The Bodyguard's Temptress

Chapter 11

Natasha

My phone vibrates on my nightstand, pulling me from my haze of exhaustion. I don't remember falling asleep, but  then it hits me—I guess the pizza that Knox ordered for me put me into a carb-induced food coma. I'm still trying to process what happened between us earlier. We almost kissed—or at least I almost kissed him, but he didn't fight it. 

But that's insane, right? 

I try to wrap my mind around everything that's happened today. I thought Knox was just going to bring me home and leave. Instead, he held me. He actually held me in his lap, comforted me, and even made threats to protect me. And not because it's his job...because he wanted to.

Holy shit. 

Remembering that I'm supposed to be reading the text, I reach my phone to see that it's from Brandon. I wonder if he got lucky tonight—I sure as hell didn't. 

Hey, you mind meeting me at the bakery? his message reads. 

For? I respond.

Need help with something.

Instantly, a knot of worry forms in my stomach. Did things between him and Evan not work out? What if it's because of what happened between me and Caden? It's the only explanation that makes sense. They were vibing until I had my breakdown.

What happened with Evan? Guessing not well considering you're texting me this late at night.

Instead of texting back, my phone buzzes with an incoming call from him.

Okay, that's weird. Brandon never calls me unless it's an emergency. 

"Hey Nat, I forgot to do inventory today. Too much Evan on the brain, you think you could come help me?" he asks, his voice crackling through the line. 

I groan, checking the time. "Brandon, it's almost ten. Can't this just wait until morning?"

"I'm actually there now," he responds, sounding off, his voice somewhat strained. "I mean, don't you think you owe me after ruining my date?"

His words hit me like a punch in the face, catching me off guard. 

Wow, he must really be in his feelings right now.

"Okay, ouch. That wasn't my fault. Caden was a douche, and Knox didn't give me a choice. I would've stayed for your sake, asshole," I shoot back.

There's a tense silent on the phone, and for a moment, I wonder if he's hung up. Then, I hear him release a shaky breath.

 "I'm sorry, it's just that Evan left after we offended his brother and said he didn't want to see me again. I just need to talk to my best friend and maybe some help extra help with this inventory. Please."

His voice breaks on the last word, causing guilt to gnaw at my consciousness. I tried so hard to be a good friend instead of a burden today, and failed miserably. 

"I'm on my way. See you in a few," I say quickly before hanging up.

As I contemplate whether to disturb Knox this late at night, a sense of gratitude washes over me as I think about what he did for me earlier. He deserves a break. I'll just an Uber, and Brandon can drop us off afterward. 

He shouldn't be too upset about it, and if he is...well, I'll deal with it.

I'm a grown ass woman, after all. A grown ass woman who's going to bring along her taser and pepper spray just in case.

Thankfully, my Uber driver turns out to be a kind, older woman. She's a bit too talkative for my liking, but once she told me the story of how she's doing Uber in order to make enough to afford her husband's insulin, I tip her five-hundred dollar and make sure to give her five stars.