Page 72 of Under His Protection
“I hope you guys are okay with fettucine Alfredo and garlic bread,” Charlie says as she walks down the hall toward Haley’s bedroom. She’s talking loud enough that we can clearly hear her through the closed door.
Real subtle, Charlie.
Haley scrambles off my lap and nervously brushes back her hair. “That sounds great, Charlie!”
Charlie knocks on the door. “Permission to enter?”
I laugh as Haley says, “Come on in.”
Charlie opens the door and pops her head in. Her astute gaze goes from Haley’s flushed cheeks to me as I’m covering the bulge in my jeans with my hands. “Hmph,” she says. But then she turns to Haley. “I thought the four of us could eat dinner while we go over the security protocol for this place. You know,the rules of conduct.”
As a senior security analyst, Charlie outranks both me and Mateo. She’s in charge of this operation. And the look she’s giving me right now tells me she’s not stupid and that I’d better behave myself.
Charlie continues addressing her comments to Haley. “After dinner, Mateo and I will make ourselves scarce so you can do your homework.”
“Thanks,” Haley says. “That would be perfect.”
Charlie turns to leave. “Dinner’s ready, so if you two can tear yourselves away from each other for five seconds, come downstairs and experience my prowess in the kitchen.” And then she leaves.
“You go ahead,” I tell Haley. I glance down at my erection pressing against my jeans. “I need a few minutes.”
Grinning, Haley kisses me before she disappears from sight.
When I’m finally able to join them, I head for the back staircase. I can hear their voices filtering up through the stairwell, chattering like old friends.
As I join them, I see Haley standing at the stove next to Charlie, who’s showing her something to do with tonight’s dinner. Mateo is setting the table.
For a moment, before anyone notices me, I have a chance to simply observe Haley and marvel at her. She’s amazing—beautiful, loving, and so damn smart. I don’t deserve her. She could literally have anyone she wanted, and for some reason, she wantsme.
“There you are,” Charlie says as she drains a pot of pasta into a colander in the sink. “Food’s ready. Why don’t you grab some drinks, Philip?”
I open the fridge and stare at the variety of beverages inside—everything from bottled water to fruit juices to soft drinks, bottled teas and those fruit-flavored sparkling waters. There’s no alcohol in here, which is fine. Haley isn’t old enough to drink, and the rest of us are on the job.
Charlie dishes the fettucine Alfredo onto plates, and Haley carries them to the table.
“What do you guys want to drink?” I ask.
“Coke for me,” Mateo says.
“Sparkling water,” Charlie says.
Standing beside me, Haley peers into the fridge. “Ooh, I’ll have one of those.” She reaches for a bottle of strawberry-flavored sparkling water.
Finally, we’re all seated at the table, digging into the food.
“This is so good, Charlie,” Haley says as she tastes the pasta. “Like really good. Renaldo’s good. I’m talking five stars.”
Charlie grins as she reaches for a piece of garlic bread. “Where do you think I got the recipe? From Gabrielle Hunter. She was a sous-chef at Renaldo’s before Hannah McIntyre lured her out to Colorado to take over the restaurant at the lodge.”
We eat and chat. Charlie asks Haley about her classes. Fortunately, she doesn’t bring up the stalker. I want Haley tobe able to relax and eat her dinner without being reminded that someone’s making her life hell.
After we’re done eating, the four of us clean up the kitchen. Then Charlie and Mateo say goodnight.
“We’ll be right outside in the security… building?” Charlie says. “Security apartment? Station?”
“How about we call it ashack?” Mateo suggests with a chuckle as he winks at Charlie. “I’ll happily shack up with you.”
Charlie rolls her eyes at him. “Fine. We’ll be out in the securityshackkeeping an eye on the property, soyou”—she points at Haley—“can do your homework and get a good night’s sleep.”
