Page 69 of Billionaire's Promise
Meanwhile, Archer walks out of the house, reappears at the doorway, with a couple of bags of groceries.
"You bought me groceries?"
"Not me," He stabs his thumb in the direction of the SUV. "The big guy did."
"Oh."
Archer disappears inside the house. I pop my head around the doorway once again, take in the SUV with the tinted windows. Damn it, what are you up to, Baron? Why are you doing this?"
I turn around, head to the kitchen, and find it spotless, a newer, better table and newer, better crockery, which Archer puts away for me. He also unloads the bags of groceries, putting perishable items in the fridge. It's surreal.
When he is finished, Archer turns to me. "Thank you for letting us into your home," he murmurs. "Sorry that we intruded."
"Oh, no." I shake my head in disbelief. "Thank you for, uh, cleaning up the mess."
"You're welcome." He shifts his weight between his feet. "There's one more thing," he mutters.
"Oh?"
"Baron asked me to take over as your security detail."
"Security detail?" I frown. "I don’t need security."
"The last attack on you would suggest otherwise, Miss Erikson."
I stiffen. "You know about that?"
"Of course, I got a complete debriefing from him."
"Right." I bite the inside of my cheek. "So, if you’re taking over, then does that mean that Baron—?"
I rush away from him to the window and peer out to find the SUV is gone. In its place is a car I don’t recognize. A hot sensation stabs at my chest. He’s gone. He left me. He actually did it. So, hedidmean everything he said? He really doesn’t want me anymore?
"Miss Erikson?"
I turn to find Archer hovering in the doorway. "Please call me Ava, I insist."
"Ava," he smiles, "will you be leaving for work at the usual time?"
"Work?" I should go in. I need to keep the classes going. Now, more than ever, it is important to keep my routine going. I am not going to disrupt my life again for another man. Besides, I can’t let my students down. And today is Friday, which means that I have four classes today. I nod. "I do have to head in, but not for a few hours yet."
He turns to leave and I stop him. "Archer," I call out, "how do you know Baron?"
He hesitates then turns to me. "We served in the army together. When I got out, I decided to work with him." He glances at the door, then back at me.
"I must be going now," he murmurs. "I'll wait for you outside."
He heads out and I lock the door behind him, head to the kitchen, and put on the kettle. While I am waiting for it to boil, I walk toward the fridge and check out what he brought—fresh vegetables, cheese, milk. On the counter, I find apples, bananas, bread. Everything is marked as being ethically-sourced and organic. There's even a box of cereal—the one I like—and a few bars of chocolate, my favorite brand.
Wow, he'd certainly put a lot of thought into this. How does he know what brand of cereal I like to eat, or what my favorite brand of chocolate is? Had he simply guessed it or had he seen evidence of it in my kitchen already, and known what to buy?
When the kettle boils, I pour the hot water onto a tea bag in a mug, then carry it over to the dining table. My brand-new dining table. I grab the carton of milk from the fridge, pour a little into my tea.
Why is he being this attentive? And after he'd insulted me, then walked out on me. He may claim he doesn’t want me, but he does care for me. Of course, he does. So why had he behaved so horribly toward me? It’s almost like he wants me to hate him. Is that what this is? Does he want me to think that he doesn’t want anything to do with me, so I’ll stay away from him?
I head inside my bedroom, grab the phone from where it’s been plugged into the socket… Something I don’t remember doing. So, it must have been Baron who did it. Hmmm. I sink down on the bed. Why would he anticipate my needs one minute, and the next, turn around and tell me he’s already forgotten about me? Gah! It makes no sense.
Later that evening, I sink into a comfortable chair in Summer and Sinclair’s townhouse.
