Protected

by April Zyon

  “I’m sure it’s going to rock,” Viv agreed. “That’s Fia for you, though. She seems to find what everyone needs and puts it in a painting.” She was going to say something else but stopped because she had just met these men and didn’t want to tell too many of her sister’s secrets. “But that’s enough of that. So, the two of you work together?”

  “For a good number of years,” James answered. He was grinning again as he took one of the zucchini sticks and dipped it into the sauce. “Feels like forever some days,” he teased before biting into the vegetable coated in breadcrumbs.

  “More truth in that than I’m willing to argue with,” Jason muttered. He waved her toward the appetizers first. The waitress had left them all in the middle of the table, and apparently, the men weren’t opposed to her digging in.

  Viv grabbed some of the zucchini, as well as potato skins and cheese quesadilla. “Thank you,” she said to Jason and found herself reaching out to put her hand on his again. When she realized what she’d done, she pulled back and whispered, “Sorry. I don’t mean to keep invading your personal space.”

  This time his hand moved out to touch hers. “Don’t apologize, Vivian. I don’t mind. In fact, I may just have to insist you keep doing it as much as you want.” He tapped a finger to her knuckles before drawing away and filling up a little plate with the snack foods they’d ordered.

  Vivian smiled and began to eat. She watched the way the men would from time to time share a look and frowned. “Okay, what am I missing? I feel like there are some unspoken words going on between the two of you.”

  “Nothing of any major importance,” Jason said quietly.

  James snorted at that and shook his head. “He’s attracted to you but is trying not to appear too eager so he doesn’t scare you off. He’s playing things cool, as I believe the saying goes.” He gave a huge grin.

  Vivian turned to Jason and smiled. “Is that true?” She hoped that it was, because she was certainly attracted to him. “Maybe we should have this discussion in a little while? Maybe after dinner, you can go for a walk with me?” Yes, I’m being bloody forward, but I know what I want, and that’s Jason.

  He looked a little flustered as he nodded. “It’s true,” he admitted. “And I’d like to go for a walk with you after dinner. When we no longer have the annoying company. We’ll leave him to go to bed. He looks tired, don’t you think?”

  Viv laughed. “That sounds like a plan. Hopefully, your business doesn’t take you guys away before you can meet Fia. She’s a shining light. I think you’ll both enjoy her company. Just no hitting on her. She wouldn’t know what to do with someone like you, James.” She wasn’t teasing. Poor Fi had been sheltered, and Viv was more than happy for that to continue.

  “Little ol’ me?” James asked. He batted his lashes at her and smirked. “If I promise to behave, do you think you could get her to show us some more of her work? ’Cause, I have to say, if you can, I’ll act better than I ever did in church.”

  “That’s not saying a lot,” Jason muttered under his breath.

  “Don’t listen to him,” James said, with a pointed glare at Jason. “I swear on my mama’s soul, God rest her, I’ll behave myself with your sister.” He cracked a grin then that quickly turned sensual as he wiggled his eyebrows. “Unless she doesn’t want me to behave.”

  “Oh, you’re so bad. I can see why your bosses put you and Jason together. He’s the smooth, suave, quiet one, and you’re the balls-to-the-wall, anything-it-takes-to-get-the-job-done kind.”

  “They put us together because some of the others are still in their honeymoon phase and not exactly all there,” James told her. “Not that I mind working with Jason. He lets me do all the talking. But I think it’s only because he’s busy plotting. Not that he’s saying or anything, but I’m pretty damn sure he’s got my end planned to the smallest detail. He’s very detail-oriented. Which I’m sure you’ll get to enjoy at some point along the way.” James had a knowing grin on his face as he eyed her and Jason equally.

  Vivian shook her head. “I somehow doubt that very much. Seriously, I’m sure there’s someone else Jason would rather expend that energy on other than a reporter from Seattle.” Although, just the thought of Jason’s hands on her made her mouth water and her body ache with need. She even had to cross her legs at that moment, her desire peaking.

