Guarding Jess

by Shannon Curtis

  “Get your boyfriend off me,” the guy screamed, and he tried to wriggle out from under him. Noah tightened his grip and he yelped.

  “It’s okay, AJ,” Jessica said, and turned her gaze to Noah.

  Noah rolled his eyes. “No, it’s not okay, Jessica. This guy was about to attack you.”

  “Hey, I wasn’t going to attack nobody,” the guy exclaimed.

  “Anybody,” Jessica corrected automatically. Noah frowned. She wanted to correct her stalker’s grammar?

  “I just wanted to talk,” the guy called over his shoulder.

  Noah tightened his grip and satisfaction flared at the guy’s cry of pain. “So talk,” he growled. “Start with the rock. Why did you throw it through the window? Do you think that’s how real men communicate?” Anger at what this young man had put Jessica through welled up in him.

  The guy tried to look at Noah over his shoulder, the whites of his eyes bright with shock and fear. “What rock? I don’t know nothin’ about no rock.”

  “Anything, AJ. I don’t know anything about a rock,” Jessica corrected. She put her hands on her knees and met Noah’s gaze. “Can you loosen up, just a little?” she asked. She raised one hand, and pinched her forefinger and thumb together. “Just a little.”

  “The guy just tried to hurt you.”

  “No, I didn’t. I just wanted to ask Jessica something.”

  Jessica’s eyebrow rose in curiosity. “Oh?”

  Noah leaned over to the side slightly, so he could fix the guy with a glare. “What?”

  “Yes, AJ. What’s on your mind?” Jessica enquired politely, tilting her head.

  “I, uh, I have an interview tomorrow morning,” the guy began uncertainly.

  “Oh, well done. With that company you mentioned the other day?”

  AJ nodded. “Uh-huh.”

  Noah bit back a groan. Jessica sounded as though she was having a normal conversation at a damn soiree. She trusted this kid, and even though she seemed to have good instincts, he wasn’t quite so quick to disregard a possible threat—no matter how seemingly benign. This kid was nothing like her other clients, and he didn’t think he’d seen his name on her client list.

  “So what’s the problem?”

  AJ coughed. “The interview is at the company offices uptown. This is really important, Jess. The pay’s good, and they might even pay for me to do some courses. It’s a really good job.”

  Jessica nodded. “I agree. It sounds great. I looked them up. They have a great reputation. What’s the problem?”

  AJ slumped on the ground. “They’re uptown. Professional. What do I wear?”

  “Ah, I see,” Jessica said, nodding.

  “Are you for real?” Noah shook his head. The guy wanted some free advice?

  AJ closed his eyes and nodded. “I swear, sir, I don’t know nothing—I mean, I don’t know anything about a rock. I wasn’t going to hurt Jessica.”

  Brown eyes met Noah’s calculating gaze. “None of us would hurt Jessica.”

  “Us?”

  Jessica’s gaze flicked to the interested onlookers. “Noah, do you think you can let him up, now?”

  Noah relaxed his grip on the guy, but still kept a watchful eye on him. Disappointment flared, briefly. He’d so wanted this guy to be the one, the man responsible for causing Jessica so much trouble. He still wasn’t going to let AJ off the hook, but the guy was unarmed. The muscles in his cheek flexed. He was all pumped up now, with no one to punch.

  He heaved himself off AJ. The guy flexed his arm for a moment, before rolling to his feet. Noah kept his expression dark. He still wanted to put the fear of God into him, just in case. Now that he was facing him though, he realized he was dealing with a kid or, at least, a youth on the verge of maturity.

  He looked around, and for the first time noticed the crowd. He arched an eyebrow, and several people scurried on their way. More drifted slowly away, curiosity and wariness in their eyes. He glanced back at Jessica. She looked at him cautiously before turning to smile at AJ.

  “Sorry for that,” she said to the youth.

  Noah didn’t need her to apologize for him. Especially if the guy had come up from behind and was about to lay hands on her. He ignored the throb of protective anger that coursed through him.

