Chapter 3 - The bandits

what if they're back to finish the job?!

stay down and be quiet!

something sla.s against the ground outside of the cabin. startled, I jump and wrap my arms around Warren's waist

what if they- -

Realising that I was now hugging him, I quickly pulled away

Warren! I-I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to -

shh, shhh. it's okay

His hand reaches out and gently takes hold of mine, giving it a reassuring squeeze

Stay here and don't move. if I'm not back in ten minutes, call the police

He lets go of my hand before I can even protest and silently slips out the front door

Warren's capable, but....what if he doesn't come back?

I pull out my cell phone. I dial the number and hover a thumb over the call button

How long has he been gone now? Seconds, minutes, hours? should I call the police? It's too early

Just as I'm about to put my phone away, the door swings open, causing me to scream

AH!

A hand clamps over my mouth

Kiara! it's me! calm down!

My heart is hammering in my chest, but I feel my body relax at the sound of his voice. he carefully pulls his hand away from my mouth

Warren! Did you get them? Are they tied up?

A smile plays on his lips, and I can't for the life of me figure out why

Shouldn't he be more jittery than this?

why don't you come take a look for yourself?

is that wise? what if they try to attack me?

Trust me, I can handle these guys

I peek my head out the door and look around

I don't understand......where are they,

he points at two upturned trash bins by the side of the cabin. A raccoon pops its head out of one of the bins while another two peers out at us from behind the other. My mouth pops open in shock

Raccoons? it was just raccoons?

he chuckles

Don't let your guard down too much. Those things can get vicious

Now you're just making fun of me

That doesn't sound like something I'd do

I scoff and pull the door closed with more force than necessary

You have quite the temper for someone so tiny

I do not!

sorry, did the wind just slam the door shut?

You were just as scared as I was!

I don't get scared, Kiara

Everyone gets scared

He walks towards the couch, and I see him put a gun into its holster

you have a gun?

I'm your bodyguard. how else am I supposed to protect you?

but why would you need one here? Nobody knows about this place, right?

Well, I'd rather be safe than sorry

When he sees I'm still not convinced, he raises my chin with his fingers

I know what I'm doing, Kiara. Do I look like a man who doesn't know how to use my weapon

Warren is dangerously close! I smile at him confidently

Mr. Garcia.....I don't doubt for a second that you're capable of using your weapon

There's a flicker of surprise in his eyes, but it's gone just as quickly

Do you want to make my job harder for me, Mrs. Nelson? All I'm trying to do is to keep you safe. But you.....

Almost unconsciously, he starts to lean in

You seem to think this is all a game

I understand perfectly how serious this situation is. I don't play games

Don't you? Because I swear you're trying to drive me crazy here

My mouth parts lightly, his lips now only an inch away... I feel my heart in my chest beating like a marching band

Well, correct me if I'm wrong...But you're the one who keeps moving closer to me the longer we talk. if I'm driving you crazy, I'm pretty sure it's your fault.

As soon as Warren realises he's still holding my chin, he lets it go and takes a step back. he avoids my eyes when he speaks to me

forgive me, Mrs. Nelson

Kiara

...Kiara

Do I make him this flustered? Then again.....I can't deny the effect he has on me, either......After a moment, he looks at me again

His glare is intense, and I swallow the lump in my throat.

I'll go deal with the raccoons

My phone vibrates in my pocket, and I quickly pull it out

it's a message from Hannah!

WHAT IS GOING ON?! you're all over the news! something about a shooting?! Are you okay?

Physically, yes. But it's been a stressful few days

why haven't you told me anything?

I would've, but nobody's telling me anything, either :/

Jesus. Are you home? can I come over

Actually.......Eli sent me to some secret location with a Bodyguard. some ex- SEAL, apparently

whoa! I'm jealous

what? why would you be jealous?!

He's hot, right? All SEALS are hot. There are so many crazy fantasies running through my mind right now :D

what the hell are you talking about?

Don't you see? This is your chance! You haven't had sex in YEARS, girl! Get on that! Bow chicka wow wow!

There's one problem with your idea...I'm married!

LOL, you and I both know what a "great" marriage you have, Kiara. Your husband cheats on you every time you blink

which is why I'm leaving him as soon as his campaign is over

see? So why don't you stop worrying about that asshole and focus on someone else?

It's not that simple

why? Does sex with him entail a marriage proposal?

No?

then stop making up excuses. if you're into him, just go for it!

I guess you have a point

Damn right I do

But it's still impossible. he's too professional and would never cross that line to begin with

No man can resist a body like yours. you have curves that are to die for! I think you should show him exactly what he's missing. Did you pack any sexy lingerie? Any lace bras or panties?

Well......

That's my girl;) Wear something like that in front of him, and he'll be putty in your hands!

You're such a bad influence on me

You love me

I do

I've gotta get ready for a meeting, but let me know how it goes! And how good his pythons are :D

Hannah!!!