  “Nope, not a single other person,” James helpfully told her. Jason was giving his friend a murderous look, but James ignored him and cheerfully kept on talking. “He’s been in a bit of a slump lately. It’s been a really long time since he’s even shown interest in a woman. But given his age, I get it. You get bored after a while. Ow!” he yelped. Something smacked into the table hard enough for the glasses to wobble. “Did you just kick me?”

  “Yes, and I’ll do worse if you don’t shut it,” Jason growled through his teeth.

  “He can’t be more than thirty, so that’s definitely not old,” Viv retorted and glared at James. “I’m thinking that maybe I should kick you, too. Just for good measure and all that. I mean, seriously? Calling him old? You’re a very bad man.” She was trying to keep from laughing as she spoke.

  “He is old,” James defended. “You don’t know just how old he is, but he’ll break it to you one day soon, I’m sure. You won’t believe him right off. No one really does. Except for Riley, but she’s got her whole thing going on about always knowing the truth. I think you’d like her. She’s pretty funny, keeps her guy in check really well. Anyway, that’s all beside the point. Now, you planning on eating that last potato skin, or can I have it?”

  “Uh … right, then.” Vivian shook her head. “You can have it. I’m looking forward to our full meal. They have an amazing lobster and steak dinner that’s fit for a king. And if you’re able to finish the whole thing, you don’t have to pay for it. The steak is a thirty-two ounce Kobe beef, and it’s the best you’ll ever taste. I only get it when Fia isn’t around. She’s a vegetarian.” Vivian wrinkled her nose. “Thinks just because she has that tie with nature that she can’t eat meat. Not me.”

  “Sounds like another appetizer to me,” James commented. “I think I’ll have to get me one of those. I may not be royalty, but I like a well-cooked meal as much as any king around. And I definitely love steak.”

  “Well, you’ll totally love this one, but don’t be surprised when you can’t eat all of it. Just know that I told you so.” She looked at Jason and smiled. “Want to split one with me?” she asked him. “It would be nice to be able to actually finish it, even if it does mean that I finish it with help.”

  “I’d like that. But I wouldn’t count James out. He can eat a lot in one sitting. I have a feeling he’ll be getting his meal for free tonight. He’ll also want dessert at the end.”

  “Damn straight, I will. Did you see the list?” James asked. “I’ll have died and gone to heaven if they taste half as good as they sound.”

  She stared at James with her mouth agape. “Good Lord, are you kidding me? Seriously, are you really going to be able to eat all of that? And then dessert, too? You’re just too much.” She was astounded, but she would be even more so if he did it.

  “Absolutely.” He nodded. Then he shot her a sly look. “Care to make a wager on it?”

  “Don’t,” Jason warned, shaking his head. “Never, ever gamble with James. He’ll clean you out, and you won’t even realize it until he’s six counties over. And definitely never bet on him eating, or not eating, anything. He’s mostly hollow inside and could pack two of those meals away, have three desserts, and come back for more because he was still peckish.”

  “Well, that’s just mean, taking my fun away like that. I’d have kept it to a friendly wager. Only a grand or two.”

  “No,” Jason said. “Flag down the waitress and order us up two plates,” he told the man.

  “Oh God, I don’t have a grand or two to bet. Seriously?” She shook her head. “You’re such an ass,” she teased. “I like it, though. Your girlf
riend or your wife seriously has her hands full with you.”

  A shadow passed over his face, and his smile slipped a little before he got it back in place. “Not married. No girlfriend. I’m footloose and fancy free. Maybe one day I’ll have someone trying to keep me in line.”

  “I’m sure she’s out there.” Viv reached out and squeezed his arm. “You just have to find her. When you do, she’s going to knock you on your ass. I just really hope that I’m around to watch, because I think it’ll be fun to see.”

  “I hope you’re right.” Shrugging, he seemed to shake off the mood he’d slipped into and lifted a hand. When she glanced around, she saw the waitress heading their way.

  “Did you want a refill on your drink?” the woman asked when she got to their table.

