Mile High (Up in the Air #2)(42)

He was a paunchy man, in his late forties, I guessed. Just the look on his face made my stomach churn. I was turning to rush back into the house when all hell broke loose.

A large man in a suit grabbed the greasy photographer, handling him roughly at the same time that the garage door into the kitchen burst open, a frantic, boxer clad James sprinting out. I heard clicks behind me, the photographer somehow managing to get a few shots of James, even while being restrained by a man much larger than himself. It was almost impressive.

I watched James’s face as he took in the mess, watched it change from frantic to livid in a heartbeat. He looked like he wanted to murder the man as he strode to me, glaring at the paparazzi the entire time. He stepped in front of me, blocking me from view.

“Get inside,” he said through gritted teeth.

I had seen his face. I couldn’t imagine, from his look, that he didn’t plan to do the man violence.

“Come inside with me, please,” I pleaded with him, my voice pitched low.

“Go, Bianca. Now.”

I hugged his back, not wanting him to get into trouble for some scumbag photographer.

“You look like you’re going to attack him, James. I don’t want you to go to jail.” Even as I spoke, I heard a few more clicks from that damn camera. The man was fearless.

“I would rather f**king go to jail than let him leave with those pictures of you. Now go inside.”

“Your man over there can handle it,” I said, my cheek against his back. “And who will protect me, if you’re in jail? Would it be worth it, if something happened to me while you were gone?” I felt horrible saying it, and I knew it wasn’t even a sound argument, but I was desperate to get him to walk away, and I thought it would at least get his attention. Some scandalous pictures of me were not my biggest concern.

He shuddered, and I felt a rush of relief. He turned into me, still using his body to block me from view, and ushered me back into the garage.

“Get those f**king pictures off of his camera, Stimpson, or it’s your f**king job!” James barked over his shoulder, not slowing.

“What the f**k were you thinking?” James burst out the second he’d shut the door from the garage into my kitchen. “Do you like giving the world a f**king show?”

I stiffened at his words, raised nearly to a rage-filled shout. I didn’t respond, raising my chin and walking woodenly through my house and into my bathroom.

If he was going to take his anger out on me in a way I couldn’t handle, I supposed it was better that I find out sooner rather than later. I tried to stay calm, but my whole body was shaking as I waited to see what he’d do next.

I tossed off my scanty clothes before stepping into the shower, turning it on, the cold spray hitting me for several seconds before it began to warm.

I just stood under the spray, unmoving, for several minutes. It was a long time before James joined me.

I felt him more than saw him, since my eyes were closed.

He hugged me very carefully from behind. My first instinct was to pull away, but I let him hold me. I could feel him trembling, and the thought of hurting him, when he was as vulnerable as I, was abhorrent to me.

“I’m so sorry, love. Of course you were just taking out your trash, like a normal person. I shouldn’t have taken my anger out on you. I’m sorry I raised my voice. I would never put my hands on you in anger. Whatever demons I may have, I don’t have that in me. But I saw that scared look on your face when I raised my voice. I hate myself for putting it there.”

I didn’t say anything, but I didn’t push him away, either.

He washed me, his touch gentle. “Will you come to the hotel with me today? You can do a spa day while I get a few things done.” As he spoke, he lathered my hair.

I sighed, feeling weak from the morning’s drama.

Why not do a spa day? I asked myself, seriously considering the idea. I never got to do things like that.

I didn’t have to work until evening, and James would spend ridiculous amounts of money on me, spa day or not. It was really a drop in the bucket at this point.

“You can invite anyone you want. They’ll give you the royal treatment, as well as any of your friends.

Just invite Stephan, and tell him to get the word out. You could have a flight attendant reunion at the spa, if you want. My resort has one of the best in town.”

I caved at the plea in his voice. He was like a child, grasping for a way to make amends.

“Okay,” I finally said. I sounded like a brat to my own ears. “Thank you, James. That’s considerate. You’re considerate.”

Wet lips kissed my cheek almost sloppily. It was so unlike him that I let out a little giggle.

“Thank you. Nothing makes me happier than taking care of you, in any way that I can.” His voice was a raw whisper against my skin.

I turned and hugged him, his vulnerability almost palpable to me at that moment.

“You make me so happy, Bianca. I was just angry with myself, that I’d failed to protect you, yet again.”

“Oh, James. What am I going to do with you? A few stupid pictures aren’t going to hurt me.”

“When I heard the garage door opening, my heart stopped. Just the thought of you being outside by yourself, when your father is still on the loose, makes me panicky.”

“I obviously wasn’t alone, with that bodyguard out there. Seems to me like you had your bases covered.”