Page 18 of Capturing Ava
“You are the bodyguard?” I ask, peering at him and trying to figure out why he looks like that. God! I can’t take him seriously. How was a psycho stalker supposed to take him seriously, although he carried an air of intimidation—so it could work—perhaps?
Oh, who was I kidding? He looked fucking ridiculous.
“Is it a prank you’re both playing? if it is, then I can tell you right now, I’m not in the mood.” It had to be a prank. What other explanation was there for this—ridiculousness?
“A prank?” I hear his deep voice. “Now why the fuck would I drive to the middle of nowhere to prank miss prim and fucking proper? Not only was his appearance laughable, but he also had a negative attitude. Perfect.
My eyes glide across his frame as I assess the man in front of me who is supposed to protect me. Tall muscles bulging everywhere! Dressed all in black, I think I can faintly see the swirling hues of his crystalline blue eyes, but he has no face. How am I supposed to trust somebody I can’t see? No, instead of a glimpse of his face, I am greeted with a skeleton mask. I roll my eyes. I mean, was that necessary?
“I’m no expert, of course, but is it Halloween?”
A small chuckle bubbles from his throat. “Not that I’m aware of. Why do you ask?”
“The mask. What’s with the mask?”
“In this line of work, I prefer to keep my identity hidden until I can trust you.”
“Oh, and you don’t trust me?”
“Well, I don’t know you, Miss Valentina. Do you trust me?” I shake my head. “Well, there you go. I think we will get on just fine.”
“Audrey, a word.” I watch her roll her eyes as she saunters into the kitchen with me. Gazing at the curve of the kitchen, he remains stationary. Swiftly turning my head back to Audrey, I give her a penetrating stare. “Okay, Audrey, what the hell?”
“Yeah, I’m not sure what’s going on. He’s not so shy about his appearance, but it gives him an edge, don’t you think?” She smiled.
“Yeah, sure, an edge of psycho.”
“He not that bad, Ava. When I say he’s the best at what he does, I mean it. So, what if he’s a little quirky and theatrical? Your safety is all that matters. If he can keep you safe, let him hide behind his mask.”
I walk back towards the creepy skeleton man intent on doing just as Audrey had said because feeling safe was the only thing I wanted but it was strange as I stood before him, I just couldn’t do it.
“Are you going to take off the mask?”
“No.” He answers.
“Then, I guess we are done here.” He takes a step towards me and my heart races. He smells dangerous and musky, like crisp spice on an autumn day that makes you feel at peace and nostalgic. “What are you doing?” I ask, to which I’m once again ignored. He takes another step towards me until he’s invading my space. “Okay.” I hold a hand up. “That’s close enough buddy,”
“Buddy,” he repeats with a hint of amusement in his mysterious tone.
“Have you not heard of personal space?”
He keeps moving forward until I can feel the heat from his muscular body press up against mine. “I have, but I enjoy invading it.” He whispers in my ear and fuck! That whisper sends butterflies crawling through my body.
My head is spinning, and I’m not even sure why. “If you—won’t take the mask off, then I think we are done here.” I stutter out.
“Well,” his fingers slide across my face and as they tease my skin, a slow moan falls from the back of my throat. He takes a step back, but I doubt he is as surprised as I am. I just look at him wide-eyed. “In case you change your mind.” He places a card in my hand, turns and walks away from me.
I just stand there staring at the space in which he inhabited. Even with the mask on, he had left an impression. Yes, it was best that he left. Nothing good would come of having that man around. Nothing good at all.
“So, are we well acquainted?” Audrey comes running towards me. “Where is Chase?” She accuses. I shake my head, “Ava?”
“He wouldn’t take the mask off.”
“Okay?”
“So, I told him to leave,” I mutter.
“You did what?” She screams, busting my eardrum. “Do you know how hard it is to get him to work with you? Especially on a job like this.”
