Broken Pasts(7)

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.