Fourth Fight Page 9

  Chapter Eleven

  Christopher reclaimed his spot at the end of the table. Annie sat next to him, facing Emily. The young woman with wavy blonde hair, perfect creamy skin, a cute smile, and a figure men loved to admire kept smiling at Andrew. Emily had noticed during their lunch. She couldn’t blame the country singer for eyeing him. Andrew wasn’t rough around the edges like the other men. Andrew was athletic, not a military man. Emily hadn’t been surprised Annie had taken an interest in him.

  “Tell me about your past, Carrie,” Christopher said. “Where did you grow up?”

  She’d been wondering when someone would ask. “I grew up in Chicago. I don’t have much to say about my family. My mom was addicted to drugs and my dad was an alcoholic. I met a boy when I was five and stuck up for him. We became good friends and over the years he taught me many things.”

  “Is he the one that trained you?” Christopher asked.

  “Yes. We’re very loyal to each other,” she said.

  “He sounds like a good friend,” Annie said, leaning her elbows on the table and clasping her hands together near her cheek while she bent forward.

  “He is.” Emily nodded.

  “And you worked with him?” Christopher asked.

  “Yes. He has very unique clients. I was more of a support type of friend. Once in a while we ran into trouble though,” Emily said.

  “What did your parents think?” Annie asked.

  “They didn’t care for him much. When I was a teenager, I tried to stay away from home as much as I could. I left the house after high school and never looked back,” Emily said.

  “Do you ever miss your family?” Annie asked.

  “No. They weren’t good parents,” Emily said.

  “That’s so sad,” Annie said.

  “Annie and I know what it’s like to live with drug addicts. It can be very strenuous,” Christopher said.

  “Did you ever want to try anything?” Annie asked.

  “No, not at all. After seeing what drugs and alcohol did to my parents, I stayed away. But I drink a few beers with friends on occasion,” Emily said.

  Annie smiled and turned her attention to Andrew. “What about you, Spencer? Where did you grow up?”

  “I also grew up in Chicago. I’m close to my family. We keep in touch,” he said.

  “What made you decide to be a nurse?” Annie asked.

  “My father was a doctor and his father before him. They inspired me,” Andrew said.

  “And how did you two meet exactly?” Christopher asked.

  Andrew gave them the same spiel he’d delivered to Matt earlier.

  “That sounds romantic,” Annie said with a gleam in her blue eyes.

  “Carrie and I work well together and I can’t imagine life without her,” Andrew said, gazing at her.

  “Do you have any future goals?” Christopher asked. “Kids maybe?”

  “No, I can’t imagine having any kids for a long time, if ever.” Emily shifted her gaze to Andrew.

  He inhaled a deep breath and smiled. “Kids are not in our future plans.”

  “Do you plan to settle down somewhere?” Christopher asked.

  “Not for a while,” Andrew answered. “But maybe one day. It would be nice to have a place to call home.”

  “Do you like traveling?” Annie asked Andrew.

  “I do. I didn’t travel much growing up. I enjoy seeing different places,” Andrew said.

  “If you don’t mind me asking, do you two argue much?” Christopher asked.

  Emily met Andrew’s gaze. “Not really,” she said. “We had a few after we first met—”

  “I didn’t want her risking her life as much as she was,” Andrew said before she could finish.

  “But we talked things over and realized our mistakes,” Emily said.

  “And I convinced her to let me work with her so I could cover her back.” Andrew grinned.

  “His skills as a nurse might come in handy, Dad,” Annie said. “You never know when I might get hurt. I wouldn’t have to go to a hospital for a sprained ankle.”

  “This is true, but he can’t write prescriptions. If you’re sick and need medicine, you still have to go to the doctor,” Christopher said.

  Annie tucked her locks behind one of her ears. “I hate going to the doctor.”

  “Do either of you have any hobbies?” Christopher asked. “What do you do in your spare time?”

  “We haven’t had much spare time,” Andrew said before Emily could answer. “We’re pretty normal. We work, go back to our hotel or wherever we’re staying, cook, clean, watch movies together…”

  “Our clients have kept us busy,” Emily added.

  “I jog as much as I can. I don’t know if that counts as a hobby. I enjoy working out to stay in shape. Other than that, I’m content to spend time relaxing with Carrie when we’re not busy,” Andrew said.

  Annie smiled at him again. “It’s very important to stay in shape.”

  Andrew put his hand on Emily’s thigh as a touch of irritation rose within her. Flirting with a married man was not cool. Although Emily and Andrew’s marriage was fake, everyone around them believed it was real. So for Annie to openly show her interest in Andrew signaled she had a secret agenda. The demon had no chance in the world with him no matter how cute and pretty she was.

  In the distance, Matt was walking toward the house with Roy and Jon. Emily recognized she had to wrap up the interview.

  “We definitely have different backgrounds and we don’t have the militant training Roy and Jon have, but we’ve worked with several different high profile clients. We understand they have personal lives and needs. We don’t get involved. We do what we’re told and we keep our lips sealed. This is a job. Nothing is taken personally,” Emily said.

