Chapter Thirty-Three
~ Ashton ~
Once in the solitude of the bedroom, I closed the door tightly behind me. I didn’t want to make this call near Anna in case I had to bring up Carter in the conversation. As I pressed the connect button and put the phone to my ear, I silently prayed that he would go for one of the three options because I didn’t want to spend two weeks pining for her.
Maddy answered on the third ring. “Hi, ma’am, it’s Agent Taylor. How are you today?” I asked politely.
“Oh, Agent Taylor, I’m good. How are you and Annabelle?” she asked happily.
“We’re great, thanks. Is it possible for me to speak to Senator Spencer?”
“Sure. He’s free right now, I’ll buzz you through.”
The line beeped, and he answered a few seconds later. “Agent Taylor, is everything alright?” he asked quickly.
“Yes, sir, everything’s fine. I just wondered if I could talk something through with you. It’s about Anna’s winter break.” I tried to sound confident when all I wanted to do was beg this man to let me spend Christmas with his daughter.
“Okay, I’m listening.”
“Well, sir, Anna has just asked me if it would be possible for her to go away for winter break. She said she wanted to get away and have a break somewhere hot,” I lied, blaming the whole thing on her. Hopefully, if he thought it was her idea and something she really wanted, he would be more likely to accept it. This was one of the reasons why I wanted to speak to him in private.
“She wants to go on vacation?”
“Yes, sir, she said she’d like to,” I confirmed, trying to sound casual.
“I’m not sure that’s possible, I mean, with the whole guard situation…” he trailed off, sounding like he was thinking about it.
Okay, Ashton, now sell it. “I’d be happy to take her. We could go somewhere where she’s not going to be recognised. The risk will be minimal to her. Less than here actually,” I countered, trying to convince him.
“You would take her? What about your time off?” I could clearly hear the shock in his voice.
I smiled. “That’s fine, I don’t need time off. I’d be happy to take Anna.”
He was quiet for a while, obviously thinking about it. “Well, where were you thinking?” he asked.
I smiled. Okay, I’m half way there, he hasn’t said no! “I’m not sure where she would want to go, sir. Somewhere far enough away that she wouldn’t be recognised, somewhere quite remote,” I suggested, thinking of lying on a quiet beach with her.
He sighed. “Can I call you back? I’ll speak to Melissa about it; she was looking forward to having Annabelle home for Christmas as much as I was.” The disappointment in his tone was obvious.
“Okay, sir.” I closed my eyes and prayed that her mother would say yes.
“You think she would like that? It would make her happy?” he asked quietly.
“Yes, I’m positive it would.”
“I’ll call you back in a bit.” He disconnected the call.
I physically crossed my fingers, just hoping that he’d agree to it. My mind wandered to all of the places we could go. Of course, I couldn’t afford five star luxury, but since I’d been guarding Anna I’d had nothing to pay out for because they paid my rent and expenses. I had some money saved, so we could certainly go somewhere nice.
About fifteen minutes later, my cell phone rang. I was still in the bedroom because I didn’t want to go out and get Anna’s hopes up by saying he was thinking about it, just in case it didn’t happen. If he said no, then I would move onto option two of her coming to LA with me. I didn’t think she’d actually want me to go to her parents’ house with her, they would be cooing over our ‘relationship’ and she hated that, it would make her feel uncomfortable.
“Agent Taylor,” I answered, knowing it was Maddy’s number.
“Agent Taylor, please hold,” Maddy instructed.
The phone clicked, and he came on. “Agent Taylor, I’ve spoken to Melissa, and we’ve agreed to her going on vacation if you’re sure that you don’t mind taking her,” he said casually, as if we were discussing the weather. My breath caught in my throat because I was seriously expecting him to say no.
“Absolutely,” I confirmed, grinning from ear to ear.
“Okay, great. We were thinking that Melissa and I would book the trip as her Christmas present.”
My mouth popped open in shock. “Sir, that’s nice of you, but I can cover it.”
He laughed a booming hearty laugh. “That’s not in your job description, son.”
