Page 21 of A Soldier's Destiny
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What the heck was she thinking? He was there for a job, and a job only. If she didn’t start remembering that, she was going to be in a world of pain when he left. And what would keep him in the small town when he’d traveled the world and probably been with tons of beautiful women? It’s not like she was a catch. She looked in the mirror every day and saw herself. What did they call women like her? Fluffy? Curvy? Whatever, she didn’t care. Then there was her baggage. It had been over two years and she still had terror-filled nightmares about the attack in Paris.
But Jasper, damn. Her heart wanted to tell her brain to take a hike. The scar on his face made him even sexier. He’d earned that fighting for their country to keep them free. It might as well have been a medal of honor. Would giving in to her desires be so bad? At least, after he was gone, she’d have the memories.
“Rori? Are you okay?”
“Yes, sorry. What else did you want to show me?” He looked perplexed at her attitude change. Well, join the club. It was too much too fast. She needed to put some space between them so she could think because she sure as hell couldn’t when he was close enough to lick.
“I installed a floodlight with a motion sensor. Now when anything moves back here, the light will come on.”
“Thank you. It’ll make it so much better when it’s dark out here.”
“I’m surprised you didn’t put one up when you opened the bakery since you’re at work in the middle of the night. It’s not safe in the dark. Anyway, let’s go upstairs, I fixed the light in the hallway too. Now you can see when you’re going up the stairs.”
“I should have changed those bulbs. I kept thinking about it but never got around to buying the new ones.”
“You’re all set now,” he said with a smile. When he smiled his eyes crinkled up at the corners, and it softened the hard edges of his face. His eyes held a lot of pain, he’d seen too much suffering. Could she be the one to make the pain disappear? Ugh, there she was going on again.
“Is this normal bodyguard stuff? I mean, fixing lights, changing locks? It doesn’t seem like that would be part of the normal job description.”
“It’s not. Or hasn’t been before now but I didn’t mind. I like working with my hands, and it’s to keep you safe. And that is my job. I’ll do whatever it takes.”
“Right. It’s the job.” He frowned but didn’t say anything, just held the door open for her to go inside. He’d done a good job, whatever type of light bulbs he’d put in were really bright, and not even a shadow lurked as she climbed the stairs to her apartment. At the top of the stairs, he unlocked the new deadbolt and opened the door.
Everything was the same as they’d left it early that morning. Relief washed over her that whoever had painted downstairs hadn’t gotten inside and destroyed her home.
“If you promise to stay put, I’ll grab a quick shower and then help with dinner.”
“I won’t go anywhere, I promise. Enjoy your shower.” With a short nod, he headed to his room.
Taking a deep breath, she rotated her shoulders to try to relax the aching muscles. It was the same every day. By the time she was done her body ached and she usually took a shower before fixing something for dinner. But she’d gladly give up dibs on the first shower to have some alone time.
In the kitchen, she opened the refrigerator and surveyed the contents. There wasn’t a whole lot of anything, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t whip up something. Simple would be the word of the evening. Grilled cheese was tempting, but it probably wouldn’t be enough food for Jasper. Instead, she whipped up a quiche. Grabbing the eggs, heavy cream, Swiss cheese, bacon, a tomato, and onion she set them on the counter. Then took out one of the piecrusts she’d made over the weekend. Cooking the bacon first, she chopped the vegetables. After the bacon was done, she sauteed the veggies in the grease and then added everything to the egg and cream mixture, salt, pepper, basil and a bit of garlic powder and it was done.
As she slid the quiche into the oven, she heard his footsteps in the hallway. Too bad the man didn’t take long showers. Cooking always helped her settle herself, and she mentally crossed her fingers that she had found some inner calm. Not realizing he was right behind her, she backed into him as she stood up after she closed the oven door.
“Damn. You smell good.” So much for thinking she’d gotten herself under control.
“I’m glad you think so. What can I do to help? I thought I smelled bacon when I was getting dressed.”
“You did. I made a quiche. It’ll take a bit to bake, but while we’re waiting I’ll make a salad. Easy peasy.”
“Quiche? What’s that?”
“I guess it’s sort of like an egg pie with stuff in it. Or maybe an omelet in a pie crust.”
“Really? That sounds kind of weird. Egg pie? But if it has bacon in it, it’s got to be good. Why don’t you go shower? I can make a salad. I know how to do that.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yup. Then we can have dinner and talk until bedtime. When do I have to take the egg pie out of the oven?”
“It bakes for almost an hour. It’ll be fine, I’ll check it after my shower.”
“Great. Go, angel, you’re dead on your feet.”
“I’m fine. Used to this, really. I won’t be long.”
“Take as long as you like, I’ll be right here.”
