The Guardian of My Soul (Soul's Desire) (5 page)

“Well, it’s his job.” I defended him. “Mom would have his head if he let anything happen at this party.”

“What’s going on?” From out of nowhere Ian’s arms wrapped around me. “I’m ready to get you alone. Why don’t you take me for a ride in your new car? We’ll park somewhere and make out.” He pulled me back against his chest and tried to kiss me, but I squirmed from his embrace.

“I can’t leave my party, Ian.” I wasn’t in the mood to kiss him or leave with him. He moved back a step, and I could tell he was confused. So was I.

“Fine.” He spat out as he walked away, heading to the bar.

I didn’t want to fight with him, but I wasn’t ready for our relationship to change. For a few moments I watched him order a drink and make conversation with people sitting around him. Then he walked back over a few feet from me and just stopped, glaring at me. Had I done wrong? I thought about going over to apologize, but a drumbeat roll and the blaring of music announced that the strippers had arrived. I guessed they passed Alec’s inspection. Gasps of amusement and admiration filled the room. No doubt the scantily clad men were making a hot impression on my female friends. I didn’t mind looking at them either. But first, I looked for Alec. He was nowhere in sight.

All around the room, the women were up and clapping, dancing to the music, while the men just sat and watched the show with carefully bored looks on their faces. Most of them probably just wished they looked half as good as the hot hunks gyrating in front of us. One of the sexier men approached me. Taking my hand, he pulled me close. Ian made a disapproving noise. I ignored him. I needed this. The dancer pressed me against him, my back to his front, and ground his semi-aroused maleness into my backside.

I let myself go, embracing the raunchiness of the moment and how free it made me feel. Hell, I was twenty-one! It was high time I let myself go. Turning in the man’s arms, I gave him a naughty little smile, letting my finger trace a line from his Adam’s apple down to his abs. The man growled. “That’s it, Birthday Girl! I bet you’re a little hottie in bed.”

I laughed, entertained by his naughtiness, until I noticed Alec again. He was staring at me from a different corner. This time a frown appeared on his face, marring his forehead. Was he jealous or just doing his job? I could sense his hawk-like eyes boring into me and my body reacted unexpectedly, the color rising in my cheeks. It was odd to find that he could affect me more from across the room than this half-naked stripper could at close quarters. For the second time that night I felt exposed. There was no way I could evade him. He was going to take me home, but I let him know I didn’t care if he approved of me or not. Tossing my hair over my shoulder, I turned to put my arms around the neck of the Chippendale wannabe.

That was a mistake. The stripper took my move as evidence of interest in him. Before I knew what was going on, he had cupped my bottom, pulled me up tight and was kissing me full out on the lips. His other hand moved between our bodies and grabbed my breast. I pushed back, tearing my mouth from his. “Stop!” I protested.

“Are you a little tease? You want some more?” He bent his head to capture my mouth once again, but he never made it. From out of nowhere, a hand jerked him backward and he went sprawling across the dance floor. Alec stood between me and the now angry man. “Hey! She wanted it!”

“Get up and get out before I call the cops and get you fired!” Alec’s voice rang out with authority. The music screeched to a stop and the crowd stood around speechless.

“Alec!” Grabbing his arm, I just held on. I didn’t know if I was angry at him or grateful he’d rescued me.

“Party’s over!” he announced like he was in charge. “Get your things, we’re going home.”

His take-charge attitude stunned me, but everyone listened to him. I started to overrule his edict and beg everyone to stay, but he was right. It was late, nearly five in the morning. It was time to go home. I was so tired it was hard to walk.

“I’m sorry that happened.” I felt like I needed to say something.

“You have to be careful, Miss Mancuso. Not everyone can be trusted.”

“That’s what Mom tells me.” I sighed. “She’s going to overreact to this. Even though I’m twenty-one, I’ll be grounded until I’m forty.”

“Maybe I can keep it out of the report. The rest of Dad’s team is checking the perimeter, so they didn’t see anything. I’ll do my best.”

“Thank you.”

Other than that, Alec never mentioned the entertainment or anything else about the evening. Despite the unfortunate ending, I’d had a wonderful time. As he led me toward the club’s exit, he offered me his arm and I took it. He was strong and big and he made me feel safe.

