn’t cope with meeting strangers? That she had to literally hold onto someone to ease her anxiety? Was that what she was doing? Holding onto him because he made her feel less anxious?
Something like satisfaction filled him.
Ease up, bud. You’re like the lesser of three evils. She doesn’t actually see you as her protector.
He might not have enjoyed being married to Linda, but he did like having someone to watch over, to protect.
“Hi Juliet,” Elias said softly. Despite his large size, he was a big softie.
Brick expected Juliet’s tension to ease, but she just tightened her hold on him. That was odd. Women usually much preferred Elias’ gentle approach or Sterling’s sense of humor. Not his grim personality.
“Hey, Juliet. Did the boss man here tell you some bad stories about us?” Sterling joked. “Promise none of it is true.”
She still didn’t react.
Elias looked to Brick, his eyebrows raised. “Anything we can do in here?”
Do?
“Did you guys spill something?” Sterling added. “There’s glass on the floor, and is that cranberry juice?”
“Fuck. Her foot.” He whirled around and nearly sent her flying. Grabbing her upper arms, he steadied her. “Are you all right? We need to check your foot.”
Her eyes were too wide in her pale face.
“She hurt herself?” Elias asked.
“Yes, but I think more urgent is that you guys step back and give her some breathing space.”
He’d seen several panic attacks before. Most people started to breathe in big gulps, as though they couldn’t get enough air. But he had a feeling that Juliet’s panic attacks were different. And that she was headed towards one right now.
Gently grasping hold of her uninjured hand, he placed it on his shirt. Something came over her face. Something that looked like relief.
That’s right, baby. Let me anchor you.
Fuck. He was in trouble.
“Are you sure? Is there something we can do?” Elias asked. “Juliet, could I check your foot for you?
She shook her head frantically.
“I got it,” he said quietly. “I’m going to take Juliet and find a first-aid kit. Can you guys clean up this? Did you find the pool house?”
“Yeah, it’s locked though,” Sterling replied.
She pointed at the side table. There was a single drawer in it.
“Key’s in there?” he asked.
She nodded.
Sterling moved to the drawer and opened it. She tensed, but that panicked look didn’t enter her gaze again. Because she was holding onto him?
“Got it. We’ll give you both a bit of space,” Sterling said.
“I’ll go find the broom and mop,” Elias said in a falsely cheerful voice as he walked past them, careful to give her a wide berth.
Juliet watched him bu
t didn’t flinch. Her reactions were off. It wasn’t like she was afraid of them exactly, just wary. But moments ago, he’d seen her panic. Almost felt it. Was she always this scared around people she didn’t know? If so, how did she get on in everyday life? Hold down a job? Even just buy her groceries? Surely, she had to run into strangers. Or was it because they were big and male? Maybe because they were in her house?
He pushed those thoughts out of his mind. He’d ponder them later. She’d had a piece of glass in her foot for far too long.
“Juliet, I have to get that piece of glass out of your foot,” he explained. “But I can’t let you walk on it. Can I pick you up?”
She studied him for a long moment, then nodded.
“Good.” He let out a sigh of relief. Reaching out, he lifted her up into his arms slowly. “You weigh nothing. Do you even eat?”
She stiffened, and he cursed himself for snapping like that. But when he glanced down at her, she was glaring up at him.
Okay, so the bunny had claws. Good to know.
“Not known for mincing my word, bunny,” he told her.
She snapped her teeth at him, crossing her arms over her chest. Amusement filled him.
“More of a kitten, huh?”
She sniffed.
“Tigress.”
Sighing, she looked sad all of a sudden, and he wanted the glaring, snappy Juliet back. She just shook her head.
“Right, point me in the direction of where the first-aid kit is.”
She pointed down the hallway and they passed Elias in the corridor, carrying a mop, broom, and bucket.
He nodded at Brick, giving Juliet a concerned look but he didn’t say anything. She tensed slightly but otherwise, she didn’t show any sign of concern. Was it because she knew Brick would keep her safe? That was silly, right?
He’d known her fifteen minutes and spent most of that time snapping at her.
Yep. Ridiculous.
She pointed to a door and he stepped into a huge country-style kitchen. It was done in soft blues and creams with an enormous island. Reluctantly, he sat her down on the counter. Reaching over, she grabbed a whiteboard and pen that were on the counter.
First-aid kit is under the sink.
All right. He supposed at least now they could communicate. Although he wished he could hear her voice. Turning, he moved to the kitchen sink.
This was going to be a very strange assignment.
* * *
Don’t check out his ass. Don’t check out his ass.
Brick Sampson was too masculine to truly be thought of as handsome. Where Xavier’s features were all perfectly proportioned, Brick’s were all slightly off. His jaw a bit too firm. Nose a bit too wide. But it didn’t matter because the man was raw power in a large package. But there was something radiating from Brick that just told you he was a force to be reckoned with.
He was gruff and impatient, there was nothing soft about him. She’d felt that when he’d held her pressed against him. Definitely all muscle. To her shock, her body had reacted to him. She had never shown sexual interest in any man except for Xavier. And he was a stranger.
She’d known Xavier for years. She’d first met him when he’d been in college and had come to Wishingbone to visit Reuben. Xavier was safe. Kind and caring. She trusted him.
She didn’t trust Brick. She didn’t know him. And from what she had observed of him, he was the opposite of Xavier. He wasn’t a man who was used to being defied. She’d seen his frustration when he’d had to hold himself back with her. When he’d wanted to just storm in and take charge.
