A Witch and Her Man (Jeff and Gail) (2 page)

"Mr. Larkin, I don't think I'm a witch, I am a witch. I do spells, perform magick and other things. I'm Wiccan," she snapped.

"A what?" He quickly looked down to hide the grin.

"Wiccan," she repeated.

"Okay, whatever a Wiccan is, that's all right. I'm going to take on the job of keep you alive Gail because I... just because I believe you're a lady who needs my type of help and because someone is going to a great deal of trouble to hurt you."

"I can't afford you, Jeff…" Gail started, lifting her long, red eyelashes to look him in the eyes.

Jeff sighed, "I know. I guess I'm just a sucker for a good-looking woman so I'm not going to charge you."

Gazing into his eyes, she noted they were filled with concern.

"Can you afford to spend one night in a hotel?" he asked.

"Yes, but why?"

Jeff explained his plans then asked her to follow him in her car to a hotel he was familiar with. When she checked in under an assumed name, he escorted her up to her room.

"I don't have a change of clothes, makeup or anything. I don't even have a change of underwear," she complained as she looked around the room. "Can't I at least go back to my house and get a few things?"

"Give me your keys and no, you can't go to your house. Wearing a dirty pair of underwear for one day is the least of your worries. Need I remind you someone is trying to kill you?"

She sighed in disgust.

"I'm going to head out. Don't open this door for anyone but me for any reason. Understood?" he ordered. "I'll call later."

"Okay, it's a good thing tomorrow's my day off. Anything else you want me to do… sir?" she responded sarcastically as he headed out the door.

He turned in the hallway and faced her. "Gail, I'll try my best to keep you alive, but you have to cooperate and follow my orders. Now close and lock that door. Understood? Follow my orders."

"Yes, sir," she said, giving him a mock salute and closed the door before he could reply. "Pushy asshole," she whispered to the closed door.

She stormed across the room and flipped on the television, not caring what channel it was on. "Arrogant ass. So what am I supposed to do all night, Mr. Jeff Larkin? I'm not used to having a man boss me." She grinned. "Face it Gail, you're not used to having a man around at all; haven't been for a long time. What the hell am I supposed to eat? Sure I told you I wasn't hungry at the restaurant but that was this afternoon. Of course, I could just get in my car and go get something," she muttered to herself, filled with nervous energy.

Then the gravity of her situation sunk in again. She crossed the room, made sure the door was locked, and engaged the security chain. This time she spoke in a much calmer voice to an invisible Jeff. "You seem to be the take charge type. Somehow I don't think you would like it if I left the room. Okay, I'll be good. I'll stay here just like you ordered. My witch senses are telling me to trust you, so I will. Still, you need to lighten up a little, Jeff. I'm just not the serious type; even when my life is at stake."

Jeff shook his head as he walked down the hall to the elevator. "Just do as I ask, Gail. Please," he mumbled under his breath. He got off the elevator and walked through the hotel lobby. If anyone was watching, he knew he would give the appearance of a man lost in thought but he was aware of everything around him.
You keep alive that way.

He pulled away from the hotel and headed for his apartment.

What was it about this woman that made his heart beat faster: Those beautiful green eyes of hers with the terrible fear in them or that she's drop dead gorgeous? Yeah, that was some of it, but just from listening to her he knew she possessed a strong sense of humor. He had only seen a hint of it at the start of their conversation but it was clear even the serious nature of her situation could not submerge it completely. What an intriguing personality. He grinned to himself.

He made a quick stop at his apartment, placed some items in a satchel and headed out again. "So here I am again doing pro-bono work." He did some quick mental calculations. "Good thing I'm frugal with my money and have made some wise investments." He knew his funds were not inexhaustible but he could do this. Gail was frightened out of her wits, though she tried hard to hide it with humor. He had to help her—somehow he could not let her face it alone—and he would put a stop to the threats.

He stopped at a fast food joint to pick up a hamburger, fries and drink then headed back to the hotel. He knocked on the door and saw the peephole darken when she looked through. He was happy to hear the rattle of the security chain.
Good girl, you're following my orders.

When Gail opened the door he handed her the bag and drink. Appreciation showed in her eyes. "Thought you might get hungry so I brought these. This may not be what you're used to eating but I think for one night you can make do."

