He braced his hands on the door frame, deliberately looming over her. “From this second on, I call the shots, with no arguments from you. If you really want to continue to stay here, you’ll do as I tell you, whatever I tell you.” He waited until she’d backed all the way into the kitchen, then he added, “You understand all that?”
Bonnie’s mouth opened twice, but nothing came out. She was too stunned to think rationally, too appalled to react with any real thought. David dropped his arms and stepped completely into the kitchen, watching her, and by reflex alone, she started sidling toward the hall door. She had made a terrible mistake. Her instincts had been off by a long shot.
David’s smile was pure wickedness. “Where ya’ goin’, Bon Bon?”
“I, ah, I just thought of something…” she replied.
Like a loud blast, his laugh erupted, filling the silence of the kitchen.
She halted, a spark of suspicion beginning to form. “What is so funny?”
“The look on your face. Did you think I had visions of taking you?” He shook his head, and Bonnie felt her cheeks flame. He was still chuckling when he said, “It only makes sense that I’d be in charge–after all, that’s what I’m getting paid for. Like I told you, a rich little lady like yourself would only draw a lot of unnecessary attention hanging around that area. No more going there. You’ll have to follow my lead, and do as I tell you if you want to stay here and stay safe.”
Bonnie was so mortified, she wanted to die. Stiff-backed, she turned away from him and walked over to lean against the tiled counter near the sink. She heard David close the door, and seconds later, his hands landed on her shoulders, holding her firm.
“Don’t get all huffy now. The situation isn’t so bad.”
“You mean, you don’t intend to taunt me anymore? My goodness, how gracious.” Bonnie retorted sarcastically.
“You’ve got a real smart mouth, don’t you? No, don’t answer that. I’m sorry I teased you, but I couldn’t resist. You’re just too damn easy to fluster.” He turned her to face him, then tipped up her chin.
“Here, now, don’t go blushing again. Not that you don’t look cute when you do, but I really think we should talk.”
Bonnie stepped carefully away, not wanting him to know how his nearness, his touch, affected her. Even after all his taunting, she still went breathless and too warm inside when he was close. And ridiculously, it angered her when he belittled himself, claiming she could have no interest in him other than as a sex partner. The physical appeal was there, but it was more than that.
Much more. He had helped her. He’d actually taken on three inebriated men to protect her, even though he wasn’t a real cop. And he was willing to help her again. Even if he was doing it for the money, he was still helping her, and for that she was grateful. For now, she couldn’t sort it all out. Especially not with her senses still rioting at his nearness.
She drew a deep breath, then let it out again. “I thought we were going to wait until morning to make any plans. It is getting rather late.”
“Yes, but I’ve decided to say this before I leave. I really shouldn’t leave you alone since you have this history of… you know… running away when things don’t go your way”
Her eyes widened. “I’m not going to run, and besides, it happened only one time so that doesn’t count as history you should use to judge me”
“Trust me, it does”
“That’s your business. And for your information, I’m not going to leave… unless you try to force me to do something I don’t want to. I like it here… I really do”
David lifted a finger, almost reluctantly, and touched the small blue bow that tied her collar at her throat. She could hear his breathing, could see his intense concentration as he watched the movement of his hand. With a slow, gentle tug, he released the bow, and the pad of his finger touched her warm skin.
Bonnie parted her lips to breathe. She wasn’t thinking about what he was doing or why. She was only feeling, the sensations overwhelming, swamping her senses. She surrendered to them–to David–without a whimper, good sense and caution lost in the need to be wanted, to share herself with another person.
David lifted his gaze to her face. He searched her expression for a timeless moment, his eyes hard and bright. Then abruptly, he moved away. He stalked to the door, his head down, his hands fisted on his hips.
He inhaled deeply, and Bonnie watched the play of muscles across his back. “I want your promise, Bonnie. I don’t want you to do anything or go anywhere without telling me.” Gruff and low, it took a second for his words to filter into her mind. They were so different from her own thoughts, so distant from the mood he’d created. She cleared her throat and tried to clear her mind. David still had his back to her, his arms now crossed over his chest. He sounded almost angry, and she didn’t understand him. Could he, who barely knew her, truly be so concerned for her well-being?
Finally, he turned to her. “This house is secure?”
“Very.”
He opened the door. “I’ve got to go. I have a few things to do yet.”
Nervously, Bonnie fingered the loose ties to her bow. She considered retying it, but decided against drawing any further attention to the silly thing. David glanced down at her fingers, and his expression hardened. “You stay in your castle, princess. We can talk more in the morning.”
“Yes. I won’t go anywhere else tonight.” She tried to make her tone firm, but some of her fear came through in her next question. “How will I reach you tomorrow?”
David stood silently watching her a minute longer. “I thought you didn’t have a phone.”
“I don’t. I was just asking…just in case”
“You got a pen and paper anywhere around here?”
Bonnie opened a drawer and pulled out a pad and pencil. David quickly scrawled several lines. “This is my number. And just in case, here’s my address.”
She tried not to look too greedy when she snatched the paper out of his hand. “Good night. Mr Stewart.” she said.