When we reached the car, he leaned over and fastened my seat belt. His nearness made my heart race. He climbed in next to me, adjusted the temperature and drove off. He made no attempt at conversation, and neither did I. I was so tired. Letting out a sigh, I decided to close my eyes for just a little while.

“Miss, wake up. We’re home,” Alec said, shaking me gently.

I heard him, but I couldn’t bring my eyes to open. My head was spinning slightly from the alcohol, and the excitement of the day had exhausted me.

He opened my door to help me out, but I stumbled, falling against his hard body. My hands automatically molded around the strong muscles of his forearms. Alec mumbled something I didn’t understand, swept me up in his arms and carried me inside. The feeling of being nestled in his arms was the safest I’d felt in a long, long time.

*  *  *

A soft, wet tongue tickled my nose and grudgingly brought me out of my deep sleep into a twilight state. “Stop, Fred!” I fussed at my dog. I wasn’t ready to wake up. My mind desperately fought to break through the thin veil of fog separating me from reality. Fatigue was still anchored in my body, causing my heavy eyelids to open and close back over my eyes like a soft blanket.

“Wake up, sleepyhead. Fred and I are lonely.” Mom’s voice surprised me. I opened one eye and saw her standing over me with a steaming cup of coffee. “Here, this will wake you up. It’s almost two o’clock and you’ve skipped breakfast. Come have lunch with me.”

“Mom, I’m tired. Just set the coffee on the dresser.” I yawned, which only made my body relax deeper. It took my sleepy brain a few moments to process her words, but once it did, I whimpered and sat up in the middle of the bed, startling her. “Two o’clock? Dang! I promised to meet the girls for lunch at three!”

“All right. We’ll hang out at dinner then.” She gave me a brief hug and turned to leave. “Come on, Fred. At least you can eat with me.” I watched as my dog followed Mother from the room. I smiled since it wasn’t too long ago that she wouldn’t have much to do with him. Now they were best friends. I liked that. My dad had always told me animals were good judges of character. He said he’d been tempted to keep one in the boardroom to give him a clue as to whom he should trust and whom he should be suspicious of.

For just a few seconds I indulged in more nostalgic memories. Then I remembered Megan and Ana, so I jumped out of bed and hurried to the shower. Noticing I was still wearing my underwear from the party and a T-shirt, I began to wonder.
How the hell did I get into bed last night?
I vaguely remembered Alec carrying me, but I must have fallen asleep before we got to my room.
Great! Who knows what he thinks of me now!

I frowned, upset with myself for showing vulnerability in front of him and for missing the moment he put me into bed.
But then again, why should I care? He’s probably already gone.
A sense of loss overwhelmed me.
One good thing came to mind. Mother hadn’t mentioned the fiasco with the male stripper. Apparently Alec had been able to keep that little bit of news from reaching her ears. I only hoped my friends would show equal discretion.

As I left my room, all dressed and ready to go, I kept seeing Alec standing over my would-be molester. He had dominated the room. The thought of not seeing him again disturbed me.

Pushing my regret from my mind, I rushed downstairs. What I saw at the bottom of the stairs made my breath catch in my throat. Alec was playing animatedly with my dog.
He’s still here! Now what am I going to do?

CHAPTER THREE

Alec lifted his gaze and pinned it on me. My stomach knotted and a sense of nervousness flooded me, pulsing and pounding through my veins. As I looked into his green eyes I couldn’t help but be aware of how handsome he was. The man was a hunk and I was in trouble.

“Fred!” I called, upset my dog was paying so much attention to him. Actually, I might have been a bit jealous.

He dropped the ball from his mouth to the floor and darted to me excitedly, while Alec got up and approached me as well.

“Good afternoon, Miss. Ready to go?” he asked quietly.

I gave him a puzzled look. “I’m going to meet some friends. Where are
you
going?”

“Your mother told me to accompany you wherever it is you’re planning to go.”

“What?” I stared at him in disbelief. “Mom!”

She stepped out of her home office and walked over to us. “Yes, dear?”

“Why did you insist Alec go with me? I’m only meeting my friends.”