  “He shouldn’t have tried to grab you,” he grumbled. Why was it that every time he did his job, it felt like he was making things worse?

  “It’s okay,” AJ said, shaking his head and raising a hand. “He’s right. I was just anxious to find you. Your office said you’d be down this way.”

  Jessica nodded, then forced a smile. “Come on, let’s go find you an interview outfit.”

  AJ’s eyes widened. “Really?”

  Noah was surprised. “Really?”

  Jessica nodded as she started to walk back in the direction they’d come. “Well, yes. If your interview is tomorrow morning, we’ll have to hurry. It’s nearly closing time, but I know a man up here who might be able to help us.”

  “But I can’t afford nothin’,” AJ muttered.

  Jessica smiled and patted him on the shoulder. “Anything,” she corrected. “Consider this a loan. When you get the job, you can pay me back.”

  AJ glanced at her. “But what if I don’t get the job?”

  Jessica’s smile broadened. “Of course you’ll get the job. You’re a smart young man, you’re respectful, you have a great sense of humor, and a sense of honor. And you’ll look fabulous.” She shrugged. “And if you don’t get this one, you’ll get the next one. It’s only a matter of time, AJ.”

  Noah watched the young man’s shoulders straighten, his stride lengthen. “You think so, Jess?”

  Jess winked. “I know so. And tonight, we’ll cover interview etiquette in class, okay? Then you’ll be ready for tomorrow morning.”

  AJ nodded as he strutted along beside her.

  Noah followed. “Class? Tonight?” There was no entry on the schedules back at the office.

  Jessica led them through the doors of an up-market men’s store. “I visit a youth center in the Mission District once a month. Tonight’s my night on.” She smiled broadly at AJ. “And I’m really looking forward to it.”

  Noah paused inside the store. Why wasn’t that appointment marked on her diary? Or her class schedule? Or her promotional packets? And why was she only just now telling him they were visiting the Mission District tonight? Why would she keep that from him? From everyone?

  * * *

  “Damien. How do we treat the people at reception when we turn up for an interview?” Jessica asked as she threw the basketball to a tall youth in the circle surrounding her. He caught the ball.

  “They are the gatekeepers. We treat them with respect, and talk courteously,” Damien responded, throwing the ball back to her.

  Noah watched from the back of the room as Jessica nodded approvingly. She scanned the class participants. “Reina, what’s the first thing we do when we meet our interviewer?” She threw the ball to a slim Hispanic girl to her right. The girl fumbled, but managed to retain her grip on the ball.

  “We smile and shake hands,” the girl said.

  Jessica’s eyebrows rose. “And?”

  Reina thought for a moment before smiling. “Oh, and we thank them for their time.” She threw the ball back to Jessica, who caught the ball easily and smiled.

  “That’s right. Those first words out of your mouth are very important. By showing your interviewer you appreciate their time and attention, you also show respect. People like that, and respond well to it.”

  She scanned the circle again. She raised the ball to chest height. “AJ, what do we do if our cell phone rings during the interview?” She threw the ball at him. The dark youth caught it and his teeth flashed in a grin. “Ignore it, let it
go to message.”

  He threw the ball back and Jessica caught it, and threw it straight back. “Ha. It was a trick question. You turn your cell phone off before you go inside, that way there won’t be any calls and you can give them your undivided attention.”

  Laughs and groans erupted from the group of teens, and AJ gave a good-natured grimace. He tossed the ball back to Jessica, dropped to the ground and started doing push-ups. Noah cocked an eyebrow. The group counted at each rise, Jessica included. Their chants got louder as they counted, and they all cheered when he reached ten.

  Jessica was laughing as she stuck a hand out and helped pull him up. She wagged a finger at him. “Don’t forget tomorrow, AJ. Turn the phone off.”

  She bounced the ball a couple of times. “Okay, are there any questions?”

  “How do we get the interview in the first place?” a girl called out.

  Jessica nodded. “Good question. That’s a whole other session, though. We’ll cover it next month. We’ll look at resumes, and how to write one. Okay?”

