He covered his grin before choosing two of the cylindrical vegetables and putting them in the cart. Then he chose the rest of the salad fixings before heading for the fruit.
“Any preferences?” he asked as she paused next to him, her face still flushed.
“Watermelon.” She eyed one with particular interest.
Kell let his lashes drift over his eyes as he stared at it himself. He knew how to eat watermelon. At least, how he intended to eat it with her. He put it in the cart before moving her to the fresh meat section.
She let him choose, watching the cart warily before they headed to the canned foods and flour and sugar section. By the time he pushed the cart to the check-out stand he could see the worry in her face.
“I can’t pay for all this,” she finally muttered as he threw a handful of chocolate bars into the cart. “I’m a schoolteacher. We don’t make big bucks here.”
He frowned down at her. “The groceries go on my card and are turned in to the expense account. It’ll be handled by your father at the end of the month.”
“Boy, are you in for a surprise then.” She sighed. “Just give me the bill after you pay for it. I’ll get some money out of the ATM. I know I don’t have enough cash and I didn’t bring the credit card.”
She was chewing at her lower lip as she stared at the food. “You eat a lot.”
He pushed the cart into the check-out bay and moved ahead as the cashier dropped the back bar and began pulling items toward her across the scanner.
Surely she hadn’t been paying for her bodyguards’ food?
“Hi, Miss Stanton.” The cashier flashed Emily a smile that gleamed with braces. “Are you having a good summer?” She slid a sidelong look at Kell.
“It’s quiet, Kimmy,” Emily answered. “How’s your brother enjoying his vacation?”
“He’s doing great. Mom told me to tell you thanks for the tutoring you did after school let out. Mark’s doing a lot better in reading now. He should be good to go to the first grade.”
Emily nodded with a small smile. “He’s a smart kid. He just needed some extra help.”
“Well, he’s taking to reading, I know that.” The girl laughed as she scanned the items quickly while talking. “I took him to the library the other day and loaded him up. Is this your new bodyguard?” She nodded to Kell.
Emily’s shoulders slumped with resignation. “No, Kimmy, this is my, umm, friend.” She cleared her throat as Kimmy paused with the scanning.
She blinked at Emily, then turned and stared at Kell in amazement. She flushed when he winked slowly and grinned back at her.
“Wow,” she breathed out in obvious admiration. “Miss Stanton, that is so righteous. And he’s drop dead, ya know? Does he have any brothers?”
“Let’s hope not,” she muttered, barely loud enough for Kell
to hear before forcing a smile and answering the girl with a quick “no.”
“Too bad.” Kimmy sneaked another look in his direction. “Really and truly drop dead, Miss Stanton.”
“Thanks, Kimmy,” she said as the final sale rang up.
Kell felt an edge of anger as her face paled just slightly at the cost. Pulling out his billfold, he handed the girl his credit card, but he wanted to hit something instead. It was more than obvious she had been paying for the food her houseguests consumed. And men, being men, especially the men Kell knew Stanton had hired, ate a lot.
“This one pays too.” Kimmy looked back at him with new respect. “I’d keep him for a while if I were you, Miss Stanton.”
Emily said nothing but as Kimmy handed the receipt toward him she reached for it. Kell beat her, smiling in triumph as he dangled the receipt out of her reach.
“There you go, show her how a real man takes care of her.” Kimmy at least seemed to be enjoying it.
“I’m trying, Kimmy.” He winked again. “She’s stubborn though.”
“Yeah, she’s pretty tough.” Kimmy nodded. “But she’s killer cool, man. Don’t forget that.”
“Kell. Kell Krieger.” He reached his hand out to her, watched her blush prettily and accept the handshake.