“Oh, just in case you run into photographers. I know you hate that and he can keep them away.”

My entire body tightened and tensed up at the thought of being in the close confines of the car with him once more. I stormed out the door without a word. How was I going to handle this? “Where are my keys?” I held out my hand when we reached the car.

“You want to drive?” he asked with a hint of amusement in his voice.

“Well, of course. It’s my car,” I retorted.

He locked gazes with me as if he wanted to argue, but he didn’t. He tossed me the keys and went around to the passenger side. “Good, I enjoy being chauffeured.”

Neither of us spoke on the way to the restaurant. Once there I parked the car and rushed inside, knowing I was already late. What was going on with me? I refused to analyze my feelings—not now.

The girls seemed relieved I’d made it, but their relief turned into surprise. Their glances over my shoulder made me turn. Alec was tailing me.

“Oh, you brought a snack.” Ana giggled, watching him settle at a different table to give us some privacy.

“Don’t mock her, Ana. She looks upset,” Megan warned her. “So, what’s he doing here? Did you talk to him? I thought he was leaving.”

“No, I haven’t talked to him. I was shocked to find him waiting for me in the hallway. It was supposed to be a one night job, but now I’m afraid it’s much more than that.”

“Hey, it could be worse. At least she chose a young, handsome guy to take care of you,” Megan said, leaning back into her seat. “Let’s be honest...she’s always had people follow you around. How else could she know everything you do?”

“I prefer the ‘invisible’ ones rather than having someone breathing down my neck all the time. I need some space. And clearly she has no intention of giving me any,” I complained.

“At least he’s hot,” Ana voiced and Megan nodded in agreement.

This unsettled me. I didn’t like them noticing how he looked. “That’s the last thing on my mind right now. I’ve seen better anyway,” I lied, rolling my eyes. “I need to get out of here for a while, or else I’ll go insane.”

“Kristen, don’t fret before you know anything for sure,” Ana murmured, running her hand up and down my back to soothe me. “Let’s not talk about this anymore. We ordered the food already. Grilled lobsters and fresh shrimp coming up!” She smiled.

“I don’t know if I can eat a bite.”

“Oh, stop whining. This is not the end of the world. I think you two just got off on the wrong foot. Talk to him. Who wouldn’t want a man like him close by?”

I ignored her comment as an idea suddenly came to mind. I brightened. “How about you two join me at Dad’s ranch in Kentucky for a week? No boys, just us enjoying some peace and quiet. I miss my horse and those amazing landscapes. It would be a nice getaway and a chance to recharge my batteries before starting work.”

“I’m in! I need to get away, too.” Megan accepted right away.

“So am I.” Ana grinned. “I wonder what the boys will think about it.”

“I’m sure they’ll understand. It’s been a while since we last went somewhere on our own. I’ll let Mom know about our plans as soon as I get home.” I noticed Megan folding and refolding her napkin. “What’s wrong with you?” I asked, remembering how odd she’d acted the night before.

Ana missed my comment to Megan. “Sam’s football game is on Sunday, though. I can’t leave before then.”

Megan shook her head, refusing to talk about what was bothering her.

I narrowed my eyes at her, agreeing, but not liking it. “Of course not, Ana. We’ll leave on Monday morning. I’m anxious to go to the game too.”

The food arrived and the girls kept pushing me to eat, so I was forced to comply.

“Look at him...sitting there by himself. Why isn’t he eating anything?” Megan asked, eyeing Alec with interest. “Oh.” Her mouth quirked into a small smile as a tall, willowy blonde approached his table. “Ha! It looks like that woman is trying to hit on him,” she whispered after staring at them for a couple of seconds. “Call him over, Kris!” she said, apparently frustrated that she couldn’t hear their conversation.

“What? Why? I don’t think so.” I stammered, a little surprised by the scene unfolding before my eyes.
What a bitch, hitting on a guy in a restaurant in the middle of the day!
I shook my head in disdain, but my train of thought was interrupted when Megan decided to call him herself.

“Alec, come here please,” she requested, causing both of them to turn and look at us.

I gaped at her, not sure what she thought she was doing.

He excused himself with the girl and walked over to our table, his eyes first going to me, then staring quizzically at Megan. “Yes?”

