Tears flowed like a sudden rain on her face. Her breasts were full in anticipation of Ella’s suppertime, and the traffic wound like a lethargic snake as far as she could see. She fumbled for the bag of breast pads in her tote and shovedthem into place in case her fountains erupted. Then she grabbed another breast pad, wiped the tears from her face, and blew her nose.
Freaking hormones.She could cry on a dime. Gone was the military edge, the self-composure, the stone-faced decision maker. Maybe she’d end the nursing soon and wean Ella. Just a few more weeks, she promised herself.
But what if she never had another kid? What if Ella was an only child? She loved nursing her daughter. Yeah. She’d think about it some more.
But right now, she had to figure out who’d sent those flowers.
The traffic came to an abrupt halt, and Liz threw the car into park, using the moment to send a text to Nick, thanking him. The car behind her honked, and she looked up. The traffic in front of her had started moving. She tappedsendand put the car in drive.
It took Nick all of an hour to reply. She had just parked in the driveway at home.
The flowers are not from me. When you find out who sent them—tell them you’ve already got a man who sends flowers.
A smile crept across Liz’s face. It was just like him to be territorial where she was concerned. She leaned her head back against the headrest and stared at the garage door.
So then, who sent the flowers?
6
Nick leaned back in his office chair.
His iPad was full of notes on the senator’s needs. The guy wanted 24/7 protection at his home and one man to protect him when he wasn’t in the Capitol office building. The Capitol police offered protection during work hours and events but no personal protection off-grounds or after hours. The senator wanted new security systems at his homes in DC, Texas, and the Outer Banks. He wanted SecureIT to accompany his oldest daughter to school in the morning and after school activities. Nick tapped his pencil and brooded over that one. He didn’t do kids.
Ever.
Hmmm.Derek would blend right in with the children.
Nick needed nine security personnel to fully staff a week with the Richardson family. Extended out, he was looking at well over a million a year for bodyguard services, and that didn’t include the new security systems in all three homes.
There was nothing like family money, and Richardson was swimming in it. Nick had arranged to meet the wifetomorrow morning and install the new system in the DC home. According to Richardson, there was no time to waste. He wanted his family safe. Yesterday.
Nick’s phone pinged with messages, and he remembered Liz’s text from earlier. Some doofus sent her flowers.Not good.It was time to get her talking. He’d given her plenty of space and time to heal.
And he’d tolerated her request to keep their relationship open.
He’d been stateside three months and had seen her only four times. She’d looked more beautiful than ever a few weeks ago. She’d put on a little weight. Not so military lean anymore. It looked damn good on her. Accentuated her curves.
He entered Liz’s mother’s address into his phone and scanned the directions. Well, he’d been at the right place yesterday when nobody was home. Maybe he’d try again today. He could buy a spectacular bunch of flowers and personally deliver them.Don’t bother calling first.She’d only try to meet in a restaurant, or on a Saturday at some park.
He’d been patient long enough. There was no way he’d let some dude move in on the lieutenant he’d loved since high school. He glanced at the clock. The traffic would be easing soon. It was only seventeen miles from his place to hers, but in rush hour, it could take him the better part of an hour.
He’d take a shower first and wear something casual. On second thought, he’d wear a fresh suit. His girl never could resist him in his dress blues. A suit would really grab her attention.
The last time he’d seen her during that Sanctuary, Inc. rescue, she’d worn a wetsuit. It’d been like perusing the latest hot-off-the-press swimsuit issue. His johnson had spent theevening bouncing between half-chub and full salute. A rather pleasant experience until he realized she’d left without saying goodbye.
He chuckled to himself. He’d do his damnedest to get her attention tonight.
7
The doorbell rang and Liz called out, “I’ll get it, Mom.” A satisfied Ella slept in her arms as she glanced in the peephole before opening the door.
Her body froze.Nick.
Oh shit!What was he doing here? Her pulse sprinted. He always called first or tried to set up a weekend rendezvous. She looked left—right—bewilderment seized her and she hurried down the hallway to Arlene’s bedroom.
“Liz, what’s wrong?” Arlene dropped the book she was reading and stood. “Honey?”
“Nick’s at the front door, Mom. You’ve got to take Ella to Louise’s for a little while. Please, please, hurry,” she panted. She placed the sleeping Ella into her mother’s arms and swung the diaper bag across Arlene’s shoulder.
