NINETEEN
OF COURSE A man like Darroch Breckenridge would be on time. Her heart pumped hard as anxiety shook her fingertips. That last customer took forever to ring up, and then the woman just had to throw in some extras… which she “absolutely had” to try on first. Why did these things happen at the worst possible time?
A shiny black car outside her house was conspicuous enough. Two was a neon beacon. The one already there had to be Darroch. She, as in the shiny black car carrying her, pulled up right behind the first. Shit. If Darroch was waiting, she was more than late. Damnit.
“Thank you,” she called to Ferguson and bolted out of the car. Darroch appeared from the rear of the other vehicle at the same time. “I know, I’m late…” Walking backward while addressing him, she searched her purse for her keys. “I will be ready—I will—”
“Babe,” he said, looking pointedly at the car she’d just emerged from, then back at her.
Ferguson got out right around the same moment driver one exited his car too. The former set her in his sights, somehow immobilizing her.
“You need both of us?” Driver One called, she guessed to Darroch. “Tripp’s looking for a ride.”
“Tripp’s always looking for a ride,” Darroch said and raised his arms. “Go. Might as well. I have no idea what’s going on.”
Okay, so Mrs. Alice Breckenridge took discretion seriously.
“Miss Mayden,” Ferguson said, opening his palm. “Keys.”
“Right. Keys.”
She handed them over and quickly spun to hurry after him when he entered the building and went upstairs.
At work, his presence hadn’t been too conspicuous. When anyone asked a question or looked for too long, he said he worked for Benedict Breckenridge and that shut them up. Helped that he was nice enough not to stand too close to her. Yes, he was always in her field of vision, but he got the meaning of discretion too. And, as far as she knew, no one had seen her get in or out of his car. Until Darroch anyway.
“Wait here,” Ferguson said, unlocking her door.
Darroch came upon them. “What the hell is going on?”
Ferguson opened the front door and Darroch moved like he intended to follow.
The suited driver stopped him with a hand on his shoulder. “Stay.”
Darroch’s head dropped a couple of inches to the side. “Gus—”
“No. Stay.”
The guy went inside, swinging the door almost closed behind him.
“Wow, I didn’t think he’d talk to you like that,” she said.
“We don’t treat our people as the help,” Darroch said, his eyes widening as his head shook. “You want to fill me in on why you have your own Breckenridge bodyguard? Did something happen at work today?”
“No.”
“Ferguson is heavy duty. The best we’ve got when it comes to kicking ass, which means he’s reserved for imminent danger. Cherry—”
“Take it up with your mother.”
“My mo—I will.”
He fished a phone from his inner pocket and woke it. Before he could do more than that, she laid her hand on it. Shit, she hadn’t actually meant for him to…
“Don’t call her. I didn’t mean for you to—I told her not to call you. This is my fault.”
“Your fault?”
“I couldn’t argue in front of Buoy, could I? Not that I’d argue with your mother. Your parents are a freight train when it comes to looking after people.”
His brow descended. “Looking after people? Looking after you. That means you were in trouble, something bad happened. You better tell me what the hell that is before I take a trip to BHQ.”
“No, you shouldn’t… You know what? You should go home. My apartment’s a disaster, I don’t want you seeing it like that. I’ll be mortified. Your house is just, it’s like a palace, a perfect, pristine palace. We should reschedule or just forget it; maybe fate is telling us this is a bad idea. If you want to—”
The door swung open again.
“All clear,” Ferguson said, handing the keys back. “All lights are on and the phone line’s active. Any issues, there’s a panic button by the bed. Carry it at all times.”
“There’s really no need for—”
“Unfortunately for you, it’s Benedict Breckenridge’s name on my paychecks, not yours. Want me to back off? Take it up with the gaffer. Until then, I’ll be right here.”
Ferguson nodded at Darroch and sidestepped, spine to the hallway wall by the door.
“You can’t stand out here, that’s crazy. Come inside.”
“She’ll get used to it,” Darroch said, taking her shoulder to direct her inside.
No way he could—argument fled at the sight of her apartment. “Oh my God.”
Darroch closed the door behind them. “What?”
The place was spotless. A complete contrast to the insanity she’d come home to the previous night.
Just when she thought things couldn’t get any more incredible, the Breckenridges surprised her again.
Moisture warmed her eyes. “Shit,” she whispered.
“Is this about boyfriend number two? Jeremy the Germ? If some asshole is hassling you…”
Spinning around, she dropped her purse and keys. “The Breckenridges are the most incredible and generous people.”
