Chapter 6
CHAPTER 6
Rafael almost laughed at the play of emotions on Gisele’s face when YaYa pointed out the window in his apartment that faced the window in hers. The window in his new digs was in his bedroom. Having been through her place now twice, he knew exactly which window faced his.
Also, her bedroom.
His groin tightened. Not that she’d leave the blinds open while she undressed or anything. But knowing she was close enough he could throw a rock and easily hit her building stirred his blood more than he cared to admit, especially to her.
He recognized panic as the final emotion that flitted across her face before she schooled it into a mask a professional poker player would be proud of.
As far as he was concerned, her panic was good.
For him .
She’d practically thrown him out of her shop that morning after he’d teased her with the promise of a kiss and brushed his thumb across her lip instead. That move must have made an impression on her.
His jubilance sobered slightly.
Unless she viewed his attention as sexual harassment and was afraid he’d push his advances on her even more aggressively now that he was living across from her.
The last thing he wanted was to make Gisele afraid of him or uncomfortable in his presence. He wanted her to come to him willingly with the passion he sensed burning barely beneath her surface.
Or was he projecting what he felt on the woman? He struggled to contain his passion whenever she was around.
It had taken over a year to rebuild his confidence and any trust in his ability to attract a woman. He chalked that up to the fallout of his fiancée leaving him for the maid of honor.
Yeah, women readily responded to his appearance, but he didn’t trust any of them or his own judgment. He’d failed colossally once. He’d be damned if it happened again.
Rafael hadn’t spent much time with any one woman since, as disinclined as he was to let one get close.
There were plenty who were still willing when he was upfront that he didn’t come with strings and that he had no intention of committing to a relationship.
If a woman didn’t want his attentions—which was never the case—he would simply move on.
Then why couldn’t he let go of this one?
When he’d kissed her the night before, she’d been surprised, but she’d leaned into him as if she’d wanted more. When he’d tempted her with the near-kiss that morning, he could swear she’d swayed toward him. Though he hadn’t actually kissed her, her lips had puckered ever so slightly when his thumb had brushed across them.
Still, she’d shown him the door and told him she didn’t need him anymore.
Would that make him a stalker if he didn’t take the hint? Should he back down and leave her alone?
Gisele held out a padded envelope to YaYa. “I actually came over to give you this package. The delivery driver dropped it one building short.” Gisele gave YaYa a tight smile, threw a quick glance his way without actually meeting his eyes and turned toward her shop. “I’d better get back to work. Congrats on the added clients.”
Without saying goodbye, so long or you’re an ass to Rafael, Gisele walked away.
If he was reading her right, she’d just wordlessly told him to fuck off.
Challenge accepted.
He didn’t delve into his need to bring her around to him. Maybe it was pride that wouldn’t let him give up.
Rafael shook his head. No. It was her dark hair, darker eyes, light brown skin and mostly her feisty attitude that kept him in the game.
She intrigued him.
“If you want her, you have to make an effort,” YaYa’s voice broke through his intense focus on Gisele’s disappearing figure.
He frowned and dragged his attention back to the woman standing at his side. “Excuse me?”
“If you want her, you have to earn her trust and show her that you’re not like most men.”
“What are most men like to her?” he asked, intensely eager to know the answer.
“To Gisele, most men stay in a relationship until it no longer benefits them, or they grow bored.”
“Is she divorced?” Rafael asked.
“No, thank goodness. She had the good sense to end a toxic relationship after her boyfriend threw her under the bus for a promotion when they worked at the same company in New York City.”
Rafael couldn’t picture her in a business suit. Though she’d be sexy as hell in one. “Gisele worked in New York City?”
YaYa nodded. “On Wall Street. She never fit in. Our girl has morals. She left here, ready to take on the world. She came back with huge trust issues when it comes to men. She hasn’t been on a date since she bought the shop. That was three years ago.”
“Her boyfriend threw her under the bus?” Rafael shook his head. “How?”
“I don’t know the whole story. Just that she refused to do something unethical. Her boyfriend stepped up to the plate. Not only did he perform the unethical deed, but he also claimed Gisele was incompetent and not a team player. He told their boss that he was willing to do whatever it took, no questions asked.”
That would explain a lot about why Gisele was so standoffish with him. She didn’t have any reason to trust him. Or any man. Why should she? The one she’d thought cared about her had shown his true colors, tainting all men with his betrayal.
