Her Hidden Falls Bodyguard Billionaire Cowboy - Taylor Hart Page 0,27

pounded the countertop. He needed to sort this out.

The door down the hall opened. He froze, then quickly straightened.

Zoey sauntered into the kitchen, wearing different clothes. He caught a whiff of strawberry. Wait, why was he noticing that?

“Morning,” she said, casually opening the fridge. Once she’d grabbed the milk, she set it over by the coffee pot. She opened a cupboard, paused as she examined its contents, then closed it.

Anticipating what she looking for, he pointed to a different cupboard. “In there.”

She nodded and fetched a coffee cup from the correct cupboard. “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.” He rummaged through the sweetener packets and pulled out two sugars, tossing them next to her on the counter.

She didn’t look at him as she poured the coffee, adding milk and then sugar.

How many times had he thought about being with her in the morning and having an ordinary scene just like this? What it might be like? In his mind, that scene always took place at his ranch in his new house. He’d asked her to decorate that house, and she’d said no. Well, at least Angela had said no. What would this woman say? The question intrigued him, even though it was pointless.

“So what’s the plan for today?” she asked as she sipped the coffee and stared out the window.

Plan? Oh. Cautiously, he pointed to the resort brochure resting on the counter. “There’s surfing.”

She eyed the brochure and flipped through it, scanning all of the activities. “Okay.”

“Okay?”

She shrugged.

“So you’re testifying.” He didn’t mean to push, but fine, he had to push.

“I told you I’m testifying.”

He lifted his eyebrows.

“I decided Agent Anderson is right. Rafael thinks I’m a woman hiding away in some safe house. Here,” she said, gesturing to the beach, “I can enjoy the time I have before the trial and WITSEC again. So let’s enjoy.”

WITSEC. Hiding. He didn’t like that idea. And he really didn’t like the fact that Agent Anderson still didn’t know who the mole at the FBI was. How could she go back to a program that was clearly compromised?

Never mind that. He had to focus on the mission right in front of him.

“I decided this morning when I woke up that I should enjoy the next couple of days and relax before being shipped off to some no-name town and taking on a different name and being someone different.” Her voice was dripping with sarcasm. “Right?”

He shrugged. “Right.” Truthfully, he could pretty much guarantee that he wouldn’t feel relaxed at all.

“Then let’s get changed for surf lessons.” She flashed a mock smile. “Honey.”

Chapter 13

An hour later, they were down at the main resort, standing on surfboards, as a cute blond surfer girl named Monica went over the basics of surfing. It didn’t matter. Zoey was only doing this showboating for one reason: to get away. Find a chink in the security and get out of here, back to Charleston and to her safe deposit box.

“It’s all about center of gravity.” Monica had her left foot forward and struck a surfer pose. “If you stay low and balance on the back leg, you’ll be good as gold.” She pointed to Sean, who was already copying her. “You got it.” She laughed, far louder than was necessary. “Have you done this before?”

“I haven’t,” he said, smiling back at her.

Jealously slapped Zoey in the face. She glared from behind her sunglasses at the blond girl. Even if Monica’s hair color wasn’t fake, her personality sure was.

Monica flipped her ponytail over her shoulder and laughed again. “Well, you are really good.”

Zoey had seen this type of woman before—a bona fide gold digger. Granted, it’d been a long time since she’d seen one, but during her days as a barista when Rafael would come into the coffee shop, all kinds of women would give him attention. The staff at this resort knew they were dealing with a rich clientele.

Before Zoey knew what was happening, Sean turned and gave her a real smile. “She’s the one that’ll be amazing.”

Right or wrong, it felt good to have him smile at her like that. Even if he was just playing his part. “Ah, you’re a sweetie.” She put on her own act. “You’re the one who’s amazing at this. You went to the south of France and did it last year on your business trip, right, honey?”

Sean’s façade cracked, and he gulped back a laugh. “I think you must be thinking of someone else. You know I haven’t ever surfed.”

She just grinned at him.

When they got