Chapter 3 #2
“Not necessary. I won’t be but a minute.” She slid out of the car and sprinted to her apartment, barefoot. After grabbing the go bag from her closet, she glanced around the apartment. Nothing seemed out of place, so she hurried out the door and locked it behind her.
When she approached the limo, the driver opened the door and she climbed in. She set her bag on the floor and buckled up as the limo pulled away from the curb.
“So are we going to Castle Pines tonight?”
“Actually, no. We’re staying at the apartment tonight. It’s close, and I don’t feel like a long car ride. I need a drink and some down time. How about you? Do you drink or do you just keep it around for guests?”
“Not much. Usually only one glass of wine. Never enough to be impaired. I wouldn’t be a very good bodyguard if I got drunk, now would I?”
They reached The Four Seasons Hotel and Residences.
Regan slid across the seat and got out of the limo after him. “We need to change this up. I need to get out before you to take a look around and make sure there are no threats.”
“I don’t?—”
She held up her hand, palm out. “I know you can take care of yourself, but I need to be your bodyguard until we’re sure there are no more threats against you.
Tonight was one down, hopefully for a few weeks, but as soon as Jerry Sykes makes bail, he’ll be after you again.
I feel it in my bones and I saw it in his eyes.
He hates you and I doubt very seriously it’s because of the environment. ”
They walked inside to the private elevators, which they took to the forty-fifth floor. The second highest floor of the building.
“Very well. I need that drink and to get this monkey suit off.” He reached up and removed the bow tie around his neck and put it in the pocket of his tux.
When she got off the elevator, Regan looked around, expecting to see a hallway leading in either direction. All she saw was a set of double doors. Nothing else. No hall. No other doors. Nothing.
“Are you the only one who lives on this floor?”
Cole blinked a couple of times and furrowed his brows. “Yes. Does it matter?”
“No, my job will be easier this way, but I have to admit, I expected to see additional apartments.”
He chuckled. “Yes, well, you won’t. As you can see, mine is the only apartment on this floor.” He opened the door and entered before Regan could stop him.”
“You’ve got to quit doing that and let me open doors before you do. If you’re fighting me at every turn, I can’t keep you safe.”
When she walked into the apartment, she was surprised at its homeyness .
The foyer was large, with a crystal chandelier hanging overhead.
Then she followed him into the living room.
Floor-to-ceiling windows were along the west side of the room.
He had two seating areas. One was positioned to take advantage of the windows and the view of the mountains.
The second conversation area faced the east side and looked out over the city below, stretching nearly as far as the eye could see.
Cole rolled his neck until it cracked. “You might not want to drink but I hope you don’t mind if I do.” He walked over to the bar in the corner.
She shrugged. “Not at all. Would you tell me where you want me to sleep? Preferably, close to you. I’d like to get into something more comfortable. By the way, do you expect me to attend any more galas or opening night events where I need to dress up?
“Of course. Several. I’m on the board of quite a few charities. Why?”
She lifted a brow. “I see, well I’ll need more clothes, unless you want me to wear the same dress each time. Which, by the way, doesn’t bother me at all.”
He reached into his jacket and retrieved his wallet. Then he pulled out a black MasterCard from his wallet and held it out to her. “Get whatever you need.”
She didn’t reach for the card but instead shook her head. “You need to go with me, or you have to have Mason stay with you. You’ll have protection 24/7, if it kills me.”
He laughed. “I’m fully capable of taking care of myself. The only reason I agreed was to keep Wendy off my back.”
Regan grinned. “She is a wildcat in a tiny body.”
Cole looked Regan up and down. “You don’t have room to talk. You’re not very big either. I can’t imagine how you’ll protect me.”
“You’ll have to trust me and Mason. I have skills and I don’t look like a bodyguard. I look like your girlfriend and that’s the way it has to be. So if you have a girlfriend, you need to take a sabbatical from her as long as I’m here. Otherwise, you’ll get a very nasty reputation as a cheater.”
Cole stood by the bar with a bourbon bottle in his right hand. He looked at her with one eyebrow raised and a smirk on his lips. “You don’t have to worry. You’ll be my only girlfriend for the duration of this…experiment.”
Regan lifted her chin and cocked an eyebrow. “Glad to hear it. Where do we stand on the shopping trip? I know you want me to go with Amelia, but that’s not happening. Will you come with me or stay with Mason?”
Cole lifted a brow. “Oh, I’ll be going with you by all means. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
“Great.” I should have demanded he stay with Mason instead of giving him the option. I wonder how much trouble he’ll be, or what element he’ll attract?
“Back to the original question. Where do I bunk?”
He set his glass on the bar. “Follow me and I’ll take you to the second master. It has its own bathroom, which I’m sure you will appreciate.”
“I do thank you.” Now, if I can keep from thinking about him as anything other than my employer, I might actually get some sleep.