Rami

Chapter 11

Ring, ring, ring!

Rami glanced at his phone to see the name Gigi Hastings on the screen.

Unease bunched his muscles—had something happened to Ivy? Why else would Gigi call him?

The last four days had been hell. A million times he’d picked up his phone to ask Gigi for her sister’s new phone number, and a million times he’d chickened out. He’d finally texted two days after her return only to ask how Ivy was doing.

He swiped the glass to answer then hit the speaker button. “Rami speaking.”

“Hey.” Gigi’s cool, chipper voice quickly dispelled the growing pinch in his chest. “Don’t worry, everything’s fine.”

“What can I do for you?”

“Well,” Gigi drawled. “I’d like to inquire about bodyguard services.”

Rami’s shoulders turned in. Her answer shouldn’t have disappointed him. Hell, from a business standpoint, he should’ve been fucking tickled that he’d gained the business of high rollers like Todd and Gigi. But he wanted nothing to do with the call unless it somehow resulted in him seeing Ivy.

“Uh, sure. What are you looking for?” He clicked open the booking system and checked to see which team members were available.

“You,” Gigi said, not missing a beat. “Todd and I are going away for the weekend. We leave tomorrow. I didn’t want to go, but Ivy insisted. I can’t leave her alone for obvious reasons.”

Rami leaned back in his seat. “Does she know you called me?” he said, more quickly than he would have liked.

“No, but I know you’re the only person she’d want around. Are you available to stay here for the next few days while we’re gone?”

Rami dragged his hand over his face. Either Gigi had a fucked-up way of setting up a date or she had a fucked-up way of setting up a date.

There’d been too much awareness in Gigi’s eyes when he brought Ivy home, and he’d bet dollars to donuts she was playing matchmaker—and he wouldn’t refuse.

“Under two conditions,” he conceded.

“I’m listening,” Gigi said slowly, clearly disappointed he hadn’t jumped to send her a contract.

“I do this for free, and you make sure Ivy knows about it. If she’s comfortable with me staying with her, send me a text and I can be there in the morning.”

He had no doubt that if he looked out the window, the sky would be lit up with Gigi’s pearly-white smile all the way from Broadmoor, her ritzy neighborhood.

“Why would you do it for free when I’m willing to pay?” Gigi countered, her words thoughtful, no—insinuating.

Because the idea of any other motherfucker on his team watching over Ivy made Rami want to punch a hole in the wall.

“It’s just something I’d take on personally,” he said slowly. He ran his fingertips over the screen of his laptop and let the words fall where they may.

He heard Gigi walking through her house. “I guess we’d better settle this now,” she said. The sound of Gigi knocking on a door came through the speaker. “Ivy? Phone’s for you.” Then she spoke to Rami again. “Let me know what she says.”

Rami jerked in his seat. What the—

“Hello?” Ivy’s voice, as sweet and cool as a milkshake, floated through the phone.

Uncertainty paralyzed his brain. The last thing he’d expected was to speak to Ivy, even though he thought about her every damn minute of every damn day. “Uh. Hi. It’s me.” He cleared his throat. “Rami.”

She gave a little gasp that did all kinds of shit to his confused cock. A beat passed. “Hi, how are you?”

He tugged at the neckline of his shirt. “I’d be a whole lot better if your sister worked on her communication skills, but I’m not going to mince words. She asked me to come stay with you while she’s away for a few days. Would you be okay with that?”

“Umm...”

“It’d just be me. Off the books.”

“I mean, if you’re free... I guess the company would be nice. I don’t want to put you out, or—”

Some of the pressure on his chest dissipated. “Not at all. Sorry I didn’t reach out. I just—” He wiggled the blasted shirt collar that was still shrinking by the second. “I just didn’t want to bother you while you were recovering.”

“Okay.”

Dammit. He’d made it awkward. He scrubbed his fingers across his brow. “What time does your sister leave tomorrow?”

“Eight in the morning, I believe.”

“Sounds good. I’ll see you then.” They disconnected and he dropped his phone on the desk.

