Mary Baxter - His Touch

“I’m sure you’re right,” she admitted on a sigh.

“Good. So from now on, when I suggest something—anything—that’s in your best interest, I expect you to do it.”

She threw her head back to look at him. “I’m not a child, Mr. Harding. And I resent being treated like one.”

“Then I think we’re both wasting our time.”

A hostile silence descended over the room.

“You mean there can’t be a happy medium?”

“Not with me. If I’m to do my job, then it’s my way or no way.” He paused as if to let those words sink in.

Damn his stubbornness. More to the point, who did he think he was? It wasn’t too late to fire him. It was on the tip of her tongue to do just that, but the words stuck in her throat. “Look, maybe we should postpone this discussion for another time. It’s been a long day for both of us.”

Brant shrugged his shoulders. “It’s your call. Tell me where I can bunk in for the night, then I suggest you give what I just told you serious thought.”

“Follow me,” she said through tight lips.

A short time later, Jessica was still harboring ill will toward her unwanted houseguest. She had taken a hot bath, hoping to relieve her tension and chaotic thoughts, to no avail. If anything, she was more agitated than ever. Just his presence was responsible.

After she was in her robe, it dawned on her that she hadn’t had anything to eat, nor had he. The thought of food was as unappetizing as going downstairs and running into him, but she wondered if he was hungry. Manners should have prodded her to tell him he was welcome to use the kitchen.

Too late now. Anyway, she wasn’t sure she could have uttered those words. What an impossible situation. Her gaze went to the computer, but she dared not boot it up for fear of what she would read. She would have loved to e-mail Veronica, but she couldn’t deal with anything else this evening.

When the phone rang, whether it was her land line or her cell, her instinct was to answer it. But unless she knew for sure who the caller was, she wouldn’t do it. Life was definitely too short to live like this.

All the more reason not to relieve Brant Harding of his duties.

Following their earlier conversation, she’d had every intention of doing just that, deciding she definitely couldn’t subject herself to such an invasion into her privacy. And while the thought remained tempting, her sound judgment once again came to her rescue. If she refused Brant’s help, she would be doing herself a grave injustice.

After all, this was indeed a dangerous game she was playing. And before the game came to an end, the stakes could escalate even more.

Jeopardizing her very life.

The ringing of her cell phone jarred her from her thoughts. Only after the caller ID registered a familiar number did relief wash through her.

“Hey,” she said.

“So how are things going, friend?”

“You don’t want to know.” Jessica eased onto the bed, then propped her head on a stack of pillows.

“Uh-oh,” Veronica said. “Not so good, huh?”

“I was just about to call you.”

“More harassment, I’m assuming.”

“That and—” She broke off, deciding not to blurt out her feelings concerning Brant.

“Go on,” Veronica urged in a seemingly innocent tone.

Jessica wasn’t fooled for a second. She would bet her friend either knew exactly what was going on or had a pretty good idea. “I don’t want to do this,” Jessica admitted at last.

“I know you don’t, but what choice do you have?”

“Isn’t there someone else in Thurmon’s office who could do the job?”

Silence hummed through the line.

“Not as well as Brant.” Veronica sighed. “Do you just not like him or what?”

Jessica was reluctant to admit that, fearing it might lead to much more probing questions, questions she wasn’t prepared to answer. Yet she had no intention of lying to her friend, not now, not ever.

“For some reason, he just rubs me the wrong way.”

Veronica chuckled. “That doesn’t surprise me.”

“Then why on earth did Thurmon pick him?”

“He’s told you already. Brant’s the best at what he does. And since you’re my dearest friend, I’m determined that you have the best.”

Jessica sighed. “While I love you dearly for your care and concern, I’m just not sure I can handle his strong personality.”

“You’re one to be talking. I can see why you two would butt heads.”

“It’s just that he’s so…” Jessica’s voice faded as she realized how whiny and childish she must sound. Veronica, of all people, shouldn’t have to bear the brunt of her dilemma.

“Bossy and strong-willed? Was that what you were going to say?”

“Yes.”

“Look, you’ll get adjusted, but not in one day. You’re expecting too much, too soon.”

“You’re right, I know. Still…” Again Jessica’s voice faded, while her frustration rose.

“Still nothing. Just chill and go with the flow. It’ll all work out, maybe much sooner than expected. If Brant’s as good as my better half says, and I have no reason to believe otherwise, he’ll find the jerk who’s dealing you all this misery and deal him some misery of his own.”

Jessica blew out her breath.

“Where’s Brant now?”

“In the downstairs guest room.”

“So…out of sight, out of mind?”

“Right.”

“Look, you can face this mess again tomorrow. Tonight you need to get some sleep, knowing you’re in safe hands.”

“I’ll do my best.”

“Good. Let me hear from you.” Veronica paused with a chuckle. “Don’t be too hard on the poor guy, okay?”

In spite of herself, Jessica smiled. “I’ll get you for that.”

“Later then.”

After she replaced her phone in its case, Jessica’s good humor fled. Somehow, she would endure. That was what she’d done all her life, and her inner strength wouldn’t fail her now.

Clinging to that thought, she turned over and closed her eyes.

He hadn’t wanted to take Thurmon up on his offer, but he had. Desperation had been the driving force. Marsha had given him the runaround long enough. He still hadn’t seen or talked to his son, because every time he called, he either didn’t get an answer or his ex-wife picked up. He’d had enough.

So when Thurmon had told him he would cover for him with Jessica that afternoon, he’d said okay. Brant’s features twisted. He knew Jessica wouldn’t be upset. On the contrary, she would be relieved.

They had been together for several days now. And while those days had been uneventful as far as threats went, the tension between them had continued to mount.

He was damned if he did and damned if he didn’t. He sensed that she flat out didn’t like him and wasn’t comfortable with him under her roof. Well, he felt the same way, only he was careful not to let that show. He’d been trained not to reveal his emotions while on the job.

However, with Jessica Kincaid, that was hard to do. He was too damn aware of her as a woman. That was the problem. Her perfume drove him nuts. Everything about her drove him nuts. When she walked into a room, it seemed to come alive. She had that type of infectious personality. Laughter would ring from her office one moment, and the next she would ream someone out for not doing his duty.

She was definitely a contradiction, which made her all the more exciting. But though he admired her professionalism and her personality, most of the time he wanted to throttle her.

Jessica wasn’t into rules and regulations. Unless she set them. He’d learned that. He’d also learned she was fearless. He still wasn’t convinced she realized just how much danger was lurking around her, especially now that the pervert had backed off for a few days. That unpredictability was unnerving.