Guarding Jess
Page 21
She blinked back a tear at the thought of her friends. It wouldn’t be the same. Gwen was gone, but they could make it different, and still good. Gwen was dead, but she would be dearly remembered. Jessica had set up an office management scholarship fund in the name of her good friend, Gwendolyn Banks. She smiled at Reina, who was currently ordering a group of parents in the relocation of a piano. The young woman would be the first recipient of the scholarship.
She rolled her shoulders, and loaded her paint roller with more paint from the tray on the floor, and tried to even up the pale patches. There was something oddly cathartic about painting. You immediately saw a difference, a change. Just like the change in the teenagers when she’d given them the Challenge Youth Center.
She’d found her niche. It wasn’t about conforming to others’ standards, it was about finding your own. She had managed to convince a number of prominent business people to donate products and services to the center. She’d started a mentorship program, and she was already looking at real estate for another center in the Sacramento area. After that, she thought she’d check out Chicago, Noah’s hometown. He’d have to go back to work sometime.
She paused in her rolling. Here she was making plans for them together in the future, and they’d never discussed their relationship.
A loud bang startled her, and she turned around.
Noah had arrived.
Wearing long shorts that showed off his muscular calves and a navy blue T-shirt that framed his broad shoulders to perfection, he tossed the basketball he carried from one hand to the other. He looked casual, strong and as sexy as, well, the sexiest thing that Jessica couldn’t think of at the moment. She wondered if he’d always have this effect on her, where all logical thought seemed to disappear from her brain at the mere sight of him. He bounced the ball on the floor again, and Jessica realized where the sound had come from.
“Hey, you,” he said, smiling.
“Hey, yourself.” She returned his smile and lifted her chin to a pile of supplies nearby. “Paint brush is over there, if you’re interested.”
Noah grinned. “Oh, I’m interested, but I wanted to play some more of that game.”
Her brow wrinkled. What game? Heavens, she couldn’t remember the last time she’d played. The teenagers within hearing distance put down their brushes and turned to eavesdrop unashamedly on their conversation.
“You know, the talking ball game, the one where whoever has the ball asks a question, and the person has to answer honestly.”
Jessica’s eyes narrowed. The last time they’d played that game, Noah had tried to brand her. Well, maybe she could turn the tables on him.
“O-kay,” she responded slowly. She rested the roller on the paint tray.
Noah nodded. “Good, I’ll start.” He took a step closer. “You know you’re not to blame for what Irene Chapman did, right?” He tossed the ball.
Jessica’s jaw gaped and she fumbled, but managed to catch it. Her eyes darted to the interested group that was beginning to form around them. That was his leading question? The man had no concept of appropriate. But you couldn’t stop the game once it started. She had to answer the question truthfully. She took a moment to compose herself.
“Yes, intellectually I know that Irene Chapman was very sick, and had an irrational fascination with me. I also know, intellectually, that she was responsible for her own actions, no matter how mentally unstable she was. I know, intellectually, that I can only be responsible for my own actions, and not somebody else’s, but I am responsible for how I choose to react to them. But sometimes, I forget the intellectual stuff, and just feel guilty. I’m working on it.” She looked up and met Noah’s approving gaze.
“Good girl.”
Murmurs of agreement swelled around her from the watching group. Now it was her turn. There was something that was bothering her.
“You know I didn’t mean it, when I called you incompetent? And about your arm? You know that I think you’re a very capable man, yes?” She took a step closer as she gently tossed the ball. “I’m sorry I said that.”
Noah stepped forward to catch the ball and cocked an eyebrow. “Oh, yeah, I get it.” He wagged a finger at her. “And don’t try to protect me again, okay? That last time took twenty years off my life.”
She smiled tremulously. “I can’t make any promises on that. I’ll do anything to keep you safe.” Someone behind her sighed with an audible “ah.”
Noah’s expression got serious. “Then don’t lie to me, okay?”
She crossed her heart. “I promise.” She probably couldn’t be as brutally honest as he was, but since her aunt’s death she’d stopped caring quite so much about what others thought of her, and she kind of liked the freedom that gave her to be true to herself. She could do honest.
Noah stepped closer again. He was now standing within arm’s reach when he held up the ball. “Do you love me?” He tossed the ball to her. She fumbled. Caught. Fumbled again.
Oh, wow. She hadn’t seen that one coming. Oh, dear, and there were all these people around. She viewed the crowd cautiously. They all stood as one, holding their breath with an expectant look upon their faces. AJ jerked his chin to Noah. She turned to Noah. He was waiting patiently, although she could see the vulnerability in his eyes.
“Yes, I love you,” she told him. Her lips curved upward in a smile. Cheers erupted from the crowd, and she grinned. Oh, dear, she was going to be so embarrassed. But later. Not now. She cocked an eyebrow and took the step forward that brought her toe-to-toe with Noah. Some of the parents started shushing the teenagers, and their onlookers fell silent.
“Your turn. Do you love me?” It wasn’t until the words were out of her mouth that she realized how hard it would have been for Noah, quiet, stoic Noah, to make himself so vulnerable, especially in front of a crowd. He covered her hands with his, so that they both held the ball. She held her breath, happiness bubbling inside, but with nowhere to go. Yet.
He leaned down closer to her, until their noses touched. “Yes,” he answered. “Miss Prissy…” he grinned, “…Jess?”
She held her breath.
“Will you marry me?”
Jessica felt joy swell up, and her smile broadened until she thought her lips touched her ears. She nodded, rubbing her nose against his. “Oh, yeah, baby.”
He laughed and kissed her, a sweet, gentle kiss. The crowd erupted with cheers and applause. Noah threw the ball away without lifting his head, and he wrapped his arms around her, hugging her tight. She laughed against his mouth, tears falling. For once, she couldn’t care less about their audience, or appropriate behavior. She was so happy. She loved Noah, and he loved her.
Noah broke the kiss. “I still won’t wear a tie, you know.”
She laughed and nodded. “I know.”
She had her bodyguard right where she wanted him, in her arms, in her life, in her heart. And she didn’t want to change a thing.
* * * * *
For further adventures under the watchful eye of McCormack Security, download Viper’s Kiss, available now.
Librarian Maggie Kincaid yearns for excitement—but being accused of espionage is not what she had in mind. Maggie goes on the run—and runs straight into sexy Luke Fletcher. Security expert Luke is intent on bringing a murderous spy to justice, but suspects he’s apprehended the wrong woman. Until new evidence convinces him that Maggie’s not as innocent as she claims to be…
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About the Author
Shannon Curtis has worked in diverse roles such as office admin manager, customer service rep, logistics supervisor, distribution coordinator, dangerous good
s handler, event planner, receptionist/switch operator and betting agent. She lives with her wonderful and ever-patient family in Sydney, Australia, home of sizzling summers, mild winters, beautiful beaches, harbor and national parks, and great coffee! She loves reading, loves writing, and loves hearing from her readers, so visit her at www.shannoncurtis.com and say hi!
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ISBN: 978-14268-9375-9
Copyright © 2012 by Shannon Curtis
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