Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 53462 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 267(@200wpm)___ 214(@250wpm)___ 178(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 53462 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 267(@200wpm)___ 214(@250wpm)___ 178(@300wpm)
“What?” he asks, obviously shocked.
I hold up a hand, wanting him to listen before he decides. “It makes sense. Think about it. You could have your daughter home and not have to worry about my problems with my former employer. I’ll come back after his trial is over, or after I testify… that is, if you still want me.” I rush out my thoughts, knowing it is what is best for Bailey. For Austin.
“No.”
I blink at his abrupt tone. “But—”
“No buts.” He places his mug down and strides over so he is looming over me, big and powerful and sexy. “First, I’m a bodyguard. A protector by nature. Do you really think I would send you out there knowing someone was willing to break into this house to send you a message?”
“I guess not,” I murmur, not the least bit taken aback by his harsh voice. I understand where his anger is directed and it isn’t at me.
“That’s right. I’m going to protect you up until and through your testimony.”
Appreciation along with a shiver of awareness trickles through me at his determined tone and proclamation.
“Thank you.”
He inclines his head, his darkened gaze boring into me. “I’m not going to let anyone harm you.”
I believe him.
He reaches for me, then obviously thinks better of it and shoves one hand into his pocket. With the other, he reaches for his coffee mug and takes a final sip of his coffee.
It hurts, I think, him pulling back, but remind myself I made the decision first. Not him. I am the one who can’t handle casual and not get my heart hurt. So if he is following my lead, who am I to argue?
“Along those lines, while I’m gone, I have someone outside watching the house. After the break-in, I didn’t want you home alone.”
I nod. “Thank you. I’m grateful.” And overwhelmed by the lengths he goes to in order to keep me safe.
“I should get going,” he says, glancing away. “I don’t want to be late for this meeting with Kayla. The sooner I get her out of our lives for good, the better.”
I nod. “Can I get you a travel mug to take with you?” I offer.
“That would be great. I could use some more caffeinated fortification.”
I pull a mug from the cabinet and draw a deep breath as I pour the coffee, doing my best not to over-inhale and upset my stomach again. I feel better, but in a fragile, it’s-still-there sort of way.
I close the mug with the cover and hand it to him, careful to avoid our fingers touching.
“Thank you. Listen, I need to ask you something,” he says. “I have to go to a party this weekend at my boss’s house.”
“That’s nice,” I murmur.
“And I don’t want you home alone. Not after someone broke in with the alarm set. Plus, the party is to celebrate Summer Michelle and my pal Ben’s return to the States after a short European tour and I know how much you’d love to meet her. Being that she’s your favorite pop star.” He winks at the reminder of our walk in the woods and the get-to-know-you questions that we indulged in.
I remember in detail… how small my hand felt in his, how warm and sensual his skin was wrapped around my palm. Just like how hot and strong his naked body felt when it came down over mine. I tremble and shake my head in an attempt to dislodge the thoughts that have no place in my mind right now.
“The point is,” he goes on, oblivious to the turn my mind took, “I want you to come with me to Dan’s.”
“Dan?” I ask stupidly, still lost in being with Austin in all the ways I pushed away.
He wrinkles his brows, obviously confused. “Dan, my boss. You’ve heard his name before.”
“Yes. Of course. Sorry. I’m still a little queasy,” I say, blaming my stomach for my frazzled behavior.
This time he does reach out and lift my chin with his hand. “Are you okay?” he asks, seriously worried as he looks into my eyes.
I do my best not to get lost in his. “Yes. I think I might have picked up a stomach virus or something. I’ll rest today. And as for your party… I’ll go with you,” I say.
I wish I was going as his date but again it all comes down to choices. And what I can and cannot live with. Besides, who knows, even if we were together, if he’d have taken me as anything more than a means to keep me safe. Or to allow me to meet my favorite pop star.
* * *
Austin
I drink from the travel mug Mia made me, trying my best to focus on the road, but I have so much on my mind, not the least of which is my ex, who I am meeting with, hopefully for the final time, and Mia, who I left home not feeling well and dealing with trial shit that should have been in her past.