“I know that, sir, but Anna and I have become friends, it wouldn’t really be like working. I guess it would kind of be a vacation for me too, so I’m more than happy to pay for us,” I explained.
He laughed again. “Agent Taylor, it’s terrific that you two are friends, but you’re not paying for the trip. Melissa and I will book it for the two of you.”
“Sir, honestly. I can’t let you do that-”
“Son, I appreciate your position, but at the end of the day, you’re going to be working, aren’t you? You do plan on protecting my daughter, don’t you?” he asked, amused.
“Of course.”
“Well then, it’s settled. As part of your job, you’ll be accompanying my daughter on vacation. You won’t be paying for it,” he stated, ending the discussion.
“Thank you, sir,” I replied, frowning. I felt a little deflated now because I’d actually wanted to book it and take her. I didn’t want it to be like I was working, even though I would be.
“You’re welcome, son. Thank you for doing this for Annabelle; if it wasn’t for you, then she wouldn’t even be thinking about a vacation. We really appreciate what you’re doing for her,” he said gratefully.
I smiled. “You’re very welcome. Like I said, Anna and I have become friends.”
“Well, is there anywhere you two would like to go? Did she mention anywhere?” he asked curiously.
“Not really, she just said somewhere hot. Are you planning on sending a far guard with us?” I asked curiously. Please say no, I want her to feel completely comfortable…
“I was under the impression that you meant just the two of you,” he answered.
I grinned, fist pumping the air. “Yes, sir, I did mean just the two of us. I just wondered if that was alright with you.” My insides were going crazy as I thought about rubbing lotion on her body with no one else watching, and no act to keep up.
“Son, can you protect my daughter on your own?” he asked.
“Yes, sir,” I answered confidently.
“Well then, that’s good enough for me. I trust you, Agent Taylor. If you say you can protect her then I believe you,” he replied just as confidently.
Wow, he genuinely does trust me with his daughter! “Thank you, I appreciate your confidence.”
“Like I said when you took her to LA, if it were any other agent then I would say no.” The hair on the back of my neck prickled at his proud tone. I’d never had a father figure in my life, so I really appreciated that this man was so confident in my ability.
“I won’t let you down,” I promised.
“Good. Well, Melissa and I will have a think about it and get it arranged, if you really have no preference as to where you go…”
Jeez, I would follow that girl to the ends of the earth, I don’t care. “No, sir, anywhere is fine. I would ask for an apartment though, instead of two hotel rooms. That way it would be easier for me to do my job without having to worry about another entrance to her room. Also, if you could book all the travel plans under another name, like LA, that way it would just cover the trail further,” I suggested.
“Good idea. I’ll let you know what we come up with and hopefully we’ll have it booked by the end of the day. I’m sure Annabelle will want to go shopping for vacation clothes,” he laughed, and I felt the predatory grin slip onto my face as I imagined all of the beachwear outfits she’d wear.
“Thank you, sir.” This seriously was the best four months of my life, probably the best four months of anybody’s life.
“No. Thank you, son,” he countered as he hung up.
I stared at the phone for a minute in shock; Anna was going to flip when she heard this. I rearranged my expression before I exited the bedroom. She looked up expectantly with a hopeful expression on her face. I tried my best to look sad, and it must have worked as her expression faded and was replaced by a fake smile that clearly meant she thought we were headed to her parents’ house.
“So?” she prompted as I sat next to her on the sofa.
I sighed dramatically. “Well, we can’t go to LA.”
“Oh man, I’m sorry, Ashton! You should just go on your own, you’d get to hang with your friends, go out New Year’s Eve, and have fun,” she smiled, trying to look enthusiastic.
“No, I want to spend winter break with you,” I refused, trying desperately to keep the smile off my face.
She sighed. “Ashton, come on, be serious. It’s going to be so awkward for us at my parents’ house, how am I supposed to explain you being there instead of going home?”
“Yeah, you’re right. I don’t want to do that,” I nodded in agreement.
