Page 25 of The Bombshell and the Bodyguard
It was the first bedroom I’d seen. He’d shown me a workout room, an office, a powder room, in addition to the amazing kitchen and living room area.
A baby grand piano situated by the floor-to-ceiling window wall overlooking the ocean had caught my eye in that room. But I hadn’t noticed any guest rooms or children’s rooms, and this seemed to be the end of the grand tour.
“This isn’t the only bedroom, is it?” I asked.
Wilder shrugged. “Only one person ever sleeps here, so it hasn’t been necessary to have others.”
“Wait a minute…”
I looked around at the classic, masculine bedroom, the huge,man-sizedking bed. “Is this…yourhouse?”
He shrugged.
“It is, isn’t it? You own an island?”
Shrugging again, he looked down and shifted his weight. “Just a small one. The U.S. Dollar goes a long way here. I told you I was into privacy.”
“So then this is your room— and that’s your bed. I’m not taking your bed.”
I picked up my bag and headed for the door. Wilder took it from me and planted it on the floor again.
“Yes you are. I insist. You’re a guest, and it has an attached bathroom, so you’ll have everything you need in the suite. It just makes sense.”
“But then where will you sleep?”
“The office next door has a couch.”
“That couch is way too short for you to stretch out on.” I frowned. “I’ll take the couch.”
“Absolutely not. I’ll be fine. It pulls out into a sleeper. Anyway, it’s no big deal. Believe me, as a SEAL, you learn to sleep anywhere anytime, no matter how uncomfortable. Besides, we’re not going to be here that long.”
Right.Once again I was reminded that this was not a lovely tropical vacation but an obligation for Wilder—a chore. At best he saw me as Hap’s little sister. At worst, I was just another client to him, and I couldn’t let myself forget it.
Don’t fall for him again. You’re not a stupid little girl anymore.
My joy over exploring the beautiful house dimmed. “Well I hope not. How will you keep in touch with the mainland? You know, to find out when they catch the stalker and we can go home?”
Wilder pulled a phone-like device from his bag. “This is a global satphone. I’ll check in daily with Gray at Veridian. He’ll keep me informed.”
“Could the stalker trace that thing and find me here?”
“Not unless he’s top-level U.S. military—and has a hell of a travel agent. Don’t worry. You’re completely safe here. I want you to relax and try to enjoy yourself. Look at it as some well-deserved R and R after your tour.”
Chapter Nine
Keyed Up
Wilder
I wouldnotbe resting or relaxing. I couldn’t afford to let my guard down for a single second.
Not because of the stalker. What I’d said to Jessica was true—this was the safest place on earth for her.
No, I had to stay vigilant against adifferentkind of danger.
If I let my self-control slip at all, I was liable to do or say something I couldn’t take back, and I’d lose Hap’s friendship forever—not to mention what Jessica would think of me.
I was famous for my professionalism. So why was it so hard to maintain around her?
