“Okay,” I said and then paused. “Are there any women that work for your organization?” Nathaniel's smile widened, almost imperceptibly, but it was there.
“Of course,” he said. “A handgun's a handgun. Gender is barely relevant when it comes to self-defense in today's society.” He paused. “Would you prefer a woman?” he asked and again, there was that sense of innuendo being thrown. I blinked several times before answering.
“Oh, no. I was just curious.” Nathaniel nodded and turned back around so that I was looking at a perfect ass and long, lean legs. Gorgeous. I grabbed a towel from the stand behind the toilet and tossed it over the curtain rod before climbing into the bathtub and undressing there. I felt stupid the entire time, certain that Nathaniel had other things on his mind besides checking out his clients. Once I was naked, I tossed my clothes onto the floor and grabbed the shower head, pointing it at the back of the tub while I adjusted the water temperature.
It was odd knowing that one of the most beautiful men I had ever seen was standing just a few feet away from my naked form. My reaction to him was nothing short of miraculous and it was one hundred and ten percent romance novel cliché. When I finally got a hold of Jamie, I was going to kill her. Despite my own good advice, I'd gone out on that date with Stuart, been prepared to give him a chance, and he'd left me alone in a parking lot with my crazy ex. Dating was not a priority of mine. You made a New Year's resolution, remember? I told myself with a sigh, convinced that Jamie had set this all up. If I found out that Nathaniel was actually a stripper or god forbid, a hooker, of some sort, I wouldn't have been surprised. Jamie had pulled that kind of stuff on me before.
The ringing of the doorbell pulled me out of my thoughts.
I wasn't sure what to do. Did I ask Nathaniel to get it for me? Did I pretend he wasn't there and run to the door with nothing but a towel? I decided to ask him.
“Um,” I leaned my head out of the shower curtain and tried to get Nathaniel's attention. “Excuse me?”
“Yes, Ms. McMaster?” he asked without even turning around. Impressive.
“I don't know if this is against the rules or not but would you mind seeing who's at the door?” He didn't even hesitate before answering.
“I'm sorry,” he told me as I admired the muscular curvature of his back. My hormones were on high alert, sounding the alarm for all the rest of my body to hear. It was a strange feeling considering I hadn't even remotely felt this way since I'd broken up with my high school sweetheart. And even then, this trumped that. “I can't leave you naked and alone, Ms. McMaster. It just wouldn't be right.” Again with the sexual undertones! I was certain about it this time. Is my bodyguard flirting with me?
The doorbell sounded again, forcing me out of the shower and into a pink robe that was hanging from a hook behind the bathroom door. I put it on at breakneck speed, faintly suspicious that Mr. Sutherland had eyes in the back of his head. I could almost feel his green gaze raking my naked body and he wasn't even looking at me. It's your imagination, Theresa, I told myself as Nathaniel stepped out of my way and let me pass through the dining area and into the living room. He strode confidently behind me, a strong, warm presence at my back.
“If you don't mind,” he said, moving just ahead of me and checking through the peephole. He stepped back and nodded, allowing me a look as well. It was Jamie. With a sigh of relief, I went for the doorknob and then paused. Nathaniel tossed me a smile and a wink. “It'll get easier, I promise.” I crossed my arms over my chest and tried not to sigh. Having a bodyguard sounded cool at first until you realized that you were hardly allowed to do anything. He'd said to just go about my business as if he didn't exist, but I was starting to think that wasn't going to be possible.
“Holy shit,” Jamie said as the door swung open and she caught her first glimpse of Mr. Sutherland. He didn't say a word, just stepped aside and allowed her through before closing the door and locking it behind her. “You didn't call me. I got worried,” she whispered as I grabbed her arm and dragged her into the kitchen. I didn't think I was going to get any real privacy from Nathaniel, so I made myself happy with the fact that I could put the counter island between us.
“Is he a stripper?” I asked her in a low whisper as her perfectly manicured brows rose.
“A stripper?”
