Expert Witness: A Romantic Suspense Novel (9 page)

Although he hadn’t been in her room, he’d seen it at the end of the hall when she’d walked him to his. He pushed the door open with his foot and carried her through the entry. A small table lamp illuminated the room. Unlike the décor in the remainder of the house, which had a simplistic rustic beauty, her bedroom was more luxurious and elegant. His feet sank into plush carpets covering the hardwood floors as he moved forward. He wondered at the differences in style. She was certainly an enigma. From her tailored suit and professional demeanor, he might have pictured her entire house this way, but it was only this room.
 

Looking down at the beguiling woman he held in his arms, he almost regretted that he had to put her down. The feeling lasted only a few seconds before rational thought smothered it away. She was a client—that was all. He’d never again become personally involved with someone he was hired to protect. The two didn’t mix.
 

He leaned forward, pulling the covers back from the tall, velvet headboard. After easing her on to the mattress, he positioned a pillow beneath her head. Her hair fanned out around her face, framing it in a dark silky cloud. Tearing his eyes from the exquisite sight, he cupped the bottom of each calve and removed her dress shoes. While he was slipping off the second heel, it dawned on him that he was putting her to bed in her conservative linen pantsuit.
 

The suit will have to stay
.
This is where I draw the line.
Taking a last look around, he saw a large sitting window in the corner of the room. He made sure the lock was securely in place then treaded lightly toward the door. When he realized what he was doing, he switched back to his normal gait. Probably nothing could wake that woman short of an explosion.

§

Jordan awoke to sunlight streaming through her window. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d slept so soundly. Taking in the beautiful morning, she moved to stretch her arms out over her head. About halfway up, something hindered her movement and she looked over to identify the culprit. Seeing the sleeve of her suit jacket, she sat up straight, now entirely awake. She was dressed.
But how?
 

She didn’t remember going to bed. The last thing she could recall was watching the news with Chase… Then understanding crept up on her as she grasped what had happened. Chase must have carried her into the bedroom last night. She found herself a little self-conscious at the thought of such an intimate interaction, particularly one for which she had no recollection.
He was only being considerate,
she reminded herself
.
Still, she couldn’t help but be moved by the gesture. She was certain it wasn’t part of the “Chase package.”
 

Wondering if he was up yet, she hurriedly took a shower and threw on a gray-blue silk dress. The vision she saw of herself in the mirror looked significantly less tired than the one she’d seen yesterday. Her skin was more vibrant, and the purplish hue beneath her eyes had faded. What a difference an uninterrupted eight hours made.

On her way toward the kitchen, she could hear the water running in the guest bathroom and gathered that Chase was taking a shower. There was no need to rush now. She poured herself a cup of coffee and then hunted around the fridge for a suitable breakfast. Her foraging resulted in little that was still edible. A container of sun-dried tomato cream cheese and a package of bagels appeared most promising. She needed to get to the grocery store soon.
 

While toasting the bagels, she heard the water shut off. She pictured him getting out of the shower. Wet hair combed back, muscles glistening with beads of water… A streak of desire shot through her, leaving a warm sensation in its path.
 

Chase’s deep voice intruded into the way-too-appealing image. “Good morning.”

Even his voice is freaking sexy
.
 

He walked into the kitchen, dressed casually in a green-striped button-down shirt and khakis. Still wet, his hair looked strikingly close to how she’d imagined it.
 

Jordan’s cheeks grew warm as she echoed his greeting. “Morning.”
 

He raised a quizzical eyebrow. Her blush was probably giving her away. She was glad his investigation talents didn’t include mindreading.

“You sleep like the living dead,” he said, taking the cup of coffee she held out to him. He took a big gulp then lifted the cup and nodded his appreciation.
 

 
Jordan laughed despite her embarrassment. “I should have warned you. I’m a pretty deep sleeper. But I generally make it into bed myself.”
 

Chase snorted. “Deep sleeper, huh? I’d say that’s putting it mildly. I don’t think a live Bon Jovi concert at a venue next door would wake you up.”
 

“Oh, I don’t know about that. Jon is pretty cute. Hearing his voice next door may be worth leaving wherever I am in dreamland.” She handed Chase a plate with a toasted bagel. “There’s cream cheese if you want some.” She gestured to the container on the counter.

“Careful now. I know all the words to ‘Livin’ On A Prayer,’ and I’m not above using them.” He spread cream cheese on the bagel and paused before he bit into it. “You might not want to fall asleep on me again,” he threatened.
 

Jordan felt her stomach tingle at his teasing warning. She didn’t tell him that his threat held little weight for her. Even if he couldn’t carry a single note, the deep tenor of his voice alone would probably make anything he uttered sound sexy as hell.
 

Their lighthearted repartee continued throughout breakfast and during the drive to the office. As they neared her building, Jordan, more relaxed, asked him some of the questions that had been swirling in her mind.
 

“So, what will you do all day? I mean, while I see clients.”

“I’ll find an inconspicuous spot to observe you from and watch for any threats.”

She furrowed her brow. “Is that how it is on most of your other jobs?” she asked, not comprehending why he’d choose to pursue such a career.

“It depends on the job. But like I said yesterday, there’s a lot of waiting around.”
 

Bewildered, she tried again to understand his position. “May I ask what the attraction is, then?”
 

The corner of his mouthed turned up slightly. “I know. When you think about the amount of time spent observing, researching, rehearsing, and waiting, it’s easy to see how people wonder why on earth anyone would choose to make this a career. But there’s a lot that’s good about it too. I enjoy traveling to different countries and meeting new people from different cultures. There’s a level of excitement that goes with never knowing where you’ll be sleeping from day to day. I could be guarding a dignitary in Afghanistan one day and escorting a well-known actor at the Oscars the next. Those parts of the job are pretty enticing, at least initially.”

