Guarding His Fortune. Stella Bagwell
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know for a fact that I’ve never wanted or expected to be pampered. I’ve worked hard to—”
Holding up both hands to halt her tirade, Nolan said, “Hold on, sis. I was only teasing you. Geez, you need to lighten up a bit.”
A long sigh slipped out of her. “Sorry, Nolan, but this has not been an easy day.”
He must have recognized just how stressed she’d been because he wrapped a comforting arm around her shoulders. “No, I’m the one who should be sorry, Savannah. This was supposed to be a happy, special day for you. Instead, you’re faced with learning you now have to share your life with a bodyguard. I understand it’s not easy. But I’m sure Chaz is going to be as discreet as possible.”
No matter if the man never said a word to her. No matter if he always did his best to keep a measurable distance between them. She would feel his presence. She would know he was nearby watching her with those dark brown eyes. The very thought made her inwardly shiver.
Forcing herself to look at him, she said, “I’m sorry, Chaz. I don’t have anything against you personally. How could I? I don’t even know you. I’m just more than a little aggravated at my father for springing this on me. It was an underhanded thing to do to me and to you.”
“Me?” he asked, a puzzled frown marring his forehead.
“Yes. For putting you in such an awkward situation.”
One of his big shoulders shrugged in a nonchalant way. “Don’t worry about me, Miss Fortune. In my line of work, I can’t worry about my feelings being hurt. And I don’t need my ego stroked. The fact that you don’t want a bodyguard is insignificant to me. Miles Fortune is the person who hired me. I’m working to please him. Not you.”
Well, he’d made that plain enough. And though his feelings toward her shouldn’t matter, she felt downright deflated.
Nolan awkwardly cleared his throat. “Okay, I can see my presence is no longer needed so I think it’s time I head on back to work.”
Her brother’s announcement sent a rush of panic through Savannah. She quickly jumped to her feet and snatched a hold on his arm.
“I’ll show you to the door,” she said.
Without glancing in Chaz’s direction, she practically jerked Nolan out of the living room and down the foyer to the front door.
“Savannah, you hardly need to play the hostess with me,” Nolan said as she continued to cling to his arm.
“I’m not being a hostess. I’m being a sister,” she said in a hushed tone, then motioned her head toward the living room. “I want you to tell me how I’m supposed to deal with this? With him?”
To her disbelief, Nolan grinned at her. “Savannah, you’re an attractive young woman. Surely you know how to deal with a man.”
Deal with a man like Chaz? The men she’d spent any kind of company with had all possessed mushroom complexions from spending all their time indoors. Their muscles were softer than hers, and the gleam in their eye was usually caused by a glare of light on their glasses.
“I can see you’re not going to be any help at all.”
Chuckling, he gently patted her cheek. “You’re worrying way too much, Savannah. Just relax and enjoy having a strong man around to take care of you. You might actually like it. In the meantime, call me or Lizzie if you need us.”
Nolan was making light of the whole situation and Savannah supposed she should, too. Otherwise, she was going to wind up looking like a frantic little mouse who should’ve never left home.
Doing her best to smile, she leaned forward and kissed his cheek. “You’re right. I don’t have a thing to worry about. Except making a good impression at the university.”
“And I have no doubt you’ll do just that,” he said as he opened the door and stepped onto the porch. “See you later, sis.”
With a little wave, he strode off down the driveway. Savannah watched him slide behind the wheel of his car and drive away before she finally shut the door and engaged the dead bolt. The last thing she needed right now was to get a lecture from Chaz about leaving the apartment unlocked, she thought.
When she returned to the living room, Chaz was gone, so she walked straight to the kitchen. To her delight, the room was equipped with beautiful oak cabinets with glass doors. A work island with an inlaid cutting board, along with a large indoor grill, was located in the middle of the room. The appliances were stainless steel and very up to date. Above the deep double-sink, a wide window overlooked a small backyard with a brick patio, where a group of red motel furniture was shaded by a massive live oak.
At least if she started feeling too suffocated by Chaz’s presence, she could escape to the patio.
“Your brother is gone?”
The sound of Chaz’s voice had her turning away from the window. “Yes. I think he’d had all of me he could take for one day.”
He moved into the room and Savannah noticed he moved quietly, with the grace of an athlete. “It’s obvious he’s very fond of you. Have you two always been close?”
Telling herself to relax, she walked over to the island and ran her hand lightly over the cutting board. “I’m close to all my siblings. I’m not sure what my father has told you about our family, but there are seven of us children. I have four brothers and two sisters.”
“And they all live in New Orleans, except for you and Nolan?”
She nodded. “That’s right. He and his wife, Lizzie, married last March. They have a baby girl, Stella. Lizzie is from Austin and since Nolan is a jazz musician, he loves it here. And me—well, you already know why I’m here.”
“Yes. To study.”
He made it sound as though she were causing a great deal of problems over something she could be doing safely back in New Orleans. Or was she being overly defensive? Since she’d only met Chaz a little more than an hour ago, she couldn’t assume what was going on in his head. He might not be thinking anything of the sort. After all, during their ride from the airport, he’d called her studies admirable. She’d felt certain his compliment was sincere. Now she wasn’t sure about that or anything else.
Oh, God, she had to get a grip, she thought. Her mind was jumping in all sorts of directions and the last thing she wanted was for this man to think she was scatterbrained and unable to take care of herself.
“Well,” she said with the most positive tone she could muster. “I’m going to deal with my bags and have a look at the rest of the apartment.”
“Um, I think you should know that I’ve already put my things in the smaller bedroom. But if you prefer it over the larger one, I can easily move everything.”
He’d already moved in? Before she’d even had a chance to see her own apartment? Oh, her father was definitely going to hear about this, she promised herself. But to keep the peace for now, she was going to do her best to get along with Chaz Mendoza.
“I appreciate your offer, but I’m sure the room will suit me.”
One of his black brows arched as though he were surprised she was being agreeable, for once.
“Fine. I’ll help you carry your bags,” he said.
“Thank you. I’d appreciate that.”
They started out of the kitchen and Chaz said, “The apartment is actually large for one person. Are you planning on entertaining friends while you’re here?”
Did he mean friends in general, or men? Did she look like a party girl to him? She supposed it didn’t matter, but the question left her a bit uncomfortable.
“Don’t worry,” she replied. “I have no plans to do any entertaining. Other than Nolan and his family, I don’t know anyone here in Austin.