In Bed with the Bodyguard Read Online Free Page A

away and feigned interest in Valerie’s pizza ordering skills, all the while feeling the heat of Lance’s hidden glances at her back.
    “Lance,” Jason said, interrupting the currents flowing between them. “A little focus. You’re slipping.”
    Lance visibly pulled his attention from her and back to his construction task. Ari then helped Val get the shop vacuum running over the shards of glass.
      
    Two hours of surprisingly great conversation that had nothing to do with thieving fathers later, one empty pizza box, one Pinot Noir bottle, and four Sam Adams bottles lay in a heap next to the makeshift picnic blanket Ari had thrown down on the gallery floor. Lance’s quick wit and anecdotes about life in the White House had taken her mind off her latest worries, but one glance at the ruined painting, which stood propped nearby, reminded her of her latest troubles.
    She lay back on the floor with her head on Val’s lap. “I’m going to be murdered in my sleep tonight,” she said with her usual overly dramatic flair, and flung her arm across her forehead.
    “Don’t be ridiculous. I’m staying with you tonight,” Val said, shooting a look at Jason. “Right, honey?”
    “Not a chance,” Jason said. “There’s some crazy guy out there gunning for Ari, and you think I’m going to let my…wife stay here? Nope. Ari, you’re moving out until they catch the guy.”
    Ari wondered what he’d been about to say before wife, but the rest of what he’d said sank in and she sat up hastily. “Moving out of my apartment? I can’t do that. Where would I go?”
    “Our place,” Valerie said. “Right, Jason?”
    “Uh, sure. I was thinking more along the lines of a hotel, but our place could work.” His face looked shuttered off and different from the easygoing smile he normally sported.
    Ari wasn’t drunk enough that she missed Jason’s hesitance. He and Val lived in a modest two-bedroom apartment in the suburbs of northern Virginia. The second bedroom was being renovated. It would be a little too cozy for the three of them, not to mention she got a rash if she ventured too far from her urban habitat. “Thank you, everyone, but I’ll be fine here. I have an alarm system, and tonight I’ll use it.”
    “Absolutely not.” Valerie turned to her husband. “Jason, tell her she can’t stay here alone. It’s too dangerous.”
    Jason looked from his wife to Ari to the ceiling, then back to his wife. “You shouldn’t stay here. I’ll sleep on the couch, and you and Val can share the bed.”
    Ari stood and glared at her assembled friends. “You guys, I’m not kicking anyone out of their bed. I’m sure the threat is an empty threat, right?” No one spoke for too long a minute.
    Valerie also stood. “Ari, did the police have any leads? What did they say?”
    “No leads, but it’s fine. Really. Everyone go home.”
    “I’ll stay,” Lance said suddenly, creating a surprised silence.
    “What?” Ari asked, but everyone ignored her. Valerie had a huge smile, as if the matter were settled. Jason looked frankly relieved. Did no one care what she thought? Obviously not, since Valerie started cleaning up dinner and Jason took a step toward the door.
    “I said I’ll stay,” Lance said. “Valerie’s right, you shouldn’t stay here. You should go to a hotel or to a friend’s house, but if you refuse to leave your house, you shouldn’t be alone.”
    “You heard the officer,” Valerie said.
    “Val, I live in a loft upstairs. No walls, remember? Where will Lance sleep?” She shot her friend a quelling look to stop this plan at once, but Val was full-steam ahead.
    “He can sleep on your couch, and you could move that screen over or something,” Valerie prattled on, completely unaware, or purposely ignoring, the eye beams of death Ari sent her way. Good God, tipsy, concerned best friends should be illegal. Although, now that she looked closer, Val’s wineglass remained nearly full. Yikes, had she downed