“Join us.”

“Oh, I don’t think—”

“Please, for me? Sit down.”

He took the seat next to hers, then glanced at me again and waited. His face was an unreadable mask. Nothing new.

“I’m Megan, by the way. Kristen’s childhood friend. And this is Ana, her ex classmate in college,” she said and shook hands with him.

“It’s nice meeting you, ladies,” he replied with a polite smile.

“Why didn’t you order anything besides coffee?”

“I’ve already eaten.”

“Have a shrimp.” She encouraged him, while I gazed at them totally baffled.

“No, I’m good. But thank you...” He held up his hand.

“Come on, we have plenty. Don’t be shy.”

Alec shy? Hardly
.

“All right,” he acquiesced, accepting one from her plate. I got the feeling he took the shrimp just to appease Megan.

“So, Alec, do you like football?”

“Yes, I do. I played in high school.”

“Really? You’ll have to tell us about it sometimes.” She leaned forward, not flirting, but analyzing him as if he were a bug under a microscope. Megan was up to something, and I wasn’t enjoying watching their exchange. “Ana’s boyfriend, Sam, has a game on Sunday. Would you like to join us?”

He smiled slightly, as if amused at her invitation.

Megan, what are you doing?
I gasped, hardly containing my ever-growing urge to kick her. If I didn’t do something, she’d be asking him out on a date for me next.

“I don’t know if I can...” he said, turning to look at me.

“Megan,” I hissed under my breath.

“But perhaps I will.” Another, more mischievous smile lit up his face when he heard my dismay.

The knowing gleam in his eyes disarmed me and I shifted uncomfortably in my seat. He cocked his head to one side and the smile playing at his lips only managed to make me tremble. He was toying with me.

My brows knitted together as I searched for an explanation to his odd behavior.
Is he deliberately teasing me? Why would he accept Megan’s invitation?
He could clearly see I wasn’t comfortable with him coming, and yet he accepted.

“So, did you open your presents?” Ana jumped into the conversation in an apparent attempt to dissipate the growing tension at our table, making me break eye contact with Mr. Confusing.

“Not yet, but I will when I get home. I can’t wait to see what they are.”

“I think mine will amuse you,” Megan said, giggling.

“I hope it’s nothing kinky.” Suddenly, I was reluctant to look at whatever it was she’d given me. I knew she could be quite unpredictable, but I also knew she meant well.

“Cross my heart,” she answered, giving me her most innocent look.

“I took them all to one of the guest rooms, just like your mother requested,” Alec interjected. I couldn’t bring myself to look at him, but I could feel his eyes on me.

I turned to Megan instead. We needed to talk, so I hoped our trip to the ranch would give me the opportunity to coerce her into confessing whatever was troubling her.

I hugged the girls goodbye when we finished our meal and then we headed back home. I tried to ignore Alec’s large, intimidating presence next to me and how it made me feel—sort of prickly and sensitive, especially since he kept making observations about how I handled the car.

“Do you have a problem with my driving?” I blurted out exasperated.

Alec took my outburst in stride. Didn’t anything ruffle his feathers? “I didn’t mean to annoy you. If you’re upset, maybe you should let me drive.”

“Perhaps you’d like to walk home?” I stopped at the traffic light and pointed to his door, inviting him to get out.

His eyes twinkled and he looked away. I swore he wanted to laugh at me. “Why don’t you find another way to channel all of that pent-up passion?” His voice deepened, and surprisingly he grasped my pointing hand. The touch and firm squeeze of his hand against mine sent the same electric charge through me as it had at our first encounter, forcing me to tug at it until he released me.

“I don’t need your advice, Alec.” I managed. My heart was pounding so loud, I was afraid he would hear it.
What in the world is going on with me? God help me!

Alec looked at me intently, but remained quiet until we arrived home.

