Page 33 of Keeping Guard
“So you what? Decided to play hero after all?”
“You really need to get it through your head, princess. I’m not a damn hero.”
Surprised by the anger in his voice, Peyton pressed her back to the elevator wall. Why had that made him mad? She couldn’t figure him out, but she wanted to. What had put that haunted look in his eyes? Why was he living in a temporary apartment? He’d said he was a SEAL, so why wasn’t he out doing whatever it was SEALs did?
She hadn’t expected to see him again, so she was happy, yes, but also shocked when he’d returned. If he was going to be around for a few days, maybe she could learn his secrets. And if she was really lucky, she might get a few more tingly kisses.
“Why are you smiling?”
“Huh?” She wasn’t about to answer that question. Thankfully, the elevator door opened, and she marched out. Noah stayed at her side, and she glanced at him. He was scanning the area around them, and she’d never seen a man so alert and aware of his surroundings. She’d seen pictures on the news of soldiers in their camouflage uniforms, and she just bet that he looked darn sexy in his.
“Guess this one, Miss Peyton,” Joseph said as soon as she reached him.
The song sounded familiar, but she couldn’t place it. It didn’t happen often, but occasionally, he stumped her. “Ah...”
“It’s ‘Trouble’ by Ray LaMontagne,” Noah said. Then he muttered something she didn’t catch.
“What’s that?”
He smirked. “Just making an observation.”
“Are you implying I’m trouble?” She bumped her arm against his. “If so, you’d be wrong. I’m as tranquil as a cat taking a nap in the sun.”
He snorted.
With a grin on his face, Joseph segued into “What’s New Pussycat,” and she glanced at Noah. Her heart stuttered at seeing the hint of a smile. If he ever gave her a full-on smile, she’d likely need oxygen.
“What did Dalton want?” she asked Joseph when he finished the song.
Joseph set his guitar aside. “Aren’t you supposed to be married to him now?”
“Yeah, well, that didn’t happen.”
“Never did like that man. He isn’t good enough for you, Miss Peyton.” He turned his attention to Noah. “And who might you be?”
Noah held out his hand. “Noah Alba. You play a mean guitar, man.”
She appreciated the respect Noah showed her friend. The more she was around Noah, the more she liked him. Despite the hard outer shell he showed the world, she was beginning to think he had a soft heart. She wanted to know everything about him, especially why his eyes always looked sad.
“Lucille here—” Joseph rubbed a gentle hand over the guitar’s neck “—she gets me through the low times.”
“May I?” Noah asked, gesturing to the guitar.
“I don’t let Lucille cheat on me with just anybody, but I have a feeling about you, Noah Alba.” He picked up the guitar and handed it to Noah.
Peyton figured Noah knew how to play because of the guitar case she’d seen in his bedroom, but she hadn’t been prepared for what he could do with Joseph’s beat-up guitar. “Wow, just wow,” she exclaimed when Noah finished playing Stereophonics’ “Bust This Town.” Talk about playing a mean guitar!
People clapped, and so absorbed in Noah’s playing, she was surprised to see that a crowd had gathered. Almost as if he’d forgotten he was on a public street, Noah’s gaze darted around them. His face blanked, he handed the guitar back to Joseph, and then he walked away.
What just happened?
Had he played that particular song on purpose, like did he wish he could bust this town, maybe bust her? She wanted to chase after him, ask him all her questions. But first, she had to know what Dalton was up to.
“That man has demons,” Joseph said.
It sure seemed like he did. She tore her gaze away from Noah’s receding back. “He said he heard Dalton offering to pay you to keep tabs on me. Is that true?”
Joseph’s lips curled in disgust. “It is, but his money’s no good with me, Miss Peyton. I told him that.”