"Thank you," she said and took the offered items. "I appreciate this. I thought you were going to make me go hungry tonight. I considered sneaking out of here like a naughty teenager, breaking the rules and getting some food. Something tells me you wouldn't have approved of that."

He shook his head. "You're right, I wouldn't have approved." He smiled at her then got serious. "Listen, Gail… you have every right to be afraid. I understand. I mean, someone's trying to kill you."

Her bright smile vanished for a mere instant. "I don't want you to misunderstand," she responded. "Yes, I'm scared; scared out of my tree nearly. At the same time I'm sorry about the waterworks this afternoon. I'm usually not that way. I try not to cry, especially in public. I don't want to underplay my situation and I can be serious. It's just that I'm more the lighthearted type. I like to laugh, and life is short."

"I somewhat caught the fact you like to joke around."

"I think life is too grave to be serious all the time. You have a nice smile. I'd like to see it more often. In fact, as your employer I demand it… just kidding."

He smiled and looked at his watch. "Enjoy your meal. I've gotta run. I'll talk to you later. And Gail…" He gave her a knowing look.

She interrupted, "I know. Stay in the room, keep the door locked, and don't answer for anyone except yourself. Got it… dad."

Shaking his head again he closed the door and listened to the lock rattle into place.
Humor, smart-as,s and drop dead gorgeous. Sounds like someone else I used to know.
His grin faded when visions of Christina c
rossed his mind.
Unwanted visions and painful memories.
Nope, don't want to go there.
He ruthlessly squelched his thoughts and left the hotel.

****

Using the directions Gail had provided, Jeff slowly cruised by her darkened house. Satisfied nothing was amiss, he parked at a nearby shopping center and made his way back on foot.

Silently, he let himself in. Once inside, he was careful to remain against the wall. Placing his satchel on the floor, he removed a pair of night vision goggles and switched them on. He reached into the bag again and retrieved a tracking device which he activated. The tracker detected outgoing radio and video signals and he was not surprised when it located several sources. One-by-one, he disabled the spy cameras and their audio pick-ups, being careful each time to remain out of range. With the cameras disabled and removed, he scanned each room again, assuring himself he had not missed anything.

"That should provoke some type of reaction," he said quietly to himself. He spent the rest of the night sitting in an easy chair in the dark living room. When the room began to lighten with the breaking dawn, he removed his goggles. Once it was fully light, he made a walk through and scanned the rooms one last time. Satisfied, he flipped open his cell phone and called Gail at the hotel. He was sure she could not afford to spend another night at the hotel and she did not impress him as the type who would stay in a strange man's apartment, so his abode was out of the question.

"Gail," he said when she answered her cell.

"Yes," she answered. "Where are you?"

"I'm at your house. You can come home now."

"Okay, I'm on my way," she said and hung up.

It was not long before she drove up to her garage. When she came in, he told her what he had found.

"There were camera and audio pick-ups in your living room, kitchen, garage, bedroom and main bathroom along with a tap on your phone line. I couldn't find anything in the extra bedrooms or hall bathroom," he explained.

"I seldom go into that bedroom or bath. I exercise daily in the other bedroom. I've converted it to a gym…" she started. He watched as emotions began to march across her face. Disbelief, disgust, anger, then fear, even terror. "In other words, they could watch and listen to me whenever I was home? They could see everything I did and listen to everything I said?" she asked in a trembling voice.

Jeff simply nodded in assent.

"That's fucking scary." Gail flopped down on the couch. "Pardon my cussing. On second thought, no, check that. Cussing is called for here. To think some asshole was watching me naked and listening to my conversations. I find it both fucking disgusting and frightening." Her eyes were flashing daggers again but this time they were not directed at him.

"So what now? Are they all gone?"

"Yes, I removed them. I'm a little disappointed they didn't come to check on the camera malfunctions last night but I'm sure they will. They're going to eventually check on their equipment. Until then I think I should stay here with you. That is, if you don't mind," Jeff offered.

Thoughts played through Jeff's mind. Staying in the same house with Gail was going to be very uncomfortable. He had been around pretty women before, lots of them, but there was something about Gail. He found himself very attracted to her. Maintaining a professional attitude while staying with her was going to be difficult, very difficult indeed.

