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He moved in a wide circle around the meat until he reached me and took the knife handle into his hand. “What if I cut off my fingers?”
“I wouldn’t suggest it.”
Approaching the cutting board like it would bite him, Theo held the knife so tightly, and his knuckles were white. From how he stiffly held the tomato to how his fist was clenched around the knife, I knew he would likely hurt himself. I moved behind him, only to get a squeal from him, “What do you think you’re doing?”
“Showing you.”
I took his hands into mine while my body pressed into his back, forcing his hand to loosen. I took the knife from him, moved his fingers into a better placement, then leaned in, whispering, “There. Do it gently, tuck your fingers under so you won’t cut them, and slice the part farthest from your other hand.”
Feeling him shiver, I wasn’t sure if it was from revulsion or if I’d aroused him, but then I heard his breathing, felt it quicken, and I knew he liked my proximity. I liked it too.
I showed him how to cut with two slices, then took my hands away and watched him cut two perfectly thick pieces. “Like this?”
“Exactly like that. Good job.”
He didn’t know how to take a compliment. “Don’t get used to this. I never plan on cooking again once I leave this peasant hell.”
“I’m sure you won’t.”
He toasted the buns in the toaster, burning the first two before I showed him how to turn the thing down, and soon we were enjoying our meal at the kitchen table. “This isn’t bad,” he said, surprising me enough.
“We did surprisingly good. Listen, I need to sweep the house and perimeter soon.”
“Haven’t you done that yet?”
I smiled as I chewed my last bite. Once I could, I answered, “First thing when I got here. I saw quite a few areas where I’d like to shore up for safety but didn’t have time. Lock your door tonight.”
“My bedroom door?”
“I checked; all the bedrooms have locks. Lock up, and tomorrow, I’ll put up the cameras and better locks I bought today.”
“Then what?”
I eyed him as I asked, “What do you mean?”
“Is there a television or something one might…watch? I’d watch on my tablet, but there’s no internet here.”
“I saw an old box television in the living room, but I’m not big on TV. Would you like to watch a movie or something?”
“With you? No. I’d rather eat nails,” he drawled as his eyes rolled and lashes fluttered at once. He was pretty dramatic.
I could tell that was a lie; he just wanted me to beg him. I didn’t beg. “Keep that up, and that’s exactly what you’ll have for breakfast.”
Chapter Four
On the walk around the property, I memorized every shadow. The nights were getting shorter, and a casual nip was in the air. I could have walked all night, watching the darkened tree branches swaying in the breeze.
That wasn’t my job, though. I was to protect my principal, whether he deserved it or not. It wasn’t my place to judge him; I wanted to help him more than judge him. I thought I knew enough of his story that I could place my judgment aside for more than my job. I felt his pain as a human, but it was buried so far beneath the arrogance that it was almost completely hidden. I guess it was to others. Me, I looked a little harder.
Every shadow could hide a threat to him; in every dense stand of trees could be a person waiting to attack. I had seen plenty over my years of being a bodyguard. Even a hapless vagrant could be deadly.
I returned to the house, using the key, and heard the silence descending. A light was cast under the door in Theo’s room, and I knocked to let him know I was back in the house. He came out and leaned on the doorjamb. “Am I safe?”
“Yeah, for tonight. You okay?”
His hair hung down unbrushed, making ringlets around his face. He wore silk pajamas, and I was starting to get that was his favorite cloth. “I’m…lonely. Everyone I know is barely waking up to go clubbing. No one’s around to talk to.”
“I can give you company, Theo. I’m not opposed to that, as long as you aren’t rude.”
