Declan was gorgeous, whereas Fawn knew she was only passably pretty. He was charming when he wanted to be, whereas she, again, got by with that cheery smile and the hope that the heartache behind it was never seen.
Lastly, and obviously, from the luxury of this apartment, Declan was wealthier than a mere bodyguard ever could be.
That last anomaly also made Declan an enigma within what Fawn had already considered to be a mystery. A situation that put him even further out of her reach.
But the truth was, she still needed this job.
“Truce?” she prompted huskily.
Declan gave an abrupt nod. “Truce.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Next time you need something, call me and I’ll get it for you. It’s what I’m here for, remember?” she dismissed.
He grimaced. “I’m used to taking care of myself.”
“I gathered that.” That independence was a deep-seated part of his confident nature. “But until you’re completely healed, you need to let other people help you with certain things. Think you can you do that?” she teased.
“I can try,” he said begrudgingly.
Fawn laughed, knowing this answer was the best she was going to get from a man who obviously always took charge and whose very nature, along with his career choice, compelled him to ensure the safety of others above his own.
That caring-for-others trait was such an obvious part of Declan’s nature, it made Fawn wish she knew him well enough to confide some of her problems to him.
Life hadn’t been easy since Fawn’s parents died three years ago, but at least she had already finished her nursing course at university and had been able to go out and get a job to pay for an apartment and the bills that came along with it. An apartment that was nothing like the understated luxury of Declan’s, but it was still a roof over their heads.
River’s situation had been better three years ago too. But those intervening years had taken their toll on him and seen a definite deterioration in his condition, to the degree that he was no longer able to hold down a full-time job.
The two of them managed, but only just.
What a temptation it would be, if only for a few hours, to lay down those responsibilities and let someone take care of her for a change.
But self-pity was an indulgence Fawn rarely allowed herself. She wasn’t about to do so now either. Especially with an astute and intelligent man like Declan Quinn.
She straightened her shoulders. “Go back to bed, and I’ll bring you the bottle of water.”
“Fine,” Declan bit out from between what looked like clenched teeth. “But if you do feel the need to leave the apartment at any time, for whatever reason, you’re going to need your thumbprint added to the security system and a number code you can put in before the elevator will work for you, up or down.”
“What?” She stared at him, incredulous. “But I like to go for a run in the evenings once I’ve finished work.”
Declan frowned,not liking the idea of that at all. Anything could happen to a lone woman out running at night in London. Yes, it was still light in the evenings at the moment, but that would change with the season. It sounded as if Fawn’s routine of running in the evenings had long been established. “Do you run alone?”
She gave him a quizzical glance. “Yes.”
“River doesn’t run with you?”
That amber-colored gaze became guarded. “No.”
Declan’s lids narrowed. “Why not?”
“None of your damned business— Sorry. I’m sorry.” She closed her eyes, breathing deeply before opening them again, her expression one of self-disgust. “I apologize for swearing. That was completely unprofessional. I’ll understand if you want to contact Mr. Hargreaves and have him send someone else to take over your care. Someone who can behave more professionally,” she added miserably.
Declan chuckled. “I swear all the time. Including several times in front of you this morning before we had even left the hospital.”
“You’re the patient. You’re allowed.”
“Really, forget it. I probably deserved it,” he dismissed. “But I would prefer you to use the gym here instead of going for a run in a public park. My gym has everything a public one does, including a treadmill.”
“It isn’t the same as being outside.”
