Then her eyes widened as she concentrated on his name. She had heard it before. She searched her memory trying to remember why the name sounded familiar. She looked him over again in his dark jeans, skintight T-shirt and worn cowboy boots. All he needed was a hat, spurs and a horse and he'd be riding off the pages of a Louis Lamoure book. Her mind must be playing tricks on her because, though the name sounded familiar, she didn't know him. She decided it was time to leave.
Bree quickly turned as she got ready to bolt, but once again his arms snaked around her and suddenly she was pinned against the wall, his body pressed tightly against hers. She felt every inch of his solid thighs, washboard abs and arms of steel touching her. She forgot how to breathe.
"Listen, I've told you I'm not here to steal your virtue. Your father sent me," he said, his breath sweeping over her face, his lips only inches from her own.
Bree had been afraid and upset before his words, but her head about exploded when he said he was sent by her father. If he was lying, he needed to get more creative. If he was speaking the truth, her family members were dead – every single one of them. She in no way needed, nor wanted, a babysitter.
Chad's eyes lowered their gaze to her mouth. She felt him push a little closer and she knew he'd finally realized they were pressed together against a brick wall in a secluded alley. She was suddenly aware her br**sts were tightly pressed against his chest, making her heart rate accelerate. She became even angrier to actually feel anything other than fear and loathing toward the man holding her captive.
He loosened his grip and moved his body back, just out of reach, but his hands stayed planted on the wall on either side of her head – caging her in. His close proximity wasn't helping her brain to function properly.
"Why would my dad send you to stalk me?"
"He didn't. I'm here to protect you. He told me you're aware of the threats against you," Chad said. He was done playing. She was affecting him in ways he hadn't expected, and certainly didn't want. He was there for a job and nothing further.
"I will tell you the same thing I told my father. We've all received threats our entire lives. It goes with the territory of being from a family like mine. I won't validate this pathetic man or woman's addiction by living my life in fear. I don't need, nor want a bodyguard. You can go back to my father and tell him, No thank you," she spat, then looked pointedly at his restraining arms. He was about to get bit again and this time she'd sink her teeth in even deeper.
"Your dad told me you'd say that. He also told me to tell you, he was the one in charge, and come hell or high water I wasn't to leave your side, so take it or leave it, but I'm here to stay," he said with a smile.
How could he infuriate her and turn her body on at the same time? She wanted to take a bite out of him, but she wasn't so sure it was to cause pain, anymore.
"I'll just give the local sheriff a call and tell him someone's stalking me," she said with confidence, while smirking at him. She knew her rights. He couldn't stalk her without consequences.
"Go ahead and give Captain Musket a call. We go way back, as a matter of fact, we served on the same team for several years," he answered. Bree's eyes flashed with fury at his words. Men! And they all stuck together.
"Can you please let loose of the arm cage so I can get my keys and go home? I'm tired, cranky and very much done with this conversation."
"After you," he said while taking a step back. She swept past him and went inside to grab her keys. She sat down and called her father. Just because he said her dad had sent him, didn't necessarily mean he was telling the truth.
"Hello," her father's voice came over the line. He was answering his own phone, which meant he knew the call was coming in.
"Did you seriously hire a babysitter for me?" Bree didn't take time to say hello. She knew she didn't need to say who was calling. If her father had indeed hired Chad, he'd know exactly what she was talking about. If he hadn't, he'd have the entire National Guard at her office in less than five minutes.
"So good to hear from you twice in one day," George answered. By him ignoring her question, she had her answer. She was silent as she fought the urge to scream into the mouthpiece of the phone. She knew she couldn't get any more words past her throat so for the first time in her life she hung up on her dad.
He deserved to know how incredibly ticked off she was.
Chad was indeed sent by her father. She knew she could plead, threaten and shout but it wouldn't do her any good. Her father wouldn't pull him from his task. In her father's opinion, if she insisted on being on her own, then she would have to deal with a shadow. After taking several minutes to wash her flushed cheeks, she decided she was ditching her unwanted escort.