Grabbing his face, she pulled him down to join their mouths. His surprise didn’t discourage her kiss. It couldn’t. Enveloped by the kindness of his family, right then, there was no other way to express her appreciation.
Though she pulled away, the heat of that union turned her lips into her mouth to relish every last remnant of him.
“That was pretty generous that right there, Cherry.” His hands slid from her waist to splay on her lower back as he stooped closer. “Dinner’s not supposed to be optional.”
“If you let me go, I’ll get dressed.”
“So if I keep holding on, you’ll get naked?”
She laughed. “Darroch!”
“Okay, okay,” he said like he was loathed to free her from his embrace. “If you want to get changed, I’ll call my mom and get the skinny.”
“Don’t call her. Please. It’s no big deal.” She hurried down the hallway to her bedroom beyond, calling to him. “Just a little drama last night.” She tied her hair high on her head and turned on the shower. “You don’t mind waiting a few minutes, do you? Do we have a reservation?”
“Take all the time you want, they won’t turn us away.” No, not a Breckenridge. “What wasn’t a big deal?”
“I’ll tell you in a minute!”
She showered almost as fast as she had that morning. As much as she didn’t want to keep him waiting, she wanted to be fresh more. Wrapped in a towel, she did her makeup while waiting for her hair styler to heat up.
“Time’s run out, Cherry,” his shout came from closer than before. “I’m calling my mom.”
Was he in her bedroom? Wait, what did he say?
Dashing to the doorway, she caught him right there by her bed, phone in hand. “Don’t!”
“Don’t? Call my mother?”
“I didn’t tell her we’re seeing each other tonight.”
Why hadn’t she told Alice? It wasn’t a secret, it just didn’t come up. She could’ve brought it up… no, she’d never have done that.
His hand dropped to his side. “You’ve got to help me out here, baby. You and my mom are best buds now?”
She swallowed and went closer, tucking her towel in tighter. “I swear I’m not a crazy stalker person. I didn’t track your family down to hound them or get closer to you. You probably don’t believe that. I know. I wouldn’t in your place.”
“Baby—”
“You should go. Take Ferguson too. Your parents shouldn’t pay for—”
“Your safety? That’s what they’re worried about if you have Ferguson. We’re standing here alone in your bedroom with you in nothing but a towel and I am asking questions instead of working my magic.” He tossed his phone to the bed. “Talk to me, baby, my chivalry only runs so deep.”
“I told you, it’s not a big deal.” Her fingers sought his wrists, though their eyes stayed locked. Snared in his gaze, she couldn’t liberate herself. “Someone broke in here last night.” His muscles bunched like he clenched his fists. “They trashed the place but didn’t take anything.”
“Were you here? Alone when—”
“No. No, baby, I wasn’t here. The place was fine when I came up after we…”
“After I kissed you in the street.”
And that memory might’ve colored her cheeks a little. “I went out for my prior engagement and came back. Alone.” For some reason, that was important to state. “I couldn’t believe it, I came in and the apartment was trashed. Everywhere was a mess.” Not that anyone would be able to tell given its current state. Good chance she’d get her security deposit back. “Your mom is an incredible woman.”
It could only be the Breckenridges. She hadn’t even considered cleaning up while they’d taken care of the whole hurricane zone.
“Doesn’t give the rest of us a fighting chance, does she?” It calmed her that he was being so good natured about it. “Were you looking for me? When you called?”
“I didn’t call, the cops did. Your mom’s card was in my purse, a detective fished it out and called her.”
“Let me guess,” he said, his smile lighting his eyes. “After that, you were just a passenger?”
Inhaling, she got a whisper of his cologne and her stomach flipped. How crazy was it that just a quick hit set her senses soaring on high?
“I left my wand on in the bathroom.”
The distance in her words wasn’t matched by their magnetism, there was nothing subtle about the gravity drawing them together.
“Cool.” His fingers curled around her waist, strengthening, tightening, pulling her closer. “Your wand for casting spells? You don’t need it, I’m bewitched.”
Her breathing shallowed. Shit, she was panting, fighting to hide it made it worse. She couldn’t catch her breath or tear herself away.
“I mean if you don’t excuse yourself like a gentleman, this whole place will go up in flames.”
“I feel the heat too, baby. I know how to ride it, don’t be afraid.”
Except it wasn’t fear. Pure hot, wet anticipation mottled her skin.
“We’re not doing this like that,” she whispered.
“Fuck me for ever saying that.”
But he had and it was the wake up call she needed.
Easing his hands away, she backed toward the bathroom. “Chivalry’s my hero.”
