Free Only Yours by C. Shell Page A

questioning look.
    The bastard laughs. “James is here to help you. He is somewhat of a jack of all spades. He will be accompanying us on our trip and will act as your shadow when I can’t be with you.
    “What do you mean ‘he’s my shadow’ ?” I ask softly.
    “Exactly as it sounds. There will be times when I have work to tend to and can’t escort you through the city. Not every place there is safe, Kelly,” he chides as though I am an errand child being difficult. “James will act as your driver, personal assistant, and can step in and help with anything else you might need. I’ve known him a long time and trust him fully.”
    I gape at him. “You’re insane,” I sputter, exasperated.
    I can feel the blood in my veins start to boil. I wave my hands around like a lunatic, gesturing towards James. I’m sure the poor man is wondering what horrible deed he did to get stuck with a crazed woman like me.
    “I don’t need a baby-sitter Daemon, and I sure as hell don’t need to take a trip to Spain with you. This is absurd on so many levels. You’ve made your point already so just drop all of this. I can order quality furniture from Spain without having to go there with you. Haven’t you ever heard of the internet?”
    By the time I finish, I’m practically screaming. I feel so out of control. My body is shaking with every labored breath I take. I hate how easily he turns me inside-out and upside-down. No man should be able to crawl under my skin the way he does. It’s not right, and it if I am being completely honest, it scares the hell out of me.
    With narrowed, dark green eyes, he pins me in place. He is way too quiet and that worries me more than him yelling back at me. I actually prefer the yelling. Yelling means he is rattled and moving off of instinct. Silence is so much worse. Silence means that he is thinking and planning his next move. I am all out of moves. It’s not even noon yet and I am already mentally and physically exhausted. My taunt, stressed-out muscles feel like they’ve gone ten rounds with a prized fighter and lost every one.
    Reaching into a brief case by his chair, he pulls out a check and lays it on the desk in front of Cherie. She picks it up and studies it, a small smile flittering on her lips. I can’t tell what the sum of the check is, but it has to be large to catch Cheri’s attention. “This should cover Kelly’s services for the next two weeks and any inconvenience her being away will cause the company.”
    Tucking his coat and briefcase under his arm, he walks over and whispers something into James’s ear. James listens attentively to whatever is being said and nods his head accordingly. As Daemon as he heads for the door, James stays in his spot, making no shift to follow him.
    My eyes widen with worry. Why isn’t James going with him? Surely he isn’t staying behind to keep an eye on me. This is beyond belief. He wouldn’t do that...right?
    When Daemon reaches me he stops. Tucking a finger under my chin, he tilts my head back and stares into my eyes. I cross my arms and glare at him. This has gone too far. He has gone too far.
    He smiles at me, but the smile does not reach his eyes. He is so damn close. The smell of his cologne wraps around me, pulling me in, and promising wonderful, dirty things. I instantly feel my nipples pull tight. If I leaned in just a smidgen, his chest would be pressed against mine. I rake an unsteady hand through my hair, trying to banish such thoughts.
    God, I am such a mess .
    He leans forward, pressing a light kiss to my forehead. “Play nice, Tulip. I’ll have a car sent here at five o’clock to pick you both up for the airport.”
    “No way. He is not staying,” I protest. “Daemon-“
    He glares at me.
    My argument lands on deaf ears. Shaking his head in amusement, he flashes me a devilish smile, and slips out the door. I want to scream in defiance and call him every name in the book as he retreats, but in doing so, everyone in