 
“When you look at it that way, I can see the draw.” She nodded. “Not to mention you seem to have an aptitude for it.”

“How do you mean?” His gaze left the road and darted over to hers.

“Well, we haven’t worked together long, but you seem to be in your element. You know…aptitude, as in you appear to be a natural at what you do.”
 

A flash of sorrow crossed his features.
 
What was it about her statement that would have elicited that type of reaction? It was so unexpected that she almost thought she’d mistaken it, but when he replied, he seemed preoccupied.
 

“I like to know I’m using my skills and training to do something good,” he said, checking the rearview mirror before pulling into her office parking lot.
 

Though she was sure that he meant it, his reply sounded detached. Jordan didn’t press him any further. Still, she questioned why what she’d meant to be a compliment had troubled him instead.
 

At six thirty she decided to call it a day. She’d been relieved to find that Chase’s presence didn’t disturb anyone’s work. He’d decided to stake out a place in the main office, at a spare desk that offered a view of her doorway. True to his word, he was able to blend in so that no one really noticed him.
 

Well, that wasn’t entirely true. She’d seen some of the female clients eyeing him through the glass window where Nancy was usually stationed, but she didn’t think that had anything to do with his job. He looked striking today in the shirt that matched the color of his eyes. She was surprised at the stab of jealousy that had moved through her when she’d overhead one of the women grilling Nancy about him. Fortunately, Nancy had been quick on her feet and had smoothly explained that he was a temp hired to help out in the office.
 

She dictated the report she’d been working on and gathered her things together. Thankfully, it was Friday and she could use the weekend to get back on track. She’d been scheduled to instruct a court-mandated anger management class on Saturday, but Karen had volunteered to take her place and she was grateful for the reprieve.
 

She tried to recall everything she planned to get done. Going grocery shopping topped her list along with catching up on things around the house. Not to mention she’d missed her regular workout sessions this week. Sessions she sorely needed for her own mental health right now. Chase would be accompanying her on all of these errands. For some reason, the thought of his company during these mundane tasks made them seem slightly more appealing.
 

Heading toward the main corridor, she overheard Chase and Mike bantering back and forth. She couldn’t hear what they were saying, but Chase’s laughter echoed down the hall. Mike was animatedly adding to the conversation when she got closer.

“And when that canoe started heading down the river with our clothes, I thought I was going to die.”

“Yeah. Well, from what I remember,” Chase shared, “it was ten times worse when we had to race naked down the river trying to catch the damn thing with the entire
cheerleading squad rooting for us to reach it.”

“I still blame you for that, you know,” Mike said. “The whole thing was your idea. Somehow, you always pulled me into your outrageous escapades.”

“Hey, that wasn’t my fault. How was I supposed to know it was their annual canoe trip? The place is usually deserted during the week,” Chase said innocently.
 

 
Not wanting to eavesdrop any longer, Jordan made her presence known. “I must be missing something good,” she said, entering the room.
 

Chase looked over at her and instantly sobered. His reaction wounded her a little. Though he’d initially been reserved, after last night and this morning, she’d thought some of the professional distance between them was starting to dissipate.
 

“Oh, Chase and I were recalling the good old days,” Mike said. She knew he’d noticed Chase’s reaction and was trying to spare her feelings.
 

 
Jordan tried not to let her hurt show. She reminded herself that he and Mike had been friends for years, and she and Chase had only met yesterday. The close proximity they shared and their unusual relationship—employer and employee, bodyguard and target, close friend of her best friend—only confused things.
And on top of that, why does it matter?
After all, this was only a temporary situation, and he was solely her employee.
 

“Sounds like you two must have had some fun,” she said lightly.

“Yes, those were good times,” Chase said, his tone conversational.

If she hadn’t heard him talking to Mike two minutes ago, she never would have noticed the difference in his voice. But she had. Sticking to her resolve to keep from making her interactions with Chase more than they were, she tried to sound nonchalant when she replied. “Well, if you’re ready, I was hoping to stop by the grocery store on the way home. I don’t think I can survive on what’s left in my fridge.” She grabbed her briefcase.

“Ready when you are,” Chase replied, getting up to leave.
 

Mike looked at them intently. “I’ll see you two later.”

“See you in the morning,” Jordan said with a wave.

“Later, brother.” Chase gave him a pat on the back then followed Jordan out.

Jordan began taking the grocery items out of the brown paper bags stacked on her kitchen counter. Chase came in behind her, carrying the last of the bags. He caught her by surprise when he started helping her unpack them.
 

“You don’t have to do that,” she said.
 

“It’s no problem. I’m quite at home in the kitchen.” He pulled a plastic sack of tomatoes out of one of the brown bags.
 

In truth, he did look quite at home in her kitchen, just as he had in the grocery store. She’d expected he’d want to get out of there as soon as possible, but he’d walked with her as though they had all the time in the world, watching as she’d inspected vegetables and scanned the shelves for her favorite items. There was no doubt he was good at what he did. Although he’d been attentive the entire trip, he hadn’t at all been overbearing.

They finished unloading the groceries, and Chase volunteered to help her fix dinner. They diced vegetables side by side and fell into an easy conversation. Nothing very personal, but she enjoyed it nonetheless. They spoke of their favorite hangouts and places to go. Chase’s experiences far outweighed hers, having been on numerous protection assignments in the area. Her mouth watered as she listened to him describe the maple crème brulee he’d tried at Disney’s California Grill. The restaurant was one of her favorites too, but she hadn’t tried that particular dessert yet.