  “Matt thinks you would be a valuable asset to the team. I tend to think he’s right,” Christopher said before he faced Annie. “We don’t necessarily need more men with military service. Having another woman around might be good too.”

  “I could offer to train Annie if she’s interested in any self-defense moves,” Emily said.

  “That is something more to consider,” Christopher said. “I know you feel better working with a woman. I feel more comfortable too.”

  “We need good people we can trust and count on. Let’s talk with the others at dinner and make a decision,” Annie said.

  Matt and the two men stepped onto the patio.

  “Perfect timing,” Christopher said before he stood. “It’s been a pleasure meeting all of you. Your talents have impressed me and my daughter. This decision won’t be an easy one. I ask you give us time to talk it over. Matt will contact each of you after I’ve made my choice.”

  Jon stuck his hand out to Christopher. “It’s been an honor. Thank you for having us at your home. I have no doubt I can protect your daughter under any circumstance.”

  The two men shook hands and then Roy offered his. “A pleasure to meet you and Annie. She’s a fine singer. I can assure you, I would protected her with my life.”

  Emily pressed her lips together. Listening to the two men suck up to Christopher prompted her to laugh, but she held back.

  Christopher turned to Emily and Andrew. Emily offered to shake hands and he accepted. “Thank you for lunch and your hospitality. I wish everyone the best.”

  He gave her a smile before he shook Andrew’s hand.

  “My wife said it best. Thank you, and good luck to you and your daughter,” Andrew said.

  “Matt will lead you to your cars. Thank you for coming,” Christopher said, his gaze moving to each of them.

  “Follow me,” Matt said as he headed toward the patio door.

  Anxiety emerged within Emily as she walked away from the demons. She and Andrew had given their best to try to persuade them for the jobs. She hoped their efforts paid off. If not, she had no idea how they could ever get close to Annie so Andrew could kill her.

  Chapter Twelve

  “I�
��m glad you remembered to give Matt our number,” Andrew said after he shut the door to the Jeep. “I forgot we hadn’t given them any of our contact information.”

  Emily shifted the gear. The car crept forward. “It came to me as we were walking out with Matt.”

  Andrew cranked up the air conditioning as she drove away from the mansion. “What did you think of the interviews?”

  “Well, I thought Matt was the most professional. He didn’t ask about our personal lives as much as the others. Don and Sherri seemed more interested if we’d done or seen anything illegal.”

  “I thought that was strange. Do you think Annie has a drug problem?”

  “Well, we know her mother did and her brother seems to be involved with drugs. The family certainly has the financial means to acquire drugs if they want them.”

  “Maybe they’re big drug dealers and she plays the innocent act so people don’t suspect anything.” He couldn’t see her as a murderer. Since he couldn’t figure out any other explanation why the powers that be in heaven would’ve inked her name on his arm, drug dealing seemed like a good excuse.

  “It’s possible, but I don’t think Annie or her dad take drugs. They acted pretty normal.”

  “She asked a lot of personal questions.” He adjusted the vent up so the air would hit closer to his neck instead of his chest.

  “I noticed that too.” Emily drove past the main gate and then turned onto the road. “I also noticed she has a thing for you.”

  Andrew shifted his gaze to her. “What?”

  She glanced at him and smiled. “She likes you. Didn’t you notice?”

  “She smiled, but I didn’t pick up on any other vibes.”

  “She definitely has an interest in you, which says plenty about her. She’s disrespectful and her morals aren’t that good. She thinks she can get whatever she wants, even a married man.”

  “Whoa, whoa,” Andrew said, lifting his hands up. “She’s not getting any piece of me if that’s what you’re thinking.”

  Andrew’s heart belonged to one woman only and she was driving the Jeep. He wouldn’t allow any other female to touch him. After everything he’d been through with Emily, he hoped she knew his love for her couldn’t be swayed.

  “Oh, I’m not saying you’d cash in if she made a move on you, at least…” She took her eyes off the road. “I hope not.”

  “Never,” he said with absolute resolve. “My past is just that. I love you and only you. There is no other woman who can make me happy.”

  His history of flirting and sleeping around with woman ended when he’d met Emily. She was the one he wanted to please, to kiss, to touch, to hold onto forever. He yearned to be with her, to fill her with his cock and make her scream for release after release. The mere thought brought his erection to life.

  Emily returned her focus to the road. As silence lengthened, he sensed her unease.

  “You have doubts,” he said. “Don’t you?” He couldn’t blame her if she did. His track record of sexual promiscuities had landed him back on Earth.

  She gripped the wheel stronger. “I know you love me. But you’re a man with strong needs.”

  “And you satisfy them quite well.”

  “Men get bored with the same woman year after year. Why do you think the divorce rate is so high?”

  “I will never get bored with you.” He flattened his palms on his thighs, avoiding the itch to touch her. He didn’t want to interfere with her driving.

  “I’m sure other men have said that to the woman they loved.”

  He shook his head. “Do not doubt me on this. I give you my word, I will not touch another woman. Ever.”

  “What if the woman was a demon and you had to pretend to have an interest in her to kill her? Could you do it?”

  He rubbed his hands on his jeans. The temperature in the Jeep seemed to increase instead of decrease. “I hope that never happens, because I don’t think I could do it.”

