she whispered, “I’m still not ready to be alone.”
He wouldn’t mind if that attitude carried over to bedtime. “It’s not a problem.”
“Right. I’m afraid to be in my own home? It’s idiotic.”
“Actually, it’d be idiotic if you weren’t worried.”
As if he hadn’t spoken, she said, “And it’s not your job to play grocery shopper and light installer on top of being a bodyguard.”
“How many bodyguards have you hired?”
“I...” Stymied, she frowned. “Only you. Why?”
“My job is to ensure your safety. That involves making the farmhouse more secure and, when necessary, sticking close. Since I’m not the type to stand around idle while you do chores, you can damn well plan on me helping. With whatever. Got it?”
Gratitude curled her mouth and softened her tone. “Doesn’t sound like I have a choice.”
“It’s part of the bodyguard code.” The SUV bumped and bounced over potholes in the rough road. While he had her undivided attention, he decided to sneak in a little work. “This ex of yours. Does he know you moved out here?”
“I didn’t tell him. If he knows, he found out from someone else.”
“Like who?”
“Well, he works with my sister.”
Great. He really needed to do some research. Getting details in drips and drabs wasn’t working for him.
As neutrally as he could, Miles said, “Yeah? Doing what?”
“He’s a receptionist.” She made a face and added, “Gary is pretty. He looks good in a boutique joint that caters to other pretty people.”
Jealousy subsided. “Pretty, huh?” She said it with enough disdain to make him laugh.
“Yeah. Some would call him handsome—but not as handsome as you.”
Miles said nothing to that.
“He’s tall, too.” Then she quickly added, “But not as tall as you.”
Semi-amused, semi-annoyed, Miles said, “He’s a cheater, so we can kill the comparisons, okay?”
Chagrined, she nodded. “I’m just wondering what I ever really saw in him.”
Yeah, Miles was wondering that, too.
Lower, she added, “I guess I thought he was elegant. Very stylish, trim, impeccable dresser. And far, far different from the first guy I cared about.”
“You were younger then.”
“And obviously dumber. Gary comes off as sophisticated and...” She shrugged with the truth. “More acceptable to my family.”
Miles soaked that in. So she still wanted their approval, did she? Just not enough to disregard her grandma’s wishes. “Do you think your sister would tell him where you are?”
“Who knows what Harlow might do? She’s annoyed enough with me to want payback.”
“So she knows you two split?”
“Yeah. She couldn’t believe I’d end a relationship over one ‘indiscretion.’ She thought I should give him another chance.”
“Bullshit.”
“My thought exactly. But if she did tell him, he hasn’t shown up here.”
“Or,” Miles said with emphasis, “maybe he’s shown up and you just don’t know it.”
She toyed with her braid while considering it. “Gary isn’t the type to be a stalker.”
“You never know.” Miles flexed his hands on the wheel. “Describe him to me.”
Wary now, she said, “You’re not going to do anything crazy, are you?”
“If you’re asking if I’ll demolish him, that’s not my plan.”
“Doesn’t sound like you’re ruling it out, though.”
Being honest, Miles said, “If I find him lurking around here or doing anything shady to scare you, yeah, you can bet your sweet ass I’ll take him apart.”
She stared at him in awe, then grinned. “My sweet ass, huh?”
“Your ass is very sweet.” He cocked a brow and prompted, “Description?”
Biting her lip to keep the grin at bay, Maxi gave it quick thought. “Hmm, let’s see. He’s twenty-eight. Close to six feet tall. Light brown hair, blue eyes. Trim.” She turned to glance out the window, then did a quick double take. “Wow, the sky’s getting dark.”
Miles bent to peer up through the windshield. “Well, hell. A storm’s rolling in.”
“We need the rain, but I’d rather it hold off another day or two.”
He parked in the driveway and, hurrying now, went around to the back to open the storage area. He noticed Maxi standing there, staring at the front door.
He didn’t see anything amiss but asked anyway. “Something wrong?”
“Just thinking about unlocking it for you.”
Yet she didn’t move. Miles’s heart softened. “Come here, Maxi.”
Feet dragging, she headed his way. “What?”
“Carry this.” He took the keys from her, then gave her his duffel and overnight bag. They weren’t heavy, but they required both her hands. “I can get the door.” He wouldn’t mention her nervousness; they’d said enough on it. Going forward, he’d try to ensure she didn’t have to mention it.
Loading his own arms with grocery bags, he said, “Come on.”
Together, they made multiple trips until all the groceries were in the kitchen and all the security supplies were unloaded on the dining room table.
They’d just finished carrying bags of the old food out to the big bin when the sky opened up in a great deluge. The cats must have known it was coming, because Miles didn’t see a single one. Grabbing Maxi’s hand, he raced for the front porch while the stinging rain pounded onto them.
Maxi laughed as she slipped and almost went down. Barely breaking stride, he scooped her up in his arms and bounded up the steps. Because they were soaked, he stopped outside the door and let her slide down his body. Lightning cut through the bloated black clouds. Thunder shook the foundation.
Steam rose between them.
Miles watched as rain dripped down her body, her top plastered to her breasts.
The
