Chapter 14
Riah
I had been preparing all day for the housewarming party and everything was finally in place. All that was left to do was go downstairs, wait for everyone to arrive and try not to think or freak out about the stalker that may or may not be watching the get-together through my windows.
I insisted that Korie attend the party as a guest, since she was originally invited.
After a little back-and-forth, she finally agreed.
Her replacement, Jesse, stood just outside the door on watch.
He was a large, quiet man with a permanent, hyper focused scowl on his face.
I could tell he was good at his job. It didn’t look like anyone could get past him, but still, something about him unsettled me.
Maybe it was his seriousness. How he looked cold as he stood there in front of the door, stone still.
Maybe it was the perfect, creaseless suit he wore.
Or maybe it was just the fact that he was a man of few words.
He’d barely said two words to me even when I tried to strike up a conversation.
I quickly learned to stop trying, I didn’t want to make him or myself any more uncomfortable.
It was selfish, but I wished Korie could stay with me all the time.
Not just because she was nice to look at and my stomach did flips every time she came around…
but because she made me feel safe in all ways I needed to.
Not just physically, but mentally. Slowly, I’d finally let the thought that I wasn’t a burden to her burrow into my brain.
When she grabbed my chin in the kitchen the other day. When she made me say it. The look in her eye and the sincerity in her voice proved to me that she wasn’t just trying to get me to stop complaining. She meant it and it made all the difference in the world.
I busied myself with pointless tasks like dusting the shelves as I waited for guests to arrive.
As I slid the feather duster around my newly placed houseplants, a text came through on my phone.
Immediately, my skin heated. My heart pounded.
My head swam. The panic was so thick I could feel it coating my skin.
I should ignore it… but what if that makes them mad?
It was a lose-lose situation, but there was no way I would want to anger the stalker and cause them to hurt anyone at my party. So with shaking hands, I opened the text.
Do you need anything before I head over?
I sighed in relief, my hand pressing over my heart as a smile split my face. I had never been so happy over a text. My shaking hands steadied as I texted Korie back.
No, thanks :)
I considered my words carefully and quickly typed out a follow-up message.
Not in an 'I'm a burden' way...
I just really don't need anything :)
You're learning.
Proud of you ;)
I sucked my bottom lip between my teeth, my body squirming as I read the words. Who knew such simple words could make me so excited and desperate to learn anything she could teach me?
Just as I began to let my mind wander, the front door swung open. My dad, mom, Eddie and Chrissy walked inside, arms full of gifts. I quickly stuffed down my impure thoughts of my brother’s best friend and greeted them with open arms.
“What?! You didn’t have to get me anything, are you crazy?”
I took the gifts from each of their hands and placed them on the entryway table as they filed in.
“Yeah, yeah,” Eddie waved me off. “Where’s Korie? Who’s the suit outside?”
“She’s coming as a guest today. That’s Jesse. He comes to switch shifts with Korie at night so she can get some rest. He’s here today so Korie could get ready for the party.”
“Ah, makes sense.” He beelined straight for the snacks set out on the kitchen counter as he continued. “How’s all that going by the way? I was stoked to hear she was going to help you out.”
“Really great.” I grabbed a drink and settled next to him as the rest of the family crowded around. “I feel a lot safer with her here.”
Satisfied with that answer, Eddie went to take Chrissy to find a room to feed and change the baby in. Guests arrived one after another and before I knew it, I had a full house of family and old friends.
Warmth filled me as I looked around the room full of people that showed up for me.
For a moment, I felt completely safe and secure, even without Korie there.
The second she popped back in my mind, though, I searched around the room.
There was no sign of her. I found my phone on the kitchen counter and swiped it open. No texts from her.
I tried not to panic. There was no way the stalker could’ve gotten to her, right? She was safe. She was a professional bodyguard for fuck’s sake, I would hope she could defend herself from that. Before my twisting insides could hinder me too much, I was pulled into a group of old friends by Rayne.
Of course, they asked what was up with the bodyguard at the door. Rayne was more than happy to fill them in as I just smiled along and nodded awkwardly. It wasn’t something I had wanted to go into much detail about, but once you got Rayne started, there wasn’t any stopping her.
