He looked at her hand on his arm. There was still this crazy chemistry between them, something he'd always wondered if he'd just imagined with first love.
"I scared you off? I mean, we were pretty close back then." If he'd learned anything from being a Navy SEAL, it was to go hard at a target.
She hesitated. "Well, I just mean, I wasn't ready to get married."
He opened his door. "Honey, I wasn't your guy. That's okay. You don't have to explain." He shut the door and went around. She got out.
Was he stupid? He actually still felt the bruised ego. They walked toward the door, and someone opened it. The man looked like he owned the well-tailored suit he was wearing.
"Ms. Clark." His eyes came to Walker, and he looked uncertain. "What can I help you with today?"
Her voice turned poised. "I have a new head of security we just recruited, and he needs some suitable suits."
Walker eyed the man who exuded Italian Prada elegance. "Nothing too fancy, nothing too tight. It needs to be comfortable, breathable."
"I can do that." Antonio started leading them down a hallway.
Walker recognized that this was, in fact, a place where apparently very rich people went to get clothes. He walked into a room filled with hundreds of jackets, pants, ties, and all manner of menswear.
Antonio hesitated, giving him a hard look, and moved toward the back of the room. "We outfit several military men who need clothing they can move in as well as breathe." He gave a light smile.
Walker ignored it with only a cocked eyebrow. "Moving and breathing sounds good."
Walker didn't like suits. He preferred his military garb. He would probably forever wear casual military-type clothes and standard-issue boots.
Antonio went to a section that did look nice. Walker touched some of the materials. They did feel breathable.
Antonio grabbed a measuring tape and measured him quickly.
Walker liked the man's professional manner. He didn't feel like he was at some pretentious boutique.
Walker looked at the various clothes, and he and Antonio picked several shirts, ties, pants, and outfits. Antonio even showed him some shoes he could run in.
"Nice," Walker said, heading to the changing room. He turned back and saw she was staring at him, possibly giving herthe kind of look he wanted to give her—studying. He longed to study her when she wasn't paying attention. It was harder when people were watching you.
After trying on several outfits, they decided on more than enough—some business suits, casual clothes, shoes for both, windbreakers, and sunglasses. As they walked to the front to pay, he said to her, "I got this."
She already had her corporate card out. "Are you kidding me? I get to treat you like Julia Roberts in that movie where Richard Gere bought all those clothes for her. Now you're ruining it."
Walker had to laugh. She knew this would be hard for him.
After she paid, he told Antonio, "Thank you," and carried everything out to the car. He was wearing a suit and some new shoes. They did feel good, breathable. He'd have to remember Antonio.
She directed him where to park as they went into her building. Of course, she had security. He eyed all the security personnel and noted that, apparently, her guy who was supposed to bring her in tonight was waiting for them. He was giving Walker a withering stare.
"Ms. Clark, when did you hire a new bodyguard?" the man asked.
She kept her face blank. "That's none of your business, Thomas, but until further notice, you can help with security around the building. Mr. Walker will be at my side."
Thomas looked out of sorts. "Well, what about Henry? Do you want him to escort you back to your house tonight?"
Walker moved in front of her. "That won't be needed. Thank you."
She eyed Walker with a cocked eyebrow. They walked to the elevator. She pressed the button for the eleventh floor.
As they ascended, he said, "Cameras everywhere."
She nodded. "Yep."