It didn’t take long to finish up and settle on a boatneck in midnight blue. Nothing fancy. Nothing compared to what he’d be used to, but she couldn’t do anything to change herself. Not in such a short window anyway.
“Are you sure you want to do this?” she asked, walking into her living room.
He stood from the couch and turned, mouth open, but he stalled, and his mouth closed again.
She smoothed her dress. “What’s wrong?”
“Guys are going to be staring at you all night.” History had a way of repeating itself. Would she ever learn? “Tell me if the competition moves in while my back’s turned.”
It got cold. “Are you mocking me?” Her dress stopped just above the knee, that wasn’t too much flesh, was it? “Angry?”
“No,” he said, unfazed, sauntering around the couch. “I said you didn’t know it, didn’t I?” He stopped within a few inches, forcing her neck to crane. The pad of his thumb traced her jaw. “You’re beautiful.”
Dipping her chin, she caught his thumb’s caress with her kiss. Desire enveloped them, squeezing her, holding her right there beneath his gaze.
“Help me out, baby,” he murmured. “How do I lock this down?”
Could this guy be for real? She couldn’t believe it. If one of them didn’t remind them of the itinerary, they’d never leave that spot. Though, in truth, that didn’t sound so bad.
“Where are we eating tonight?”
“It’s a surprise,” he said, taking her hand. “Are you ready to go?”
“Ready as I’ll ever be,” she said, then felt like an idiot.
Credit to him, he didn’t laugh or sneer, just led her outside to follow Ferguson down to the street where he put them in the back of the car. All the while, Darroch kept hold of her hand.
“Would you like something to drink?”
He reached over to open a concealed fridge.
“Not if you want me to keep my hands to myself.” It was the quick shot of shock he flashed over his shoulder that forced her words to sink in. “Sorry, I shouldn’t—I don’t know why I—” she squeezed her eyes closed. “I’m doing it again.” Getting all tongue-tied around him. “I slept too well… which isn’t my fault. Your bed’s too comfortable—”
“Whoa.” He dropped back into the seat. “My bed? You slept in my bed?”
“I… I think it was yours.”
“By special request?”
That really would make her a crazy stalker. “No! No, no. I didn’t figure it out until this morning. It might not have been yours, maybe I made it up in my head—”
“Second floor. Right at the top of the staircase then a left? The east wing, second door down?” She nodded and he surprised her with a quick kiss. “Man, I wish I knew that last night.”
“I didn’t mean to—I didn’t ask to sleep at the house. In fact, I was more than a little mortified when it came up, but your dad was just so… Your mom said you wouldn’t be home…” Now it was clear why Alice pointed that out. “She said you had something important on today.”
“Not more important than you in my bed or you in need of support and affection.”
“What was it?” she asked. “What were you doing today?”
“Had my first student.”
“You’re a teacher?”
“Flight instructor.”
Damn, that was impressive. “Wow, you’re a pilot?”
He shrugged. “It’s a hobby.” He brought her hand to his lips to kiss the back. “Leif bet me I wouldn’t do it.”
Those competitive brothers again. “Leif? Another brother? How do you keep track?”
“A lot of practice. Mom has flash cards.”
“Where are you in the lineup?”
“Third… or fifth, depending who you talk to.” Okay, she didn’t quite get it. “We battle over age and maturity.”
What a family. They might be alone in the back of that car, but she could feel he carried the others with him.
“Teaching people to fly takes maturity, I’d think.”
“A friend of ours owns an airline company.” Naturally. “Bastian Hunt.”
Oh, a name she knew. “Carolyn’s son?”
Could be husband or cousin or—
Surprise startled him. “You really have been chatting it up with mom.”
And for some reason, his intrigue and her triumph was a potent mix. Resting a hand on his thigh, she was tempted to beg another kiss.
“You’re lucky to have them.”
“I know it,” he said, curling his fingers around hers.
“And they’re lucky to have you.”
That triggered his smile. “I’d be lucky to have you.” She tried to take her hand back, but he held it tighter. “Don’t be afraid, baby. Why do you pull away from me?”
“Because I relied on a man once and he left me broken.” All in one rush of unchecked breath, she’d revealed such a vulnerable part of herself. She wanted to pull it back, but couldn’t, she couldn’t tear her eyes from his. “I wasn’t enough for him. There’s no way I can be enough for you.”
“Let me be the judge of that.”
Descending, he cupped her face as he joined their mouths. The kissing was supposed to come after the date. They hadn’t even been on an official date and how many times had they kissed now? God, she was losing her mind, losing her senses, losing her…