Page 31 of Not the Bodyguard's Baby
September took his hand. After they put the baby down, Adam walked September to her room. He cupped her hands in his. “When you wake up in the morning, I’ll be gone. Deidre’s team picked up Sven at O’Hare and followed him to his hotel. I need to get back to my apartment to start our game of cat and mouse. I’ll be back Sunday afternoon for family dinner.” When he didn’t make a move toward her, September went up on tiptoe and pressed a kiss to his lips. Pulling her closer, he kissed her back. She slipped her hands out of his and wrapped them around his neck to hold herself firmly in place.
When she ended the kiss, he rested his forehead on hers. “I’ll miss you.” He stepped back and opened the door to her room.
September smiled to cover the ache in her heart. “Good night, Adam.” She slipped inside the room and closed the door.
Sleep did not come as easily as it had in the family room with Adam. Whenever she closed her eyes, Sven’s face loomed in the shadows. Try as she might, her mind insisted on replaying some of the worst moments of her life. She hugged her pillow, hoping the position would bring back memories of waking in
Adam’s arms.
After counting backward from twenty several times, September gave up and pulled out her journal.
I’m scared. What will Sven do? Who will he hurt? And it will all be my fault. I wanted to be held. I didn’t realize what he was, or I didn’t want to. Adam wants to work on our relationship. It is so complicated. That sounds cliché, but it is so true. I can’t believe I fell asleep in Adam’s arms tonight. Everything I’ve been searching for is there. He feels like home. I wish I had realized before that I wasn’t going to find a sense of peace and security in just any bodyguard’s arms. I wouldn’t—Dr. Brooks says I shouldn’t think like that. Adam thinks we have a second chance. I want it, but I need to be careful. I don’t think this a mistake, but it is hard not to see things that way. Yet when I see Adam hold Harmony and cuddle her, I can’t help but wish she was his from the very start.
* * *
The journal lay open on the floor, an ink scribble across the page. September squinted to read the clock. Not quite six. She checked the video monitor to find Harmony still asleep. Hoping Adam hadn’t left yet, she dressed in an old pair of jeans, satisfied they mostly fit, and a nursing top. She took the monitor with her as she left the room.
Jethro and Melanie were in the kitchen eating oatmeal. “Morning, is Adam still here?”
“I think he left shortly after I brought Harmony down in the middle of the night,” said Melanie.
“Oh.” September grabbed a cup and poured a glass of milk. Until a few months ago she hadn’t been much of a milk drinker despite the milk mustache ads she’d posed for a few years ago.
Melanie stood. “Sit down, and I’ll get you some oatmeal. Hopefully, you can finish before—”
Sounds of Harmony filled the room.
Jethro pushed back from the table. “My turn.”
“Are you sure?” September turned to leave.
“Hey, I’m almost a grandpa, and I need to practice. Abbie’s triplets will be here before we blink twice.”
September sat down and ate. She and Melanie eavesdropped through the monitor as Jethro changed Harmony and sang off tune.
Melanie turned down the volume. “He never could carry a tune, but he loves to sing. My poor grandchildren.”
“I think he is ready to be a grandpa.” September finished the oatmeal. “Thanks, it has been forever since I had it with maple syrup. I asked room service for maple syrup once, and they brought me the fake stuff. I’ve stayed with brown sugar ever since.”
Jethro brought Harmony into the kitchen. “I don’t think she likes my singing much. You spoiled her.”
“I haven’t sung much to her.” September had sung little in the last few months. Her manager would be furious to learn she hadn’t practiced in so long. She wasn’t sure when she’d stopped singing. Until today, she hadn’t even missed it.
Harmony let out a squawk, which translated to “Feed me now, or I’ll start crying loud.”
September took Harmony. “I’ll go feed her, and you can get to work.”
Jethro sat back down at the table. “It’s Saturday and a three-day weekend. I get to stay here until Tuesday.”
“I hope you are not staying on account of me.”
“I already had the weekend off, which makes it very convenient to hang around here.”
“And Adam?”
“He gets office duty this weekend. We decided we wanted to make him easy for Sven to find, which makes you harder to find.”
Harmony fussed louder.
