Bodyguard Pursuit (8 page)

“Wait up. I wasn’t asking for all the trappings, but stating a fact. I simply wanted you to know how much I’ve loved spending this time with you. And you care for others as much as I do. Putting your life on the line counts, and far more than anything I’ve ever done does.”

“As long as we understand each other.” He hauled the neckline of her white dress up, gripped the trailing ties and made a bow around her neck. Smoothly, he eased her hemline down and brushed the sand from her arms and legs.

“I understand.” No meant no, and he’d stated his preference loud and clear. “Thank you for the past day. It was incredibly special.”

“For me too.” He zipped his pants, straightened his shirt collar then pulled her to her feet. “Let’s get back to the ship. You have a trip scheduled to the mainland today.”

“And you’re going fishing.” She walked beside him along the shoreline. The frothy tipped waves rolled in and lapped her feet. The water both soothed and stung the odd scratch on her feet from her mad dash last night.

“Yeah, after I move my things into Brigs’s cabin. I’ll bunk down with him for the remainder of the trip.” His blue shirttails flapped free in the fresh sea breeze. “You’ll continue on with your life, and I’ll do the same with mine.”

“Ben, you’ve made your point loud and clear.” Heart heavy, she trekked out of the surf toward the tree line where the resort lay not far beyond. Right now, she didn’t care to hear how he wanted to distance himself from her. “I wanted to make an appointment with the doctor yesterday but got sidetracked. I should do that now. Could you let Lydia know I’m okay and I’ll get back to the ship as soon as I can?”

“I’m not leaving you alone in the middle of the jungle.” He lugged his cell phone from his pocket and made a call. “Tyler, it’s Ben. We’re on our way back, or we will be after a quick detour to the resort.” His gruff voice rumbled over her from close behind as she walked. “What time’s the flight?” A pause. “I’ll have her back by then. Talk to you again soon.”

Continuing on, she weaved through the trees.

“Tyler said the chopper leaves at nine sharp, and you and your sister have to check in every two hours.” He passed her then lifted a low branch blocking her way.

“Thanks for calling him.” She ducked underneath.

“Why the rush to see the doctor?”

“I need to get the hormone injection—ouch.” She grabbed her foot. She’d stood right on top of a spiky twig poking through the bracken.

“Here, I’ll carry you. I don’t know how you ran through here last night and didn’t get hurt.” He tossed her over his shoulder and her belly thumped into his rock hard shoulder.

“Ben,” she growled. “I’m sure there’s a better way to carry me than this.”

“Not when I need one hand free to move the branches.” He patted her backside. “Or to ensure you don’t slip out of my hold. You have the sweetest looking bottom by the way.”

“Yours is pretty hot too.” With a hand on each of his cheeks, she stroked his tight butt in slow circles. “More than hot.”

“Stop it.”

“You started it.”

“I’m not in the right state of mind. You’re without panties, and I haven’t forgotten. Let’s talk about something else.” He kept one hand firm around the back of her knees as he walked. “After the wedding, what do you intend to do?”

“That would be sailing back to Auckland. Are you catching a flight or coming with us?”

“Catching a flight. Work calls. What about after you return home?”

“Do you mean where am I going to live?”

“Exactly.”

“I’ve got a bit saved so I’ll find somewhere to rent, and look at you getting all worried about me. You need to snap out of that.” She gripped his back and eased herself up enough to loop her arms around his neck. The move made him lose his firefighter’s hold, and she slid down his chest and into his arms. “That’s better. A girl can get dizzy swinging around like that. Your penthouse apartment is right above your offices, isn’t it?” He’d mentioned it a couple of times.

“Yeah.”

“Your place must have a ton of space. Care for a roomie?”

“I live alone. Always have and always will.”

“Mmm, yet you’ve been living with me for a year.”

“There are times when I go where the jobs are, as in your case. We’re here.” He stepped out of the jungle and into the meadow. Sunshine bathed the tranquil spot. Gently, he set her on her feet.

“Thanks for the ride.” She reached onto her toes and kissed his cheek. “And I mean every single one of them.”

“Quit the sexy talk.” He grabbed her hand and tugged her along the coral sandstone path toward the main four-story building. Others strolled along the nearby trails weaving in and around the thatch-roofed bures.

