"Yeah, of course. I mean, she was." I glanced back at her. "She was upset. We all were. But she was awake and talking. We got bags packed and grabbed her dog and she climbed into my truck voluntarily. It wasn't until I told her we were going to a hotel that?—"
"Ah…" He held a finger up. "She lost it, didn't she?" He hurried to her, crouching, and brushing her hair off her face. "Poor sweetie. You're safe here." He turned back to me and shook his head. "She doesn't do hotels."
"Apparently. She started crying, and I didn't know what to do so I just kept driving, and then she went real quiet, and when I looked over, she was asleep."
Johnny stared at me. His eyes were scrutinizing me as if he knew about the murder, and he was sure it was me.
"And even though she was unconscious and couldn't make that choice, you still didn't take her to a hotel."
"No, sir. She had your name in a notebook. You were the first name I called."
He nodded approvingly and clicked his tongue, waving for me to follow him as he turned and headed into the kitchen. "You're smart. This is always a safe place for my Domino."
My Domino?
I brushed the twinge of jealousy away. He spoke about her like a friend, not a past lover. He set to work brewing coffee and offered me toast. When I politely declined, he shrugged and went about making his breakfast. It was still very early. The moon was still out and the sky was black.
"So, tell me. Who are you?"
"Koi Maitland, sir. I'm her bodyguard."
"Bodyguard?" He raised a curious eyebrow. "I knew that family had money, but needing security money?" He whistled.
"I'm newly promoted. As of earlier tonight."
Johnny paused, but he took enough social cues to know I wasn't going to share what exactly happened.
"Will you be needing to sleep as well? I have a spare bedroom. I'll let her stay on the couch and you can stay upstairs."
My nerves were going crazy. It was as if I were meeting a girl's father for the first time and not her friend. Johnny seemed close to our age, maybe a year or so older, but how he behaved and spoke made him feel so much older. Considering her dad was dead, Johnny was the closest thing she had to a father figure. I wanted to make a good impression.
"We'll stay together. I'll bring her upstairs with me if that's okay." I found my breathing staggered as I waited for his reaction. He spun around with a smile.
"Interesting. You're her bodyguard and boyfriend?"
I scrunched my nose and found my hand rubbing the back of my neck. "I'm not sure if she'd appreciate labels."
"But you would. Sit," he demanded. I did so, and he brought me a cup of coffee. He sat across from me and grinned. "Tell me everything you can."
I licked my lips and looked at the coffee. A month ago, I'd gladly regale this stranger in how I stripped a chick in the camp showers, turned the lights off, and ate her pussy while my best friend held her legs open, but I found myself wanting to keep that moment private.
"I like her," I admitted. "She's beautiful, inside and out."
"That she is. I'm surprised she's let you in enough to share a bed. Many a man and woman have tried to get her to give them a second look, but she only expressed interest once in all the time I've known her."
"Only once?" I asked, curiously.
"Oh yes, two boys from before she ran away. It was an unrequited love. That was the only time she spoke of being attracted to anyone. Even if she never outright said it, I still considered her one of us."
"One of us?"
"Queer, darling. Just because she seems to like you doesn't erase who she is or was before you. Or are you a phobe?"
I laughed, but when he didn't join me, I grew serious, and a little angry. Growing brave, I revealed more than I should have.
"Just a few hours ago, I had a cock in my mouth right after eating her pussy. I'd tread carefully on who you accuse of something like that."
He blinked and stared for a long time before nodding.
