Page 7 of My Cowboy Bodyguard

Amanda stands frozen on the mat, her face devoid of color. “The lights were out that night too,” she whispered, her eyes haunted by the ghost of something I can’t see.

I rush to her and pull her into my arms, my hand on the back of her head, soothing her the way I did a frightened puppy I once rescued. “It’s okay, honey. I’m here.”

Her body trembles against mine for a heated minute before she pushes away. “I’m fine.”

“Bullshit. Why don’t you like the dark?”

She laughs but it’s fake. “A lot of people are afraid of the dark.”

“That wasn’t fear, honey. That was terror. Did someone hurt you?”

Her big blue eyes focus on mine. “I want to go home.”

A memory tickles my brain. A broken little voice sitting beside me on dirty concrete steps, lower lip quivering asking me if she could please go home. I failed that girl.

I won’t fail this one.

“Alright, honey. I’ll take you.”

I wrap an arm around her shoulder, and she leaves it there, walking against my side as we exit the building. I tuck her into the passenger side of my truck.

I come around and get in, turning on the heater even though it’s hot as hell tonight.

After a few minutes, she leans forward and turns it off but remains silent until we reach her place.

I shut off the truck and come around to get her.

“Goodnight,” she says the minute her feet hit the parking lot.

“I’m walking you in.”

The fear in her eyes wars with her wanting to tell me she’s okay, but I know. I recognize the signs she’s exhibiting.

Finally, she nods and leads the way to the staircase. “It’s on the third floor. I don’t like elevators.”

“Because you can get trapped. Because you don’t know who’s waiting for you on the other side when the doors open.”

“How did you know?” she whispers, her breath coming out in small puffs of exertion as we reach the third floor landing.

“Work experience.” I take the key from her and unlock the door, stepping inside. “I’ll check everything before I go.”

I turn on all the lights, test the windows, open the closets, then look under the bed. “No monsters,” I say as I return to her side.

She puts a hand on my bicep as I start to leave.

“Wait. Don’t go. Stay with me tonight.”

Chapter 3

Amanda

I don’t let my guard down. Or I guess I didn’t until Leo and if you were to ask me what makes me trust this man, I don’t know that I could point to something tangible. I just do. It’s a gut feeling.

When he starts to leave, I put a hand on his arm. “Wait. Don’t go. Stay with me tonight.”

Leo’s eyes darken. “I can’t sleep here.”

I drop my hand. “I’m sorry.” It occurs to me he may have known how to buy clothes like the ones he gave me because he has a girlfriend. Someone he holds. Someone he kisses. Someone I envy.

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