We walked back to our room with Harley walking silently behind us. He took up his post outside the door when I shut the door behind us.
Libby clasped my arm a second later. “Listen Abi. Unless this guy decides to screw one of us, which I’m pretty damn sure he won’t, we need to get rid of him. And that’s a pity because all that pent up frustration he’s carrying around would make him a perfect fuck buddy,” she whispered, shaking her head in annoyance. “To top that off, he keeps acting like we are in the middle of Iraq or something.”
“I can’t tell him to leave,” I said. At least he’s sexy to look. I shook that thought out of my head while Libby retreated to the bathroom to shower. I didn’t want either one of them to know that I had a thing for Harley. I was certain the last thing he would be interested in is some average girl anyway. I waited until I heard the shower turn on before slipping into a pair of cotton shorts and a ripped tank top. Tying my hair up into a messy bun, I sat Indian style in the middle of my bed to call my parents.
My Mom answered the phone cheerfully. “Hello, my darling daughter. How are your adventures in Madrid?”
“Fine for the most part,” I said. “We haven’t seen much yet because we’ve been trying to adjust to the time change.”
“I imagine. It is evening there, right?”
“Right.” I nodded before asking hesitantly, “Is Dad home with you or—”
“He ran into the office to grab a few files,” she said. “Is there something going on? Is everything all right?”
I ignored the concern in my Mom’s voice. It was always there. As if me simply living my life were a huge threat in general. “Everything is fine, Mom. Don’t worry about me.”
“I try not to. Your Dad hired that bodyguard for a reason, you know.”
“What reason is that?” I asked, irritably. “To annoy the shit out of me the entire time?”
“Abigail Carter— watch your language.”
“I’m sorry, Mom, but the guy he hired is just too damn good at his job.” And he’s attractive. That doesn’t help either.
“I hoped he would be, dear. He retired from Special Forces about five months ago.”
“Well then, that makes perfect sense,” I said.
“What does?”
“He’s just—” I struggled to find the right word. “Vigilant is the only thing I can think of to describe it.”
“That’s what he is paid to do, Abi.” Voices chattered on the other end of the line. “I have to get going, dear. Would you like your Dad to call later?”
I thought of Libby’s plan to go out to Madrid tonight. “No, that’s fine. I can call him tomorrow sometime.”
“All right, sweetie. Be safe. I love you.”
“I love you too.”
I stared down at my phone for a Moment. Special Forces. It all made sense why he was so physically fit, graceful, and confident. He had been trained to be a certain way, and he stuck to it even as a bodyguard.
Plugging my phone to charge, I stepped out onto the balcony to enjoy the heat while I waited for Libby to finish up. I stepped around the corner of the balcony to reel back in surprise to see Harley sitting on the other side at a small patio table. He looked away from the fading skyline to focus on me. The hazy glow of the evening brought out the silver specs in his green eyes, but there was something so haunting behind his blank expression. He reclined casually back in his chair, stretching out his muscular torso. I couldn’t help but let my eyes run along the front of him, coveting how good he must look under his clothes.
“What is it?” he asked, his voice deep, soft.
“Nothing,” I said thickly and took a careful step towards him. “Can I sit with you for a few minutes?”
Harley arched an eyebrow at me. “That depends on where this conversation is going.”
“I have no motives. I just wanted to… talk.”
I winced at how stupid I must have sounded.
He didn’t respond for a few seconds but finally motioned a hand to t
he chair across from him. I gladly took a seat in front of him and glanced down, studying the names tattooed on his forearm.