Rugged Guard - Jason Collins Page 0,46

me that he’d somehow wrested control away from me, without barely having to lift a finger. I was supposed to be Parker’s bodyguard, meant to protect him with everything I had, but instead, it felt like I’d become just another one of his employees.

Because it felt like I was just following orders, doing whatever he wanted me to do.

And once the power balance shifted between client and bodyguard, I knew that it was time to give up my post. There was no way that I’d be able to keep my emotions for Parker in check and keep him safe, which meant that I was liable to make rash decisions, ones where all I cared about was Parker, without analyzing the rest of a potentially dangerous situation.

Although, as I chewed through my usual breakfast of oatmeal, I began to consider another option.

Instead of abandoning my post at the B&B, I could just break things off with Parker, bring us back to a purely professional relationship. Of course, calling things off with Parker was probably going to be a shitshow, but it felt better than leaving the family without protection, especially when we still weren’t sure what or who was lurking in the Williams’ shadows. There was also the added benefit of having my head immediately cleared, once again being able to focus on the task at hand instead of daydreaming about Parker’s smile.

I set down my half-finished bowl of oatmeal and took in a deep breath, trying my best to steel my nerves as I thought over what I was going to say to Parker, how I was going to break the news to him, how I was going to handle his reaction—

Wait.

Another thought dawned on me, one that suddenly made me sick to my stomach.

What if Parker didn’t give a shit? What if I called things off between us, and Parker went out with another guy that same night, like I didn’t mean anything to him at all? I’d been operating under the assumption that Parker was going to flip out over an official separation, but what if it turned out to be the best news that he’d heard all day?

And as I stood in the middle of the kitchen, my thoughts running wild with possibility after possibility, ones where Parker was glad to hear the news, ones where Parker was devastated, I didn’t even notice when Parker actually walked into the room. In fact, I didn’t notice he was in the same space as me until I heard his voice from across the kitchen counter.

“Do you just hate cereal?” Parker’s question interrupted my thoughts.

“What?” I floated back down to Earth at the sound of his voice.

“Do you just hate eating cereal?” Parker grinned. “Is that why you’re always eating oatmeal?”

“What if I just like eating oatmeal?”

“That’s not possible,” Parker went on. “You and I both know that no one just eats oatmeal because it’s oatmeal.”

“I eat it for the nutritional benefits,” I admitted. “Plus, it’s a lot healthier for you than a bowl of pure sugar which is what most cereal is.”

“Hmm.” Parker hummed while he walked toward where I stood in the kitchen. He then offered me a bright smile as he said, “But pure sugar is a lot more fun.”

But pure sugar is a lot more fun.

Was he still talking about breakfast choices? Or the nature of our relationship?

I stared down at him, desperately wishing that I was able to read his mind. “Yeah, but you can’t eat cereal forever. You’ll eventually have to eat something… substantial… or else you’ll get sick.”

“True.” Parker sighed and leaned forward, just enough to press a kiss against my lips. He then shifted away from me, his arms reaching up toward the nearest cabinet. “But until something substantial tastes as good as a bowl of pure sugar, I think I’ll stick with my usual morning routine.”

“Parker, we need to talk.”

“About what?” Parker asked, pulling a bowl down from the kitchen cabinet. He shot me a concerned look, his eyes going wide as he spoke. “Shit. You don’t think someone heard us last night, do you? I mean, I don’t care if people know about us, but the thought of someone overhearing us together is pretty fucking mortifying.”

“Yeah, about last night…” I started and stopped, my response feeling like it was getting caught in my throat. “Parker…”

I caught a glimpse of him in that same moment, the soft features of his face, the lines of concern etched against his brow. And as