She smiled sadly. “So just go to LA. Spend time with Nate.”
“I don’t want to do that either.”
She took my hand, squeezing gently. “I’m sorry,” she muttered.
“Yeah. So, about that shopping trip for Christmas presents…” I trailed off, fighting my urge to grin like a moron.
“Yeah?” She looked really sad, but she was obviously trying not to show me.
“Well, do you think we could go somewhere that sells skimpy bikinis and sun cream?” I asked, laughing.
She gasped as her eyes widened from shock. “Bikinis and sun cream? You mean? No way! Are you serious? But… but… really?” she cried.
I nodded, grinning ecstatically. “I’m serious. Your parents are booking the vacation as your Christmas gift. They’re getting it booked by the end of the day, apparently,” I confirmed, watching as her face went from shock to complete happiness. I chewed on the inside of my mouth because of how beautiful she looked when she smiled.
“You mean we get to go away? Really? You’re not tricking me, are you? Because if you are, that’s seriously mean,” she asked, eyeing me curiously.
“I’m not tricking you, Baby Girl, I promise. I get to take you somewhere hot, with a beach. Just the two of us and no far guard,” I confirmed.
She squealed excitedly and jumped up and down on the spot. “Oh my God! No far guard either? I can’t believe you! How did you do that?” she cried as her eyes filled with tears.
“I must be the best boyfriend in the world,” I joked, shrugging as if it was nothing.
Before I could either react or prepare myself for impact, she jumped onto my lap and hugged me tightly. “Thank you, Ashton. Oh God, this is going to be great! Thank you, thank you, thank you!” she squeaked, hugging me as I grunted from the sudden weight being thrust upon me.
“You’re welcome, Baby Girl,” I replied, grinning. In all honesty, I couldn’t wait for some me and her time, with no one to act normal or pretend for. This was going to be the best Christmas ever.
Suddenly, her eyes widened and she pushed herself off my lap. “Oh man, I need to go to the gym!” She didn’t even wait for an answer as she turned and streaked into the bedroom.
“Anna, where the hell did that come from?” I asked, getting up to follow her into the bedroom. She was just pulling on a pair of sweats and riffling through her drawer, coming out with a tank top. She was still practically bouncing on the spot. “Why are you going to the gym?” I asked, confused.
“Oh, come on. We’re going to lie on a beach, I need to look good in my bikini,” she explained, grinning like a mad woman.
I practically choked on her absurdity. “Look good in your bikini? Are you joking?”
She shook her head. “Are you coming or can I go on my own?” she asked as she walked past me.
I grabbed her hand, making her stop as I stared down at her in disbelief. “Are you serious? You’re going to the gym so you’ll look good in your bikini?”
She nodded and shrugged. “Well yeah. I know I can’t do much in a week, but I’ve put on like four pounds since you stopped me running like I used to.”
I scoffed and shook my head in disapproval. “You have got to be kidding me! You’re perfect; you don’t need to suddenly start running off to the gym! Honestly, you’re the most beautiful thing in the world, Anna. And I happen to like the extra four pounds.” I wasn’t just saying that because I was in love with her.
She made a little aww sound as she went up on tiptoes and planted a little kiss on the corner of my mouth. “You’re so sweet sometimes with these little comments of yours,” she mused, pinching my stomach gently. “But of course you think I’m perfect, you’re biased and are probably paid to say that,” she replied. She nodded over her shoulder towards the door. “We would have gone to the gym later anyway, so what’s the problem?”
I groaned and rolled my eyes. She never seemed to take me seriously when I told her how I felt about her. Maybe one day the information and hints would finally sink in.
“Are you coming or not?” she asked, stepping away from me and grinning.
Admitting defeat, I nodded in agreement. “Fine, just let me change first. I suppose I need to look good on the beach too.”
She grinned. “Pretty Boy, you look way better than good all the time!”