Tension pulled at his neck muscles and the need to get up and pace hit him. Instead, he rubbed his eyes with his thumb and fingertips. Maybe he was doing the wrong thing. Scaring her. After all she’d been through and—

“The fuck is your problem?” August’s voice made Rami lower his hand and roll an annoyed glare his way.

“Your ex.”

August grunted. “Not exactly my ex. But she has that affect. Glad she’s into buggering up your life and not mine. What’d Gigi Hastings do now?”

Rami shook his head, not wanting to go into all that plagued him but also needing his team to know he’d be off for four days. Not an easy feat but also nonnegotiable. He’d covered for Toth when his friend had needed time. Hopefully Toth could hold down the fort until Tuesday.

“Dropped a bomb in my lap.” The answer came out on breath of fatigue.

August sipped from the paper coffee cup in his hand and leaned against the doorframe. “Anything I can do to help? Does this involve Ivy?”

“Yes, and yes.”

Toth rapped on the door. “Hey, how’s it going?”

Rami motioned for him to come inside. “I’ll be gone from tomorrow morning until Tuesday. Ivy Hastings needs a bodyguard over the weekend while her family’s away.”

Toth nodded. “Sure. Send her the contract and I’ll see which of the guys can rotate with you—”

“Nope.” The word came out forcefully.

Toth cocked an eyebrow.

August smirked. “This is a personal call.”

“Shut up,” Rami blurted.

August raised his hands. “What? It is. Don’t shoot the messenger ’cause you’ve got your panties in a bunch over a woman.”

“Eat shit.”

“All right, all right,” Toth cut in. “Is this falling under our business or not?”

“No.”

“Fine.” He waved. “See ya Tuesday. We’ll handle it while you’re away.”

“You sure?” Rami asked, only because he didn’t want to be a total fucking asshole to his business partner.

“Yeah. We’ve got it.” Toth gave him a knowing look. “Gotta say. I’ve never seen you bent out of shape over a woman before.”

Rami picked up a pen and tapped the pointed end on a sticky note. “I’m not bent out of shape. I’m doing her a favor. Ivy went through hell and it’s not my fault she feels safe with me.”

Toth hooked an eyebrow. “So it’s all one-sided?”

Rami pursed his lips. Hell no it wasn’t one-sided. If anything, all the attraction was on his side. Everything else Rami had said was true. He was the one who’d pulled her from that godforsaken trailer. Removed her from the hell waiting for her.

She felt safe with him. And he’d be damned if he destroyed that for her.

One-sided or not, he’d keep his hands off Ivy Hastings.

***

Holy mother ofgod.

Ivy watched Rami stride up the driveway from his large black truck. Tattooed and muscled arms strained the seams of his white T-shirt. Broad shoulders tapered down to a narrow waist and jean-clad thighs. Dude looked fit enough to be a prototype for the new-and-improved G.I. Joe action figure.

Okay, so she’d been aware he was hot—a hot angel—but her previously muddled and abused mind hadn’t fully registered he was this hot.

“Well, lucky you.” Gigi waggled her eyebrows at Ivy. They stood at the front door as Gigi waited for Todd to get his suitcase.

A sense of overwhelm dried Ivy’s throat. She’d wanted to see Rami again. Craved it. But now that he was here—because of events she’d put into motion—trepidation had her wanting to turn and run. Just what exactly was she supposed to do with all that macho manliness?

“This is your doing.” Ivy shook her head as Rami and his chiseled jaw approached.

“You can thank me later,” Gigi said with a wink. “And FYI you look hot.”

Ivy tried not to groan. Gigi had convinced her to wear a brown floral, airy maxi dress. The thin straps swooped down to expose just beneath her collarbone, and the tiny white flower pattern was super pretty. But right now, she felt like she was trying too hard.

Was she? She hadn’t protested much when Gigi had practically shoved the material over Ivy’s head. Rami walked up the steps and her tummy swirled with excitement. Too late to change now.

