Baby Bodyguard: Book #3 (Baby, Oh Baby! Series (chockful of matchmaking, soul mates, love at first s

Chapter 8

Oh, no.Sami fought to breathe. Noah had used the “L” word. It was her birthday, the worst day of each year, and he’d used the “L” word. Could it get any worse? She had to find a way out of this. “We’re going to be late.”

“We’re already late,” he said with a shrug.

She attempted a smile. It felt shaky, but at least her mouth curved in the appropriate direction. “You may have noticed that I’m usually good at coming up with excuses off the top of my head. Iguess it goes with having a ‘barefoot and cocky’ type of personality. But to be honest—” Her chin quivered despite her best attempts to control it. She didn’t doubt for a moment Noah caught the telltale movement. “I need to find a way of getting myself out of this conversation. So, do you think you could just go along with the ‘we’re late’ excuse?”

“Sorry. Ididn’t mean to push.” He stepped closer and adjusted first the feather in her headband and then her fringed shawl, his touch a gentle balm. “Don’t worry. No one will realize anything’s wrong.”

He’d read her mind and with a simple sentence, eased her fears. No one would catch onto her pain, that her bubbly smile lacked sincerity or that the dampness in her eyes didn’t come from excitement. She swallowed hard. “Thanks.”

“Anytime.”

He offered his elbow and she slipped her hand into the crook of his arm. She could feel the delicious play of muscles and tendons beneath her fingertips, even through the thickness of his jacket. Amazing. With his dark, wavy hair and calm silver eyes, Noah looked as incredible in a tux as he did in jeans and a T-shirt.

Where on earth had her mother found him? His type came in short supply in the world she inhabited. Afiercely protective man, he proved himself adept at taking charge at a moment’s notice, as well as a man who inspired confidence and loyalty. Moreover, he understood a woman’s deepest fears and did his best to allaythem.

It puzzled her. He could be anyone, do anything. Why had he chosen to play man Friday to her crazy household when he was clearly capable of so much more? She shot him a quick look. Perhaps this would be a good time to ask. In fact, she didn’t understand why she hadn’t thought to question him sooner. Maybe if she hadn’t been so obsessed with finding a father for her baby, she wouldhave.

“Noah—”

He glanced down at her. “I don’t suppose anyone would be too upset if you slipped away once the cake has been cut and the presents opened. Knowing Babe’s generosity, the champagne will be flowing. In another hour or so, it’ll be a wonder if your guests even remember what they’re celebrating.” He slanted her an infectious grin. “What do you say? Do you want to sneak off when nobody’s watching? Would that make you feel better?”

All thoughts but one scattered into the night. “I’m afraid Babe’s going to announce her next engagement.” Sami had no idea where the words came from, but once spoken, she realized they expressed another worry that had been gnawing at her allday.

“Is that why—”

“No,” she interrupted hastily. “I was wondering what other disaster could happen and that popped into my head.”

For some reason her comment elicited a dark frown. “Do you have a bad feeling about tonight?”

“Good grief, Noah. Haven’t you been listening?” Her voice carried an edginess that alarmed her. But she couldn’t seem to control it. “I’ve been telling you that ever since we got here.”

He didn’t react to her tone, which only made her feel worse. “I want you to do me a favor,” hesaid.

“What?”

“Stay close tonight.”

Her brows drew together in bewilderment. “Close? Why?”

“Do it in exchange for the favor I’m doing you.”

“What favor is that?”

“See if either of these rings a bell.” He held up his thumb. “First you talked me into escorting you to this little shindig, not to mention wearing a monkey suit.” He flicked his index finger upward. “And second, you convinced me to leave Loner at home. He usually provides an extra set of eyes and ears. Not to mention a better than average nose. I’m at a disadvantage without him.”

A smile slipped across her mouth, the first truly natural one since they’d arrived at the hotel. “Were you planning to track me down?”

“Only if you disappear on me.” He’d turned serious and it alarmed her. “Promise me, Sami. Promise you’ll stay close tonight.”

“Fine. I promise.”

“Good.” He inclined his head toward the room they were approaching. “Showtime, sweetheart. Ijust caught a glimpse of your mother, so smile. If Babe senses something’s wrong, she’ll never let up.”

