Chapter 4
Boone was on thin ice with his charge. He could practically hear the crackling and feel it giving way under his feet. One wrong word or move and he’d be sunk. A weird sensation considering it was springtime on this South Carolina island.
“Have you ever had an ice storm in Brookwell?” he asked as they drove away from Jess’s office in his truck.
She gave him an odd look. “No. There are folks who remember snow flurries once on January first, but that was decades ago. We’ve had hail when conditions were right during summer storms. Not often. Why?”
“No reason.”
“Did you have ice storms where you grew up?”
“Yes, actually.” He smiled at the memories. “I have fond memories of school closure days.”
He didn’t elaborate, hoping she might be curious enough about him to ask.
“Where were you raised?”
“Western Nebraska,” he replied. “Not a lot out there except for pigs, cattle, and farms. And the wild-west show that celebrates the rowdy parties and history of the area.”
“Hm. ”
They drove a few blocks further to Central Avenue, the heart of the town. Shops lined both sides of the main street, ranging from practical to whimsical. The businesses were different, but somehow the storefronts were cohesive, giving off a relaxed, welcoming vibe. He could just imagine families, a little sunburned, stopping at the ice cream shop after a day on the beach.
“This is a really cute town,” he observed.
“Thanks. The locals have worked hard to make it a place tourists want to explore and come back to season after season.”
She pointed, guiding him around to the service street behind the shops that lined Central Avenue. “Best if you pull around back.”
Based on Logan’s comments that Nina had been diligently focused on her business, likely out of habit as much as avoidance today, Boone wasn’t surprised that Nina insisted on going back to her shop. Plus, she lived in the apartment above the storefront. Which only made things easier for anyone who wanted to track her down.
When he’d parked in the space she indicated, she hopped out, her gaze raking over his truck.
“Problem?”
“No.” She tucked her hair behind her ear. “The truck fits you,” she said. “And the contractor ruse.”
Was she serious? “Did you decide that’s how you want to introduce me?” He’d gladly dive into that role for her. Anything to spend more time with her, to get her to open up. He was sure if she did, they would find something special between them.
“No,” she replied. “I’m crap with lies. That’s the main reason Jess was worried about you playing a part other than bodyguard.”
He was tempted to challenge that. But lies weren’t exactly the same as walking out. It wasn’t as if she’d made him any promises in that hotel room .
“Does the truck make the man for you?”
She shot him a quelling look that he probably shouldn’t find so adorable. But something about her uneasiness with him spurred him on. He wanted to know her and now was his chance. He wasn’t about to squander it.
“In case Jess hasn’t given you all the details, my parents own a nursery landscaping business,” she explained. “Well, my brother owns it now, but we grew up working that business. Trucks are comfortable to me.”
“Duly noted. And Jess hasn’t given me much more than your name, address, and relationship to her.”
She stopped in front of the back door plastered with the shop logo. “I don’t mean to be a bitch,” she murmured. “Or get all whiny on you. I’m not usually—”
“The target of an escaped criminal,” he finished for her. “Whatever happened a few weeks ago, I’m here now solely to protect you.”
“So you do remember me.”
Absolutely. He remembered her taste, her scent, the slide of her hair through his hands and over his skin. He only nodded, fearful that explaining anything would end in a confession that he’d searched for her.
“Yes,” he said at last, managing to keep it to that one word.
The risks might not be entirely clear right this second, but he needed her to trust him, to get comfortable with his presence, so he could keep her safe in case a threat materialized.
Logan had warned him that the cops were relieved when he’d shown up to see her home and they’d urged him to do something to cover up the logos on her vehicle. Seeing that the car was parked behind the shop in plain view, apparently Nina hadn’t agreed to that yet .
Although she hadn’t had much time to deal with anything.
“Logan said something about covering up your car. I can get that handled.”
“Why bother?” she countered. “I’d have to cover the shop too. Assuming he even remembers the name.”
This wasn’t the time or place to argue. “Let’s go inside.”
She nodded and, for just a moment, appeared utterly defeated. “I’ll introduce you.” Her hand hovered over the security panel. “I will not mention that we’ve met before.” She punched in the code.
“Understood.” Discretion being the better part of valor and all. Unable to resist, he leaned close and whispered in her ear. “But we will discuss it.”