I tossed him the keys and ran inside not looking back, needing some distance in between us. I found Fred sleeping peacefully on my bed and leaned to kiss him before changing into more comfortable clothes. My gray T-shirt perfectly reflected my mood. Having nothing else to do, I decided to head to the guest room and check out my gifts. It was a good distraction, keeping my mind busy so I wouldn’t think of him anymore. Slowly, I discovered the contents of each gift bag and box, delighted by some and amused by others. Megan’s silver bracelet with at least thirty small keys attached to it amused me indeed, but it was sort of bittersweet. I truly ached for freedom, yet by the looks of things I wasn’t going to get any. At least, not any time soon. I still didn’t know what Mother planned to do with Alec, but something told me I wasn’t going to get rid of him easily. I wanted him gone, but not really. How in the world could that be? Something was wrong with me, but I was afraid to search deep within my soul for an answer.

I was so caught up in the gifts I didn’t even sense Alec’s presence. My stomach somersaulted when I spotted him leaning against the door frame, carefully observing me.

“How long have you been standing there?” I placed a hand over my chest, trying to take a deep breath.

“A while...”

“You’re creeping up on me now?”

“No...I found this box in your car. I must have missed it earlier when I brought the rest of them in,” he said, approaching me.

I took the small velvet box from his hand and opened it hastily, uncovering a beautiful Pandora bracelet. Among the symbols there was a crown, a pouch with a dollar sign on it, a talisman with the number twenty-one, a shoe, a dress, a lock with a small key attached to it, a star, a purse, a four leaf clover for good luck, and most surprisingly a frog with a small crown on top of its head. All the talismans had inserts of pink crystals and it was precious, but I didn’t know what to think of the frog.

“It’s lovely,” I said, trying to put it on my left wrist, but my hands were shaking. I was nervous.

“Here, let me help.” He sat down beside me and took my hand in his, fastening the tiny chain. I quivered at the contact.

“Thank you.”

“See, I don’t bite. Hard.” He gave me a warm smile.

I didn’t know what to say, so I turned my attention to the bracelet. I loved it. I didn’t know why it was one of my favorite things, but it was. “There’s no card? Dang it! Now I won’t know who gave this to me.” Was someone trying to tell me something?

He didn’t answer, but stood up, doing a quick scan of my unwrapped gifts.

“Thanks for bringing all the gifts in.”

“You’re welcome.” He was paying attention to me, but he wasn’t looking at me. “It looks like you could open a department store. You received more gifts than most people get in all their birthdays put together.”

“Are you just trying to upset me?” I asked.

“I must admit it amuses me how you respond to me. It’s also funny how all these things can make you smile. As if you couldn’t afford to buy them yourself anyway.”

My mouth dropped open when I heard his comment. It hurt. “What are you implying?”

“You were born and raised in luxury. You can afford to buy anything you could possibly want...I mean...look around you for a second. But, is this what truly makes you happy? Material things?”

My cheeks flushed and I felt my heart race. I was embarrassed at how he saw me. “Are you calling me materialistic? Alec, you don’t even know me. How can you judge me?” I whispered, very near to tears.

“I’m not judging. I’m merely asking a question. I just think you should look for happiness and satisfaction from another source, that’s all.”

“Did I ask for you to psychoanalyze me?” I choked back a sob. “You think just because your father is so close to me and my mom it gives you the right to judge me without knowing anything about me? You know, you’re nothing like your father! He’s nice and polite, whereas you’re cold and uncaring. Have you forgotten who I am?” I grabbed a pillow off the bed, hugging it to me so tight I almost squeezed the feathers out of the casing.

“The fact you’re wealthy doesn’t make you better than me in any way. I might be impressed by your looks or your mind, but I’ll never be impressed with your bank account,” he retorted. “And you’re certainly not my boss.” His eyes narrowed at me.

Anger washed over me. “I never said I was! And I don’t want to be. Why are you still here anyway? What if I tell Mom what you said to me?”

“Aren’t you a full grown woman? Why do you run to your mom to save you whenever there’s a bump in the road?”

I couldn’t contain my first impulse and threw myself at him. I tried to grab him by his shirt, but found my fingers molded against hard muscle. His face was mere inches away from mine and I could feel his breath. “What’s your problem with me?” I questioned, feeling at a loss.

He put his big hands over mine, but didn’t try to free himself or back away. “I have no problem with you. It’s apparent you have one with me. If I didn’t know better, I’d think you don’t dislike me as much as you pretend.” He chastised me, his lips parting slightly as he inhaled sharply.