She tweaked my cheek with her diamond clad fingers and I stood in her living room and wondered what in hell I was doing there. I wanted to kick myself for agreeing to meet her. What was I thinking, I knew this babe was trouble the minute I laid eyes on her.
“You aren’t too bright, are you?” she said. “I like that in a man.” Slowly, she circled me, eying my body, left to right, up and down. She was gorgeous and she knew it. A little old for my taste, but I was there on business, not lust. She reached up and patted the top of my head like I was a tall four-year-old, then ran the tips of her long fingers lightly over my biceps.
She spoke just above a whisper. “Not bad, not bad at all. Tall, muscular—yes, you’ll do just fine. As long as you can protect me, that’s what counts. What does it matter that you’re a little young, or shall we say, a little un-ripened round the edges?” She snapped her apple-green eyes at me and smiled. “So, if you’re interested, the job is yours.”
I felt like saying, screw you, lady—I’d rather guard a cobra. But then, I never could resist trouble. “Mind telling me what’s with all the secrecy?”
“Secrecy?”
“Yeah, secrecy. It’s time to drop the act, lady. For starters, what’s your real name?”
Ignoring my question she strolled over to the mini bar. After what seemed like a full minute, she shot an answer over her shoulder. “Ms. X will do for now.”
I decided to ask one more question before I hit the door. “Okay, Ms. X, maybe you can answer this one. How much are you willing to pay for a bodyguard? Can you afford me?”
She reared her head back in laughter. Her thick, auburn hair glimmered against a green lace pullover that fit snugly across a full-bodied chest. She was not only gorgeous but incredibly sexy.
“I wasn’t trying to be funny,” I said seriously. “Should I rephrase the question?”
“Oh, you are so naïve.” She continued to laugh and when she stopped she stared at me for a long moment, as if she were calculating my worth. The clink of ice cubes filled the silence of the room.
“Care for a drink?” She finally asked. “Martini?”
“No thanks.”
My gut warned to get out. Get out now!
I eyed the door but remained glued to the floor. It was as if I were in some sort of trance produced by this mysterious woman.
She carried her martini across the room, graceful as a gazelle, and sat down on a sleek white sofa facing the San Diego Bay. She wore a colorful sarong and her legs were long and bronzed as she crossed one over the other.
“For goodness sake, Rob, don’t be shy. Please sit here next to me.” She smiled, then parted pinkish-red lips and took a tiny bite of a large pimento filled olive.
I followed her movements with my eyes. I was glad I wore baggy jeans—I didn’t want her to know what an effect she had on me. Working for this woman wasn’t going to be easy and keeping my focus shear torture. “Thanks, I’d rather stand.”
She smiled. “I like a man that’s all business.”
“In that case, three-hundred a day is my fee for general protection, expenses paid."
“Agreed,” she said. “If everything works out, you’ll get paid that, plus some. And in the end I may just see fit to make you a very rich man.”
“I would rather keep it simple, Ms. X. My purpose is to protect, not complicate my life.”
She took a sip of her martini and gazed out at the ocean view. For a moment there was silence between us and I thought I detected a watery glaze cast over her eyes. Perhaps it was reflected sunlight glistening through the large picture window, but underneath the façade of Ms. X, I sensed a sad, frightened woman.
Finally she spoke, her voice low and husky: “I was a fool to ask you here. You, nor anyone else can protect me from those men.”
I sat down next to her. “Who are they? Do you know what they are after? If you want my full protection, I must know everything.”
She closed her eyes, a slight tear squeezed out at one corner. She nodded. “Yes, I know.”
“Tell me about it then. Start from the beginning.”
Her face stiffened. “Before I tell you anything, I must warn you that these people—these men are very dangerous. Are you absolutely sure you want the job?”
Maybe she was right—I wasn’t too bright. I didn’t dare think too hard on the subject before I answered.
© 2011 Marlene Cronkhite
What happens next? Where can I read the next part?
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