No woman had ever captivatedme as quickly as Autumn had.
I’d known her for only four days and I was already addicted to her. I was addicted to a married woman. Of all the women in the world … Even if she left her husband, there would be a lot of baggage we’d have to deal with.
Shit, I was already thinking long term. Who does that? I needed to step the fuck back and really take this friend thing to heart. I couldn’t fall for someone in only four days, especially when I hadn’t fallen for anyone in almost five years.
“Are we going to the gym?” Jackson asked, pouring a cup of coffee.
“You know you don’t have to keep coming with me, right?”
“I know.” He shrugged. “I like going together. It reminds me of the old days.”
During the army, we were almost inseparable. We made sure each other stayed in shape, and going to Club 24 together brought back memories. When we lived in the L.A. area, we didn’t live close enough to each other to hang out every day. Plus we were both busy with clients, so it was nice hanging out together again.
“I need to take a step back from Autumn. I’m falling for her too fast,” I confessed.
He paused mid-stir of his coffee. “If you were any of my other friends, I’d laugh at you. I’d tell you that you’re fucking right, that you’re being a sappy motherfucker. But given your past, Cap—”
“How does that make any sense?”
“Because you’re finally opening up and living again.”
“But she’s married—”
“Not for long.”
“And I barely know her.”
“Let’s be clear, you don’t want to marry this chick, right? You just want to have more of a connection than sticking your dick in her.”
I stared at him for a few seconds, thinking about what he was saying and what I wanted. Of course you couldn’t know if you wanted to marry someone in only four days—that was crazy. What if meeting Autumn was supposed to help me start living again? I’d help her leave her husband and she’d help me heal the pain in my heart. “Right,” I agreed.
“So step back. Stop flirting with her and just be a friend. Let’s get her away from her husband.”
“How are we even going to do that?”
I’d promised Autumn I’d help her, and I would. But I wanted to be like a barbarian and run in there and rescue her; not wait around while she put her ducks in order. Waiting around would lead to more bruises, and more bruises would lead to more anger from me.
“I’ve been thinking about this. I think she should do what anormalperson would do and divorce him. She can’t run off, especially since she said he’s “powerful” and will find her.” He put air quotes around powerful implying her husband wasn’t. I had to agree. I mean, did he run a mob or some shit?
“And where does she go until the divorce is over and she can leave town?” I finished the last of my coffee then walked to the sink to rinse out the cup and put it in the dishwasher.
“With her friend we met the other day. She was worried about her, so I’m sure she’ll take her in.” He shrugged.
“And we can be with her twenty-four/seven to protect her?” I asked, finishing his thought.
“Exactly. We’ll pick her up at her place and take her to the gym and Starbucks, then back home where they can have a security system installed if they don’t already have one.”
“And if she wants to go to more than just three places a day?”
“Then one of us will be with her.” He shrugged again as if the plan would work. Theoretically, it would … but could it be that simple?
“Like bodyguards?” I asked, crossing my arms over my chest.
“Yes!” He snapped and pointed his finger at me in agreement. “Exactly. I’ve always wanted to be a bodyguard.” Shaking his head, he said, “Autumn’s not getting shot on our watch, Cap.” My eyes widened and he quickly sputtered, “Oh shit!”
“Right,” I sighed with a slight nod.
“Cap—”