She told them every detail of our night and how Korie was my new bodyguard. Of course, most of the girls knew her as we all went to high school together and Korie was just a grade above us.
“Wow, that’s so scary. I’m so sorry that happened to you.” One of my old teammates, Eden, patted my arm in sympathy. “Have any more scary things happened since then?”
I hesitated, not wanting to share too much and cause any more panic than I was already feeling.
“Nope, nothing else. Maybe Korie scared them away.”
“I can be pretty scary.” Korie’s low, warm voice came from behind me.
Her presence instantly covered me in chills.
My whole body relaxed again, knowing I was safe with her here.
But the second I turned to her, my heart was erratically beating throughout my whole body.
The same heat she stirred inside me came rushing back.
Somehow, everyone and everything in the room melted away and I could only see her in front of me.
She wore an all-black outfit. Dress pants, a long-sleeved button-down and shining dress shoes to match. It was tailored so perfectly to her body that it almost looked to be a part of her. It was just fitted enough to see the contour of her sculpted body under the fabric.
Her rich, deep brown hair was pulled up into a bun. Her thick eyebrows were neatly arched to perfection. Her intoxicating cologne called me in like a siren. At that moment, I didn’t care who she was. My brother’s best friend. My bodyguard. It didn’t matter. I wanted her.
Giggles erupted from behind us and the world came back into view.
“Korie!” Another old teammate, Cora, chimed in as she took a step towards her. “It's been so long! You look great and it seems like you are doing very well for yourself. Tell us about your security business.”
My whole body tightened in irritation. The urge to roll my eyes burned my skull. I wanted to wrap my arm around Korie’s waist and pull her towards me. I wasn’t sure which jealous demon had possessed me, but she was about to take over.
Korie adjusted next to me, inconspicuously brushing her fingers over the small of my back as she proceeded to tell the group about her business and its accomplishments.
The tiny action cooled me back down. As embarrassing as her noticing my jealousy was, it was sweet that she went out of her way to soothe it.
Another way for her to cement the fact that I was not a burden to her.
“Wow, celebrity contracts? How impressive!” Cora squealed.
“Where’s the application? Sign me up!” Eden added.
Korie chuckled along with them as she slid her fingers around my hip and gave it a tender squeeze.
“It was nice catching up, but I’m going to need to steal the woman of the hour for a moment. Hope you understand, ladies.”
She smiled politely to the group then tapped her hand over my hip, guiding me to a quiet corner of the living room.
“The woman of the hour is you, it seems.” Once we reached the corner, I turned to her and gestured with my chin to Eden and Cora, who had yet to take their eyes off of Korie.
Korie peeked back for a moment before turning to me, her brow cocked and a knowing smirk on her lips.
“Yet I’ve only got eyes for you.” Her voice was low and smooth, melting into my skin.
“I-” I flustered, feeling the heat burn in my cheeks. “Well, that’s your job.”
“Right.” Her voice was laced with sarcasm. “Speaking of my job, I sent Jesse home. He said everyone was cleared. I’m going to go do a quick sweep around the house just in case. Has there been anything that’s concerned you since I’ve been gone? Any more messages?”
I crossed my arms over my chest, face scrunching in frustration.
“Why did you do that? You were supposed to be here as a guest.”
“I am a guest and I am perfectly capable of being a guest and keeping you safe at the same time,” she replied. “Plus, between you and me, I think the guy’s going through something. He won’t really talk to me, but his energy has been a little off lately. He seemed a bit antsy to get out of here.”
I frowned, suddenly feeling terrible for how I’d judged him.
It was true that we really had no idea what was going on in other people’s lives.
I just hoped he was alright and made a mental note to give him a break from my questions and talking when he was on shift.
Maybe I’d even extend a little kindness.
Make him a meal to show my appreciation.
“Okay, fine.” I huffed. “Nothing has seemed off today. No messages or anything. Maybe the amount of people kept them away.”
“Good. I’ll check in with you in a little while.”