  “Yes, please, and we would also like two of the king lobster and steak meals. This one here,” Vivian pointed to James, “loves a bet and thinks he’ll be able to eat not only the meal but have room for dessert, too. And we,” she gestured to Jason and smiled, “are sharing one, so can we get an extra plate?”

  “Absolutely. Did you fellas want another drink?” the server asked.

  “Yes, ma’am, that would be wonderful,” James answered with a nod. “And some extra napkins? I tend to have a little trouble with lobster. Better to protect everyone around me from what’s to come.”

  The waitress shot him a disbelieving look but made a note before leaving their table, shaking her head.

  Vivian giggled. “Okay.” She watched as the woman walked away, then laughed out loud. “Oh, James. Don’t be surprised if she asks you out.” The way she’d wiggled her bottom as she had moved away was too funny.

  “He’s already collected twenty-two phone numbers since we arrived the day before yesterday,” Jason piped up. “He’s going to need more memory on his phone soon.”

  “Seriously?” She looked at James with wide eyes. When James just nodded, she shook her head and licked her lips. “Wow. I mean, you’re an impressive man, seriously sexy as all get out, but I would have thought it would be Jason collecting all the numbers,” she teased.

  “He was offered a lot but turned them all down. He’s not big on all that. He’s been looking for the one for a while now. I like having options. At least until my one shows up to flip my life on its ear.”

  “You do know that you have to work to find the one, right? You have to work on making sure that you’re able to get your lives in sync. It’s not some mythical thing that will just fall into your lap. There isn’t some perfect someone out there for every person.” Well, that’s what she had believed, but then she’d touched Jason and found herself reaching out to him over and over again.

  “If that’s what you believe,” James rebutted. “I happen to know differently. There is one predestined person for each of us out there in the world. Whether or not I find mine is another story, but she’s out there. It’s getting us both in the right place, at the right time, for that perfect moment that’s the tough part. After all, look at you and Jason.” He grinned. “You two had an instant connection as soon as you met, and you keep getting pulled to each other. How else do you explain meeting up here tonight out of all the places you could have gone to?”

  “Luck of the draw?” Vivian asked and looked to Jason. “Besides, we might be getting pulled into the same place, but it doesn’t mean that we’re preordained or whatever.” There’s no one perfect someone, right? Then she caught Jason’s stare.

  In that second, she felt it for the truth that it was. She felt the impact of that knowledge and wanted to pass out from the heady pleasure at the thought that he might be the perfect someone for her. Holy. Crapballs.

  “Doesn’t it?” James asked softly. “The universe has a plan for us all. Sometimes we can deviate from it a bit. Sometimes we can alter the course, but eventually we’re back on the path set out for us by our birth, how we were raised, and all that. There’s still free will—you have the right to turn away from anything you want at any time. But always you have to consider, if you do turn away from something that feels so right, is it really for the best, or because you’re scared that you’ll fuck it up. I, personally, think it’s better to try and screw up than to tuck tail and run.”

  “Some of the best things come from screw ups, right?” She was looking at Jason now. “What do you think?” Again she took his hand in hers without thinking. It felt good, right, and Viv didn’t want to let that go.

  “Everyone makes mistakes at some point in their lives. It’s the ones who learn from their mistakes and don’t allow themselves to become discouraged who are truly strong. In a relationship, it takes two people to mess it up and two people to make it work. As long as both parties acknowledge they’re not perfect, work together, and talk to one another, anything is possible.” Jason squeezed her fingers gently before rubbing his thumb over her knuckles.

  “Anything is possible,” she repeated softly. “I like it. Working on things together.” She nodded, then moved her drink aside as the waitress approached. Later, they would talk about things. Right now, she simply wanted to eat with these two amazingly handsome and funny men. Jason held her hand as they waited for the waitress to set one plate before James and the other before him. The extra, empty plate went in front of Vivian.

  Once the woman left, James tucked a napkin into the collar of his shirt, draped another over his lap, and gleefully rubbed his hands together. Jason shook his head and began to distribute some of the meal from the plate before him onto hers.

