Total pages in book: 133
Estimated words: 134598 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 673(@200wpm)___ 538(@250wpm)___ 449(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 134598 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 673(@200wpm)___ 538(@250wpm)___ 449(@300wpm)
In fact, he should have talked to her about this earlier so this was on him.
He noticed her hand move to her wrist, then she drew it back. Was that hair tie still there? Was she going to flick it against her skin?
He didn’t want to draw her boss’s attention to it, so he didn’t say anything. Later.
“I’d appreciate your discretion on this, Jordan,” she told the other man.
Jordan waved his hand. “I’ve no interest in spreading gossip about Rip. You should know that, Cate. But I am worried.”
Ethan studied him, but he did seem genuinely worried.
“About the firm? I’m not sure how this would impact anyone here. The stalker has shown no interest in me. They’re unlikely to target anyone I work with.”
“About you, Cate,” Jordan told her. “I’d like to think we’re more than business colleagues.”
Wait. What?
“We are?” Cate looked confused, which was the only thing stopping him from laying some sort of claim on her in front of this guy.
Jordan shot a look at Ethan, then sighed. “Perhaps friends?”
“Oh. Friends? Well, I hadn’t considered that. But I suppose we can be friends. Two friends in the space of one week. That’s unheard of.”
Ethan wasn’t certain she meant to say that last part out loud.
And it hurt his heart that she wasn’t used to having friends.
“Um, well, Jordan. It was good to see you. But we have to go.”
She started striding out of the room before Ethan even realized what she was doing. Shit!
“Hey, keep her safe,” Jordan called out to him.
“Of course I will. It’s my job. Plus, Cate is special.” He ran after her. When he caught up to her, she was standing at the elevator, hitting the button.
“Cate, what was that?” he said, trying hard to keep his anger out of his voice.
“Oh, I know it’s illogical to keep hitting the button. But it’s also so irritating waiting for an elevator. Such a waste of what could be productive time.”
He sighed. “Not every minute of your day has to be productive, Cate.”
“I know that. But this is the middle of the day.”
“Actually, it’s close to five.”
“Oh. Is it?” She glanced around. “Traffic will be awful.”
He winced at that. “Will it?”
The elevator doors opened, and it was surprisingly empty. He guided her inside and the doors shut.
Ethan turned so he was facing her. “Cate.”
“Yes?” She glanced up at him.
“Am I your bodyguard?”
“Um. Well, you’re more Rhodes’ bodyguard than mine—”
“Cate,” he interrupted her. “Right now. Am I your bodyguard? Am I in charge of your safety?”
“I don’t understand why you’re asking me this.”
“Answer me.”
“Yes, I suppose you are in charge of my safety. Even if I think it’s unnecessary.”
“It doesn’t matter if you think it’s unnecessary. Rhodes and I think it is. If you were my lawyer, I would listen to you on matters of the law. Right?”
“I suppose.”
“So you need to obey me on matters of safety.”
“I am not sure I agree with the use of the word obey.”
“Tough. That’s the word that we’re going to use. You will do as I tell you when it comes to safety so I can keep you safe. Understand?”
“All right. What does this lecture pertain to?”
“What are my rules when we’re out of the house?”
“That I’m to stay in your sight at all times. You’re to clear any rooms, including the bathroom, before I go into them. And that if something happened, I am to obey your orders. When we’re moving, I’m to stay within two feet of you . . . oh. This is about me walking out of the office without you.”
“Yes. It is. Also, I’d like to add that you’re to stay where I put you. You moved when I put you behind me.”
“I apologize,” she said, looking genuinely remorseful. “Jordan was acting . . . strange.”
“He cares about you.”
She shook her head, looking pensive as the elevator doors opened. He lightly grasped her hand as he led her out to the car.
When they were close, he opened the car door. “I’m going to lift you,” he warned before lifting her into the seat.
“Oh! Why . . . why did you do that?”
“Because I wanted to.” He let out a sigh.
You sound like a nut job.
“You look tired.” And he was feeling protective.
“I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking.” She reached for her wrist, pushing her finger under the sleeve of her blazer.
Then she seemed to realize he was there and drew her hand back.
He frowned.
“I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking when I left the room in a hurry or when I told him about the stalker.” She closed her eyes. “I don’t usually make mistakes like this. It’s . . . annoying.”
“You’re tired, baby.” She looked shattered. “You got light-headed up there, didn’t you?”
“Perhaps. Just a bit.”
“Let’s get you home. I’ll make you some dinner, and you can lie on the couch and do nothing.” He fastened her seatbelt, then walked around the car to get in the driver’s seat.