Chapter 6
R egan awoke. Her back was warm, like she was lying in front of a blast furnace. She tried to roll out of bed, but an arm pulled her back.
Cole.
She lifted his arm up and rolled out from under it.
He pulled her back again and snored.
Then she realized he was awake. “You can stop pretending now.” Regan couldn’t keep the smile from her voice.
“Having you in my arms felt too good, and I didn’t want to wake you from a sound sleep.”
Regan burst out laughing. She turned over to face him.
Cole looked back, one eyebrow raised. “What’s so funny?”
“You are. I thought I’d be the one to cuddle last night, but it was you.” She abruptly stopped and looked into his deep-blue eyes. “I shouldn’t laugh. I do that when I’m nervous.”
“You have no need to be nervous. Nothing has changed between us. You’re still my bodyguard. You just had the body closer than either of us expected. Now, do you want to get ready first, or do you want me to?”
“You can. I’ll make coffee.”
He grinned. “Good idea, since I don’t know where anything is.”
Regan found herself smiling back. “I thought so.” She pushed aside the blankets and rose from the bed.
She’d slept in her winter pajamas. They were the least sexy thing she owned.
Usually, she slept in the nude when she wasn’t working.
She’d spent so many years sleeping in her clothes, now whenever she could, she liked the freedom to sleep with nothing between her and the cool sheets, which were another thing she especially enjoyed.
She headed out to the kitchen and started a pot of coffee. She had a Keurig Duo machine. It was one of the newest machines, with a carafe on one side and a single cup dispenser on the other. It had been a Christmas present to herself.
When it was ready, she doctored her cup with French vanilla coffee creamer and carried it out to the living room.
Cole entered the room, freshly showered. His hair was still damp. A little curl escaped and laid on his forehead.
She thought it was adorable. Seeing Cole in his t-shirt and jeans was about the sexiest thing she’d seen in a long time.
She was used to working with hot guys with muscular bodies.
The situation had never affected her before.
But somehow, Cole, standing in her living room in bare feet, turned her on.
This wasn’t good. He was her boss. She could not become involved with her boss.
She’d seen what that kind of situation could do to a career if it went south.
Regan closed her eyes for a moment to settle her nerves.
When she opened them again, she had a smile on her face.
“I smell coffee.” Cole headed directly for the kitchen and returned with a mug of the steaming brew. “This is the nectar of the gods.” He took a sip. “Nice and strong.”
“Yeah, you won’t find weak coffee in this house. I buy dark roast and then put in at least half a cup per pot. More if it’s going to be a hard day.”
“I noticed you have one of the new Keurigs. And how much coffee did you put in today?”
She grinned. “Six scoops. That’s two more than usual. I think it’ll be that kind of a day.”
“What do you have in mind?”
“First, I want to go back to your apartment and get settled in. Your house is too far away. You’ll have to call Mason and tell him. Second, I want to do some research into Jerry. I’m certain he was behind the shooting.”
“I was certain he was just a kid letting off some steam, but if you’re right, then he’ll keep coming. I think we need to get to the rig now, rather than next week. I want to find out what’s happening there.”
“Okay, what about your gala. I don’t mind heading out today. Can you do that?”
He took a sip of his coffee. “I can. I’m a billionaire. I always have a plane at my disposal. As for the gala, it’s okay to skip this one. I give them a lot of money anyway and I can always send them another check..”
She was embarrassed she forgot that fact, but he seemed so…normal…not like she expected a billionaire to act. “Right. Well, let your pilot, and whoever else you absolutely have to, know what your plans are. I assume you have to give them a flight plan?”
“I do. In this case, the sooner, the better. I want to go by the apartment and pack more clothes. If you want more than your go bag, you need to pack it now. We won’t be back after we leave.”
“Understood. I’m hoping we don’t find more questions than answers at your platform.”
She stood and carried her empty mug to the kitchen, where she picked up the coffee carafe. “Cole, do you want more coffee? I’m about to dump it and clean the coffee pot.”
“I’m good.” He walked into the kitchen. “Here’s my cup. I’ll go collect my things from the bedroom, then you can clean up and get ready to go.”
“Okay. I’ll finish up here and then get showered.”
While Cole gathered his clothes, she emptied the coffee into the sink and placed the pot in the dishwasher. She’d start it before she left. Regan wondered how long they would be gone to Texas, and if they’d really find out what happened.