  The teens nodded and made noises of agreement. Jessica smiled. “Okay, well that’s it for tonight, then. Be safe, and I’ll see you next month.”

  She raised a finger at AJ as he passed her. “Except for you, young man. I want to hear from you. Let me know how it goes.”

  AJ grinned and nodded, and went to pat her on the shoulder, but jerked his hand back at the last moment. He shot a wary look in Noah’s direction before nodding and running off.

  Noah watched as various members of her class patted her on the back or shoved her gently as they passed. She took it all in her stride, laughing and nodding as they took their leave.

  Noah watched her, amazed at what he’d just witnessed.

  She’d changed before the class. Tonight she was wearing jeans, a red pullover and sneakers. Her customary blond bob was pulled back into a casual ponytail. Even her trademark pearl necklace was hidden by her clothes. She should have looked average. She looked anything but.

  Her jeans followed the long, slim line of her leg, and cupped her butt to perfection. The red color of her top seemed to bring out a sparkle in her blue eyes, and the whole outfit served to make her look approachable. Friendly. Relaxed. Damned sexy. He figured she probably featured in some of her students’ fantasies. She would in his.

  She walked up to him, her movements leisurely. Her impish smile blazed across her face. He stared. She’d kept this cheeky, casual side of her personality well hidden.

  “That was better than Mrs. Cross’s shopping trip, eh?” She threw the basketball at him. He caught it easily, then cocked an eyebrow at her. She had a playful air about her that made him downright suspicious. And definitely interested.

  Chapter Eleven

  “Why do you do it?” he asked. He knew she didn’t get paid for it. There was no mention of this place on her appointment schedule. There didn’t seem to be any publicity payoff, either. She gestured for the ball. His eyebrow rose higher.

  “It’s a talking ball,” she explained. “Whoever holds the ball gets to talk, and they have to be honest. And you can’t just walk away if you don’t like the question. It has to be a mutual decision to end the game.”

  His lips twitched. He’d been surprised at how orderly and respectful the class had run. She’d figured out a way to make it fun for the students, and they had responded well to her. He tossed the ball to her. She caught it and staggered back a few steps. She grimaced before her lips tugged into a smile.

  “Oh, so that’s how it’s going to be, huh?” She tossed the ball from one hand to another, before answering him. “I get more out of it than they do. They’re fun. No stress. I can relax around them.”

  In other words, she could be herself, this fun, sexy imp. He nodded. She treated her home and this gym like little pockets of sanctuary. No adult audience. She could be herself without any threat of judgment or recrimination. After the time he’d spent with her, he knew just how much pressure she, and others, put on her to perform as the ever-gracious Miss Manners.

  “My turn.” She grinned. “Where did you get the scar on your left arm?” She fired the ball back at him, and he almost missed it, so surprised was he at her first question. Satisfaction curled through him. She’d noticed him. His body. His scar. Nice to know they had a mutual fascination thing going on, ’cause he’d sure as hell noticed her body.

  He tossed the ball and caught it a few times. “I got shot. I’m still technically on med leave.” He ignored her raised eyebrows. “How long have you known Jeff Lyon?” He flipped the ball casually to her.

  “Hmm, so I’m the warm-up assignment before you get the real work, huh?” she asked dryly. He didn’t bother to deny it, but she hadn’t answered his question. He gestured to the ball, and she relented. “I’ve known Jeff since school. His sister was my roommate at boarding school, so was Oliveria—I lucked out, there. He’s like the big brother I never had. Why do you always play with cards?”

  She punched the ball back to him. He caught it easily.

  “I found it was a good way to pass the time while on my tours of duty. It can drive you crazy, waiting for the next thing to happen, the next mission, the next attack. It’s a comfort thing. Why do you always wear a pearl necklace?” He threw the ball back.

  “Uh, well, Aunt Jacquie gave it to me. I wear it so much, it’s become part of my brand. Like you say, it’s a comfort thing. Why don’t you talk to your father?” She tossed the ball back to him, and his breath expelled from his lungs as it hit him in the gut. Jessica just wiggled her eyebrows, shifting from one foot to the other.