  Vivian watched as James took his first bite of the steak. Then she looked at Jason. “Thank you.” She pulled back from him so that they could eat.

  “You’re welcome.” With a brush of his fingers to hers, they set about enjoying their dinner.

  Chapter Three

  Jason let out a chuckle at her side. “You still look stunned that James finished his meal,” he commented. They were out, walking along the quieter streets of Seattle at ten p.m. after leaving James in the hotel to pursue one of the many women who’d caught his eye. “He told you he could do it. I told you he could do it. And yet you’re still shocked.” James had, in fact, eaten the entire meal and had two desserts.

  “I’ve never seen anyone eat that much in my life. Never. I just … I’m stunned. Completely stunned.” She laughed. “I swear I think that every single man and woman was in there watching him in awe.” She shook her head. “Seriously, that’s wild. Where did he put it all?”

  “Hollow leg.” Jason shrugged. He gave the hand he was holding a gentle squeeze and tugged her around a corner. “He’s always been able to pack away the food. Does it all the time. I knew it would be no challenge for him. Later, he might even get another snack because he’s still hungry. Been like that since I’ve known him.”

  Vivian shook her head. “And he’s so physically fit, too.”

  “We all train extensively so that we’re in the best shape we can be. We never know what we’ll face when we’re out in the field. So we do whatever we can to give us the best odds of survival. All of us tend to eat a lot. It takes a lot of energy to do what we do.” He stepped in front of her, facing her, bringing their forward momentum to a halt. “I’m more than willing to let you see whatever you’d like, Vivian. The choice is yours, will always be yours.”

  “And if I have no idea how to proceed? I’ve had exactly three relationships, and they lasted a collective total of five months,” she confided as she moved her hands to put them on his chest. She couldn’t seem to stop herself from touching him, not once since she had met him. “So, what do I do … if I want to see and feel and experience more?”

  “Depends on what you’d like to do next.” Jason stepped in closer, his hands coming to rest on her hips. “Go with your gut, whatever feels right to you, but just remember that we’re out in public, so keep it family friendly for the time being.”

  “A kiss?” Vivian asked and moved her arms up to wrap around his neck. She moved in one more step, her body touchi
ng his as much as possible. His lips brushed over her skin, closer to her mouth, then touched hers. He lifted one of his hands to cup her cheek, holding her still as he kissed her lightly, taking his time and giving her time, too, she realized.

  Vivian kissed him with the same desperation and need she had felt since she had met him. The way that she was feeling for this man was intense. When they parted, she licked her lips and kept her palms on his neck, her thumbs brushing up and down on his pulse line. “So, since we have an audience here, do you want to move this somewhere more private?”

  “I’d like that,” he answered in a deeper, rougher voice. Dipping his chin, he kissed her again. This time, he was the one in control, and she felt it through her entire body. When he broke away, he nipped at her lower lip. “I have a suite. Or we can go to your place, if you’d be more comfortable.”

  “Come home with me?” She wanted to have him in her space, wanted to have him touching her, tasting her, and loving her there. She needed to feel him in her place. “I want to have you with me,” she whispered. “Please?”

  He gave a nod and smiled gently, then kissed her one more time before he stepped back. “I’ll grab the truck, and we can head over there. We’ll need to go up to my room for the keys, but that’s it.” He took her hand in his and squeezed.

  “That sounds good. I don’t live very far away, but you being able to have your vehicle so you can leave when you want is a good thing.” After all, she had barely met him.

  He came to a stop again and pulled her in closer to him. “I don’t want to be out on the street after dark with a killer on the loose. It’s a safety issue, not a way to get away from you, Vivian. I’ll leave when you tell me I need to, but I won’t just up and take off on you, sweetheart.”

  Vivian smiled up at him. “And if I have a desire to never want to say that to you?” Viv didn’t do things like this. She wasn’t impulsive. But in that moment, she couldn’t help herself. She wanted to keep this man close to her, needed to keep him close, and she didn’t understand it at all.