But he was here to do a job. Nothing more. Nothing less.
Still, she didn’t have to trust him to check out one fine, fine ass.
He turned just as she had that thought. And she felt her cheeks grow bright red. For the first time ever, she was glad that she wasn’t able to talk. Because she had a feeling she might have just asked him if she could give his ass a squeeze.
Just a little one.
Thankfully, having to write things down rather than just blurting them out meant she had time to come to her senses.
Brick stood there for a moment, then he raised an eyebrow, and a hint of a self-satisfied smile filled his face.
Uh-oh.
She had a feeling that she hadn’t hidden the fact that she’d been checking him out all that well
Look away. Act innocent.
How was she going to survive this?
He moved slowly and easily because he thought she was a bunny. Easily frightened.
And aren’t you?
Although it was a wonder she hadn’t had a full-blown panic attack just now. She’d managed to stop it before it had really hit her.
Because of him.
Placing the first-aid kit on the counter, he drew out a stool and sat on it, then using slow movements, he drew her foot up so he could examine it.
Her dress fell back to her calf, and she sucked in a breath.
Having her skin exposed made her feel raw. Vulnerable. But it was just her foot and calf. She could handle it.
“Walking around barefoot is a damn fool idea,” he muttered.
She attempted to pull her foot away, scowling down at him. Plenty of people walked around barefoot. Who was this guy to keep snapping at her like he did? No one ever spoke to her this way.
He just kept hold of her foot.
“Especially with broken glass on the floor.”
It wasn’t like she’d done it on purpose.
She tried to pull her foot away again.
“Stay still,” he ordered, giving her a firm look. “I know it hurts, but if you stay still, I can do it quicker.”
She sighed but kept still.
“There, got it all, I think. But it would be better to wash your foot as well before we put on the antiseptic.”
He picked her up and carried her over to the other counter where the sink was, setting her down and then gently washing her foot. A shiver ran through her, surprising her. Was she attracted to him?
What would it be like to have a fling? To have sex? Could she do that with a stranger?
She shuddered at the thought of him seeing her naked. Touching her.
“Easy,” he said, breaking through the fear threatening to send her into another panic attack. “You’re fine. All clean. Just need the antiseptic. Sorry if this hurts.”
After the antiseptic, he put a bandage on, his movements brisk but gentle. Seemed like overkill to her.
“There, that ought to do it. But I don’t want you walking on that foot for the rest of the day, understand?”
She raised her eyebrows at his bossy tone. Oh, he was definitely a man who was used to getting his own way.
Grabbing her whiteboard and pen, she wrote a message and showed it to him.
“Do I expect you to fly?” he repeated. “Are you sassing me?”
She tilted her head to one side. Was she? She’d never thought of herself as sassy.
She shrugged.
He eyed her for a moment, then let out a noise that was a cross between irritation and impatience. She hid a smile. It was fun poking the bear.
Best not poke too hard, Juliet. You don’t know him. You don’t know when he’ll bite back.
Right. That somber reminder had her straightening. She knew that Reuben would have done an extensive background check on this man. Even with a short timeframe, he wouldn’t hire someone who wasn’t good at their job. However, there was a lot that could slip through a background check. It didn’t mean he hadn’t done bad things, only that he hadn’t been caught.
And while her gut said she could trust him, she had nothing to base that on. She’d learned the hard way that her gut could be wrong. And that when she listened to it, she could end up hurt.
“Hey, you okay?” He reached for her chin and she flinched back.
He froze. She had to resist the urge to lean into him, to press against him and breathe him in.
“Would you prefer that El
ias come and help you?” he asked in a voice that had grown cooler.
There was something in the way he held himself. Something that said he fully expected to be rejected. She wasn’t sure who would ever reject this man.
Well, other than her. But she was an idiot. Flawed.
“I’ll go get him to look at that burn.” He took a step away and she shook her head, covering up the burn. He narrowed his gaze at her. “You need something on it. If the blister bursts, then it could easily get infected.
She shook her head again. He wasn’t the boss of her. She wrote another message.
I’m fine. You probably need to settle in.
He crossed his arm over his chest. “It’s not okay. It needs checking. And I’ll settle in once you’re okay.”
I’m okay.
He sent her a skeptical look.
She went to slide off the bench, but he moved into her way. A small spark of panic started in her belly. Instead of trying to calm it, she let it grow. Because this was how she should react to him. No way was the desire to curl up in his lap like a contented kitten and purr actually real. Or sane.
But he didn’t touch her. Or snap at her. Instead, he watched her carefully.
“For some reason, I don’t think you’re as scared of me as you’re pretending to be.”
She narrowed her gaze at him.
“Why don’t you want me touching you? Is it just me? Or all men?”
None of your business. And I don’t need a shrink.
She showed him the message.
“No, you need a bodyguard. Which is me. I’m in charge of you.” He pointed a finger at her. If she’d been braver, she would have bitten it.
Nobody is in charge of me.
“I’ve been employed to keep you safe, and that means if there is any danger to you, then you’re to do as I say. If you’re hurt, then I’m in charge of taking care of you. If you need something, then I’m here to provide it.”
That’s not what bodyguard means.
“Does in my world, babe.”
She wrinkled her nose at his arrogance. What he needed was a good, hard kick in the behind.
Fine. Then I’d like a double fudge sundae with whipped cream and sprinkles.
There. She sent him a triumphant look. He’d said if she needed something, he’d provide it.
Her Daddies’ Saving Grace Page 4