  “We had a falling out.” That was an understatement. “How did you get involved in this?” He gestured to the now-empty center, and threw the ball at her.

  She caught it, and her wheeze turned into a chuckle. “I did an open lecture at a local high school. One of the teachers invited me to talk here, and the rest is history. So, what was the falling out over?” She threw the ball back to him, and this time there was no mistaking the force behind it. Noah’s lips curved. His Miss Prissy was showing a bit of spunk. Normally he didn’t talk about his family, but he was finding this exchange fun. Excruciatingly personal, but fun.

  “A woman. Why doesn’t your aunt stay with you?” He threw the ball to her.

  “Oomf. She finds it difficult to relax around me. What happened with the woman?”

  Noah caught the ball just before it damaged his ability to father children. “We were engaged. I found her cheating. I broke it off.” Surprisingly, he didn’t feel the customary shard of pain that normally followed this particular topic. “What makes you think your aunt is uncomfortable with you?”

  Jessica had to jump to catch the ball. She shrugged. “She was already in her forties when she got saddled with me. I was twelve when my parents died and I moved in with her. It was difficult for her to adjust to having a child around. She ended up sending me to boarding school. Why was your father upset with you for breaking up with a cheating fiancée?”

  Noah winced when the ball hit him in the chest. The woman was like a dog with a bone. And she probably thought she’d distracted him with her question, but he’d heard the sadness in her voice, the sensitivity she tried to hide. Losing her parents at such a tender age, moving in with her aunt and then being offloaded to a boarding school must have been very painful, especially at such an emotionally vulnerable time. He could tell she cared deeply for her friends, but he suspected that boarding school had been tough. He focused on her question.

  “My father introduced us. Her father was a business associate he was dealing with at the time. Apparently my decision to end the engagement cost him a lot of money. But I think the fact that he was aware of her cheating before I was made us even. What happened to your parents?”

  Jessica almost missed the ball. “He knew? I’m so sorry. It must h
ave been very difficult to handle not one, but two betrayals.”

  She’d nailed it. That was exactly how he’d felt—betrayed not only by his fiancée, but his father, as well. Noah shouldn’t have felt comforted by her words. The whole nasty affair had happened several years ago, enough time to give him some distance. Her sincere empathy touched him.

  She glanced down at the ball in her hands. “Mom and Dad died in a farming accident,” she began quietly. “They were on a tractor when it rolled.” The ball shot from her grip. “So, do you think you’ll ever patch things up with your father?”

  Noah shrugged as he caught the ball. “I don’t know. I don’t like the false pretences and fake sincerity he employs. He doesn’t like my apparent lack of respect and consideration for the things he values. We figure it’s easier just to not talk. Period. So you went from farm life to a boarding school, huh? How did that go?”

  Jessica grimaced. “I had a lot of freedom as a kid. Lots of open space, animals. I did my chores, but we still had lots of fun.” Her lips lifted in a dry smile.

  “When I first moved in, my aunt threw a getting-to-know-me party for the kids she wanted me to associate with. I, um, embarrassed her, and suddenly found myself at a finishing school, being taught how to walk and talk properly.”

  Noah tilted his head. “It must have been quite something, whatever you did.”

  Jessica laughed, a tinkling sound that caressed his senses. “Oh, it was. I slid down the banister. Apparently I showed a little more than was polite. I talked with my mouth full, and whatever I said just always came out wrong. But the real upset was when I started the food fight with a boy who laughed at me.” She laughed harder. “Oh, Aunt Jacquie was most shocked, and so were her guests.” Jessica’s laughter stuttered to a stop. Noah noticed a flush creep up over her cheeks. Even now, years later, the incident still embarrassed her. She shrugged. “Boarding school was really hard to adjust to, but I realize Aunt Jacquie just wanted me to fit in with my new environment. And not embarrass her. I was so lucky that Ellie and Ollie were my bunk buddies. They helped me acclimatize. Stuck up for me when they could. Joined in the fights when they couldn’t.”