Page 6 of Road Trip with Her Bodyguard (Love Along Route 14 #9)

DANE

W hat the hell have I done?

And why am I powerless to stop myself from doing it again?

She’s intoxicating .

If Jorie wasn’t interested in me, I would have no problem keeping a solid, professional line between us. Holding her hand while going into restaurants, and nothing more. Yet the way she looked at me… reached for me… cuddled against me all night long as if she never wanted to let go…

She’s mine. I feel it in my bones.

My father might freak out when he discovers I’m falling for his old friend’s daughter. Not to mention what her dad is going to think. But I don’t care.

My fingers tighten on the steering wheel as I glance to my right. Jorie is cheerfully setting up the burner phone I bought her so she can pick coffee shops and restaurants along the way. I wonder if she’s as wound up as I am by those amazing good night kisses last night.

“Where are we headed today?” she asks.

“Basic Plaines, Kansas.”

Jorie bursts out laughing. “Mom is horrified by the thought of anything basic. Nobody would ever look for me there.”

I chuckle with her, then look over when she grows quiet. “What is it?”

She sighs. “Did Dad give any details about who might be after me?”

Dammit. I need to phrase this carefully. I don’t want to frighten her.

“I got the information from my father, after his phone call with your dad. Basically, a certain deal is not going well. The last time the other corporation had someone messing with them, they – allegedly – kidnapped the daughter of the CEO to make him play ball.”

I reach out to squeeze her knee. “But that was a week into negotiations. Your Dad got you off the grid immediately.”

“Yeah.” Her eyes roll. “Except he wanted me to go to a hotel that everyone knows Mom loves. It would be an obvious place to look for me.” This time her sigh has a slight growl. “Is it disrespectful to think your parents might not be very bright?”

“Hey, my lips are sealed. Everyone thinks my Dad is an idiot because he’s so anti-technology. I dare anyone to grill him on classic books, state history, or plumbing and electrical knowledge, though. He’s got a mind like a steel trap.”

“A steel trap that stays offline.”

“Exactly.”

The next time I glance over, Jorie is staring down at her hands. “Your father would probably think I’m a total flake. Not that I’ll ever meet him or anything, just…you know.”

I hate how uncomfortable she looks. “Gorgeous, it’s fine that you use social media. Please don’t think I’m anti-technology because my dad is. I’m just extremely careful with it in situations like this.”

When I reach for her hand, she grips mine tightly. “I keep thinking you’ll see me as…I don’t know. Some vain idiot who posted too many photos and put herself in danger as a result.”

“I just want you to be yourself, Jorie.” I squeeze her fingers again, then pat her knee as I place my hand back on the wheel. “Sorry. Big curve at the bottom of this hill. How about you choose a spot for breakfast?”

“Sure.”

One thing I’m discovering I really like about Jorie is the way she is so completely open to trying new things. Honestly, the girl is ready for anything.

She selects Kathy’s Diner, a place I’ve been to a few times which always makes me feel like I’ve time traveled thanks to the waitresses’ pink outfits and white aprons. It’s been around forever and is always busy enough that we won’t be noticeable.

We play up the couple angle when we arrive, me keeping my arm around her and nuzzling her neck as we find a booth near the back.

Jorie grins as she takes it all in. “I love seeing more of the world than an overly air conditioned five-star hotel.” Her gaze shifts to the servers dashing around behind the counter. “There are some hard-working women here who definitely need a massage.”

A woman bounces over, coffee pot in hand. “Mornin’, darlin’,” she says to Jorie, filling her cup. “How’s life treating you, sugar?” she asks me as she pours mine.

“Right now, everything is amazing,” I smile back.

“What brings you two to Heartstone today?” she asks.

“We’re just passing through,” I reply easily.

“Oh! Well if you’re on a road trip, you’ll want the Hearty Breakfast for Two. It’s a bit of everything. Fuel you right up.”

“I’m feeling hearty,” Jorie laughs, handing her back the menu. “Let’s do it.”

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 like Celeste 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 were my 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 like pure 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?”

“For as long as you like.”