Mikala's Passion (Pulse Series Book 2) (23 page)

He picked up the handset turning to see Mikala’s reaction. She was unmoved as she stared at the floor. “Yeah…come up.”

Mason unlatched the bar lock on the back of the door and slid it open. He kept a close eye on Mikala with a smirk as he put out his hand to a camouflage clad giant who made Mason look small. He threw a large duffle bag on the ground. Mikala watched from the corner of her eye as the pair came over and stood at her feet.

“Mik, meet Landon Kyle,” he said, snapping his fingers in her face to draw her eyes up. She was not impressed with the gesture but he knew it would work, and it did. “Your body guard.”

“I don’t need a fucking body guard,” she said, giving Landon a double take.

“Nice to meet you, Miss Santino,” Landon said, standing straight as a board with one hand clasped to the wrist of his other.

Landon spoke with a relaxed gentle tone that took her totally by surprise. She had expected a booming commanding voice, full of threatening authority, but his voice put her right at ease. Her eyes traced over him from his shiny black army grade boots, to the camouflage ball cap he quickly removed to reveal spikey black hair. He had pretty, caramel colored eyes. Landon, by his sheer size alone, was impressive and Mikala found herself grinning when she thought of him and all his sexiness following her around like a dutiful watch dog.

A scowl from Mason made her laugh as she rose to her feet holding out a hand, Landon looked from her hand, to her face and then over to Mason.

“You’re good, she won’t bite…too hard,” Mason said, laughing. Her tiny hand disappeared within Landon’s huge palm.

“Why am I agreeing to this?” Mikala asked, pointing her finger to Landon’s chest as he remained in place at her feet.

“Give us five?” Mason asked Landon, who immediately moved to the loft door standing like he was guarding the Queen herself. “Sugar, it’s either Landon at your side and you can move freely or it’s Landon outside that door and your ass stays put. I’d say the choice is pretty clear.”

“Why can’t I just stay with you?” she pleaded, adding a pouty lip for dramatics.

“Sugar, I’d love nothing more, but I have a job to do. In addition to taking care of you and Pulse, I have clients that count on me to make sure their businesses and families are safe and secure. Landon’s a good guy. I’d trust him with my life, therefore I trust him with yours. He’ll be your shadow twenty four seven. Where you go he goes, so play nice.”

Mason called Landon over and Mikala smiled stroking her hand across Landon’s chest. “Okay, I can play nice. I can handle a hottie following me around all day,” she said, glaring at Mason as she shouldered past, “will he be sharing my bed too?”

Mason shook his head at Mikala’s open flirting as she attempted to get a rise out of him. He and Landon shared an enigmatic laugh.

“You gonna tell her or will I?” Landon asked.

“Let her hang herself. You never know, this could be fun,” Mason said, as he watched her sauntering up the steps to the hideaway swinging her hips suggestively. “Stay close, don’t give her too much rope and remember she’s your future boss.”

“Got it,” Landon assured him. “Thanks again, you have no idea how much I need a fresh start.”

“Don’t mention it, man. I’m here for you. The room off the front entrance is yours, make yourself at home. I’m going out for a while. I’ll let Mik know.”

Landon snatched up his duffle bag and went into the room Mason pointed out without closing the door, and started unpacking.

Mikala was lying on the bed with her feet crossed and her hands pillowed under her head when Mason reached the top step and met her sad eyes. “Sugar, it won’t be for long. I promise.”

“I feel like a prisoner, this is so unfair.”

“I know,” Mason climbed onto the bed and straddled her hips. Leaning on his elbows, he played with the ends of her hair kissing her gently. “I have to go out. Why don’t you go downstairs and get to know Landon better?”

“I guess.” She sulked as he got to his feet and helped her to hers. “Aren’t you worried about leaving me all alone with a handsome man?”

“Not at all.” He smiled, sweeping her hair over her shoulder, “not at all.”

Pulse was busy as the usual lunchtime crowd came back on scene, the new pizza oven drawing in interest by passersby.