“Is this like the time you sent the 'cops' to come over to come check on me.” Jamie giggled and I slapped her arm. “I knew it.”
“No,” she whispered back fiercely as both our gazes slid over to Nathaniel. He was staring at the cabinet above my head, but I swear, somewhere in that perfectly professional frown was a lurking smile. “PPSD is a perfectly professional organization. Just security, no sex. I swear it.” I breathed out a sigh and leaned back so that my butt was propped by the counter. “But that's just what they advertise. You should see if you can get a two for one deal on that.”
“Jamie … ” I warned, but she ignored me and made a beeline for my fridge. She was dressed in the sexiest, loudest, brightest dress suit in blood red with seamed tights and black pumps, perfect as usual. I would not have been surprised if Nathaniel was using his radar vision to scope her out as she bent over and dug around the crowded shelves for something to eat.
“I'm just here for lunch,” she explained as she reemerged with a couple of last night's takeout containers. “I just wanted to make sure you'd held up your end of the bargain.” She grabbed a couple of forks and handed me one.
“I'll be right back,” I said as I moved towards the bathroom and past Nathaniel. I tried to keep my eyes off of his perfect form, certain that if Jamie were to see the expression on my face, that she'd know I was interested in him. If she found out, she'd never let up. Nathaniel followed as I turned off the shower and threw a towel over the puddle of water I'd left on the floor. When I went back into the kitchen, he stayed right behind me.
“So,” she asked as she eyed Nathaniel critically. “Can you talk?” He smiled, but it wasn't as wicked as the ones he'd thrown me.
“If it's alright with Ms. McMaster, I can.”
“Ooh,” Jamie said as she clapped her hands. “He's a bottom, I like that.”
“I can assure you, Ms. … ” Jamie pretended to pout and stepped forward, extending her hand in greeting. He gripped it and shook firmly.
“Ms. Knowles,” she said. “Married, kept my own name. You?”
“I can assure you, Ms. Knowles, that I'm not a bottom.” Jamie squealed and slapped her hand on her thigh. I'm glad she thought it was funny; I was mortified. I tugged my robe over my chest and hoped that she'd let it go at that. “And no, I'm not married.”
“Gay?”
“No.”
“So you're single, straight, and available. Am I right?” Nathaniel's smile drooped just a bit.
“I don't know about available,” he said. “But the other two are correct.” She put her hands on her hips and gave him another once over.
“My friend over here needs a little rebound sex. Would you be available for that?”
“Jamie!” I said as I grabbed her arm. “Knock it off. Sorry, Mr. Sutherland,” I said, wondering if he was going to quit right then and there. His smile was back though and he seemed amused rather than offended. “Please, just eat your food and go. I have to shower and get down to the office.” Jamie scoffed at me.
“It's your day off!” she protested as Nathaniel resumed his quiet, unassuming tough guy position. Thing was, he was just too damned good looking to really blend into the furniture. It was a nice try though. “Now I'm definitely not leaving until you tell me why you're going in today. That's complete bullshit, Theresa.” A knock at the door was all the excuse I needed to slip around her and, with Nathaniel in tow, have him check out the peephole.
“It's a package,” he told me with a frown. “Are you expecting anything?” I shook my head, my cold, wet hair flying around my face. I must've looked like a disaster in my horrible, pink nightmare of a robe. Jamie was completely off her rocker if
she thought anyone would find me attractive in it. “If you'll excuse me,” he said as he opened the door and checked the address label. “Gary Harper sent this,” he said and his mood completely switched gears. I hadn't seen him serious yet. This was serious to him. His full lips were stretched into an angry frown and his green eyes were dark. “My suggestion would be to get rid of it immediately. If you would like to see what's in it, I'll open it for you.” Jamie came up next to us but said nothing.