She didn’t respond.
He backed up. “Nina, you could just go home.”
“No.”
He’d tried. Logan had warned him she was in a fierce mood. Boone needed all the insight he could get. He knew her body better than he knew her as a person. No time like the present to correct that imbalance.
“Was the family business how you found your way to becoming a florist?” he asked as they entered the shop.
“Yes. My mother loves flowers so we spent a lot of time in gardens. I worked my tail off as a teenager with the various landscaping jobs and although I enjoy working outside, I didn’t enjoy all the stuff my brother does so well.”
“Do you have enough business?”
Her eyebrows shot up. “You’re here to protect the bottom line too? How wonderful. I can show you the books later. Right now, I want to get in there and see how the day is going. ”
He should’ve made up some excuse and told Jess to find another protector for her. But the mere thought of walking away put a pinch between his shoulder blades. “Nina—”
She held up a hand, shushing him. After a moment, he heard it too, another woman speaking with someone up front.
“You were saying?”
“If you need Jess to find someone else…” Giving her the option felt like opening a wound. He didn’t want to lose her now that he’d found her again. “What happened before doesn’t have to be a factor now. We’re adults.”
She folded her arms, her chin lifting. “What did you mean by romance?”
The question shocked him.
“You said you were going to romance me,” she pressed. “What does that mean to you?”
He recognized a test when it was standing in front of him. Heat flashed in her dark eyes, along with something he suspected was fear. Or at least doubt. “For me, romancing you is about learning what you want and what pleases you. Bodyguard or not, because of—” he cleared his throat, “—our previous meeting, romance is still an option for me.”
“You want this to become personal?”
It sounded remarkably like a dare. “We can find a balance. I want this to be as easy as possible for you. Your safety is my top priority, but I also want you to be comfortable. Whatever you need. We can talk it through privately.”
“Give me one thing—one example—right now.”
“One thing?”
“One romancy thing,” she specified .
He had to pass this test. “Well bringing you flowers is predictable, even if you weren’t a florist.” Standing here with her, he realized why she smelled so damn good all the time. He scrambled to focus and come up with a strong answer. He breathed her in.
“To romance you, Nina?” Studying her, he considered the few glimpses she’d shared of herself, in Jess’s office and during their one night.
“I’d bring you chocolate. A truffle,” he decided, warming to the idea. “Something dark with a mocha filling that would melt in your mouth.” He heard the catch of her breath and kept going. “The taste would linger on your tongue, rich and decadent, reminding you of the gift and the moment. And me.”
She stared at him, her eyes going wide. He watched as her warm olive skin paled. Then she shoved him aside, making a beeline toward the row of shrubs across the lane.
Momentarily baffled, he was a few seconds behind her. Bent over, hands braced on her knees, she was gulping air.
“Not like that,” he snapped. Gathering her hair up, holding it out of the way in case she got sick, he directed her to breathe through her nose, slow and steady.
“Can’t,” she gasped.
“You can,” he corrected gently. “Slow inhale. Count of three.”
He counted. She breathed.
He remembered every detail about their one night and she’d mentioned her love of dark chocolate. So it must’ve been the idea of receiving chocolate from him that made her panic.
What other conclusion was there? Fierce or not, she seemed fragile right now and he had to deal with the situation as it was instead of how he wished it was .
He held her hair, refusing to think about how those silky, floral-scented waves had drifted over his bare skin. He’d fallen asleep with the scent of her surrounding him and damned if he hadn’t slept poorly every night since.
One night shouldn’t have made him an addict.
Breathing slowly and carefully, her panic attack subsided. He chalked it up as a small miracle, hoping she might be less prickly.
She wobbled just a smidge as she straightened. He released her hair, staying within reach, but she moved away.
He smothered his regret. “Better?”
“Yes. Probably.” A frown pleated her brow.
“Is there anything I can do?” Other than make a note that his romantic ideas gave her severe anxiety attacks.
“Can you hit rewind on today?”
“No. Sorry.” Although today wouldn’t be the day he would do over. He was still hung up on the night she’d disappeared. “Ready to try this again?”
“Sure. I have work to do.”
Of course she did. “I’m a professional. I know how to stay out of the way.”
She gazed up at him, the skepticism clear in those warm brown eyes. “You really are going to stay glued to me.”