Gail cocked her head to one side and smiled, "Are you kidding? I feel safer already just having you here now. I'll get the spare bedroom ready."

"That won't be necessary. I'll sleep on the couch so I can watch all the entrances," Jeff pointed out.

"Okay," Gail nodded. "Damn, where are my manners? How about a cup of coffee and some breakfast?"

"That would be nice but just a light breakfast. Maybe a couple slices of toast."

"I'll put the coffee on and in the meantime, if you don't mind, I'll take a shower and change. At least I won't be putting on a show for the cameras anymore," she smiled and then her face sobered when she realized she had been doing just that for who knew how long.

Soon after, she returned from her bedroom wearing a robe. She found him in the kitchen pouring two cups of coffee. Gail quickly made them some toast and joined him at the table.

"You know quite a bit about me but I know hardly anything about you. What do you do when you aren't hunting down bad guys or taking care of damsels in distress? Are you interested in any sports, do you have any hobbies? What does your wife think about your job?

A smile came to his face. "Nice try at being subtle. I work most of the time. I'm not really into any activities or sports. To answer your real question though, I'm not married and don't have a girlfriend."

Her long, red eyelashes covered her eyes as she looked down at her cup. She had been busted trying to figure out if he was single and she knew it. The blush on her face nearly matched her red hair.

"I spend most of my time doing my job. I do investigative work and I also work as a private bodyguard. I avoid getting personally involved with my clients."

"And avoiding getting involved with your clients would be because a lot of them end up dead?"

He bristled in anger, but swallowing a sharp curse, he answered her. "No. I haven't lost one yet. I already told you, Miss Sweet, I'm good at my job. I don't get involved because it's not professional."

She raised her head and looked at him. "I'm sorry, Jeff. I shouldn't have said that. I'm being nosy and I apologize."

"Apology accepted. I'm going to do my best to keep you alive and find out who is making these threats."

"I understand. So what are the plans for today?" she asked, changing the subject and taking another sip of her coffee.

"First of all, I need to go to my apartment and get a few things since I'll be staying here."

After he detailed his plans for the rest of the day, Gail went to her bedroom and closed the door to dress. When she came back out, he glanced at her and sputtered into his cup of coffee. She wore a red and white mid-thigh length skirt and a white halter-top that exposed ample cleavage. Unable to comment, he just stared at her and realizing what he was doing, looked away quickly.

Yes, being here is going to be very uncomfortable if she continues to dress like that.

****

He did not look away fast enough. "I'm glad you approve," she said, increasing his discomfort. She was proud of her physical condition and knew she was attractive. The looks Jeff cast her way did wonders for her ego. Not to say she was vain, but due to her religion she had very few boyfriends and it had been a long time since a man had looked at her that way. It was nice to feel desired instead of loathed. She was glad he found her appealing because she found him extremely attractive. "I haven't gotten a look like that in… let's just say a very long time." She heartily chuckled.

"Ready?" She grabbed her purse and keys from the counter and headed through the door to the garage, leaving a speechless Jeff to follow.

Once in the garage, she climbed into the driver's seat while Jeff climbed into the passenger seat. He lay down, resting his head on her bare thigh so he would not be seen as they left. She could not resist the opportunity to tease him. She had a wicked sense of humor and enjoyed making him fidget.

"My, my. If I'd known we were going to get this up close and personal I would have worn a shorter skirt." She giggled mischievously as she watched him turn beet red.

"Damn you, Gail. You just love to make me squirm, don't you?" he growled. She backed the car out of the garage and drove down the street. Jeff nestled his head on her thigh.

"God, you smell nice and your skin is so soft too," he breathed.

Gail was certain he did not intend for her to hear his whispered words. Nonetheless she could not resist the opportunity to torment him more. "The God you're referring to has nothing to do with it, although the Goddess might." She continued, "Don't forget my beliefs but thank you for the compliment just the same."

She knew her next words would provoke a response from him.
It will be very interesting to see just what his reaction will be.
Her beliefs made her comfortable with sexuality. Sex was just part of nature. Some would consider her forward, even brazen.

"Oh, by the way, I think you can sit up now. We're about ten blocks away from my house. That is unless you just like being down there," she finished with a mischievous laugh.