Page 39 of Where We Bloom

Time will tell if that actually happens.

It’s Friday, and I’m finally back in Bitterroot Valley. We flew all night so I could be here before the bookshop closed.

Miller’s waiting on the tarmac with the SUV.

“To the bookshop,” I say as I walk toward the vehicle.

“I assumed that was our destination.” He nods, and then we’re both in the car, driving away from the airport. “Sir, if you’d like, I can begin the process of hiring a man for her.”

I scowl at Miller in the rearview mirror. “What do you mean?”

“If you want a detail protecting Miss Blackwell, I can hire someone to do so, so I’m available for you.Youare my job.”

I narrow my eyes. “Your job is what I tell you it is.”

“I’m dropping the formality for a minute becauseI’ve worked for you for eight years.” He shakes his head. “And I hate to disagree with you, butyouare my priority, Connor. Always. The fact that you left me here, where I couldn’t protect you, so I could babysit a woman who doesn’t need me? That’s a waste of resources.”

“She’d been fuckingdrugged, Miller.”

“Yes, by a stranger. Not a stalker or an ex-boyfriend. Not by someone she knows. It was a random thing that happened in a bar, and while upsetting and absolutelynot fucking okay, it was a one-off. I’ve kept tabs on the idiot who did it. He’s not even from here. He’s from Vegas, for Christ’s sake. He’s no threat to her. But there is always a threat toyou.”

“I don’t want anyone else protecting her,” I mutter and rub my hand over my face. “If I’m in town, it’s fine.”

“You sound ridiculous.” I’mthis closeto firing his arse. “One, there’s no threat. Two, you don’t live with her. It’s not like you’re with her all the time to save her from thenonthreat.”

“I’m getting really bloody tired of this speaking freely shite, Miller.”

“I won’t stay here again to babysit and stalk your girlfriend or whatever the fuck she is while you travelwithout protectionall over the goddamn world. That’s not what I was hired to do. So if you want me to hire someone for her, I will. Otherwise, I’m done.”

“Are you threatening me?”

“I’m telling you how it is. Your safety is paramount. You put yourself at risk this week, and I don’t work that way. Sir.”

I grind my molars together. Was I being irresponsible and rash? Maybe, but dammit, she’d just been violated, and I didn’t want to leave her. Miller, begrudgingly, is not wrong. Had I known I’d be gone as long as I was, I would have taken him with me and hired someone to watch my girl. However, Miller is the best there is, so I know I need to acknowledge his point here.

Seems I’m smoothing out all kinds of feathers this week.

“We’ll hire someone to be on standby. If we have to leave town, I want someone watching her. Not fuckingstalkingher but making sure she’s safe.”

When Miller pulls up in front of the shop, I climb out of the car and stride inside.

I’m still wearing the suit I wore yesterday, but I took the coat and tie off when I boarded the plane. I’m fucking tired as hell, but I need to get my eyes on my angel and make sure she’s okay.

And there she is.

She doesn’t see me, so I hold back and take her in. It feels like I’m breathing for the first time in five days.

Her dark hair is down, hanging in loose curls. She’s wearing high-waisted camel-colored slacks with a sleeveless green blouse tucked into them. Her makeup is flawless and understated.

She’s barefoot. She kicked off her black heels, cast them aside a few feet away from her, and she’s stocking shelves.

Billie Blackwell is more beautiful than anything I’ve ever seen. Just being this close to her makes every nerve inmy body sit up and take notice, and my dick has joined the party. I want to cup that gorgeous face and kiss the breath out of her.

She glances up and sees me, pauses, and swallows hard before returning to setting books on the shelf.

“You look amazing,” I say as I approach her.

“Better than the last time you saw me,” she replies, trying to make a joke.

---