  “You have to kill her. If you have to flirt and get close—”

  “It’s not an option I want to consider. Can we drop the subject please?”

  Grinding his teeth, he turned to his window. Her question was honest, but it bothered him. He couldn’t think of touching another woman. Even flirting seemed wrong. Yet, if he had no other option to kill the demon… The thought made his stomach sour and his blood boil.

  “It could be a way of the people in heaven to test you,” Emily said softly.

  Her words made sense. He could imagine the council plotting a way to test his will.

  Andrew shifted his gaze to her. “If the situation occurs, then I will find another way to get close to her. I won’t risk hurting or losing you. I can’t…” He swallowed. “I can’t go on without you, here or up there. You mean everything to me, Em. Everything.”

  He couldn’t resist touching her any longer. Hand lifted, he brushed the back of his fingers over her smooth cheek. Her warm flesh made him wish he could feel more. So close to her lips, he yearned to kiss them.

  “Well, let’s hope you don’t get tested,” she said.

  With a heavy sigh, he set his hand back on his lap. Silence filled the time as she navigated down the country road, heading back to the hotel. Any more confirmations from him wouldn’t help get rid of her doubt no matter how small it was. But maybe he could drown it by proving himself to her. Actions always worked better than words.

  “Do you think we have a chance at getting those positions now?” he asked.

  She took in a deep breath. “I gathered Matt liked us. Sherri and Don are questionable. Christopher asked good questions. He seemed to like us. I can see Annie voting for you.”

  “Oh, and Sherri has a red aura just like Don. They’re both dangerous.”

  “Good to know.”

  “Anyway, we’re a package deal.”

  “I think we should consider if you get the offer and I don’t.”

  Andrew shook his head. “I think we made it clear we work better as a team.”

  “Just consider the option so you can be prepared,” she said.

  “I don’t like it.” He hated the idea he might have to accept a job offer without her. But how else could he get close to killing Annie?

  She chuckled. “There are a lot of things in life we don’t like. You’d have to take the job. You know that, right?”

  “Yes.” He grunted. “But I will try to persuade them to hire you too. After all, you trained me.”

  Her precious lips formed a smile. He wanted to kiss them and feel them on his body.

  “What?” he asked.

  “Nothing, I’m just … admiring your determination.”

  A spasm jerked his cock. “Trust me, I’m a very determined man, especially when it comes to you.”

  “Oh yeah?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Maybe you should show me some of your determination at the hotel.”

  Her words made his cock swell. “I already planned on it.”

  “Oh really?”

  “Yes. Really. I think you need to be reminded just how determined I am to keep you.” His shorts became too restrictive for his erection and he fidgeted slightly in his seat.

  “Hmm, maybe I do need reminding every now and then.” She shrugged one of her shoulders. “I mean, a girl can be forgetful sometimes.”

  Her teases were starting to drive him crazy with lust. He couldn’t wait to get back to their room so he could have her all to himself.

  “I’ve noticed that happens. That’s why I’m prepared to remind you,” he said.

  She glanced at him briefly. Her eyes dropped to his groin. “Prepared, huh?”

  “Adequately.”

  Her smile stretched and her lips parted. He yearned to slide his tongue between them and kiss her. And he would soon.

  Emily reached the edge of town and turned onto the road leading to the hotel. Traffic was light at the late afternoon hour in Borrego Springs. Given the population total was less than five thousand, Andrew
doubted traffic was ever an issue. Following another turn, Emily steered into the lot of the inn. There were two other parked cars and they belonged to the owner and housekeeper.

  Andrew reached their suite before Emily. He swiped his card in the slot and held the door open for her. The room had a king-size bed, small sofa, table, kitchenette, and all the other standard amenities. The housekeeper had been by since the covers had been straightened and the curtains fully parted to the sides. Still smiling, she stepped into the room. He let the door close on its own and followed her. After she set her purse on the dresser, he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close to his body.

  “I hope you’re ready for my reminder,” he said near her ear. Her hair smelled of berries. He loved her scent. He could lick every inch of her. Maybe he would.

  She rubbed her ass against his swollen cock as she reached her arms up. “I’m very ready.” She raked her short nails through his locks and along the back of his neck.

  Hot desire snaked through him from her touch. His heart gained beats while his blood rushed to one particular area. He loved her fingers on him. She had a way of making his love for her stronger and more passionate. He’d never longed for a woman the way he did for Emily.

  He kissed her neck once and then again before he rolled his tongue up the side. She sucked in air and he felt her tense in his arms. He moved to kiss her ear, but she wiggled in his grasp and twisted to face him. When she pressed her palms to his face, he couldn’t resist his longing for her any longer.

  Her lips became magnetized to his. Their tongues met and played. Oh, how he loved when she stroked and sucked on his. Tugging at her shirt, he backed her up to the bed. He paused their heated kiss while he pulled her top over her head. In a flash, she molded her mouth back to his. God, he loved her passion, the way she gently dug her nails into his flesh, toyed with his tongue, and made soft whimpers of desire. His cock twitched and ached, craving to be buried deep inside her. But not yet. He had other plans first.