Well, she's right about one thing. I do deserve better than what my so-called husband has been giving me

I think back to the way Warren watches me after I get out of the shower. The images of what could've happened start shooting through my head. if he'd just walked over to me and ripped the towel off my body.....if he'd just pushed me back against the wall and brought his hands up to my - -

No, no, no! Jesus, where did those thoughts come from? Damn it, Hannah

I walk into the bedroom and close the door behind me. At the base of the bed is Warren lying on his sleeping mat

So, you're still sleeping in the same room with me?

That was the agreement

Right

Hannah's words rub through my mind again, and I can't help but feel like maybe she's right

But can I seduce him? Will he even go for it?

I sense his eyes on me as I saunter over the bed

is it hot in here

No?

Well, I feel hot

okay

I can't sleep like this

I gesture down to the outfit I'm wearing. he gives me a confused look

Then, just change into something else?

that's a good idea. do you maybe have a shirt I can borrow?

he sits up and regards me suspiciously

Don't you have your clothes?

They're all very tight

I'm sure you can find a solution to that

Here goes nothing

I look away from him and pull my top over my head, slowly and teasingly, revealing the black lace bra I'd changed into earlier. My bottoms are the next to go, putting my satin thong on display. I stretch and give him the front-row view

Ahm, much better. But it still feels kind of hot, don't you think?

I hear his sharp intake of breath. I glance back at him, but his eyes are focused on the ground

Can you help me unclasp my bra, please? it seems to be stuck

Warren ignores me, but the red blush creeping up his cheeks tells me he heard me loud and clear. I let my bra fall onto the floor, and my panties joined them very soon. Warren's eyes remain glued to the wall, but he pulls the covers up over his shoulders and turns his back to me. His breathing is far from calm. I fall asleep smiling

The next morning, my mind is made up. operation seduce Warren is underway

Teasing is run, but I need to take it up a notch. I need to pick an outfit that's going to help me.....one without a bra

Perfect. It's time to put my plan into motion

When Warren comes into the kitchen, I'm almost finished making our breakfast

Good morning, Warren! I've got eggs and pancakes ready to go, but the bacon isn't done yet. There are also some bananas if you prefer your breakfast light. Have a seat

He eyes me suspiciously

What's all this for?

oh, this? I just wanted to do something nice for you since you've been such an amazing bodyguard

Have I?

I lean over to hand him a plate, and his eyes dip from my face to my chest. He immediately looks away. I frown

Okay, not the reaction. I was hoping for

Do you want anything to drink?

No, thank you

Are you sure?

Yes, Mrs. Nelson

Why is he being so polite and formal all of a sudden?

okay...

he walks over to the table and sits down. I turn off the stove and join him

Did you sleep well?

I slept fine, thank you

Even on that horrible mat?

He nods and takes a bite of a pancake

Warren has amazing self-control. I should suggest he sleep with me

You know...

I place my hand on his arm

I'm sure you would've slept a lot better in the bed with me or maybe not at all

He gently takes my hand off his arm and resumes eating

What's going on? He's not reacting to anything I do

The rest of the breakfast is uncomfortably quiet, though not for my lack of trying. Whatever I attempt to start a conversation, he politely ends it with his one-word answers. When he starts to watch the dishes, I make a last-ditch effort when the bulge of his gum catches my eye

Oh, wow. is that a gun in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?

I quickly snatch the gun and jump out of his reach when he spins around to grab me. His body is rigid as he regards me angrily

That's a shame. I guess it was only a gun

Warren lunges at me before I have a chance to react. He slams me against the wall and pins my arms above my head

Drop it

What - -

Drop the gun. Right now, Kiara

I do as he asks, and the gun clatters to the girl. I do as he asks, and the gun clatters to the floor

Don't ever touch my weapon again

His breathing is heavy, and I can barely move with the way he's holding me

He's so close....so close I could kiss him

I unconsciously bite my lip, and his eyes flicker down to follow the movement. The tension between us intensifies as the hunger in his eyes nearly burns my skin. He leans forward.... but then he stops himself. His mouth is hovering just an inch away from mine. I see the look of indecision in his eyes, feel his breath mingling with mine

He's not going to make the first move... but it's obvious he wants me to. Should I kiss Warren? Now would be the perfect chance...

I don't kiss him. instead, I gently push him away and look downward

I can't make the first move. He'll have to do it

But he doesn't

This can't happen

He gestures between the two of us

I know you feel it, too

it doesn't matter what I feel. You're not only married, but you're also my client

My marriage is a sham. You know that as well as I do

Regardless. if we were to ever blur the lines between us, it could put you in danger. I can't lose focus like that, especially when your life is on the line

I trust you to keep me safe, though. I know you won't let anything happen to me

He sighs and runs a hand through his hair

I need some air

I watch as he turns and. walks out the front door, slamming it shut behind him

Do I feel guilty about this? No! After so many miserable years of doing whatever was expected of me, I refuse to feel guilty about this. I deserve better, and right now, Warren's it. I just wish he would see it that way, too

I decided to try and clear my head by watching some television. As I'm flipping through the channels, I see news that makes my blood run cold. Underneath the picture of me that's plastered across the screen, the words "MISSING PERSON" are flashing before my eyes

Missing person?