“You really do know my mother.” It reminded her of the questions that had plagued her earlier. “You said she hired you. But you never said how you met.”

“Didn’t I?”

There wasn’t time to ask anything further, but Sami made a mental note to pursue the conversation at the first opportunity. The instant they stepped into the ballroom, Babe descended on them, dispensing hugs and kisses and chattering away at high speed. She only drew breath long enough to shoot Noah a quick look. It held an unmistakable question, expressing both nervousness and—

Sami’s eyes widened in dawning disbelief. And guilt. Anasty little thought flittered through her mind, leaving behind a terrible suspicion. Her hands clenched around her wrap, her grip so hard the beaded decoration cut into her palms.

Oh, no. Please, not that. It had never occurred to her Babe might have a personal interest in Noah—which might explain how they knew each other so well. But it was there in her mother’s beseeching gaze as well as in Noah’s answer—asilent, glittering warning that elicited instant obedience.

Sami hadn’t thought the evening could get any worse. What an idiot she’d been. It had gone from disastrous directly to horrifying. Her mother and Noah. Heaven help her. What in the world should she donow?

“Hello, my dear.” Reggie appeared at Sami’s side and planted an avuncular kiss on her cheek. “I’d wish you a happy birthday, but I’d need your promise not to take my head off first.”

She turned to her uncle in relief, agurgle of laughter covering the advent of tears. “You can keep your head.”

“Why, thank you, my lovely Queen of Hearts.” He handed her a glass of champagne and lifted an eyebrow in question. “You strike me as a woman who could use this. Or am I mistaken?”

“No, you’re right. Icould.”

“I was hoping we might find a few minutes to talk privately. But looking at you, Isuspect my timing’s off again.”

“You know I always have time for you, Uncle Reg.” She linked arms with him. “Come on. Let’s find a quiet corner and—”

He shook his head. “Not now, Idon’t think.” Gesturing to indicate the decorations, he deliberately changed the subject. “So? Do you like how your mother’s fixed up the place?”

Sami took a quick sip of champagne and scanned the room. Flowers, tulle, and silver foil made up a predominate portion of the decor. “As always, Babe’s pulled it off in style.”

“She’s done a beautiful job, though it looks more like a wedding reception than a birthday party.” He gave an abashed shrug. “But maybe that’s because I’m a man and don’t have an eye for these things.”

“Or maybe you’re right and it looks that way because she’s had more practice at weddings than birthdays.”

Reggie inhaled sharply and turned, staring at her in astonishment. “What did you say?”

“I… I said…” To Sami’s horror, tears filled her eyes. “I said something really rude and horrible, didn’t I?”

“Yes, my dear. You did. Ibelieve the question is… Why?”

She darted a stricken look toward Noah. As though sensing her desperation, his gaze shifted and he focused on her. Their communication came in an instantaneous flash, asilent exchange of thought and emotion, adesperate plea sent winging out and an immediate reassurance sent swiftly back. Murmuring an excuse to Babe, he crossed to herside.

“I believe they’re playing our song,” he said, nodding toward Reggie. Taking the champagne flute from Sami, he handed it to a passing waiter. “Excuse us, won’t you?”

With a smoothness she could only envy, he wrapped his arms around her and swung her onto the floor. “What’s going on?” he bit out. “What did Reggie say to you?”

“Nothing.”

“Don’t give me that. You were about to burst into tears. Now what the hell happened?”

She couldn’t look at him, couldn’t bear to see his expression when she explained. “He said the place appeared more like a wedding reception than a birthday party.”

Noah’s brows drew together as he attempted to attach meaning to her comment. “And that made you cry?”

“No. It was what I said in reply.” She moistened her lips, forcing out the confession. “I… I told him that was because Babe’s had more practice at wedding receptions.”

He dismissed her comment out of hand. “Bull. You’d never say anything that cutting.”

“But I did.” She sniffed, her tears returning with a vengeance. “I really did.”

He swung her deeper into the room, giving her time to recover before asking his next question. “What prompted it?”

The truth came tumbling out. “She looked at you.”