“I … ” I wanted to take Nathaniel's advice, but part of me was curious. Curiosity killed the cat, remember, Theresa? “Can we please open it?” I was obviously an idiot. Just take a look at my dating history and you'll see. Nathaniel nodded briskly and pulled a pocket knife from his coat. He sliced the tape on the top and folded back the cardboard. Inside was a mound of white peanuts that he carefully pushed aside until he found the contents. There were a couple of stuffed animals, a stack of video games, boxes of chocolate and books of pornography. It was an odd assortment, certainly, and it scared the crap out of me. There was also a note which Nathaniel read and then passed to me.
Dear Theresa,
You know that I love you with all of my heart. The more time we spend apart, the more I realize this. I want to have a family with you and Rhea. Just because you're a barren witch doesn't mean we can't adopt more children. I think about you every moment of the day and during the night I –
I crumpled the page up in my fist and only stopped when Nathaniel wrapped his warm hand around mine. Despite the disturbing contents of the note, my blood rushed to my head and I felt dizzy on my feet as I looked up and found his eyes. There was strength there and even if it was only for hire, for the moment, it was mine. I stood there absorbing his gaze, enjoying the lingering touch of his hand.
“You'll need this for evidence,” he told me as he carefully unfolded my fingers and pulled the paper out, straightened it, and put it in his pocket.
“Throw it away,” I said, trying not to let him see how disturbed I was. “Just throw it all away.”
CHAPTER 6
By six o'clock that same night, I had taken most of Nathaniel's suggestions. I had gone to the police station, changed my phone number and my e-mail, installed chain locks on the doors, and asked Glen to take Rhea for the week. I just hoped she wouldn't hold it against me, but I knew it was for the best. It was either that or hire another guard to follow her to school and I knew she'd never forgive me for that. I had decided not to stop by the office and check in which meant tomorrow, there would be chaos. Right now, however, all I was concerned with was getting into something comfy and relaxing with a glass of wine. Or a bottle.
“I could get used to this,” I said as I sat in the back of Nathaniel's Chrysler. “Having someone drive me around, I mean. This is nice.” I caught his smile in the rearview mirror and even though his eyes were fully focused on the road, I would swear that he was looking right at me. Since I knew that was impossible, I took a moment to straighten out my dress and fluff my hair. When I'd finally gotten the chance to clean myself up and come out of the bathroom, Nathaniel's eyes had definitely lingered. And I mean more than in just a professional sense. He checked you out, Theresa. There was no doubt in my mind about that.
“I'm glad you're enjoying yourself,” Nathaniel said and his voice was low and sexy, like we were lovers rather than strangers. “My partner, Cedric, likes to tell his clients that they should try to think of him as a help rather than a hindrance.” He paused and as I watched him in the rearview, he ran his tongue gently over his lower lip. “Sometimes it's hard to adjust, especially for people that are used to doing everything for themselves, but that's what we're here for, to take the burden off your shoulders so that you can relax.” We hit the roundabout near my house and started looping around towards my street.
“I'll try,” I said as I watched the neighborhood flash by. Most of the houses still had their Christmas lights up, twinkling like tiny stars on the eaves of houses, across the fences that were never meant to keep anyone out, and strung over bushes and mailboxes in a sea of green and red. “A glass of wine or two should go a long way to accomplishing that goal. I think that – ” As we approached my house, I saw the white car parked across the street. It was the same one Gary had been driving the night before. “That's him,” I told Nathaniel, trying to stay calm. I couldn't pretend that Gary was just heartbroken, that he was just a lonely man desperate for attention. Not anymore. The note had been … horrible, sick even. Seeing that car there terrified me more than I wanted to admit. “What do I do?” I looked into the rearview mirror for help. Nathaniel was frowning and his face was back to that serious stillness he had exhibited with the package.
“Unfortunately,” he told me and I knew I was not going to like what he had to say. “The difficulty with stalking cases is that we can't do anything. As bizarre as you and I know his behavior is, the law can't and won't get involved unless he actually does something illegal. Sitting on a public street is not illegal. We can't prove he's doing anything wrong.” I stared at him, hoping his radar vision would pick up on the shock in my face.
“So he just gets to sit outside my house and scare the shit out of me?” Nathaniel pulled his car into the driveway alongside mine.
