Page 4 of My Bodyguard Neighbor
Holly stepped into the hallway, the letter clutched in her hand.The elevator was dark and silent.The stairwell door hadn't closed.She would have heard the heavy fire door slam.Whoever had delivered this had either left fast and quiet or was still in the building.Maybe watching her from the peephole behind one of the other apartment doors.
She backed into her apartment and locked the deadbolt, then engaged the chain for good measure.Her hands were shaking now, adrenaline finally catching up with shock.Holly sank against the door, staring at the letter crumpled in her hand.
This was one reason why she'd cut ties with her father three years ago.His enemies had a way of becoming everyone else's problem, and she'd refused to spend her life looking over her shoulder.
So much for that plan.
Holly forced herself to breathe, to think rationally.It could be nothing.Some crackpot who'd read about Judge Reese in the papers decided to harass his family.It happened sometimes.Usually, it amounted to nothing more than empty threats from keyboard warriors with too much time on their hands.
But this felt different.The fact that they knew where she lived, that they could get close enough to slide it under her door without her hearing them approach made her feel more threatened than she liked.Picking up her phone, she was going to call the police.File a report.But what would she tell them?That someone left her a note?They'd tell her the same thing she was already telling herself.It would probably amount to nothing, keep an eye out, and call if it anything escalates.She'd seen enough of her father's world to know that law enforcement couldn't do much about vague threats.
A knock at her door made her jump and she cursed.
She crept to the peephole and an unexpected flood of relief when she saw Jonah standing in the hallway, holding two steaming cups of coffee.She was wearing an oversized sleep shirt that barely covered her thighs.And with her paint-stained hands, and hair that probably looked like she'd been electrocuted, she was a sight to behold.But right now, seeing him at her door made her feel safer than she'd felt since finding that envelope.
She cracked the door open, keeping the chain engaged."Let me guess.You ran out of cream this time?"
He held up one of the coffee cups."Peace offering.I felt bad about leaving you to clean up the sugar mess last night."
Holly hesitated.She should probably mention the threatening letter, but she held back.Years of being Judge Reese's daughter had taught her to be careful about who she trusted with family business.And the chemistry crackling between them didn't change the fact that Jonah was still essentially a stranger.
"I should probably get dressed first," she said, though she made no move to close the door.
Jonah's gaze dropped briefly to her bare legs before snapping back to her face."Probably," he agreed.
Holly leaned closer to the door frame.Every rational thought screamed at her to step back.There was something magnetic about him.It made her want to throw caution to the wind and see what happened.
"Give me five minutes," she said.
"I'll be here."
Holly closed the door and leaned against it.What was wrong with her?She'd known the man for less than twenty-four hours, and she was already inviting him into her morning routine like they were...what?Dating?Friends with benefits?
She didn't do casual hookups with neighbors.Hell, she didn't do casual hookups, period.Her last relationship had ended eight months ago when she'd caught her ex going through her phone, looking for proof that she really wasn’t in contact with her father.Apparently dating a federal judge's daughter came with perks some people were willing to exploit.
Holly threw on jeans and a fitted t-shirt, ran a brush through her hair, and stuffed the threatening letter into her back pocket before opening the door again.Jonah was leaning against the opposite wall, looking perfectly at ease.
"Better?"she asked, accepting the coffee he offered.
He did a slow sweep of her body that left her feeling scorched."Debatable."
Holly nearly choked on her first sip of coffee."Smooth talker, aren't you?"
"Not usually."The admission surprised them both, and Jonah became more guarded."You bring out the worst in me, apparently."
"Is that what this is?Your worst?"
"Trust me, you don't want to see my worst."
He’s flirty tone sent shivers down her spine—recognition that she was playing with fire.Holly made a decision. She had to tell someone about the letter. “Come on in. I want to show you something.”
“Oh really?”
She pulled out the letter from her back pocket and handed it to him."Someone slipped this under my door this morning."
He read it, scowling.
"You didn’t see anyone in the hallway this morning did you?”she asked.