“That’s the job.” And also, exactly where he wanted to be. Based on the recent reaction, she probably wasn’t interested in what he wanted. Keeping his thoughts to himself, he walked her back to the door.
“I’m not always such a mess,” she murmured.
“I’m aware.”
She stopped, resting her hand on his arm. “And I’m not always the woman you met in Charleston,” she whispered .
He resisted the urge to lean in. It wasn’t smart to get any closer to those sweet lips he remembered so fondly. “Whoever you are, Nina Billings, I’m looking forward to getting to know you.”
She entered the code and when the lock released, he pulled open the door and held it for her. “Glad to see you have good security in place,” he said. “I’ll do a full overview as part of the service.”
“All right,” she agreed, sounding weary. “The security is new. The Chamber of Commerce asked us to implement upgrades after some trouble a few months ago.”
“Hey!” A woman wearing an Island Bloomers apron was approaching. “What’s going on?” Her gaze darted between Nina and Boone. “Are you okay?”
“Molly Trumble, this is Boone Reynolds. He’s a bodyguard with the Guardian Agency.”
“Bodyguard?” Molly’s eyes went wide. “You’re serious. Oh, my word. Henry will flip.”
“Who’s Henry?” Boone asked as Nina moved into the design room that divided the store front from the back room.
“My delivery driver,” she said.
“He saw her drop off the car and then leave with the other guy.”
“Logan,” Boone supplied.
“Whatever.” Molly waved that off. “She didn’t stop to say hello and Henry was worried.” She looked to Boone. “That’s not like her.”
“I’ll make it up to him,” Nina promised. “He should know about the risks of going around in an Island Bloomers van. Maybe we should—”
Boone cut her off with a look. “That falls under my job. I’ll take care of it.” He could hope all he wanted that the escapee would leave town, but until they had confirmation, he would be vigilant.
He turned to Molly and extended a hand. “Pleased to meet you. ”
“Same. I guess.” A blush flamed across her cheeks. “What’s this all about?”
Nina’s shoulders slumped. She turned to Boone. “Can you explain it?”
“Absolutely.”
“Great. Thanks. I’ll be processing roses.” She walked into the backroom, grabbing an apron, and dragging a big bucket toward a row of sinks.
“It must be bad,” Molly said. “She’ll do just about anything to avoid processing roses unless she’s really upset.”
He gave Molly the quick version of the events that necessitated him being here. When he finished, he heard a crunch and thunk sound from the back room.
“The stem cutter,” Molly explained.
“She finds it therapeutic?”
Molly nodded. “Do I need to worry?” Her hands twisted the ties of her apron back and forth. “I have a little boy and we live with my aunt.”
“Jess is gathering more information. I’m only here as a precaution,” he assured her. “If we need to bring on more support, we will. In the meantime, just do your best to pretend I’m not here.”
“All right.” She gestured toward the back worktable. “Make yourself at home.”
“Thanks. I’ll do that when I’m done with a walk-through. And if there’s anything you need, let me know.” He had no idea what kind of help he was qualified to offer a florist, but it seemed like the right thing to say.
Based on the sounds in the back, he opted to look around the showroom up front first. The door was propped open with a bucket filled with cut flowers and a sign inviting passers-by to take a stem and a smile. He tried not to cringe over the security risk. Too bad Nina wouldn’t consider closing for a few days. She surely thought the cost was too high and he respected that. Unless an immediate threat cropped up, he would have to work around her boundaries.
He admired the cooler, filled with fresh arrangements, the spinning displays of gift cards, and thriving baskets of plants throughout. The checkout area was placed where she could oversee everything from the front door to the back and a large opening gave customers a view of the design area.
Overall, his job would be relatively easy.
“Molly, have we had much walk-in traffic?” Nina asked, joining the other woman in the design area.
“A little bit. The cooler is still fresh and full,” Molly said.
“Great.” Nina smiled. “I’ll just get started on tomorrow’s list.”
He started to walk in, stopping when Nina pinned him with a dark look. “Mind if I walk around a little?”
Nina shook her head. “As long as you’re not scaring away the customers.”
“I promise to be charming at all times.”
She rolled her eyes and made a little hum of doubt.
He managed not to laugh. If she was making an effort to push him away, she would soon discover it would take more than that.