Bedded by Her Bodyguard(23)

He felt a tug on his sleeve. He glanced down at Mindy, her petite stature appearing smaller and more fragile than usual. “Why do we need a knife?”

“I’ll show you later. Let me pay for this then we’re out of here.”

Breathing a sigh of relief, she nodded. However, Isaac had revealed his crystal clear American speech. The owner’s eyes glittered like a snake oil salesman’s.

I don’t think so, pal. Isaac spread his feet in a cocky stance and dove into the negotiations speaking flawless Russian. Long ago he’d mastered the art of reading body language, a priceless tool in a salesman’s arsenal of tactics. The only person he’d been careful not to use that with was Mindy. Everyone else was fair game.

As he bargained with the owner, a surge of adrenaline spiked his veins. He enjoyed the game as much as the prize in the end. He played the man masterfully. He aimed for half the price the owner first quoted. He was five dollars off when the owner dug in his heels and refused to go lower. Thing was, Isaac always got what he wanted.

After a few more minutes, he shrugged. “Then we’ll go someplace else and talk to someone who wants to make money.”

Sliding his arm around Mindy’s waist, he turned her toward the door and lifted a finger to his lips in a gesture for silence. She stayed mute, though her puzzled expression was adorable.

The owner dropped his fists to the counter with a dull thud. “Fine. It’s yours.”

Isaac grinned then schooled his features into a mask of disinterest. He turned back to the man. “I don’t know that I still want it.”

The owner glared them grumbled his final offer. Two dollars less than Isaac had planned to pay. Score.

Walking back to the counter, he withdrew his wallet and paid cash for the knife at a dirt-cheap price. Pleased with the success, he pocketed the knife and hurried Mindy out the door.

“What was that about back there?” Her dazed expression remained until they’d pulled away from the shop.

He grinned. “My idea of fun.”

“I’ll take your word for it.” She eyed him with hesitation. “Are you going to tell me what the knife is for?”

“That’s the purpose of knives like this. An extra level of protection.”

She clicked her thumbnails together. “Then wouldn’t the gun have been a better choice?”

“A knife is easily concealed and just as powerful when you know how to use it. I’m going to teach you some defense techniques when we get back to the hotel.”

“Oh.” That seemed to soothe her nerves. “I’d like that.”

“Consider it done.” He tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “But first, we’re going on a tour.”

Her eyes sparkled like sapphires. “Where?”

He tapped her nose. “It’s a surprise. I think you’ll like it.”

After giving the driver instructions, which the man already knew because Isaac had arranged this with him yesterday, he settled back into the soft cushion and watched the dozens of fascinating expressions that crossed her face as they went on a long winding drive through the city. Everything captured her interest. From a boy selling papers on the street corner to merchants with their carts stationed outside shops to colorful fall leaves floating in fountains that hadn’t yet frozen over.

At one point, he asked the driver to crank up the heat in back, then urged her to roll down the window and experience every color and scent and sound. Chill wind streamed through her hair, turned her cheeks pink, and made her eyes over-bright. Stacking her arms on the edge of the window, she rested her chin on her coat sleeves. She smiled nonstop.

Isaac imprinted this moment in his memory. Her expression of sheer bliss, almost spiritual, made her beauty ethereal. A soft sweet angel who’d been placed on earth just for him. To remind him of the sacredness of life. That he needed to slow down, look around, and appreciate what he’d accomplished…and dream about the future. Not in a hurry-up-and-arrive kind of way. More like lying on the banks of a slow river on a lazy Sunday afternoon, remembering far-flung hopes from the past, back when reality and logic and planning didn’t interfere with daydreaming. Imagination in full bloom. No ideas beyond the realm of possibility. No limits. Just pure freedom.

I want to fall in love with you.

As he gazed at her, his chest squeezed with the silent admission. How he’d come to his conclusion already, he wasn’t sure. Maybe because everything about her fit the missing pieces in him he’d never realized he’d been living without. Until the day she’d arrived on his path with a bright shining light when he’d stood at a crossroads, showing him the way to a better, more fulfilling existence.