Chapter Thirteen

That evening, Chantal saw to her mom. After massaging the tight muscles behind her mother’s scapula, and shoulder, Chantal walked to the quiet kitchen and made herself a jelly sandwich. After pouring a glass of milk, she walked over to her small residence. Chantal needed privacy and when they’d first moved into the Jefferson House, she’d been pleased to see the small cottage tucked at the back of the yard. Choosing the quaint lodgings over an elaborate bedroom in the main house, was first met with resistance from her mother. But, as much as Chantal loved helping her mother out, at twenty-eight years old, she needed her own space. Many nights, her mom turned clingy, especially when the nightmares came. She’d call and wake Chantal, asking her to come to her room. Chantal would then doze in a chair as her mother either paced restlessly or rambled on about politics.

As she walked past the pool, Chantal glanced at the inviting water, and decided to eat her sandwich in the cool evening air. All day, she was closeted indoors in stifling heat. Sri Lanka was all about the outdoors. After removing her sneakers and placing them neatly on the grass, Chantal sat by the edge of the pool, lowered her plate and glass, and rolled up her jeans. Dipping her feet into the tepid water felt satisfying, and she kicked them in small circles, before picking up her half eaten sandwich.

“Pool party?” Gage stepped around the side of the house, and Chantal raised her brows in surprise. He’d shed his body armor and wore a black Henley shirt with tactical pants.

“For one.”

“How about, for two? I promise… I’ll behave. No splashing.”

“What are you doing here?”

“Your mother asked if two MSD agents could remain behind. Gannon is patrolling the house. I’m on a break. The rest of the team are back at the hotel.”

“Stay? Why?”

“There’s unrest near the embassy. It could roll this way.”

“You’ll sleep here?”

“We’ll take turns. We have a bed in the ‘west wing.’ Gannon is on first shift.”

“You’re taking a risk.” Chantal nodded in the direction of the gate. “Our local police guards might take offense.”

“That’s why only two of us stayed back. I’ll keep a low profile. Wouldn’t want them to feel inadequate…”

“Your sarcasm is showing.” American diplomats and their families were guests on the small island. Stepping out of line and onto the boots of local protection could lead to political tensions. But her mother had given the order and would deal with potential repercussions.

Gage sat beside her and removed his boots. “It’s late, and they haven’t noticed the two missing MSD agents. Not yet. All of the guards are currently down by the front of the property. We’ll roll out early in the morning. I don’t trust some of the men—some could be on Rajin’s payroll.”

“Dishan isn’t.”

“You don’t know that—but he seems like a solid fellow with a clean track record. As do the rest of the guards on your detail.” Gage tossed his boots to the side.

“You vetted them?”

“Of course. My team works beside them. I don’t want dead teammates or a dead principal.”

“Gee, thanks.”

“Why do you think I wanted to vet the kid? Everyone in your proximity is a possible danger. The water is nice.”

Chantal watched his tanned feet floating beside hers. Well-shaped with noble-looking toes. Could toes look noble? His did.

“She may not show it, but your mother cares and wants you protected by the best.”

“I know. She can be difficult. The pain wears her down.”

“And she takes it out on you.” He picked up a twig and leaned down to rescue a moth.

“Sometimes.”

Gage shot her a wry look.

“Okay… much of the time.” Chantal smiled. “After a bad night, I escape from her den, and meditate.”

“You meditate?” Gage lowered the winged insect onto a slated edge.

“Yes, do you?”

“Maybe.” He splashed her leg with his hand.

A giggle escaped. “I can’t picture you meditating.”

“Why not?”

“Because you’re a restless panther.”

“Does Taekwondo count?”

Chantal poked him in a huge bicep. “Tai chi, maybe.”

“Are you eating the rest of that sandwich?”

“Uh. No.”

      Gage leaned around her front, and she sucked in a breath. His broad chest pressed into her shoulder and his arm grazed her front.

“God, you smell good. Sorry. I shouldn’t have—”

“Thanks.”

Gage snagged the plate and withdrew. He’d smelled good too. Way too fine.

Chantal crossed her legs and looked up at the clear night. “Did you know that the planetarium and the observatory are in this neighborhood?”

“It’s my job to know that… every building within a five-mile radius.”

Rolling her eyes, Chantal leaned back on her elbows and smiled at the sky. “Show-off. Lyrid will be peaking next week. It’s best viewed in the early hours of the morning.”

“What’s Lyrid?”

