Page 26 of The Protection Agreement

Ice and I are alone again. I get close to the large windows, looking out, watching the busy street. I need not ask Ice if I can go out, I already know the answer to that: no. Ice is quiet, but I know he’s watching me.

“Would you like to watch a movie?” I ask quietly.

“I don’t like any of those chic flicks, but you can watch whatever you like. My job is to watch you.”

“What do you like to watch?” A shrug is his response.

“Okay. Mission Impossible, Avengers, Fast and Furious or dinosaurs?”

“Dinosaurs?” he scoffs.

“I mean Jurassic Park, World and all.” I state

“I can do that.” He mutters

Finally, I get something he agrees with.

“I actually pegged you for Mission Impossible kind of guy,” I say as I take a seat next to him, grabbing the remote and searching for Jurassic World. He looks bored out of his mind.

“I need those animals to keep me awake,” he says like he read my mind or my face was very readable. My mom always said I couldn’t play poker because my face always gave me away.

“Snacks?” I ask.

“I’m good, you can get some for yourself before the movie starts.”

I race to the kitchen. I think the chef bought everything on the list I gave him yesterday. I return with a box of Milano cookies and a glass of apple juice. I take my seat as the Jurassic World movie begins. I start with my cookies; it doesn’t take long for Ice to reach in and take one.

His phone pings a few times. He texts back and keeps his eyes on the movie. We laugh and giggle as the movie plays. The day slowly ends. I want to ask when Bruce will be back, but I remain quiet. Ice isn’t as grumpy with me anymore; he’s at ease, and I don’t want to ruin that.

Ice and I talk about places in the world we’ve traveled to. I tell him about my mom and a bit about my dad. After dinner, I say goodnight and retreat to my room without asking about Bruce.

I lay in bed. I can’t sleep and I don’t want to take my meds. I try reading but can barely concentrate on that too because I’m listening for Bruce. I remain in my bed, playing a game on my phone till I hear him enter the unit. I close my eyes. He’s home.

I jolt awake, a chilling certainty settled in that sleep was no longer an option. Grabbing my bag, pillow, and sheets, I head to Bruce’s room and open the door quietly so I don’t wake him. I stop dead in my tracks; he’s right there in his bed on his laptop. I lock eyes with him.

Even in my sleep-addled state, his bare chest revealed the physique of an Adonis, with toned abs and arms that commanded my attention. I had memorized his face, but seeing him half naked in bed was more captivating than any photographic image I had of him.

“Can’t sleep?” he inquires. I nod.

A loose gasp escapes my lips as I make a herculean effort not to respond to the detonated wetness between my legs. He gestures with his head towards the plush sofa in his room. My heart fills with pleasant warmth. With ginger steps, I move towards the sofa. My mind was hazy this morning that I didn’t realize the sofa was new. He got it for me, so I settle onto the sofa. Pillow in hand and bag at my feet, I draw the blankets close and whisper, “Goodnight,” determined not to respond to the chaos between my legs.

“Goodnight, Lexi.”

He turns off the side lamp and I go to sleep, knowing I’m safe.

Chapter fourteen

Bruce

I couldn’t sleep either, which is the reason I was working. Ice told me she had a good day cooking with the chef and watching movies before going to bed. I wanted to check on her, and I also didn’t want to accidentally wake her. What surprised me was the fact I couldn’t sleep either and decided to work, until my door quietly opened with her standing at my door with her bedding and bag in hand, yet she couldn’t be more alluring. Guess a part of me was mentally waiting for her to show up and preferably get in bed with me, but I’ll settle for her sleeping in the same room with me. I turn off the light and fall asleep.

My watch beeps with the alert from Ice in the unit. I toss in my bed for a moment and notice she’s still sleeping. I keep my eyes on her for a moment. She is a beautiful woman, and I shouldn’t be getting attached; she’s work and nothing else and, most importantly, she belongs to Jonah. Yet, looking at her sleeping in my room, my whole being desires her in ways I can’t comprehend. The yearning is now heightened after I kissed her.

She’s Jonah’s girl; the reasonable part of my subconscious reminds me.

I get out of bed and head out to shower in the third bedroom ensuite bathroom. I join Ice in the kitchen.

“Good morning,” he says.