The fact that they both had trust issues wasn’t lost on Rafael. He should be a decent human and walk away from the petite yet sultry gift shop owner. She didn’t want or need someone like him to make her life any more miserable than that NYC asshat had already managed.
She had her little shop. She seemed happy enough without a man in her life. Why screw it up?
However, there was the matter of the burglar.
Rafael could stick around only to make sure she was safe.
He should ignore the fact that she ticked every box on his list of what he wanted in a woman .
His failed attempt at marriage and his vow to avoid the institution at all costs made him a poor match for Gisele.
She deserved a really nice guy who would worship the ground she walked on and do everything in his power to love, honor and protect her, even if it meant sacrificing his life for hers.
“You really like her, don’t you?” YaYa asked.
He’d been so deep in his thoughts he’d forgotten where he was and who was watching him. He forced a shrug. “I worry that she isn’t taking the burglary seriously enough.”
“She needs a security system with surveillance cameras and alarms.” YaYa studied him. “Think you can use all that masculine charm and charisma to talk her into such a thing?”
His lips twisted. “I’m not sure my so-called charm works with her.”
YaYa laughed. “Honey, she practically ran back to her shop.”
“My point exactly,” he said.
YaYa faced him, her brow dipping low over her forehead. “She ran because she’s scared.”
“Of me?”
“Not of you,” YaYa said. “Of herself.”
He shook his head. “I don’t understand.”
“She’s afraid to let down her guard. Afraid of giving her trust to someone who could potentially hurt her. ”
“I wouldn’t hurt her.”
YaYa cocked an eyebrow. “Wouldn’t you?”
“I’d never lie to her,” Rafael said. “I’d tell her the truth and let her make up her own mind.”
“Even if the truth would be just as hurtful as a lie?” YaYa asked quietly.
He stared into the Mamba Wamba Gift Shop window, searching for Gisele.
He’d always assumed that if he told the women he saw the truth about not wanting strings or commitment, it would be less painful when it came time to leave.
Was it?
When had he gone back to the women he’d dated and left behind to ask if his abrupt departure had caused them pain?
Never.
Wow. That made him as big an asshat as the man who’d thrown Gisele under the bus.
“I don’t want to hurt her,” Rafael said. “But I do want to make sure she’s safe.”
“Then make her safe.” She laid her hand on his arm. “But leave her heart to someone who won’t break it.” She lifted her chin toward the second-story windows. “And don’t be a peeping Tom.”
Rafael held up a hand. “For security reasons only.”
YaYa snorted. “Right.” The older woman turned away.
“YaYa,” Rafael called out .
She looked over her shoulder. “Yes?”
“You’re a good friend to Gisele.”
“She’d give me the shirt off her back,” YaYa said. “Don’t hurt her.”
Rafael nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”
Her eyes narrowed. “And don’t call me ma’am. I’m not that much older than you.” Her face softened. “But I do wish I was at least fifteen years younger when I’m with you. I like to think I would’ve stood a chance.” She sighed.
“You’re a beautiful woman, YaYa.” He tapped a fist to his chest. “Where it counts most.”
She laughed. “Oh, please. That’s like having a good personality.”
“When you have a good heart, a good personality and friends,” he said, “you have enough. You are enough.”
“Your words are as pretty as your face, Rafael Romero. Be sure your actions match.” With that last bit of advice, she entered her studio.
The women who’d been lined up in the alley followed.
Valentin approached, clapped a hand on Rafael’s back and grinned. “That was the last box. Remy and Gerard had to go. They said they’d see you later and to call if you need any more help.” He tipped his head toward the yoga studio. “What did your landlord have to say? ”
“To make myself at home,” Rafael said, “but don’t leave any damage.”
“Words to live by, my friend,” Valentin said. “Words to live by.”
Rafael shot one more glance toward the Mamba Wamba Gift Shop before he turned toward his truck. “Are we still on for the noon meeting at the boat factory?”
Valentin nodded, falling into step beside Rafael. “Remy got word from Hank Patterson. One of Sadie’s friends requested a protector detail to provide security while she shoots a music video in New Orleans.” He grinned. “I wouldn’t mind spending some time in the Big Easy.”
“It’s not like you’ll get to enjoy the food and nightlife. You’ll be on the job.”
“I know, but there’s always something interesting to see or good music to hear.” Valentin tipped his head toward the bayou. “All I hear around here are frogs, cicadas and Cajun drunks calling each other names.”
“What about the Zydeco festival?” Rafael asked.