“Beer and pizza, you can’t lose,” Eden said, as she took a seat across from Mikala who seemed buried up to her eyeballs in paperwork.

“Fingers crossed,” Mikala said. “These bills are really piling up.” She shoved them to the side and waved to Carl.

“Girls, what can I get for you?” Carl asked, setting cocktail coasters on the table.

“Perrier with lime,” Eden said.

“Orange juice for me please, Carl.” Mikala smiled.

“Talk about boring. Sure wouldn’t know I’m a bartender with you two around.” Carl joked, catching sight of Landon sitting a few seats away with his arms crossed over his chest. “Shall I see if the incredible hulk wants something?”

Eden turned to see who Carl was talking about and whistled. “You must mean incredible
hunk
, Carl. Who’s that?”

“Shhh…yes Carl, get him whatever he wants on the house,” Mikala instructed. “That’s Landon. He’s my new best friend Mason got for me.”

“A body guard eh? Could be worse, he could be ugly, or worse yet a woman,” Eden laughed, “he’s hot!”

They watched as Carl walked over and leaned on the table’s edge, spending longer than the usual few seconds it took to take an order. Landon smiled and Carl placed a coaster on the table beside him.

“He’s got a pretty smile.” Mikala pointed out.

Eden’s eyes narrowed as she sat back and admired him. “And eyes for Carl,”

“What?” Mikala’s brow shot up. “Get the fuck outta here.”

“I’m telling you, he’s got his sights set on Carl.”

Perceptibly sensing their stare, Landon’s head turned in their direction and he gave them a nod. “Everything good, Miss Santino?” he asked.

“Yep, it’s all good.” Mikala replied, scrutinizing Landon as Carl brought their drinks and Landon’s eyes shadowed his every move.

Mikala was sure Eden had lost her mind thinking Landon was interested in Carl, but noted he was in fact transfixed on the man. Landon was the exact opposite of every stereotypical idea of a gay man out there. There was nothing effeminate about him, absolutely nothing. Not that she cared one way or the other.  He could do worse than Carl. It was just a bit of a shocker. Mikala had often wondered about Carl’s love life, but never had the nerve to ask why she never saw him with a woman and why he never spoke of dating anyone. Suddenly her dirty little depraved mind was dreaming up images of Landon draped over Carl, humping him for all he was worth, she flicked her brow when the idea seemed exciting to her and smiled.

“Your drinks ladies,” Carl set them down, and then walked over to Landon with a can of soda and a glass of ice. He hooted at something Landon said and the girls watched as he flipped over the coaster scribbling something on the backside, then handed it to Landon with a grin. As he walked away Landon viewed what was written on the coaster and bit into his bottom lip with a smile.

“Now tell me I’m full of shit!” Eden said with a laugh, holding up her glass waiting for Mikala to join her in a toast. “To my five-star-gay-dar, I should have placed a bet on that one.”

“Carl’s gay? He never said he’s gay,” Mikala said, with no intention of sharing a toast.

“One hundred percent, and if you don’t believe me you’re as delusional as he is.”

“What do you mean by that?” Mikala asked, intrigued.

“I don’t think Carl is willing to admit it,” Eden lowered her volume. “Or he’s not ready to come out.”

“I think until he’s ready to come out, as you put it, we back off and respect his privacy.” Mikala directed, after a snort from Eden. “Not that I’d deny him a relationship with whomever he chooses, it’s simply none of our business.”

Mikala would talk to Carl later and get the lowdown after Eden the matchmaker left, for now it was time to change the subject.

“Chase thinks the club will be ready to reopen in two weeks.” she said.

“That’s good news. Does that mean the apartment will be done too?” Eden asked, rising from her seat and walking over to the bar to retrieve a menu.

“You tell me, Chase won’t let me see it. I have no idea what it looks like. All I’ve seen is the pink tub and two by fours.”

Eden pursed her lips together, looking up at the ceiling. Mikala knew she was designing the apartment with Chase but they were staying close lipped, and after several unsuccessful attempts to sneak up there and nose around, her curiosity was getting the best of her.

