Page 36 of Knight's Desire

“It’s a precaution.”

“Right.” As tired as she was when she left the Shoppe, knowing she would be alone all night with Brick in her house chased her fatigue away and replaced it with nervousness. “I suppose I should make up the guest room for you then.”

“I won’t be sleeping. I’ll set up in the living room for the night, and Isobel is patrolling the grounds. Just go about your night as if we’re not here. I know it’s awkward, but I promise to not be in the way.”

She looked him up and down with a skeptical eye. “You? Not be in the way? No offense, because I appreciate all you’re doing for me, but I have a small house, and you are anything but small. I can try to pretend you’re not here, but you’re a hard guy to miss.”

He chuckled. “I can swap places with Isobel if that makes you feel more comfortable.”

“No,” she said hastily, then blushed when she realized how that sounded. “I mean, I know you. I haven’t met Isobel. I think I would be more comfortable having someone I know here.”

“Whatever you want.”

His words felt like a caress. He might be the one assigned to protect her, but she was starting to wonder if she needed protection more from him and her reaction to him than from whoever was harassing her.

Chapter Fifteen

Hope turned once to the left and then to the right, studying her reflection. Her dress was one she’d not worn before, but after a sleepless night, she decided she needed an outfit that made her feel pretty and confident. The dress was a start with its deep V-neck, belted waist and full skirt that stopped at her knees. The sheer sleeves stretched to just above her elbows. The vibe was a nostalgic 1950s throwback, and she loved it.

She pinned her thick hair back from her face and allowed the tresses to fall down her back. Her makeup was light, but her lipstick was a bold red. A thin gold chain circled her neck, holding a single pearl against her sternum. Matching pearl earrings rested in her ears. Her black pumps were basic on top but sported a shock of red underneath.

Brick told her Gen would take the security morning shift, so Hope decided to treat her to the delicious pastries at the diner. She didn’t usually indulge in a lot of sweets for breakfast, but she wanted to do something special today. She wanted today to be about more than her problems, otherwise she would hide in her apartment wearing her pajamas and eating only cookies ‘n’ cream ice cream. Her peace of mind and her waistline wouldn’t survive a day of self-pity.

As she opened the door to her room, she could hear voices coming from the living room. She guessed Brick was speaking with one of his colleagues. Wondering if she should interrupt, she hesitated, but the need for coffee was stronger than her instinct to be polite. As she stepped closer, she heard the voices raise, and they were voices she recognized. Her heels tapped loud enough against the floor to announce her approach, but the voices drowned out any noise she made.

“What is going on here?” she shouted above the din.

Brick turned, and she saw Parker standing at the threshold. His jaw was clenched, his skin was red, and his fists were balled at his side. He pushed passed Brick to stalk toward her, stopping when he was close enough to yell in her face.

“He spent the night? What the hell is going on here, Hope? Are you getting back at me for the other night?”

Before she could respond, Parker was lifted and all but tossed away from her. Brick’s broad back filled her line of vision.

“You can talk to Miss Robertson, but you have to calm down first or I’m throwing you out on your ass. I don’t care who you are.” Brick’s tone held only calm, but he clearly wouldn’t tolerate being challenged.

Hope stepped around him to face Parker. He warily eyed Brick, who had both height and muscle mass that Parker didn’t possess. She could see he was still angry, but he wasn’t about to make a move that would cause Brick to be rough with him.

“Parker, none of this is about you, and I don’t appreciate you coming into my home and drawing conclusions when you don’t know anything. If you think you can calm down enough to listen, you can wait for me in the kitchen, and I’ll explain everything. If not, you can leave.”

He glared at Brick then her, but eventually he nodded. She hadn’t realized how tense her body became until he disappeared into the kitchen. She sighed and relaxed, ignoring the ache that was building behind her eyes. She turned around to find Brick scowling as he stared at the doorway to the kitchen.

“That wasn’t necessary, but I understand you were doing your job in protecting me. Thank you.”

He gave her a brief as he redirected his attention to her. “Are you alright? Did you sleep at all?”

She touched the pearl at her neck and fixed her gaze on the pocket of his T-shirt. “Some. It was hard to turn my mind off. How about you? I hope it was a quiet night.”

He nodded. “It was. No suspicious activity here or at the Shoppe. I’ll be driving you into work, and Gen is going to meet us there. We’ll clear the Shoppe together, and then she’ll take up your security detail.”

“I was hoping to make a stop at the diner. I was going to treat everyone to pastries this morning.”

“I’ll have her pick some up on her way and some coffee too. You can’t have a pastry without their coffee. I’ll be right in here, so if you need anything, just call for me. I’ll be at your side in a second.”

“Thank you. I’ll be fine. This conversation has been coming. I had hoped for more time, but procrastinating only makes it worse, right?”

“I’m sorry that you’re having to deal with so much. I wish I could do more to make it easier for you.”

She raised her eyes and felt her breath catch at the sincerity she saw in his. “Thank you, but my mother always said the hard times shape us to be better people like a piece of coal that becomes a diamond under pressure. I’ll make it through this like I’ve made it through any other trouble that’s come my way.”

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