Page 36 of Keeping Guard
“I really appreciate it.” True to his word, he was done in fifteen minutes. After she paid him, he left. She went to the living room window. “There you are.” Noah stood next to Joseph, the two of them seeming to be in a serious conversation. They talked for another few minutes, and then Noah and Lucky headed her way.
Taking advantage of the chance to study him, her gaze roamed over him. One thing she noticed was his alertness. She’d bet he was aware of every person around him. If Dalton was lurking nearby, she didn’t doubt Noah would know. That made her feel safe.
He moved with a confidence she’d never seen in a man before, and as his long legs ate up the sidewalk, power radiated from him. “You’re one sexy boy, Noah Alba.” He looked dang good in jeans and a T-shirt that did nothing to hide one fine body.
Seconds before he entered the building, he looked up at her, and she realized that he’d known she was watching him. He didn’t smile, just kept his eyes locked on hers until he disappeared from sight.
She fanned her face as she let out a long breath. Not sure what his mood would be this morning, she decided to finish the breakfast he’d started. It would give her something to do instead of attacking his body as soon as he walked in the door, although that would be her preference.
What did she want? She considered eggs, but that didn’t excite her. “Pancakes,” she said at seeing the box in her pantry. By the time Noah arrived, she had a pan heating on the stove, and was stirring the mix.
Lucky ran to her as soon as Noah unclipped his leash. She kneeled, laughing when he tried to lick her face. “Good morning, you sweet thing.” She glanced at Noah. “Good morning to you, too.”
He grunted something that sounded like “Morning.”
Okay, grumpy Noah was still in the house. “Dell was here and replaced my bathroom door.”
“Good.”
“How about pancakes to go with all that bacon?” She stood and lifted an edge of the paper towel covering the bacon. “Are you going to eat all that?”
“One can never have enough bacon.” He snatched two pieces, broke off the end of one, and handed it to Lucky. The dog scarfed it up, then lifted begging eyes to Noah.
“That’s it for you, dog.”
She flicked a finger against his arm. “His name’s Lucky.”
“He couldn’t care less what I call him.”
Now he was just being ornery. “Well, I care.” She was on to him. By refusing to use the dog’s name, Noah was keeping the animal at a distance, not wanting to get attached. “Why do you have him if you don’t want him?”
“Good question. Ask Jack when you see him.”
“I’ll do that.” She looked forward to dinner tonight. Maybe she’d learn more about Noah from his friends.
His phone buzzed, and he put it to his ear as he walked away. While he was talking, she made pancakes. Because she had an open floor plan, she couldn’t help hearing his side of the conversation, and she guessed he was talking to his friend, Jack.
“I’m going to have to bring her with me,” he said.
She glanced over to see him looking at her. Bring her where with him? He didn’t appear very happy, and she wondered if he regretted agreeing to stay here. Sometimes she was impulsive, and this was one of those times. No doubt the last thing he wanted to do was follow her around while she tried to find a job.
“Bring me with you where?” she asked when he finished his call.
“To Jack’s dog training place.”
“No can do.” She set their plates on the table. “What do you want to drink? I have juice, coffee, and milk.”
“You don’t have a choice.” He crossed to the coffeepot and poured a cup.
“Excuse me?” She put her hands on her hips. “You’re not the boss of me.”
“Wrong, princess.” He picked up a handful of bacon and wrapped two pancakes around the slices. “Be ready to go in twenty minutes,” he said as he walked out of the kitchen with Lucky on his heels.
“Hey,” she yelled, but he kept going. She followed him down the hallway. “I’m talking to you.” He closed the door in her face. She banged on it. “Noah, open the blasted door.”
“Fifteen minutes now,” he said from the other side. “I’d suggest you change into some old jeans, and if you have an old pair of running shoes, those would be best.”
“I’m not talking to you through a closed door.” Silence. “You really are a jackass!” The blasted man chuckled. If he thought she’d fall in line like a good little soldier, he had another think coming. “I have things I have to do today.” She opened the door. “Like find a...”