Valentin shrugged. “The festival has been going for three days. Zydeco was fun, for a change, the first night. I’m ready to go back and relax with classic bands like Led Zeppelin, AC/DC and Disturbed.”
Rafael’s lips twisted. “How are you hooked on music from the last century?”
Valentin frowned. “It’s timeless. My father played hard rock music whenever he was home. He swore it stimulated the mind. I think it was more a case of stimulating his sex drive.”
Rafael held up a hand. “You can stop right there. I don’t need to know the details about your parents’ sex life.”
“I was conceived to some of Led Zeppelin’s greatest hits,” Valentin admitted with his hand resting on his chest as if paying tribute to the greats.
Rafael pressed his hands over his ears. “I told you. I don’t need to relive the sexual act that resulted in your birth and subsequent mark on all of mankind.”
Valentin grinned. “Suit yourself.”
“Besides, it’s not hard rock you’ll get in New Orleans,” Rafael pointed out. “There’s more jazz there than anything else.”
Valentin shrugged. “I could get into some Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald-style music.” He grinned. “It’s New Orleans. What’s not to love?”
Rafael grinned. “True.” Yet he hoped Remy wasn’t considering sending him there for the security detail. He didn’t want to leave Bayou Mambaloa until they knew a little more about the break-in at the Mamba Wamba Gift Shop.
Truth was, he didn’t want to leave Gisele unprotected.
She had her assistant during the day, but she was alone at night with no one to have her back.
Now that he had the apartment across from hers, he was at least within yelling distance and could be there in seconds.
When Rafael reached his truck, he slipped in behind the steering wheel, his gaze on the little gift shop.
Valentin climbed into the passenger seat. “You’re going to opt out of the New Orleans gig, aren’t you?”
Rafael shot a frown toward Valentin. “Why do you think that?”
“Dude, it’s pretty obvious that you’re stuck on the gift shop owner. Though I’m not convinced she’s that into you.” He held up a hand. “Don’t worry. I won’t interfere. I think she’s hot, but I get it. You have first dibs.”
“You can’t have dibs on women,” Rafael said. “They tend to make up their own minds.”
“Well, I’ll give Ms. Gautier a week to decide before I turn my brand of charm on her. After that, you won’t have a snowball’s chance in hell to win her back.”
Rafael snorted. “Am I supposed to thank you for the courtesy?”
“You could. Or you could turn up the Romeo appeal and see where it gets you.” He glanced at his watch. “One week, man. That’s all the courtesy I’ll give you. Better get cracking.”
Rafael frowned. “And what are your intentions toward Gisele?”
Valentin blinked. “Asks the man who goes through women like a revolving door. Why do you care? Maybe I just want a date or two. There aren’t a whole lot of choices in Bayou Mambaloa, and she’s pretty. If things work out, I might consider a longer commitment. I’m not allergic to the idea, like you. Now that I’m not in the military, I might want to settle down, get married and have a family.”
“Wait a minute.” Rafael frowned at Valentin. “I thought you said you didn’t like kids, which was why you left the Navy.”
Valentin nodded. “I might have said that. I didn’t want to be stuck babysitting a bunch of kids going through BUD/S training. I don’t have the patience.”
“Why didn’t you stay on a team?” Rafael asked.
“An injury slowed me down. They only gave me one choice.”
“BUD/S.” Rafael nodded.
“I took option two and left the Navy. I didn’t want to be tied down.”
“Why the big turnaround?” Rafael started the truck engine. “Having a family means a wife and kids. That’s not just tying down, that’s anchoring.”
“It might not be so bad,” Valentin stared at the gift shop, “with the right woman.”
Rafael’s hand rested on the shift, his gaze pinned on Valentin. “Since I’ve known you, you’ve been standoffish with women. Why are you all of a sudden interested in Gisele Gautier? Are you just trying to piss me off? ”
Valentin’s lips quirked slightly, though his attention remained on the gift shop. “Is it working?”
Rafael slammed the shift into drive, his foot on the brake. “It sure as hell is. What’s your end game?”
“Does it matter? It’s not like you plan on marrying the girl. You’ve told me on several occasions you’ll never stand at an altar again. I just hate to see you toying with this woman and then leaving her dangling for too long. She deserves better.”
It was a good thing his fist was curled around the steering wheel. At that moment, he wanted to plant it in his friend’s face. Rafael breathed in and out before continuing the conversation. “Are you saying I’m not good enough for her?”