“All set.” Todd carried his suitcase down the stairs. His wire-rimmed glasses sat high on his nose and his brown hair was combed back neatly from his face. As always, he looked dapper. He wore a light-gray suit and blue-checkered dress shirt. He screamed high-powered attorney without even trying.

He brought an arm around Gigi and she smiled up at him. Todd was the opposite of Rami in many ways. Though attractive, he lacked the ferocious demeanor, tattoos, and hot-as-hell scowl.

Todd gave Ivy a sympathetic smile. “You sure you’ll be okay?”

Rami knocked on the door and every bone in Ivy’s body stiffened. “Yeah. I’ll be fine.”

Gigi stepped out of Todd’s embrace to swing open the front door. “Hiya. Thanks for coming. Come in.”

Her sister’s enthusiasm made Ivy want to gag.

“No problem.” He strode into the foyer and set down a red duffel bag.

Gigi quickly went over the security system details and gave him the code for the garage while Rami clearly only half listened. He seemed far more intent on drilling Ivy with his heated gaze.

After a bone-crushing squeeze from Gigi, Ivy was alone with Rami.

He scratched his head. “Wanna show me around? It’s best I have a good feel of the layout for security purposes.”

“Sure.” She led him through the main level then gave him a tour of the second floor. He checked every exterior door, including the one leading to the balcony of the primary bedroom upstairs and the patio door leading outside from Ivy’s room.

“Be sure to keep these locked.”

She leaned against a patio door and glanced outside at the warm early-summer day. “Do you think I’m still in danger?”

He shook his head. “Very unlikely.” He stood two feet away, yet the energy coming from his body collided with hers and seemed to want to suck her in like a vacuum. “So, what’s the plan over the next few days?”

She lifted a shoulder. Keeping busy would be best. Idle hands would get her into trouble. And Rami was dripping with trouble.

She needed his trouble like she needed a hole in the head.

“I’m moving into my sister’s guesthouse.” She pointed through the glass to the eight-hundred-square-foot cottage nestled behind a row of cedars beyond the pool.

He moved close, his chest falling directly behind her shoulder. His aroma surrounded her, invading her senses. Leather and soap and the scent of rain made her want to pull his mouth to hers.

He leaned to look at where she was pointing. “Hmm.”

“It’s empty right now. Gigi said I can start taking things over if I want and—” She tilted her head back, which was a mistake. Rami’s crystal eyes rivaled the clearest tropical seas. “And, uh,” she stammered. “Since you have a truck,” she said, managing to regain the use of her tongue, “I could probably get a good chunk of things over.”

“Sure, if that’s what you want.”

No, I want you to spread me out on that bed and devour me.

She nodded, not speaking the words that taunted her.

He glanced at his watch. “I guess we’ve got all day. We can head to your apartment and then pick up lunch on the way back.”

She followed him out of the house and locked up with the set of keys Todd had given her. Rami opened the passenger door of his truck.

She cocked an eyebrow as the sweet scent of spruce air freshener wafted from the black interior. “Nice truck. Little big?” She’d have to use the side bar to get into the vehicle.

“Thanks. Just bought it last month and lifted ’er up six inches. The extended cab is handy.” His words rang with pride.

“Is this bulletproof, too?” she asked, as she climbed in.

“Nope. This one’s for personal use.” He shut her door and rounded the vehicle then got in the driver’s seat.

She gave him the address of her apartment building and he rolled out of the driveway. Twenty minutes later he pulled into her spot in the underground parking garage. After Ivy had been kidnapped, Gigi had arranged for Ivy’s car to be driven to her house and stored in the garage. So the space where Ivy’s clunker was usually parked was wide open.

In the elevator, Ivy tried valiantly not to make silly small talk—but god, dude was hella quiet. Did he not want to be her security detail? Had Gigi backed him into a corner?

She’d be mortified.

Once they reached the fourth floor, she went down the hall and unlocked apartment432. The day after she got back, she’d had to get a new set of keys from her landlord and had been inside only to collect some of her clothes.

