Chapter 23 – Philip
I put on a pair of boxers and sit on the bed to wait for Haley to return from the bathroom.
I think our first time together went pretty well.
At least she didn’t run screaming from the room swearing to never let me touch her again.
But afterward, she was so quiet and withdrawn.
I think seeing the little bit of blood on her thigh freaked her out.
I hope I didn’t fuck this up. I wanted to wait. I was afraid she wasn’t ready, but she seemed so sure.
I listen for sounds coming from the bathroom, but she’s pretty quiet in there. Hopefully, she’s not regretting what we did. A moment later, I hear the toilet flush, soon followed by the sound of water running in the sink.
The bathroom door opens, and I hear her quiet footsteps as she heads back to my room. I brace myself for whatever’s coming next. Hopefully it’s not tears. To my surprise, she’s standing in my bedroom door with a shy smile on her face.
She’s also beautifully, gloriously naked, and the sight of her makes my heart slam into my chest wall.
“Haley.” I swallow hard. “You look stunning.”
Her smile widens.
“Everything’s okay?” I ask.
Nodding, she closes the door and walks over to the bed. “I want to sleep here tonight, with you.”
Relief surges through me. She’s okay. I reach for her hand and pull her down beside me. “I’d love that.”
Hell, I want us to sleep together every night for the rest of our lives.
After we’re in bed, I reach over to turn off the lamp. Haley turns to me and rests her head on my shoulder and lays her arm over my waist. Her bare skin feels cool against mine, so I wrap my arms around her and pull the covers up over us.
“You’re sure you’re okay?” I ask.
She yawns. “I’m perfect.”
Haley falls asleep pretty quickly, but I lie awake for a long time. Tomorrow is the first day she’ll be returning to campus with a bodyguard escort. I’ll be with her, shadowing her the entire day, never more than a few feet away from her.
God help anyone who tries to get between us.
* * *
Despite all the uncertainty and hypervigilance, I have the best night of sleep ever. Waking up with Haley in my arms is a dream come true. No, that’s an understatement. I’ve literally dreamed of this so many times, I’ve lost count.
I lie perfectly still, not moving a muscle because I don’t want to wake her. It’s early, and right now, she needs sleep more than anything.
I turn my face toward her, press my nose into her hair, and take a deep breath.
She always smells so good. Even her hair smells fucking good, like strawberries or something.
I skim my nose lower, to her forehead. Her skin is like an aphrodisiac to me.
Everything about her turns me on. The feel of her skin, the way she smells, her voice. The feel of her gentle breaths on me.
I’m so far gone over her. If the guys knew what I was thinking, they’d never let me live it down.
I don’t think she has the slightest idea of the power she holds over me. One word from her can either make me or crush me.
I check the time—it’s six am. She has her first class today at nine, so we’ve got some time.
Honestly, I’d be happy to lie here all day with her. If last night hadn’t been her first time, I’d be tempted to kiss her awake, hoping she’d be interested in some morning sex. But I’m sure she’s sore this morning.
At six-thirty, my alarm goes off. I hit the snooze button, but it’s too late. She’s stirring now, making soft unhappy noises.
Haley lifts her head off my shoulder. “What time is it?”
“Six-thirty. I’m sorry I forgot to adjust my alarm.”
She groans again. “That’s okay. I need to shower this morning since we—well, you know.”
“Me, too. Let’s get ready, grab breakfast, and we’ll leave at eight-fifteen. Don’t be surprised if Charlie makes an appearance downstairs. She’s going to want to remind you for the hundredth time not to leave my sight while we’re on campus.”
Haley starts to throw off the covers, but she stops short when she remembers she’s not wearing anything.
I get up and grab my discarded T-shirt from last night. It’ll be huge on her, but at least she’ll have something covering her. “Here. Put this on.”
“Thanks.” She holds my Chicago Cubs T-shirt to her nose and inhales.
“Oh, sorry. I’ll get you a clean—”
“No.” She smiles. “It smells like you. I like it.”
That’s got to be the hottest thing anyone has ever said to me.
She slips the shirt on and gets out of bed. My T-shirt is so long on her it easily covers her ass. “I’ll go shower now.” She leans forward to kiss me. “I’ll see you in a bit.” And then she walks out of the room.
After getting dressed, I head downstairs to use the half bath off the kitchen before I start the coffeemaker.
There’s an audible beep as the security system disengages. The back door opens, and Charlie walks in. She’s wearing black jeans, a sleeveless T-shirt that shows off trim, muscular arms, and sneakers. “Oh, good. Coffee. Thanks, Philip.”
“You’re welcome. Where’s Mateo?”
“In the shower. He’ll be along in a few minutes.” She looks around. “Where is our charge?”