Valentin sighed. “No. I’m not saying that you’re not good enough for her. You’re a great guy with the team. You’d take a bullet for any one of us, and we’d do the same for you. But when it comes to women... Not all women are your ex-fiancée. You can’t paint them with the same brush. Gisele is a nice lady with a lot of gumption. I’d hate to see her hurt.”
“By me,” Rafael added. Some of his anger dissipated at the truth in his friend’s words.
Valentin nodded. “By you. You might not be ready to let go of the past, and that will keep you from finding happiness in your future.”
Rafael shook his head. “When did you decide to become my therapist? ”
“I didn’t,” Valentin said, refusing to meet Rafael’s gaze. “I drew the short straw.”
“What short straw?” Rafael demanded.
Valentin didn’t respond.
His eyes narrowing, Rafael studied his teammate. “Have you and the rest of the guys been discussing me behind my back?”
A flood of ruddy red stained Valentin’s cheeks. “I told them I didn’t think this would go over well,” he muttered.
What the ever-loving fuck? Rafael was floored. “I can’t believe you’ve all been talking about me.”
“Yeah, get pissed, but consider this an intervention. We’re your friends, and we’re concerned that you’re on a self-destructive track.”
“Why feel the need to intervene now?” he demanded.
Valentin glanced away. “We’ve always been concerned. It’s just that some of the guys are hearing it from their women that they’re worried you’ll break Gisele’s heart.”
The anger was back ten-fold. “You can tell the guys to kiss my ass. Gisele’s capable of making her own decisions. I’ve never lied to a woman to get her into my bed. I won’t start now.”
“Just because she goes into a relationship with you with her eyes wide open, doesn’t mean she won’t lose her heart. You’re pretty potent shit to females, like catnip to felines.” Valentin shrugged again. “Or so I’ve heard. Anyway, if you’re going with your same modus operandi of love ’em and leave ’em, you’re going to make the womenfolk mad. In turn, they’ll make their men mad at you.”
Rafael wanted to tell Valentin and his entire team to go fuck themselves.
But he’d been heading down that same path of reasoning. Not so much about everyone in Bayou Mambaloa being mad at him, but that he’d hurt Gisele. He really didn’t want to hurt her.
His best course of action would be to step away from the female and let her get on with her life sans one former Navy SEAL.
One thing bothered him more than he cared to admit. “What you said about making your move on Gisele...were you serious? Are you interested in her for more than just a date of two? Or was that your way of getting my goat or making me step aside and leave her alone?”
Valentin’s lips curled upward. “She’s really pretty. I like that she’s independent, self-sufficient and fully capable of standing on her own. Any guy would be lucky to have her, including me.”
“You’re not answering my question,” Rafael said through gritted teeth.
“I like her. But I’m not in the market for a long-term relationship. And I’m not willing to take the risk of stirring the hornet’s nest of our team and their women.” He glanced over the console at Rafael. “ So, no. I’m not really interested in going after Gisele. Like her girlfriends say, she deserves someone who’s all in, head over heels in love with her and who would do anything to earn her respect and love in return.”
Rafael stared at his friend and teammate for a long moment. Valentin, one of the most stoic of their team, a man who kept to himself and rarely spoke out about anyone, had just spoken more words in the past half hour than Rafael had heard him speak in a week. It had to have been a challenge for him.
Rafael lifted his foot off the brake and pulled onto Main Street, heading for the other end of town and the old boat factory they’d converted into the Bayou Brotherhood Protectors regional office. “You really did get the short straw, didn’t you?”
“Yeah,” Valentin said. “And it sucked balls.” He was silent for a minute and then asked, “You good?”
Rafael snorted. “What do you think?”
Valentin’s lips twisted. “You’re mad as hell.”
“I can’t say that I like my so-called friends interfering in my personal life,” Rafael said, “but, yeah, I’m good. I heard what you said, and I’ll keep it in mind.”
Another minute passed.
“Are you going to stop seeing Gisele?” Valentin asked.
“I said I’m good,” Rafael said through gritted teeth. “Don’t test me.”
He wanted to drop Valentin off at the boat factory for their team meeting and skip it himself, but he wouldn’t let his friends have the satisfaction of knowing Valentin’s short-straw speech had hit home.
Because it had, echoing what he’d already begun to realize.
Gisele was special. Her friends recognized it and were looking out for her.
He pasted a smile on his face and strode into the warm room at the boat factory, enjoying the tension fully visible on Valentin’s face and the exchange of glances between him and the other members of the team. He wouldn’t rise to the intervention they’d launched, and he had no intention of informing them of his plans when it came to Gisele.
