Page 13
Story: Road Trip with Her Bodyguard
Once we’re alone, she leans in. “If Mom were here, she’d be asking about the oil content of everything, and if it was organic. My friends would be choosing based on what would photograph the best. Maybe I’m as basic as the plains we’re headed to, but I just want a huge plate of home food.”
“Good. Prepare to be dazzled.”
Jorie’s eyes widen at the lightning-quick speed at which the onslaught of incredible breakfast food arrives, taking up the entire table. As soon as the scent of sausages hits us, we dig right in.
Once I get the check, I sling an arm around Jorie, pulling her closer to me. “Well, you’ve been through a southern-ish enough place that you’ve tried grits. Today you’ve survived Kathy’s infamous Hearty Breakfast for Two. How do you feel?”
Her soft brown eyes have that certain glow that I’m quickly becoming addicted to. “Amazing. And perfectly safe.”
“Good.”
Jorie suddenly bubbles with laughter. “I feel like I should be freaking out. Instead, I’m having the best time.” Her expression changes when my posture stiffens. “What’s wrong?”
My hand rubs her shoulder as two police officers walk into the restaurant. “Remember what I said about people ignoring couples who were being intimate?”
She nods and tucks her head into my shoulder. I wait until the officers settle into the booth closest to the door, then set money on the table. “I sincerely doubt your father has sent out a search warrant for you, since he knows you’re with me,” I murmur softly. “And those tech guys are probably still confused about how you disappeared. Still, we’re going to breeze out of here casually?—”
Yep. Those cops are definitely staring at us.
Jorie’s hand lands on my chest. “Definitely, before I fall into a food coma.”
Taking her hand, I chuckle as we stand and walk slowly toward the door. “…Yes, honey, because if you’re asleep, that means I get to pick the music all the way to your sister’s farm.”
She smirks, giving me a casual elbow as we pass the two uniforms. “No way. You have terrible taste.”
“Hey.”
Oh, shit.
My arm locks tightly around Jorie’s waist as we turn toward the officers with completely bland expressions. “Yes, officer?” I ask politely.
He points at Jorie, who has stiffened from head to toe. “Aren’t you the lead singer of Orange Lights Downtown?”
A shudder runs through her, then her hand flutters to her throat. “You think I look likeCeleste Gilby? Oh my goodness – thank you! I wish!”
The second officer elbows the first. “Told you it wasn’t her.”
The first one shrugs. “Hey, if she had been, and I didn’t get an autograph for my daughter, I’d be in the doghouse forever.”
I lift my hand from Jorie’s waist in a half wave. “Have a good afternoon, officers.”
I can still feel the tension in Jorie’s body. She wants to bolt. “Relax,” I murmur as we saunter to the car. Once we’re safely in the car and heading for the highway, I flash her a grin. “Good job. I have to say, you’re an expert at staying mellow.”
Her eyes roll dramatically. “I’ve had to attend so many of Mom’s cocktail parties and Dad’s work functions that I just play the part of whatever people are expecting. Usually, my formula involves being sweet and friendly, then leaving as quickly as humanly possible.”
“You were amazing. Ready to behold the glory of Basic Plaines?”
She laughs, then reaches over to pat my arm. “I really appreciate how calm you always stay, Dane. If anyone else weremy bodyguard, I would probably be having a series of panic attacks right now.”
While driving, I occasionally glance over to Jorie’s beautiful profile. How did I get so lucky? I’ve done a few bodyguard and security gigs before, but it was always for one night, and never very interesting. Certainly never with a breathtaking girl who makes me conjure up ideas likepure lust.Obsession.Forever.
With a long straight stretch of road ahead of us, and almost no traffic, I take my foot off the gas and reach out to caress her cheek with my thumb. “Honestly, I don’t know what kind of creeps your father deals with, but this isn’t just a favor from my dad anymore. You know that, right?”
She nods thoughtfully. “I think so.”