He missed his footing. “Come again?”

“My mother looked at you.” She thumped his chest with her fist. “And darn it, Noah. You looked back.”

“Okay. That’s about as clear as mud.”

“Maybe this will clarify matters for you.” She forced herself to meet his gaze, to see his reaction when she asked her question. “Are you having an affair with Babe?”

“Have you lost your mind?” he asked, icily polite.

“Please say no. Please tell me you’re not—” She couldn’t say it. It hurt toomuch.

He pulled her close, so close she could hear the reassuring beat of his heart. It echoed in her ears, steady and comforting. “No. I’m not having an affair with your mother.” To her profound relief, not a hint of laughter disturbed the even tenor of his voice. “No, Idon’t ever plan to have one with her. And no, Ihave never had any romantic connection with her in the past. There. Does that satisfy you?”

She nestled into the crook of his shoulder and drew a shaky breath. “I’m sorry. Idon’t know what got into me. Isaw her give you this odd look and then you gave her one and then—”

His smile disturbed the curls above her headband. “And then your imagination took over?”

“Something like that,” she confessed gruffly. “It’s just that I don’t know how you two met. Or why she chose you for my birthday present. Or what you’re doing in my house. Come to think of it, nothing about you makes much sense.”

“Sure it does.”

His hand forged a leisurely path the length of her spine, chasing away every thought except a single, dangerously illicit one. She wanted to make babies with this man. Many, many plump, happy, silver-eyed babies. She cleared her throat and struggled to focus. “Refresh my memory. You were saying?”

He grinned knowingly. “I was saying that your mother’s decision makes sense.” Was that what she’d asked? She couldn’t remember anymore. “Babe chose me for your present because I’m trustworthy and because she knew that I could protect you. See? It makes complete sense.”

Sami snorted. “Yeah, right. Like I need protection. The only one I need protection from is you.”

He muttered something beneath his breath, something that didn’t bear repeating. “I suspect Babe would agree with that.”

“Which explains the look you two exchanged,” Sami guessed. “I suppose Mother worried that something had happened between us.”

“She wouldn’t be wrong, would she?”

“No.” Sami caught her bottom lip between her teeth. “Funny. I’d have thought she’d be pleased. She’s always introducing me to ‘perfect’ men. Ifinally find one I think fits that description and she’s opposed to it.” She peeked up at him. “She is opposed to it, right? You’re sure about that?”

“Positive. Ibelieve she feels we’re too different. She called us night and day.” He swung Sami in a tight circle, locking her hips against his, their steps in total accord. “She’s not wrong, is she?”

“No,” Sami whispered. “She’s not wrong.”

“And it doesn’t matter that you think I’m perfect, does it? You’re not in the market for permanent.”

Her laugh escaped, ripe with pain. “That’s why we’re opposites. You want one thing and I’m after—”

“The opposite.”

“Right.”

They continued to dance in silence, which was reasonable, Sami decided. They’d said it all, hadn’t they? They were as different as night and day. She shied away from commitment while he welcomed it. He kept a tight lid on his emotions, while she leaked them all over everyone and everything. He was the most perfect man she’d ever met and she… Her mouth trembled. She was a total idiot to shy away from something she wanted so badly.

No sooner did the music fade into silence when Babe joined them. She slipped in between, separating them, and wrapped her arm around Sami’s waist. “I thought we’d get the festivities started early, if you two are finished with each other.” She flashed a quick smile in Noah’s direction. “Otherwise, my darling daughter will disappear the first time I turn my back.”

Sami winced. “I’d have waited a little longer than the first time you turned your back,” shelied.

“Like the second?” Babe’s laughter rang out. “Come on. You can’t fool me. Let’s get the cake cut. If you thank our guests for their presents at the same time, you can have everything over with at once.”

“Presents? Oh, Mom. You didn’t have people bring gifts, did you?”

“You know me better than that. Irequested everyone make donations to the local woman’s shelter in your name.” She tugged on Sami’s arm. “Let’s go.”

Sami resisted, her gaze locking with Noah’s. “Aren’t you coming?”

He shook his head. “I can watch from here.”