“How about I have one of the boys make us a pizza and we take it upstairs, while we discuss any changes I might like to make?” Mikala gave Eden a cheesy grin.

“Chase would kill me. Besides, I don’t have time today I only have enough time to finish this drink then I have to run.”

“I
will
remember this bitch!” Mikala said, as Eden finished her drink and stood to leave.

Eden gave Mikala a roguish wink and walked over to where Landon was sitting, he stood and she said something, he smiled and they shook hands.

“Talk to you tonight,” Eden picked up her purse and walked past a glowering Mikala. “Dinners at seven don’t be late.”

“Okaaaay…”

Carl leaned over the bar to better hear Eden as she stood on tip toe and whispered into his ear. He drew back with a questioning look and then gave her a happy nod.

What the hell was she up to? Mikala wondered, giving her friend a wave as she exited onto the street.

“Carl?” Mikala called out, “Let’s go over the liquor order for next week.”

There wasn’t an awful lot to see in the dance club during the day besides those partaking in lunchtime business meetings, and bored clerks and office assistants interested in a quick bite to get away from work for a half hour or so. The music came from a constant stereo feed, it didn’t make for a dancing environment and the sound of construction still underway above them, proved anything but peaceful.

Carl placed a fresh glass of juice on Mikala’s coaster and sat. “Should I be ordering a few cases of champagne for the reopening with this order or will I wait and send it closer to the date?” Carl asked, looking up from his papers when Mikala didn’t answer him.

“Can I ask you a question, Carl?” she asked, sitting with her elbows on the tables edge and her chin perched on her clasped hands.

“Sure, honey, go ahead.”

“Are you seeing anyone?” she blurted, without a second thought.

His brows knotted together. “Is there a reason my personal life seems to be the topic of the day with everyone?”

“What do you mean?” Mikala asked, trying to come off all butter wouldn’t melt.

“First Eden asks me to dinner if I’m not attached and now you ask if I’m seeing someone. You never bothered to ask before Mik, what’s going on?”

“No reason.” Mikala said, picking up a pile of papers and tapping the edge of them on the table. “Just a question… I’m thinking four cases will be plenty, maybe a nice pink champagne what do you think?”

“I’m thinking you’re up to something and pink champagne won’t go over well with the male crowd.” Carl said, with a snippy tone.

“How about three cases of white and one pink,” Mikala asked. “And
I’m
not up to anything, I promise.”

Carl studied her face before replying, “If you’re thinking of setting me up, put the thought right out of that pretty little head of yours. Not interested and I’ll repeat it so there’s no mistake about it, I’m not interested in dating.”

“Relax, it never crossed my mind.” Mikala raised her hands in surrender.

Carl grabbed the liquor order and stood glaring at Mikala. “I’ll phone the order in from your office.”

He hurried towards her office, no doubt to escape her nosy questions. Landon’s eyes trailing after him, never leaving his target until the office door closed. Landon’s eyes settled on Mikala’s, she was watching him as he ogled Carl, he shrugged his shoulders and they shared a smile.

***

“I’ll make myself at home right here if that’s okay with you, Chase?” Landon asked, pointing to the seating area in the living room. It was the perfect location to keep guard with the elevator to the left and the rest of the penthouse on the right. No-one would get past him and he could finish reading the novel he started a few days ago.

“You will not.” Eden took Landon’s arm before Chase had a chance to answer, pulling him with her. “You will be joining us tonight; no one gets treated like the hired help in our house. Come on dinners almost ready.”

The look was almost comical as Eden directed Landon along the hall to the dining room with Mikala and Chase following close behind. Eden was a tiny little thing at five feet tall. It was funny enough seeing Chase and Eden side by side, since he stood six foot five and towered over her. But Landon, who was close to six feet and clearly outweighing Chase in muscle mass by a good thirty pounds, called attention to just how tiny she really was.

“Mik and Chase, you sit there.” Eden directed them to the seats at the far side of the table. “Landon, you sit here beside me.” She held the back of the chair kiddy corner to hers and smiled once everyone took their appointed seats.