She pushed open the front door, waited for Rami to enter behind her, and then flicked the lock into place. The scent of thieves essential oil hung in the air of the small space. She loved using her diffusers. The breakfast bar in the eat-in kitchen held her tea mug, but other than that the white laminate counter was free of clutter.

“Nice place,” he said. “Just the one bedroom?”

“Yup. I only need one.” She went to the living room, where Gigi had dropped a stack of flattened boxes and some packing tape.

“Where should I start?” He folded open one of the cardboard boxes. The tape gun screamed while he secured the bottom.

She tapped her lip and glanced around while he shaped a few more boxes. It was hard to imagine not coming back here. But the only thing worse than moving out would be living alone. “Um, kitchen?”

“’Kay.” Rami busied himself packing her dishes while she took a cardboard box into the bedroom.

As she folded up her bedding, her gaze drifted to the large window that overlooked a green space. She always kept her curtains open because she loved the view of the trees and grass. She might have a fancy backyard to admire from Gigi’s guesthouse, but this view was hers.

She floated to the window and tears rushed to her eyes. A few weeks ago, she’d been ready to get on some dating sites. Had hoped to settle down with someone to share her life with, maybe get a dog. And now she was moving in with her sister, who in a couple of months would be a newlywed.

“Everything okay?” Rami said, coming up behind her. Close. So close.

She turned, bringing herself to face his watchful gaze. She leaned back against the wide window ledge that held her favorite snake plant—the only one she’d managed to keep alive.

Sinking her teeth into her bottom lip, she nodded. “Yeah, why?”

He braced his hand on the window ledge, boxing her in. “You seem sad.”

She lowered her gaze because looking into his searing depths would tempt her to spill every heartache she’d ever endured.

Why does he have that effect on me?

“I guess it’s tough. Leaving my apartment.” She swept her gaze over the cream-and-purple-hued room. “I love it here.”

“Then why are you moving?”

She drew back her head. “I—I don’t know.”

His knuckle caught her chin, and the contact sent a shockwave of need through her core. “I think you know.”

Her lips parted as she watched him drink her in. God, god, god. This was the kind of trouble she’d tried to avoid.

“Well?”

She firmed her lips. “I don’t want to be alone right now.”

He studied her carefully, his gaze softening. “Must be hard to live with all that. Coming back to normal.”

Tears stung her eyes and realization dawned on her. “Did you have that problem too? Ivy said you were in black ops with August.”

He nodded. “Besides pulling that trigger, the hardest thing I ever fucking did was come home. I thought bombs were loud—but the silence back home was deafening.”

Rami was the one person who understood what she was going through. Her experience was nothing like war, but they’d both suffered. Both had to envision their own deaths day after day to make sure they survived.

He’d had to kill to stay alive and she’d had to resist death with every damn injection.

Tears swam down her cheeks, and she locked her arms around his waist. His hand came to the back of her head, and his other wrapped around the small of her back. “It’ll take time, but you’ll remember what normal feels like.”

She closed her eyes as he spoke, wishing she could stop the tears but not having the strength. “I still see them in my dreams. When I fall asleep at night, I can hear them arguing, can hear Wayne getting the needle ready—it’s like I’m still there.”

“You’re not.” The words came out like the violent snap of a whip.

His body heat radiated through his T-shirt—through muscles so hard and capable that just the feel of them promised to push all the bad from her mind forever.

She needed this. Connection. Warmth. Another human being to lie next to. A man to fill her.

She needed him.

Pulling back from his chest, she met his stare. Reined-in desire burned in his eyes and his smooth lips parted, waiting for her.

She rose to her tiptoes and pressed her mouth to his. His scent, leather and soap, filled her nostrils. His fingertips dug into her hip bones, drawing her close to his body. A growl rumbled from his throat, sending shivers racing through her. The bulge in his pants pressed against her belly and she groaned.

Logic fled her mind along with every reason she thought getting naked with Rami would be trouble.

Because having Rami inside her was the exact trouble she needed.