Page 37 of Trust My Bodyguard

Ivy

It’s back to status quo at the cabin after the flurry of excitement from three days ago has died down. Iris and I resume keeping house, and our sentinel is back to his grumpy, withdrawn self.

He sits at his favorite spot—the reading table by the window. His laptop is open before him. Brows knotted, his gray eyes dart back and forth over the screen, and then his fingers fly across the keyboard.

I should be paying attention to my work too, but I’m entranced by the fingers that brought me to a breathless climax days ago. They’re thick and long, perfect for fitting into tight spaces and making a girl scream.

His face moves as if he’s about to turn and I quickly bring my gaze back to the laptop propped on my knees. I stare at my barely written report. I should have just stayed upstairs andworked, but I would never let Brody think he had the upper hand. Like he can make me hide away.

No. I’m staying here and working. Even though I haven’t been very successful at the latter.

The skin of my neck prickles with awareness. Like someone’s watching me. I lift my head and Brody’s eyes seem to drop at the same time. Did I imagine that?

A few seconds pass and I catch him out of the corner of my eye. He’s looking at me. A warm blush travels up my face. To confirm, I turn to him but his gaze is back to his laptop. What? I could’ve sworn his eyes were just on me.

It’s driving me crazy. I want him to own up to the fact that he’s staring. He is usually the champ at stare-downs. Why is he pretending that he’s not looking now?

Wimp.

I focus on writing the report about my activities in the weeks leading up to my departure. Since I can’t be around to do my job, my coworkers would need pointers that’d assist them in taking on my casework. I’ve been at it for two hours. In reality, it shouldn’t take me more than one, but the man by the window is dividing my attention.

My gaze slips to him again. A whole living space divides us. Yet, I’m very aware of him. It’s almost like he’s sitting beside me. Not across the room and pretending I’m not here.

Ever since the day he had me up against the wall with his hand down my panties, he hasn’t hinted at anything physical.Not even in jest. The bastard. How rude of him to stir up conveniently dormant feelings and leave me hanging. If only I didn’t see him every day, then maybe it wouldn’t feel so bad. I wouldn’t feel so desperate for his touch.

Unfortunately for me, every way I turn, I’m subjected to his straining muscles, his sensual lips, and those eyes that switch from cold and distant to molten in a second.

I shift in my seat, suddenly feeling too much pressure there.

Brody looks in my direction. This time, his gaze stays, running over my body and lingering on my crossed legs. I’m fully dressed in a sweater and tights but every second he stares feels as though I’m naked. My skin feels tight and a swelling sensation batters my core.

He turns away and his lips lift at the corner.

“Idiot,” I mutter.

“Hm?” He lifts his gaze to me.

“Nothing.” I don’t look in his direction.

“Sounded like something,” he says.

“It wasn’t. Leave me alone.” I only half mean it. I like to banter with him just to hear his stern, commanding voice and the note of frustration that only I seem to draw out of him.

He huffs and resumes working. The minutes go by in silence but I’m too wired to let things lay low.

“What are you doing anyway?” I ask.

“Work,” he replies in a monotone.

“I hope so. Or you’re pretending to work but in reality, you’re playingTetris.”

His gaze cuts my way and I snort a laugh.

His face is all hard, no smile to be found whatsoever. “I take my work seriously.”

“Yeah, yeah. I know.” I allow a lull. “Just hope you can find my sister’s stalker and our intruder.”

He sighs heavily. “You know we’re doing our best.”

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