“One of the oldest meteor showers. It runs for about ten days and comes from the constellation of Lyra and is the remains of a comet.”

      “So, you’ll be out here? At what? Three am?”

“More like four. And I won’t be here at its peak—I’ll be inland. Symposium, remember?”

“You like the stars.”

“We might not see them in a while—heavy rains are predicted. It’s been a late monsoon season. What’s your passion—aside from guns and ammo?”

“Way to stereotype.” Gage leaned back on his elbows and grinned. “Lately—I like lemurs.”

Chantal sniggered. “What? You’re a fan of the National Geographic channel?”

“About five months ago, I rescued a baby lemur in Madagascar.” Gage turned his head, and Chantal stared into his twinkling eyes. “It had been hit by a car. We saw this rangy, little fluff ball lying in the road and we stopped. I scooped it up, and we rushed Monty—we named the critter—to a nearby vet.”

      “We…as in?”

“The team. Deployed to Madagascar for two months.”

An image formed of six tough guys rallying around one tiny lemur. Talk about a strike to the heart.

“Did Monty survive?”

“Yeah. Barely, but she—Monty turned out to be a female—pulled through. They took her to a nearby sanctuary. I’ve been obsessed with lemurs ever since.”

“That’s the sweetest. You guys are a bunch of softies.” Chantal couldn’t resist jabbing him in the side.

“Stop.” He tried to grab her finger and she went in for a second strike.

“Like a big teddy bear.”

“Don’t poke the bear!”

“Like this?”

“Woman!” In one smooth move, Gage grabbed her wrist and flipped her over his chest and onto her back.

“Was that a ‘Taekwondo’ move?” she asked breathlessly.

“Perhaps.”

His intense stare had her wanting to look away, but she maintained eye contact.

“There are those eyes again.”

What was wrong with her eyes? They weren’t anything special—brown in color. Good vision—did their job.

      His mouth sat too close, and Chantal reached up to trace his carved lips. Everything about Gage felt hard—like granite. Yet, he handled her like glass.

“Chants, don’t.” He didn’t pull away.

“One quick taste.”

“Once won’t be enough.” His eyes blazed, reflecting her hunger. “You’re my principal and if I kiss you... I’m inviting chaos.”

“I miss chaos. All I do is work.”

A thumb stroked the side of her breast through her t-shirt, and her breath quickened.

“Don’t look at me like that.” His voice sounded raw. “It’s not worth the risk.”

“We’re alone. Look.”

“Fuck.” Gage crushed his lips to hers, and Chantal took full advantage. Gripping his neck, she pulled him close and traced his lips with her tongue. He responded, devouring and feasting on her eager mouth. One of them—both of them—groaned. His hand fisted in her hair, holding her in place. He lit her brain on fire, obliterating all reason. Nothing else mattered. Chantal wanted more. Instead, he slowed the kiss, eventually withdrawing. And as their breath mingled, he released her hair and traced a thumb over her temple.

“We broke the rules. Shit—it was worth it.”

“But it can’t happen again?”

Closing his eyes, Gage shook his head. “I can’t fail you. Or my team. Or your mother.”

“Because it always comes down to her.” Chantal shoved him aside and got to her feet.

“It comes down to you. Your safety is why I’m here.”

“Spare me the bodyguard speech. It was a kiss. No biggie. I’ll see you in the morning.”

      “Chants—”

“Don’t call me that.” She widened her stride, heading for her door. A rock bit into her heel and she realized she’d abandoned her sneakers. “Especially not in front of your team. You protect me, and I’ll protect your reputation. I won’t go all ‘googly-eyed’ in the ‘field.’” She unlocked her door. “Our secret is safe.”

“Wait—”

“Bonne Nuit.” Closing the door on the sexy MSD operator felt gratifying. And Chantal threw back her shoulders and marched to her bedroom. Time for a shower. Her chin still tingled from his stubble, and Chantal swiped at her mouth. Claustrophobia swarmed as she paused to sit on her bed. This was her world—trailing behind her mother across the globe. Losing out living a normal life where she could go on normal dates and hang with her girlfriends. Have a place she’d call home. When last had she had a home? Chantal couldn’t remember. Why couldn’t she step out from beneath her mother’s shadow—walk away and find her normality? She knew why. Guilt. Deep down, she knew it was all her fault. She’d killed her father and maimed her mother. She’d pay for her selfishness. Sentenced to a nomadic life. When would penance to her only relative be enough? She’d swapped freedom for atonement. That sacrifice included forgetting about Gage and that ground-shaking kiss.