The last few days she’d managed to stop talking to him all together, which seemed to make her die a bit inside.
“Don’t you think the cold shoulder is getting a little old?” Bree nearly jumped out of her skin when Chad startled her from her self pep-talk.
“I think it’s time for you to admit I don’t need a bodyguard. No more letters have come in. No prowlers are lurking around corners. I’ve called my father and told him, and even he seems to think he may have overreacted.”
“That’s not what he said to me. He doesn’t feel you’re safe on your own. If you go back home, you can be rid of me,” he said with a mocking smile.
“You’re the most frustrating man I’ve ever met,” she said as she jumped to her feet and got in his face. It wasn’t an easy task to accomplish, considering he stood a good eight inches taller than her, but with her heels on, she made up some of the difference. Being short wasn’t an advantage when dealing with a six-foot-four, muscle bound Neanderthal.
“That’s a bit of the pot calling the kettle black, don’t you think?” Chad said with a smile.
She pushed her finger into his chest, her temper escalating, along with her desire. She was furious at her traitorous body for wanting the insufferable man.
Chad snaked his hand out and grabbed her wrist, pulling her off balance and causing her chest to fall against his. When she felt the intensity of their touch, she instantly grew moist – her body readying in anticipation of him.
When Bree made a sound low in her throat, Chad’s entire body came to life. He’d been killing himself trying to fight his attraction to her. She was the devil in disguise and he knew she’d be the end of him. Simply watching her do the most mundane of tasks, such as bending over to pick something up, sent his body into overdrive. One night of lovemaking hadn’t been enough and he was furious at his lack of self-control.
It seemed all rational reactions were out the window where Bree Anderson was concerned.
He pushed his fingers through her silken strands of hair and pressed his lips against hers before he could stop himself. He had to taste her – just for one minute. A moment of weakness wouldn’t kill them.
He had to stop.
His job was to protect her – not seduce her in the middle of a public park. They were out in the open with dozens of people walking by. He couldn’t seem to get the message to his brain, though. His lips caressed hers until her mouth opened and he felt the tip of her tongue lick against his bottom lip.
His groin jumped to life and he pressed her back against the park wall, his hands tugging on her hair, holding her mouth firmly in place beneath his own as his tongue swept along her lips.
His mind said to stop – but his body needed more.
Deepening the kiss, he forgot everything around them until he heard laughter from some kids, then the sound of kissing noises. He finally managed to pull his head clear and turned to see a group of children laughing at the two of them while kissing their hands.
Bree looked at him through passion filled eyes, leaning toward him, when she finally heard the kids. Her eyes rounded as she turned her head, then her cheeks flushed as she realized the display they’d put on.
She pushed against his chest and he could tell she was mortified by what they’d been doing. Chad kept trying to tell his highly aroused body it just a kiss, not worth getting all worked up over.
“No more,” she said breathlessly as she moved away another foot, putting space between them. He wanted to follow and drag her back but he knew she was smart to move away.
“I know. I tend to lose my mind around you,” he admitted. She looked surprised by his honesty.
“We can’t work together anymore. Obviously I don’t use the best judgment around you, and contrary to what you may believe, I don’t normally sleep with men I barely know. I’m going for a walk. So help me, if you follow, I’ll call the sheriff and tell him you’re attacking me,” she threatened.
He had a feeling she wasn’t bluffing. He decided to give her a little space. Not too much, he still wasn’t assured of her safety, but since nothing had happened in a month, she was safe to take a short stroll.
Bree turned and walked down the wooded path. When she reached the bend, he started following. He’d just make sure to stay out of her sight. What she didn’t know wouldn’t hurt her, after-all.
After five minutes of walking, he figured she was about thirty yards ahead of him. That’s when he heard her scream and all bets were off – he shouldn’t have allowed her to walk away. He reached for his gun and took off, sprinting down the trail. He turned the corner to find Bree sprawled on the ground.
“What happened?” he demanded while surveying the area. He didn’t see anyone, but that didn’t mean there wasn’t danger.
“A guy tried to grab me. He had a hold of my arm, but I dropped to the ground. He had a knife. He lifted it when I screamed. He was getting ready to grab me again when he heard you running and took off that way,” she gasped as she pointed to a small trail.
Chad didn’t want to leave her alone, but he had to try to catch the guy. If this was her stalker, he could get him behind bars, where he belonged.
“Go back to the park, now!” he demanded, then took off down the trail. He hoped for once she would actually listen to him. He didn’t want her on the secluded trail. He needed her surrounded by the other people at the park – feeling she was safer among a crowd.
As Chad quickly followed the trail, he heard the sound of twigs breaking ahead of him, and figured the guy had about a hundred yard lead on him. It should be no problem to catch him. Picking up his pace, his weapon still drawn, he listened for any changes in the guy’s pattern. If twigs stopped breaking, or there was a sudden silence, he could adjust his own stride, but the perpetrator wasn’t even trying to hide his departure.
Chad began to hear the sounds of cars and people and realized they’d made a large loop and were going to break out of the trail in a minute. If this guy got into a large crowd, Chad could too easily lose him. He picked up his pace, but when he heard the snapping of twigs stop, he knew it was too late.
He pushed himself even faster and quickly ran into the grassy field surrounding the park. People were milling about, but he didn’t see anyone running. He surveyed the area, seeking anyone who was out of place. He swiped his hand across his forehead, frustration making him want to yell.