“We'll take some photos and record the incident. Once I think you have enough evidence, we'll take it back to the police and they'll help you get an order of protection. If he breaks that, then they'll have an actual crime to charge him with. That's how we get him.”
“What if … ” I paused, swallowed. “What if he tries to shoot me or something?”
“Well then,” Nathaniel said as he looked over his shoulder and tried to smile at me. “You'll have me.” He took a big breath and his smile faded just a bit, bared a little of his soul for me. He was doing it on purpose, I could tell, although I hadn't the slightest idea why. Nathaniel didn't know a thing about me, but he seemed genuinely concerned. Was this the way he was with all his clients or was there something special about me that had grabbed his attention? “If you'll excuse me for a moment?” I nodded and he climbed out of the vehicle, long legs unfolding beneath him, dark slacks cutting perfect lines down the sides of his muscular legs. He locked the car and disappeared around the edge of the house. Moments later, Gary came stumbling out from behind the hedges.
“Who the fuck are you?” he said as he moved down the driveway. Nathaniel was walking towards him, not touching him, not talking to him, just walking. Gary was moving back like he was being threatened and maybe he was. It was hard to tell through the tinted window in the back, but if I was seeing what I thought I saw on Nathaniel's face, then Gary had a right to be afraid.
Those green eyes were burning with hatred, no, loathing. The way Nathaniel was looking at Gary, you'd have thought they were arch enemies, childhood nemeses, soldiers on opposite sides of a fierce battle. There was definitely something going on beneath Nathaniel's picture perfect exterior. Despite Gary's proximity, I felt a little thrill of excitement. There was a mystery in that man and I wanted to solve it.
“I suggest you exit the premises,” Nathaniel said, perfectly professional, voice polished and smooth as onyx. “Before I escort you off of them.” He reached into his jacket and for a second there, I had been convinced he was about to draw a gun. Instead, out came a camera which he promptly raised and snapped several photos of Gary with. He even took a few of the white car, following my ex until he unlocked the vehicle and climbed inside. Nathaniel took a few shots of the license plate and moved out of the road before Gary could run him over in his haste to get away. Once he was gone, I climbed out of the vehicle with a big grin on my face. If Gary ever showed up again, I'd be surprised. He was a bit of a coward, after all.
“That was incredible,” I said as Nathaniel turned to me and smiled. His face was wicked sexy in the glow from my neighbor's white Christmas lights. They highlighted the strength in his jaw, the definition of his cheekbones and the smooth, straight planes of his nose. “I've nev
er seen anyone be so … aggressive without actually being, you know, aggressive.” I wasn't making any sense again. I was like a tongue tied teenager, outside after a first date, wondering if I should let the boy kiss me chastely on the lips. Only Nathaniel wasn't trying to kiss me, he was trying to save my life, and even though it was just for money, it was admirable. I blinked a few times, trying to throw off the horrible white knight syndrome I was currently experiencing, and smiled. I'd just met the man, but I was interested.
“Thank you,” he said as he moved through the grass and paused next to me. “It's not often that I get complimented for my work.”
“You risk your life for people and you don't even get a 'thank you?'”
“I get a paycheck,” he said and maybe it was my imagination, but I think he took a small step closer to me. I had to raise my chin a bit to meet his eyes. “And satisfaction.” My eyebrows rose a bit. If that didn't pass for sexual innuendo then I had no idea what did. “Job satisfaction, that is,” he corrected himself with a small, overtly innocent smile. “That makes it more than worth it to me.”
“Well,” I said, pausing as I started to turn back towards the house. “Thank you anyway, Nathaniel.” His smile dropped into something more genuine, taking away just a bit of that practiced perfection. It took him from handsome to downright fascinating. I knew then that even if it was a bad idea, a horrible idea, a terrible, disastrous mistake that I was going to try to solve the mystery that I had seen in Nathaniel.
Here's to hoping that it wasn't going to be Mr. Sutherland in the library with the candlestick.
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