After an hour at the gym, we were back at our apartment. Anna went in for the first shower while I opened my laptop because Maddy had texted to tell me that she’d emailed me the itinerary for our trip.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Agent Taylor,
Please find below details of your trip. Tickets will be waiting at the check in desk; passports will need to be shown to obtain them. As you will notice, I have amended Annabelle’s name, as per her father’s instructions. I have arranged for some local currency to be delivered to your apartment tomorrow. I trust that you can get a ride to the airport from one of the far guards, if not then let me know and I will book a car for you. Transfers have been arranged for when you get there. Weather should be delightful, so make sure you take plenty of sunscreen. No injections required. Have a marvellous time.
Maddy.
Duration: 14 nights
Flight time: Depart :10:45 Saturday 21st Dec
Return :14:00 Saturday 4th January
Destination: Maldives (South Male Atoll)
Hotel: 5* Deluxe Over water suite
Board: All inclusive
Transfer’s: 20 minutes by speedboat
Passengers: Mr Ashton Taylor. Mrs Annabelle Taylor
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
My breath caught in my throat at the last line. They’d put us as married? I actually loved the sound of that. Annabelle Taylor. I’d never heard of anything more perfect in my life. But I knew Anna wouldn’t like it. For some reason, she was really touchy about marriage and always seemed to clam up or go quiet whenever I made jokes about it. Needing to sort it out before she saw this email, I grabbed my cell phone and was just about to dial Maddy’s number, but Anna walked out of the bedroom behind me.
I closed the laptop quickly as she walked up behind me. She placed her hand on the small of my back and smiled up at me. “Did you get it? Where did they book?” she inquired excitedly.
“Um, yeah, I got it.” I swallowed the lump in my throat.
She grinned and reached for the laptop, lifting the lid and looking at me expectantly so I could enter the password. I typed it in quickly, wincing as she opened my emails and double clicked on the one that Maddy sent. She looked so excited that I didn’t have the heart to stop her. I’d just have to deal with the fall out and hope that she didn’t think this was my idea.
She slid onto a stool as she read it. I held my breath, waiting.
“Speed boat transfer?” she asked, practically bouncing in her seat.
I winced, knowing she was almost done. I knew the exact moment that she got to the last line because her body seemed to tense. Her eyes flicked up to me. “Did you see the passengers?”
I nodded and waited for her reaction.
“That’s…” she stopped talking, her mouth opening and closing a couple of times before she frowned at the screen.
“I can ask for them to change it. I asked for them to change your name, I didn’t think they’d change it to mine,” I chimed in, wanting her to know this wasn’t my idea.
She shook her head in rejection. “It’s done now. Just leave it,” she muttered.
“Are you sure?”
Her smile was forced as she nodded. “What’s the matter, Pretty Boy, don’t you want me to be Mrs Taylor?” She was trying to come across as playful, but I could see she was uncomfortable with this.
I decided not to answer that question honestly because clearly something was wrong that I didn’t understand. “Anna, seriously, I can get Maddy to change it if you want.”
She shrugged. “It’s fine. Do you care?”
Hell yeah I care, I love it! I shook my head. “No, I don’t care, Baby Girl,” I lied smoothly.
“Don’t worry about it then. It’s kinda cute in a weird way. Plus, it’ll help with people not following us around. I’m up for anything that means I won’t get asked for my autograph!” she joked, shrugging nonchalantly.
Just needing to check that she wasn’t putting on a brave front, I wrapped my arm around her waist and stepped between her legs, looking at her intently. “You’re really okay with it?”
She shrugged easily. “I don’t mind. It’s just a name; as long as your player side isn’t going to come busting through and make you run off,” she teased.
“I’m not a player!” I cried, annoyed that she didn’t seem to notice that I didn’t see anyone else in the room but her.
She smiled tenderly at me as she nodded. “I know, I was just teasing,” she whispered, wrapping her arms around me tightly. I stood there like that for a couple of minutes, just letting it all sink in. Finally, she pulled away and grinned up at me. “I’m going to go look through my clothes and see what else I need to buy before the trip!”
I chuckled as she jumped off the stool and practically skipped to the bedroom to look through her clothes.