Inside the main building on the lower floor, the glass fronted pharmacy where she needed to make her appointment held a sign saying it opened at nine. She wandered to the clinic next door, tested the knob and found the door locked.

Ben tapped his thigh. “It opens right when you need to be winging your way to the mainland.”

“Making an appointment will have to wait then. I’m not in a huge rush anyway, not since sex with you is off the cards.” The delicious scents of cooked meats and tropical fruits floated to her on the breeze and distracted her. Her belly rumbled and she rubbed it. “Mmm, I might eat here rather than on the ship.”

The open-air restaurant held a large servery in the center, while along the perimeter chefs attended four individual cooking stations.

“It’s busy, Saria. Can you handle that kind of a crowd?”

“Hospitals hold crowds, and I need to get used to being around lots of people.” She ran her fingers through her hair, tidying it as best as she could. Her dress wasn’t too wrinkled, and Ben looked as gorgeous as ever, no matter how he was dressed. “Want to join me?”

“I’m not letting you eat alone.” He set a hand at her lower back and guided her toward the short line of people waiting to be seated.

Two children bounced eagerly on their toes and tried to peer past their mother while their father stood next to them, a baby strapped in a capsule across his back. They were seated, and then the Polynesian woman wearing a yellow ankle-length island floral dress as all the waitresses did returned and welcomed them.

Ben’s voice was firm as he asked for a table in the far corner where it appeared quietest. He gave his name and their ship’s dock number for the bill as they took their seat.

Saria clutched her hands in her lap. This was far more crowded than the bridged walkway where she’d gotten jittery, but she wasn’t boxed in here. She breathed slowly, rolled her shoulders and found her inner peace.

“We can take our time.” Ben edged his chair closer to hers then tipped her chin up so she couldn’t look anywhere but at him. His smile lit his blue eyes. “We’ll go whenever you’re ready and not before. Tell me what your favorite breakfast food is.”

A wave of warmth crashed through her. He knew just how to divert her mind. She loved it when he fired questions at her. “Cheesy omelets. What’s yours?”

“I’m extremely partial to your bacon and eggs. I love the way you fry the bacon until it’s perfectly crispy.” He tucked a loose lock of her hair behind her ear. “My favorite dinner would be your spaghetti and meatballs.”

“You always have so much fun eating that dish. I loved watching you wind the spaghetti on your fork and then try to get it into your mouth without dropping any. Almost every time you took a bite, you’d get sauce right here.” She tapped his chin. “I always wanted to lick it off. I never said, but I did, so bad.”

He groaned and fidgeted in his chair. “You’re making me hard.”

“I like—”

“Good morning, Saria.”

“Oh, Dr. Hika. I didn’t see you there.”

In casual tan pants and a crisp white button-down shirt, he leaned a hand on the back of her chair. “I booked a seat this morning on the chopper and discovered I’m heading out with you and your sister shortly.”

“That’s fantastic. You’ll get to meet Lydia.” She motioned toward Ben. “This is Ben Hammers, my bodyguard extraordinaire.”

“Nice to meet you, Ben. Saria mentioned you yesterday.” He shook Ben’s hand.

“It’s nice to meet you too.” Ben stretched, settled his arm across the back of her chair and curled his fingers around her nape. “I appreciate what you did for Saria, patching up her ankle.”

“You’re welcome, although it was all in the line of duty.” He dipped his head toward her. “I’ll let you two enjoy your breakfast. See you at nine.”

“Yes, see you then.” She patted Ben’s upper leg. “I’m ready to eat if you are.”

“I’m starving.” He stood and offered her his hand. “Let’s head to the chef preparing omelets first. One favorite breakfast coming up.”

They weaved around the tables of chattering holidaymakers. At the cooking station, Ben planted her in front of him as he placed his order, his body a solid wall of warmth at her back. She loved how he made her feel so protected. She’d miss this, his continual presence. Unable to stop herself, she leaned back against him, relishing the moment.

“What would you like?” His breath tickled her cheek.

“A two-egg omelet with diced capsicum, tomato, and lots of cheese.”

“Got it.” He placed her order, and while their food was being prepared, led her to the central servery. With a plate in hand, he nodded toward the fresh fruit. “Stack it up, and add a handful of those nuts and raisins for extra energy.”