“She’s getting ready.”
Charlie smiles. “You look well rested. Did you have a good night?”
I don’t like the way she’s looking at me, like she knows things. Is it written on my forehead? HALEY AND I HAD SEX LAST NIGHT! I shrug. “I slept fine.”
“How fine?” Her smile quickly fades. “Philip, your personal life is none of my business, but you’re on duty for the foreseeable future. You’d better behave yourself.”
I don’t respond to that, because how can I? Yes, Charlie, I slept with my client last night. In fact, I deflowered her. That’s not something you put in a status report. Instead, I say, “Tell me something I don’t know.”
She frowns. “Don’t make me pull rank on you, Phil. I can easily decide to change the assignments. I could escort her to school, you know. Or Mateo could. It doesn’t have to be you. Just because you’re her boyfriend—”
“No effing way, Charlie. I’m taking her. End of story.”
“Then don’t force my hand, Phil. Behave yourself.”
When the coffee is ready, I grab a mug and fill it for Charlie. Then I pour one for myself.
“Thanks,” Charlie says as she sips her coffee. “At least you know how to make a good cup.” She sets hers down on the counter and goes to the fridge to grab a carton of eggs. “When Haley’s ready, I want to go over today’s schedule with her.”
“I’ll let her know.”
She gives me the side-eye. “You do that.”
As I’m starting up the back staircase, I hear the back door open.
“Good morning, ma queen,” Mateo says.
“Good morning to you, too,” Charlie replies.
Then it’s absolute silence.
I take a step back and peek into the kitchen to see them embracing. Mateo is kissing Charlie like it’s his last day on Earth, and Charlie has her arms around his neck. Well, well, well. I didn’t see this coming. Charlie, the hypocrite, is doing our colleague.
Abruptly, she pulls away. “Not here. I just gave Philip a lecture on behaving himself. Come get some coffee.”
I continue up the stairs and down the hallway to find the bathroom empty. Haley’s bedroom door is shut, and I can hear her putzing around in there. I knock on her door. “Charlie’s downstairs, and there’s coffee. She’d like to go over your schedule today.”
“I’ll be right down,” she says.
I head back to the bathroom and grab a super quick shower. By the time I make it back down to the kitchen, Haley’s sitting at the kitchen island sipping an iced coffee the color of caramel and whipped cream combined, while Charlie is standing at the stove making breakfast.
“Something sure smells good,” I say as I join Haley at the island. She looks happy and relaxed. I lay my hand on her thigh, beneath the countertop and away from Charlie’s watchful gaze. Haley squeezes my hand and smiles.
“It’s nothing fancy,” Charlie says. “French toast and chicken sausages.” Charlie glances back at us. “Why don’t you guys set the table? And get the syrup and whipped cream.”
“No problem,” Haley says as she hops off her stool.
I grab silverware and napkins and set the table, while Haley gets the other things.
Just as the food is ready, Mateo comes back inside. “Perimeter’s secure. Hey, guys, good morning. I trust you both slept well.” And then he winks at me.
Is it that obvious?
Soon, the four of us are seated at the table eating French toast. I’m on my second cup of caffeine—a necessity.
“So, Thursday…” Charlie consults the itinerary. “Today’s your light day. Political science class at nine, and British literature at eleven. Is that right?”
Haley nods with a mouth full of food. “Mmhmm.”
“Is there anything else you need to do on campus besides go to classes?”
“No,” Haley says. “I’ll just come back here and do homework.”
“All right.” Charlie picks up her mug and takes a sip. “That sounds pretty straightforward. Just a reminder, Haley. Don’t leave Philip’s sight for any reason. Got it?”
“Yes, but what if I have to go to the bathroom?”
“Then Philip gets the thrill of going into the ladies room with you. Hopefully that won’t cause too much of a panic if it’s occupied.”
I chuckle at that.
Haley grins at me. “Don’t worry. I’ll try to hold it until we get back here.”
After we finish eating and start cleaning up the kitchen, Haley’s phone rings.
“It’s my dad,” she says as she takes the call. “Hi, Dad.”
She listens intently, making random affirmative sounds. “Yes, he is…. Yes…. I know! I will!” She rolls her eyes at me. “Dad, I know. Please don’t worry. It’ll be fine. I’ll have Philip with me…. I love you, too. Please give my love to Erin.”
She ends the call and sticks her phone in her backpack. “He’s such a worrywart.”
“Your dad loves you, Haley,” Charlie says. “His baby girl is going out into the big, dangerous world, only in your case it sort of is dangerous right now because someone’s fixated on you. You have to cut him some slack.”
“I know,” Haley says with a sigh. “My mom is so much more chill than my dad.”