Live Wire (Ramsey Security #2)

"You're being obnoxious."

"Hasn't a man ever spent the night with you and never wanted to let go?"

Saskia doesn't react, giving me her answer. I release her, and she continues walking inside the house. Before I finish my orange juice, she storms back outside.

"You are not special."

"You are."

Saskia blinks quickly, flustered by how her anger doesn't phase me. I know all about womanly freak-outs. Two very hormonal women raised me. Nothing Saskia says or does will likely shock me.

"I can't deal with whatever it is that you want from me," she says, regaining her steely glare.

"How can you know your limitations, if you don't know what I want?"

"Fine. What do you want?"

"To hang out with you. I'd like to talk during the day and roll around in bed at night. Does that really sound so bad?"

"No but I'm on a job, so leave me alone."

Saskia walks away quickly before I can follow. I guess I could run after her, but she's likely expecting that move. Even if I'm not a tough guy like Troy, I'm smart enough to figure out Saskia. She can have her space, and play her games. I know what's in her heart though, and it's not much different than what stirs in mine. Once I catch her, I don't know if I'll ever let her go.





14


Brad

Don't Tell Me What to Do

Lawrence began treating me after Mom and I left show business behind and returned to Texas. I was a mess back then. Waking up scared of my own shadow, I'd end the day angry at the world. Mom's babying pissed me off. Yet when she gave me space, I felt abandoned.

These days, Lawrence and I work on my agoraphobia. I'd rather stay close to home than branch out. He thinks I need to see more of the world. I think my home offers everything I need. I'm doubtful that another decade of therapy will change either of our minds.

Lawrence arrives for our session while I'm outside shooting hoops. Inside the house, Saskia works on the final plans for our trip to the airport. I think of her under me. Her dark eyes tear away my walls, revealing my every secret. I need to know all of hers too.

"A lot of activity in the house," Lawrence says, taking a shot.

His hair turned a stark gray when he was thirty-five, making him look older and wiser than his age. I'm his last patient of the day? so he's wearing jeans and a University of Houston tee.

"Mom's worried about the trip."

"Do you think she's right?"

"Maybe."

"But you're going anyway."

"I made the decision to do the book. Can't back down now."

"Actually you could. The renewed threats give you a strong case for staying here. Why push yourself?"

"Why not?" I say, missing my shot

"Don't play games, Brad. I know you. You were looking for a reason to back out of this trip since Marx first suggested it. Now you're perfectly cool with flying into an unknown."

I bounce the ball and give him a smile. "I'll tell you, but you can't pull the shrink bullshit on me. I'm feeling good. If you ruin that, I won't like you so much anymore."

Smiling at me, Lawrence promises, "No shrink bullshit."

"One of the security people is named Saskia, and we spent last night together."

He looks back at the house and asks, "I saw two women. Does Saskia have dark or red hair?"

"Red," I say, hearing defensiveness in my voice.

"What's she like?"

"Tough, smart, beautiful."

"Like your mom."

Frowning, I grunt, "You said no shrink bullshit."

"I'm talking as one man to another. I married a woman like my mom. Didn't see it at the time, but now I realize that's why my wife got under my skin so fast."

"She's not like Mom. At least, not in any way I can see."

"Your mother is tough. When you went to Hollywood, your mom kept your head on straight. She kept you away from parties, drinking, drugs, and wild girls who only liked you because of your celebrity. Ruth is a tough cookie. I'd assume a woman in Saskia's line of work is a tough cookie too."

"I see what you're saying, but I'm not interested in comparing the woman I slept with last night to my mother."

"Fair enough," Lawrence says, swiping the ball from me and taking a shot. "Do you see this relationship as short term or something that might last?"

"I met her three days ago. How the hell would I know?"

"I don't believe that. All men know if a woman can be more than a sexual relationship."

"I like her. She's complicated as fuck. I don't know what will happen. Stop bugging me."

A smirking Lawrence steps back and allows me to shoot hoops for the next few minutes. I know he wants to help, but my feelings for Saskia are all jumbled up. She's gorgeous, but I only know a little about her. If she gets her way, I'll never learn anything more especially when I see her wanting to end things before they begin.

"I really like this woman," I admit.

"It's a big step for you."

Nodding, I shoot the basketball and miss again. "I haven't dated anyone in years. Maybe if I had, I would know how to handle my feelings now."