Page 13 of Bossy Hero

A soft knock at the door startles me. I flinch and gasp, and my pulse shoots through the roof. Once I catch my breath, I slink to the door, fear weaving through my bones with each sluggish step.

“Madeline, it’s just me.”

It’s Alan. My son’s superior officer. The one sitting outside my door.

Silly me. Who did I think it was?

I open the door, wearing a plastic smile. “Yes?”

The chilly night air whips across my cheeks. Mydampcheeks.

“Are you all right?” he asks, compassion etched onto the sharp lines of his handsome face. His voice is rich and deep. There’s a tenderness to him.

I don’t know why I didn’t notice how striking he was earlier.

Or maybe I did, but I denied it. I’m a pro at hiding my feelings. Even from myself. Hiding, in general, is my skill of choice.

“I’m fine,” I lie, knowing I’m the farthest thing from that.

Softly, he calls me on my bull. “I heard you crying. I didn’t want you to be alone. No one likes to cry alone, right?” Quickly, he amends, “Unless you wanted to be alone. I thought I’d ask you. Give you the choice.”

That explains why my cheeks are wet. I was crying. And didn’t even know it. Loud enough to be heard outside by my... bodyguard? For lack of a better word, I’ll go with that.

Boy, oh boy, I really know how to make a great first impression.

Not sure how he knew it, but he’s right. I don’t want to be alone.

“You know, I think I’ll sleep better if you’re in here. Come on in.”

As he passes by, he holds his palms out in front of his chest. “You are free to kick me out at any point. Just say the word, and I’m gone.”

I grin, shaking my head to reject the notion of me kicking this compassionate man out in the cold. “What kind of monster do you take me for? It’s supposed to get down into the forties tonight.” I tilt my head toward the beds. “You can take the bed by the door.”

After I excuse myself to the restroom to wash my face and brush my teeth, I return to find him sitting on the edge of the bed. He seems stiff and unsettled. His posture is unyielding.

“Do you need anything?” I ask.

His answering chuckle sends warmth through my bones. “No. I’m fine. I probably won’t sleep much. If you want to talk, that’s fine. If you want to watch TV, that’s fine. If you want me to be quiet and just be here with you, well, that’s fine too.”

“I think quiet company would be nice. I haven’t slept much in the last few days.”

“Sleep it is then.”

Despite my life in crisis, I find myself smiling at Alan, feeling a genuine sense of safety in his presence. It’s odd. Unexpected.

Especially since I donotknow him. Not at all.

I haven’t been alone with a man other than Travis in many years. If he knew I was here, sharing a hotel with another man, he’d murder us both. What am I thinking?

My fear ratchets up again, leaving me feeling like I’m on a dang roller coaster. Not the fun kind. My emotions are all over the flipping place.

Leo wouldneverlet someone he didn’t trust fully watch over me. I’d do well to remember that. It’ll keep my blood pressure in check.

Without speaking, I crawl into bed and pull the covers up to my chin. I scoot to the far side of the bed, closest to the wall. Sleeping fully dressed isn’t ideal, but I won’t feel comfortable in my pajamas with a virtual stranger in here. At least I’m in comfy pants.

Alan kicks off his shoes and slides up his bed toward the pillows. Reaching over, he hovers his hand over the light switch between the beds. “Lights on or off?”

“Off, please.”

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