“Good idea. I’ll need a ton of that to keep up with Lydia. With the freedom she’s about to experience, she’ll be hard to pin down.”

“You’ll be careful, right? Follow all the regular safety rules.” He tweaked her chin then frowned and slowly dropped his hand away. “Sorry, gotta stop touching you. Safety comes first, all right?”

“I won’t forget, and we’ll take good care of each other, as we always have.” Whenever Ben had taken them shopping, for clothing or other personal necessities, he’d ushered them around in their disguises and made certain they were aware of any possible dangers. Even those times when she’d had to fulfill her practical hospital rotations, Ben had drilled into her what she had to watch out for. Most of those assignments though had been set within a secured ward, and he’d remained close by. She wouldn’t have the safety blanket of having him on hand today, but everything he’d taught her was deeply ingrained and she’d never forget. “You have nothing to worry about.”

“I’ll worry nonetheless. It comes with the job.”

She selected slices of pineapple, watermelon, and pawpaw for them both. With all he’d asked for plated up, she chose two glasses of freshly squeezed orange juice. “Lead the way to the table.”

“Stay right behind me, one step, no more.” Ben weaved ahead around the edge of the area and she followed through the throng. He hadn’t needed to say such a thing. Old habits obviously died hard, for both of them.

At their table, she sat and popped a cube of sweet pineapple in her mouth. “Mmm, this is delicious.”

“I’ll go and grab our hot food. No moving from this area.” He strode away to collect their order.

“Excuse me. Would you like a hot drink? Tea or coffee?” A dark-haired waitress held a teapot in one hand and a coffee pot in the other, her smile wide and welcoming.

“Two coffees please.” No sudden jumping that time. She’d be able to tell Henry he could stop whistling when he drew near.

The woman poured steaming coffee into the two white cups sitting in the center of the table next to a dainty milk jug and sugar pot. After dipping her head, the waitress strolled on toward the next table.

“I watched. You did great.” Ben set her plate in front of her, sat and picked up his knife and fork.

“I feel like a regular person. No more antagonizing fears for me.” She ate and enjoyed every delicious mouthful of her omelet while he consumed his own. Finished, she added milk and sugar to their coffees and nudged Ben’s cup toward him. “What will you tell Brigs and Tyler?”

“About…” He sipped his drink. “Ah, do you mean what I told you last night?”

“Yes. They’d both understand, and neither would pass judgment on you.” They were best mates. He needed to open up to them, share some of his feelings.

“I’ll think about it. Guys aren’t the same as girls. We don’t need to discuss every little thing. We have boundaries we don’t cross.”

“That’s silly. Boundaries are meant to be crossed, and discussion is good for the soul. Where are your parents these days?” The subject would be a touchy one, but unless she kept pushing him to talk, he’d never open up on his own. She squeezed his hand. “Tell me.”

“The man who fathered me passed away while serving time for the double rape. I never met him, just received the notification through the system he’d died of a heart attack. Mary Hammers lives in England. Three months after I was born, she left the country and never returned.”

The pain of his mother’s abandonment had to have hurt, no matter the reason. She cupped his cheek. “You were an innocent child, and if I have to tell you that a million times, I will.”

“And you deserve the very best. One day you’ll find the right man.” He gulped his coffee down and scraped his chair back. “Come on. Time’s marching on. You can’t miss your flight.”

Their conversation wasn’t finished, but she did need to leave.

* * * *

In her room, she changed into a long, cap-sleeved cream dress with a lacy yellow waist panel while he dressed in black chinos and a dark blue cotton t-shirt.

She snuck into the bathroom, combed her hair and brushed her teeth as Ben edged in behind her, collected his toiletries from the vanity drawer then returned to the bedroom. She trailed him, then propped one hip against the bathroom doorjamb. She’d hate not being able to see him first thing in the morning like this after sleeping beside him for two long months. Even now, every inch of her ached to go to him. “I’ll miss you.”

“I’ll only be down the passageway.” With a determined hand, he shoved the rest of his belongings into his duffel and slung it over his shoulder. Gaze on hers, he drummed his fingers on his leg. “Do you have your cell phone?”

“Yes, but it’ll be flat by now.” It still sat on the coffee table in front of the couch where she’d last left it. She picked it up and popped it onto the charger. “Lydia will have hers.”