Page 39 of Kage

His jaw clenched, but he snatched them from my hand. Once they were on his face, I took a deep, wheezing breath.

“You look hot. Perfect for you. You need to buy them. And these. My treat.” Even my brightest smile wasn’t working on him. I slipped on the shades, determined to not let him bother me. At least I’d had a lovely walk in fresh air. I grabbed a couple of tee shirts and a stupid island-style dress just to sleep in if nothing else.

With the purchases made, I watched as he pulled out a wad of Bermuda dollars, saying nothing to the clerk as he paid for the items.

Hat and sunglasses didn’t alter his method of operation. He was ready at any second to grab his weapon.

“What kind of girl am I?” I asked absently as we walked another block. My knee was starting to ache again, something I tried to hide. He’d force me to return to the room and the break might keep me from going looney-tunes.

Every time I asked him a question, he sucked in his breath as if I was asking him to repeat the Gettysburg address or something. Was it so difficult to answer my questions? Maybe he just loathed being coerced into babysitting some rich bitch.

“Primal colors.”

His answer wasn’t what I would have expected. “Primal. Reds. Blacks. Blues?”

“Yes.”

At least he was answering me. I should be grateful for small things.

“You’d be right. My favorite color is red, but black will do.” I glanced down the street, noticing a restaurant on the corner.“What about that one? Do you think we could have dinner there?”

“That will do.”

“Why is talking with you like pulling teeth?”

“Because I need to maintain a distance from you. From anyone I extract. It’s not just you.”

“Why? You’re not my permanent bodyguard. As soon as you drop me off in New York, you can be on your way. We’ll never see each other again. I thought at least we could have a conversation.”

“We’ll talk as necessary.”

Every step he took screamed of his military background. He was polite in opening the door for me, even remaining behind me as we were ushered to a table. While I appreciated the kind gestures, I put my foot down when he tried to pull out the chair for me.

“Thank you, but no thanks. I’ve been on my own for a long time and I’m perfectly fine taking care of myself.”

His brow furrowed and I thought he was going to argue with me. He didn’t, just ripping out the chair opposite me and thumping down. He was so powerful that I was surprised when the chair didn’t splinter.

“There’s nothing wrong with independence while allowing a man to be a gentleman.”

I don’t think his words could have surprised me any more than they had. “You’re right. You’re absolutely right, but if youwon’t talk to me, then why bother extending other courtesies.” I removed my sunglasses, taking a longer look at him.

The fact I was attracted to him remained a crazy thought in my mind. He certainly wasn’t interested in me.

“Fine. Then I won’t.” He picked up his menu.

So did I.

The tension could be cut with a dull spoon.

There was nothing I hated worse than the silence between us.

“My father was a military man. So was my grandfather. I was expected to join. I wanted to go to college. My father refused to pay for it. I had a choice. I could go into the Navy and try and get scholarship money or find a way to work through college. I figured the Navy would work and I’d get out as soon as possible. At least those were my intentions.”

“What changed?”

“I don’t know really. I found some peace that I’d never found before in being regimented. That stuck with me. When I started excelling, saving several soldiers’ lives, I was noticed and offered a spot with the SEALs. I decided to take it.”

“Now that you’re out, how do you feel?”

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