“Not good enough. I need you to know it through and through, gorgeous. I’m not letting anything happen to you. I’m taking you to a top-secret location. We can stay there as long as you like. Nobody in your family bossing you around. Just us. Good food, long walks in the forest…”
Her eyes light up. “For how long?”
“Good. Prepare to be dazzled.”
Jorie’s eyes widen at the lightning-quick speed at which the onslaught of incredible breakfast food arrives, taking up the entire table. As soon as the scent of sausages hits us, we dig right in.
Once I get the check, I sling an arm around Jorie, pulling her closer to me. “Well, you’ve been through a southern-ish enough place that you’ve tried grits. Today you’ve survived Kathy’s infamous Hearty Breakfast for Two. How do you feel?”
Her soft brown eyes have that certain glow that I’m quickly becoming addicted to. “Amazing. And perfectly safe.”
“Good.”
Jorie suddenly bubbles with laughter. “I feel like I should be freaking out. Instead, I’m having the best time.” Her expression changes when my posture stiffens. “What’s wrong?”
My hand rubs her shoulder as two police officers walk into the restaurant. “Remember what I said about people ignoring couples who were being intimate?”
She nods and tucks her head into my shoulder. I wait until the officers settle into the booth closest to the door, then set money on the table. “I sincerely doubt your father has sent out a search warrant for you, since he knows you’re with me,” I murmur softly. “And those tech guys are probably still confused about how you disappeared. Still, we’re going to breeze out of here casually?—”
Yep. Those cops are definitely staring at us.
Jorie’s hand lands on my chest. “Definitely, before I fall into a food coma.”
Taking her hand, I chuckle as we stand and walk slowly toward the door. “…Yes, honey, because if you’re asleep, that means I get to pick the music all the way to your sister’s farm.”
She smirks, giving me a casual elbow as we pass the two uniforms. “No way. You have terrible taste.”
“Hey.”
Oh, shit.
My arm locks tightly around Jorie’s waist as we turn toward the officers with completely bland expressions. “Yes, officer?” I ask politely.
He points at Jorie, who has stiffened from head to toe. “Aren’t you the lead singer of Orange Lights Downtown?”
A shudder runs through her, then her hand flutters to her throat. “You think I look likeCeleste Gilby? Oh my goodness – thank you! I wish!”
The second officer elbows the first. “Told you it wasn’t her.”
The first one shrugs. “Hey, if she had been, and I didn’t get an autograph for my daughter, I’d be in the doghouse forever.”
I lift my hand from Jorie’s waist in a half wave. “Have a good afternoon, officers.”
I can still feel the tension in Jorie’s body. She wants to bolt. “Relax,” I murmur as we saunter to the car. Once we’re safely in the car and heading for the highway, I flash her a grin. “Good job. I have to say, you’re an expert at staying mellow.”
Her eyes roll dramatically. “I’ve had to attend so many of Mom’s cocktail parties and Dad’s work functions that I just play the part of whatever people are expecting. Usually, my formula involves being sweet and friendly, then leaving as quickly as humanly possible.”
“You were amazing. Ready to behold the glory of Basic Plaines?”
She laughs, then reaches over to pat my arm. “I really appreciate how calm you always stay, Dane. If anyone else weremy bodyguard, I would probably be having a series of panic attacks right now.”
While driving, I occasionally glance over to Jorie’s beautiful profile. How did I get so lucky? I’ve done a few bodyguard and security gigs before, but it was always for one night, and never very interesting. Certainly never with a breathtaking girl who makes me conjure up ideas likepure lust.Obsession.Forever.
With a long straight stretch of road ahead of us, and almost no traffic, I take my foot off the gas and reach out to caress her cheek with my thumb. “Honestly, I don’t know what kind of creeps your father deals with, but this isn’t just a favor from my dad anymore. You know that, right?”
She nods thoughtfully. “I think so.”
“Not good enough. I need you to know it through and through, gorgeous. I’m not letting anything happen to you. I’m taking you to a top-secret location. We can stay there as long as you like. Nobody in your family bossing you around. Just us. Good food, long walks in the forest…”
Her eyes light up. “For how long?”