Page 30 of The Bombshell and the Bodyguard
Finally I spoke, sounding short of breath, which I absolutely was. “Well, I’ll… do my best to get you back home soon. See you at breakfast.”
Jessica frowned down at the remote in her hand then at the TV screen. “See you in the morning, Wilder.”
As it turned out, I saw her much sooner than that.
* * *
I was having a dream—a good one. I’d joined Jessica in the tranquil waters of the bay where we played a two-person game of sharks and minnows.
Naturally, I was the shark.
I was on the verge of taking a delicious bite when I was snapped awake by the sounds of a struggle followed by gunfire. I sprang off the couch and grabbed my gun, racing down the hall with my heart thundering in my chest.
Kicking open the bedroom door, I charged into the room, holding the weapon in front of me.
Jessica, who’d been sitting up cross-legged on top of the covers, screamed and flailed her arms in a startle reaction. The bowl she’d been holding flew into the air and flipped over, scattering popcorn all over the bedding.
“What is it? What’s going on? Is someone here?”
My eyes scanned the room, moving from her frightened expression to the large TV screen on the wall. I let out a long breath, and my pulse rate began to drop.
Shaking my head, I laughed softly. “You’re... watching another movie.”
She nodded, still tense and scared looking. “I was. Is everything okay?”
I set my gun down on a small table and walked over to her. “Yeah. Everything’s fine. I was sleeping, and I heard battle noises. I was just disoriented there for a minute.”
“Oh. Sorry it was so loud.” She cringed an apologetic smile and looked around her. “Want some popcorn?”
Plucking a fluffy white kernel from the bedspread, I tossed it into my mouth, making her laugh.
“Thanks. So what are you watching?” Before she could answer, I recognized the movie. “Terminator 3? Really?”
Jessica held up a hand. “I don’t even want to hear it. It’s a great movie, and I like it.”
I shook my head in amazement. “I wasn’t going to criticize it. I agree with you. Although of course the original Terminator is the best.”
“Of course,” she said, as if it was ridiculous to think otherwise.
“I didn’t know you liked the Terminator movies.” Harrison FordandArnold.Wow.
“Love them. The concept is so brilliant, and they’re always exciting and funny and romantic. I’ve seen them... oh gosh, too many times to count. What’s your favorite? I mean, besides the original of course.”
“I actually really liked Terminator Salvation, though I know a lot of people didn’t.”
“Ilovedthat one.” She shifted to sit on her knees, bouncing on the bed a little in her enthusiasm. “Sam Worthington and Christian Bale were so good in it.”
She patted the mattress. “Want to join me? I can’t sleep. We could watch that one next—this one’s almost over.”
For a moment, I was insanely tempted. I bit the inside of my cheek hard enough to make myself wince.
How stupid are you dude?
There was no way I could climb into bed with Jessica Bailey to watch movies—or do anything else—especially after that dream.
This wasnota slumber party. It wasn’t a date. It was a work detail.
And she wasn’t an ordinary client. She wasHap’s little sister.