The trip from her apartment to his in downtown Denver only took about twenty minutes. They didn’t talk. Both of them were too wrapped up in their own thoughts.
After they reached Cole’s apartment, Regan carried the dresses to her bedroom and hung them up. When she returned to the living room, she saw Cole holding a drink.
“It’s a little early, don’t you think?” She nodded at the glass in his hand.
His lips turned up on one side. “Ha ha, very funny.—It’s not bourbon, though I wish it was. It’s tea. I didn’t want ice or a large glass.” He held up his glass and took a drink. “Can I get you one? Did you get your dresses put away?”
“I could use something to drink. Thanks. And yes, I hung the dresses.”
“Have a seat. I’ll be right back.”
She sat on the sofa and looked out at the mountains over the top of other skyscrapers. The buildings weren’t huge like they were in New York, but they were skyscrapers, nonetheless.
Cole returned with a large glass of iced tea, which he handed to her before he sat on the Queen Anne chair facing her. “Are you ready to go to the Gulf?”
“I am.” I know almost nothing about oil rigs or platforms. The only way I can protect him is to never leave his side .
“I’ve got my go bag and that will get me by however long I need it to.
It’s just a matter of planning. I don’t want you going off by yourself while we’re on the platform.
Whoever did this could still be there. It could have been someone who knew Jerry or was working with him, for all we know. ”
“Okay. You’ll have to be my assistant in order to stay with me and not draw attention. I don’t want anyone to know I have a bodyguard. I don’t want this situation to become public knowledge.”
“I can do that. I’m adept at becoming other people and I have my tablet with me, so it will always look like I’m taking notes as I am with you.”
He nodded. “That will work. I’ve told the pilot to have the plane ready in an hour. That should give us plenty of time to get to Centennial. The traffic will be lighter now, since we’re in between rush hour and lunch. We should reach the airport around ten thirty-five.”
“That’s quite precise. Do you know a back way or something?”
“No, I know my driver. Joseph Edler is one of the finest drivers in the country. He used to race in the Monaco Grand Prix.”
Regan took a long swallow of her tea. The cool liquid soothing to her parched throat. “Then we should get going. Are you planning on being back in time for one of your charity functions?”
His mouth ticked up on one side. “Are you anxious to show off one of your new gowns?”
Her cheeks heated, and she lifted her chin. “What if I am? I like being a girl, sometimes. I couldn’t be when I was active as a Ranger. I needed to be prepared to bug out at any time. That rarely includes in an evening gown.”
Cole scratched the side of his mouth. “No, I don’t suppose it does.” He stood, picked up their glasses, and took them to the kitchen. He set them on the counter next to the sink. Then he turned and walked toward the living room.
Regan followed him and then emptied the glasses into the sink, and reached for the dishwasher door.
He placed his hand on her arm. “No. Don’t put them in there.
It gives Mrs. Dailey something to do when she comes in.
She hates it if I try to clean up after myself.
She needs to earn her money. So my bathroom is a mess, as is my bedroom, even though I’d just as soon keep them tidier.
She said if she can’t clean up after me there is no need for her to work here.
But I do need her. I want this place showroom-ready all the time since I don’t know who I might be entertaining. ”
Regan nodded. “I can understand that. Shall we go? The sooner we get there, the sooner you’ll find your answers.”
He nodded. “Get your bag and we’ll leave.”
“Okay.” She headed to her room to get the go bag.
She’d set it on the king-size bed. The room was beautiful and huge.
She could have put her living room and kitchen in it.
Along with the bed was a bureau with a large, oval mirror over it, a matching chest of drawers and two end tables, all made of what looked like maple.
The floor was covered in deep, plush carpet the color of a robin’s egg.
The blue color was extended to the walls, but the ceiling was painted bright white.
The blackout curtains were dark, sapphire blue, which carried over to the comforter on the bed.
The room boasted an enormous walk-in closet and five-piece bath, including a jetted tub.
This was the life, Regan thought. But then, she knew she shouldn’t get used to this life.
She could be let go at any time. Picking up her duffle, she took one last look at the room before heading back out to the living room.
Cole was waiting as she entered and headed for the door. “Joseph is at the valet station outside. Shall we go?”