Mostly because he didn’t know what they were—other than to make sure she was safe. Beyond that...
Hell.
He had no idea.
The logical side of his brain told him to cut his losses and leave her alone. That way, she wouldn’t be subjected to his bad habits and left with a broken heart when he pulled his duck-and-run routine.
The devil on his shoulder screamed louder than logic.
You know you want her.
She wants you, too.
Don’t let the goodie-two-shoes talk you out of holding her in your arms and making love to her through the night .
His groin tightened.
He sat still, willing his libido to calm the fuck down as he listened to Hank Patterson brief them on the New Orleans security project.
Hank, the founder of Brotherhood Protectors, was a giant head on the display screen, projecting his image from his home in Montana. “The assignment will last a week, maybe more, if the filming takes longer.
“We’ll need five men in New Orleans tomorrow to augment the singer’s own security team.”
Remy turned to the men seated around the table. “I’m going, along with Gerard, Lucas and Valentin.” Remy’s eyes narrowed as he glanced around the room. “Beau starts a bodyguard job tomorrow with Senator Anderson and his daughter. Jacques and Xavier are already out on different assignments, which leaves Landry and Rafael.”
Without pausing to think, Rafael said, “As much as I’d like a fun-filled paid trip to New Orleans, I’d like to remain in Bayou Mambaloa.”
Hank met Rafael’s gaze through the video conference call. “Did they find the intruder who broke into Ms. Gautier’s shop?”
Rafael shook his head. “No, sir.”
“Has there been another attack?” Hank asked.
“No, sir,” Rafael repeated. “But I have a gut feeling she’s not out of danger yet. She lives alone in the apartment over the shop with no backup. I just moved into the apartment across the alley from her. I’d like to hang around for a couple of days to make sure she doesn’t have a repeat of what happened last night.”
“Any clue as to what the burglar was after?” Hank asked.
“No, sir,” Remy responded. “The sheriff’s department is conducting the investigation, but they don’t have much to go on. He wore gloves, so no fingerprints. A ski mask hid his facial features. He didn’t take anything, but he trashed a shelf and tipped over a bird cage.”
“Anyone injured on the grounds?” Hank asked. “Ms. Gautier?”
“The intruder slammed into Ms. Gautier on his way out the back door. She was shaken but okay. I can monitor her situation on my own time,” Rafael offered, “since she hasn’t asked us to step in and provide her with a bodyguard.”
“That’s not necessary. We don’t only cater to people who can pay,” Hank said. “My wife and I want people to have access to our services no matter their financial status. When they need help, we want them to know they can count on us, no matter their ability to pay.”
Rafael nodded. “Then I’ll keep an eye on her and her shop for a few days to ensure the attack was a crime of opportunity that won’t happen again. ”
“Makes sense,” Hank said. “Does she have a security system?”
“No, sir.”
“Encourage her to get one. Surveillance videos would’ve been handy for the investigators.”
“I’ll work on her,” Rafael said. “I’ll see what we can rig in the meantime.”
Hank looked around at the room full of men. “Then Landry will be your fifth man going to New Orleans?”
Remy shot a glance toward Valentin and then to Rafael. “Sounds like it.”
“Good. Then I’ll leave you to the arrangements. Thank you all for being members of the Brotherhood Protectors,” Hank said. “Out here.”
His image blipped off the screen, leaving it glowing a bright blue.
Remy looked around the room. “Anyone have any questions?”
Landry turned to Rafael. “I could keep an eye on Ms. Gautier if you’d rather participate in the New Orleans project.”
Rafael’s jaw hardened. It took a full second for him to force a smile. “As much as I like visiting New Orleans, I need to see the Gautier assignment through.”
Landry nodded. “Fair enough.”
“Those heading to New Orleans tomorrow can stay,” Remy said. “The rest of you are dismissed. ”
Rafael stood and started to leave without saying anything...but he couldn’t.
He faced the entire team and said, “It’s good to know you all have Ms. Gautier's best interestsat heart. Let me set your minds at ease. So. Do. I.”
He didn’t wait for a response.
Rafael spun on his heels and left the boat factory, climbed into his truck and drove back to Main Street and the apartment he’d just moved into. He needed the time to cool down, unwind and unpack.
Thankfully, he had a clear view of the Mamba Wamba from his bedroom window. He’d stop in later that afternoon to check on his self-proclaimed client.
On a strictly professional basis.
Valentin would be happy to know.
Message received...loud and clear.