Page 18 of Chalk Outline

“Do you have any?”

“I left them on your bike last night. It did great.”

“You won this round.”

He is so intense. I glance at my broken entrance, then back at him. “You broke my door, Asshole.”

“I’ll install a new one tomorrow. But I will sleep at your entrance to make sure no one steps near your room.”

Was that supposed to sound dirty?

I mirror his smirk. “Like that wasn’t your plan all along.”

“Maybe.” He pulls a few packs of chocolates from his rear pocket and slips them onto the desk. That respectful jerk tracks my period and always makes sure I have things I like that put a smile on my face. “Here’s a peace treaty, Little Demon.” He only calls me that when I’m on my period.

My hand stretches backward, and I grab the chocolate and sandwich while I gaze at him.

“For the record, I see you. You can’t hide from me.” I kiss his chin and ram my shoulder into him as I walk out of my busted doorway. I can’t stop the grin pulling at my lips as I march away. “Thanks for the food and snacks.”

Wet and cold, I rub my thighs as another memory rushes in like a tidal wave.

I’ve had enough of his fluctuating mood. One moment, he is charming; the next, he is an insufferable prick.

“I don’t need a bodyguard,” I announce as we enter Grandma’s office.

“She does.” He argues, turning his head toward me just in time to see me flip him off. He rolls his jaw in annoyance, and the muscle there ticks violently. Sometimes, I want to punch him and dig into his brain at the same time.

“You’re the pain of my existence,” I scowl.

“So are you.”

Grandma’s eyes dance between us as we approach her desk. “What now?” She replies impatiently, sipping her strong coffee and shooting us the “here we go again” look.

“I can protect myself without him hovering over my head like a dark cloud. I’m learning jujitsu and taking some taekwondo classes,” I argue.

Her gaze falls to a few papers lying on the desk.

“She is reckless and likes partying every week with dozens of college kids she doesn’t know. She almost got hit by a car the other day, and guys try to get her attention, which I monitor daily.”

“What, guys?” I snap at him. “You knock them all out before they attempt to approach me.”

“What about snipers or killers?” He continues. “You don’t have bodyguards just for the sake of having bodyguards. There are threats, and there are things you don’t know. I’m here to ensure you live a quiet and peaceful life.”

“The case is closed. He is your bodyguard, and he remains your bodyguard. Now go,” she says definitively in her crisp voice.

I blow out an irritated breath. “Grandma.”

Her eyes flick up from the paper and land directly on me. “Winona.” She straightens up from her chair, walks around thedesk, and tucks me to her side. “I love you, my sweet girl, more than anything. He wouldn’t have been here unless I thought it wasn’t crucial. But I’ll tell you what, when you turn twenty-one, I’ll let you decide if you want to keep him.”

I sigh, knowing everything she does is perfectly calculated to the last detail. “Fine.” Defeated, I look away.

“I love you,” she urges me to turn my head and look at her.

“I love you, too.” I smile at her because, no matter what, she always does what’s best for me. She gave me all the love in the world when my parents were away. She may boss everyone around, but she’s my family and has always made me feel like the most cherished person in her life.

As we walk out the door and close it behind us, he turns around to look at me. “Guess I’m staying for the next two years.”

“Whatever.” I’m really not in the mood. “You know you can’t knock out every guy who stumbles upon my door. I have needs, and I need to have a social life.”