“You said you’d stick close,” she persisted doggedly.

His mouth twisted. “I’m as close as I’m likely to get.” The words hit and hit hard. “I’m your man Friday, remember? It would be better if we both keep that in mind.”

The music started up again and couples began drifting across the floor, slipping into the space separating her from Noah, parting them further still. The distance between them grew. She’d have gone to him, but Babe pulled heraway.

“Hurry,” she urged. “They’re bringing out the cake.”

Sami forced a cheerful smile to her lips, but something had broken inside. She didn’t understand it. She wasn’t a woman capable of loving a man. She didn’t want to fall in love. Love meant loss. Love ended. Love hurt. But she’d have given anything in that moment to have Noah’s strong arms around her, his husky voice rumbling in her ear, his gray eyes fixed on hers, filled with quiet understanding.

All around people were singing and cheering. She searched the room, desperate to catch a glimpse of Noah. But he’d disappeared fromview.

“Time to blow out the candles,” someone shouted.

More voices called out. “How many this year?”

“Twenty-nine.”

“Again?”

“You can do it, Sami. Make a wish,” Babe prompted.

“Better make a wish that you get to be twenty-nine again next year,” a woman from the crowd suggested.

“Oh, no,” Babe shot back. “She’s better off wishing we believed it!”

Good-natured laughter rippled all around and even Sami joined in. These were her friends and they meant well. They couldn’t know how difficult this night was for her. Babe presented a cake knife with a flourish and Sami spent time cutting slices and exchanging gossip with the guests. For those few, precious moments the shadows remained at bay and her laughter came easily. She even relaxed enough to enjoy herself.

After thanking her guests for their contributions to the woman’s shelter, she flitted from group to group, doing her best to make everyone feel welcome. Noah had been right. The champagne flowed freely and by the time she’d circled the room, no one even remembered why they’dcome.

Thank goodness for small favors.

Babe approached, Reggie on her arm. “See? That wasn’t so bad,” she said with a tentative smile. “I don’t know why you were in such a panic over a little ol’ birthday.”

“Damn it, Babe.” Reggie glared in a rare display of anger. “You know why birthdays are difficult for her.”

Pain shadowed Babe’s expression. “Of course I know.”

“I support most of your decisions, my dear.” He shook his head. “But this wasn’t one of your best.”

“Oh, Mother. It’s not all my birthdays that are so tough to take,” Sami whispered. “It’s this birthday. If you’d thrown a party last year or even when I turned thirty-two, it wouldn’t have been so bad. But did it have to be this year?”

“Don’t you understand? That’s why I did it. It’s time to move on.” Tears burned in Babe’s eyes. “You can’t keep living in the past, Sami. You need to embrace life, not hide from it. Iknow you don’t believe me, but you deserve to celebrate. And you deserve it this year most of all.”

Sami didn’t wait to hear more. Spinning away, she thrust through the crowd. People called to her, but she simply gave a shaky smile and a wave and pushed on. If it weren’t for her heels, she’d have made better progress and swearing beneath her breath, she fought to release the minuscule straps. Kicking them off, she hurried toward the exit. Finally, finally, she rushed through the door, racing across the lobby of the Hyatt.

With luck, Reggie’s limo would still be available. If she could just make it to the street. If she could just hold out for another minute or two. Asob ripped loose. And then another. To her relief, she caught a glimpse of the limo right outside the door. Bill, bless his heart, had commandeered the space in a No Parking zone. The instant she erupted from the hotel, he opened the backdoor.

She flung herself inside. No sooner had the door slammed behind her than the tears came, fast and noisy and turbulent. Hot tears, messy tears, two decades’ worth of agony rising up from the depths of her soul and spilling down her cheeks.

Where was Noah? Where was he when she needed him most? And then she remembered.

They were night and day. Opposites destined to meet, but never unite.

Noah didn’thave to see Sami leave to know she’d gone. It was as though the life and energy had been abruptly snuffed from the party. He started for the exit, his suspicions confirmed when he found a familiar-looking pair of red suede shoes carelessly discarded near the door. Snatching them up, he went after her, calling himself every sort of idiot.

He’d been hired to protect Sami, to find out who was blackmailing her. Instead, he’d raised as many barriers between them as possible… before deserting her. He could only hope she wouldn’t be forced to pay the ultimate price for his stupidity. Just imagining the potential consequences had him breaking into atrot.

Next, he came across her peacock feather lying forlornly near the fountain and snagged that, as well. Racing down the escalator, he slammed through the doors onto the street outside the Hyatt, arriving just in time to see Reggie’s limo pull away. He swore furiously. This was all his fault. He should have stuck by her side like he’d promised. Lifting his arm, he whistled for a cab. At least he knew she hadn’t been snatched, though he found it poor consolation.

The fact remained she could have been taken and he wouldn’t have been anywhere around to prevent it from happening.

The drive to Pacific Heights seemed interminable. The second the cab drew to a halt, Noah tossed a fifty at the driver and bolted for the front door. Darkness enshrouded the hallway, the silence oppressive rather than comforting. Who’d have thought he’d long for the day when bracelets chattered and bare feet slapped against red oak flooring while a miniature blond dynamo scolded Loner for playing with hertoys?

At the thought of his constant shadow, Noah called softly, relieved when the animal padded obediently into the foyer. If anything had happened to Sami, the dog would have lost no time in communicating that fact. “Find her,” Noah ordered, signaling his instructions.

Loner took off down the hallway and dashed up the steps to the second story. Noah followed, startled to discover the dog sitting at attention outside his bedroomdoor.

“She’s in there?” He gave Loner’s ears an appreciative scratch. “Stay here, boy. Guard the door. Idon’t want anyone disturbing us.”

Leaving the dog at his post, Noah quietly entered the room. None of the lights had been turned on, but he didn’t need them. He knew where he’d find her. Silently crossing to the windows, he stood in front of the semi-transparent drapes. Sami had curled up in the bench seat on the far side, staring out at the scattered lights dotting the blackened bay. Looking for sea monsters or making wishes?

He searched for the right words to open the conversation. But all he came up with was a rather lame line. “You left the party without me, Cinderella.”

“I’m sorry.” She’d been crying, he could hear it in her voice. As always, it tied him into knots, left him helpless to know how to fix the problem. “That was rude of me.”

“You don’t need to apologize.” He swept the curtain to one side and set her shoes next to her. “You also forgot these.”

Still she didn’t look at him. “I do that a lot, don’t I?”

“I’ve noticed a certain tendency on your part to lose shoes.” He cupped her shoulders and massaged the tension kinking her muscles. “What’s wrong, Sami? Why did you run off?”

She shrugged. “I needed to bring a fast end to a bad night.”

“I assume something brought the evening to a head.” He waited a beat. “Would you like to tell me about it?”

“Not really.” Her shoulders grew rigid beneath his hands. “But I will, anyway. You deserve an explanation after all you’ve done for me.”

“Explain because you want to, not because you think I deserve to know.” When she didn’t say anything further, he prompted, “Why is your birthday such a difficult time for you?” He took a wild guess. “Is it the day your father died?”

“No. No, not that.” He heard the harsh give and take of her breath. “It’s the day my sister was born.”

“You have a sister?” he asked in astonishment. “A twin?”

She shook her head. “We were born on the same day, but ten years apart.”

“I don’t understand.”

“It’s simple. Nancy would have been twenty-one today. Afully matured adult.” Sami’s voice dropped. “At least, she would have been if she’d lived.”

He began to comprehend. “Aw, hell, Sami. I’m so sorry.”

“She was killed in the same accident as my father.”

“I can understand why that would make your birthday tough, but—”

“It isn’t because she died,” Sami corrected sharply.

“If it’s not that, what is it?”

Her voice dropped to a whisper. “It’s the way she died. That’s why my birthday is sometimes tough to take. Why this one, in particular, is nearly impossible for me to deal with.” Sami’s hands collapsed into fists, the knuckles deathly white in the darkened room. “It’s not fair! She should have lived to become an adult. That party tonight should have been for her, not for me. But she didn’t live and we didn’t get to toast her coming of age. And it’s all because of me. Ikilled her, Noah. It’s my fault she died!”