“The same.” She grinned. “Except I’d prefer a husband to a wife. I think. A wife would cook and clean for me, right?”
He chuckled. “That was sexist of you. Maybe your husband would love to cook and clean.”
“If you find me one of those men, sign me up.”
“I’ll keep an eye out,” he said dryly. They reached their bikes and both bent down to scoop up their helmets. “Are you really planning to settle down?” he asked as he buckled on his helmet.
“What does that mean?”
He shrugged but there was something in his eyes, something vulnerable. “My mother regretted having children, she said we messed up her perfect figure and all I ever did was stress her out and damage her image and all my sister ever does is ride on her coattails, in her words.” He kicked at a rock, looking as vulnerable as a little boy who’d just been told he was in the way and useless. “My sister refuses to even entertain ideas of marriage, her career is far too important.”
Allison wanted to flare up in anger but the susceptibility in his gaze made her answer far more carefully. “I am working hard to succeed at my career,” she admitted, “but I wouldn’t be adverse to marriage or a family, if the right man came along.”
He stared at her as if trying to ascertain if she were telling the truth then he shook his head and muttered, “Well that would definitely make you different than my family.” He grabbed his bike and climbed on before she could respond. “We’d better go.”
Allison wanted to discuss more with him, convince him she was different than his family. Her idol, Scarlett Lily, was married, and had confided in Ally that she and Griff were hoping for a baby someday soon. Instead of trying to convince him when she didn’t know that he’d listen, or believe her, she simply nodded to Birch, climbed on her bike, and started off. It was much quicker going back to the main path and flying down the hill than the arduous climb up. She yelled out in glee as she bounced over a rock and caught air.
“Are you all right?” Birch asked from behind her.
“Never better,” she called back.
His answer was that deep chuckle of his she was becoming pretty fond of. She realized that she liked him, when he wasn’t giving her suspicious looks, or telling her how rotten all actresses were.
They shot out of the trail and rode across the wide expanse of manicured grass behind the Jewels’ house and then to the large garage. Birch did a thumbprint scan that the Jewels’ security company had added his print to, and then typed in the code. The garage slid open and they put their bikes and helmets away.
As they clacked across the polished garage floor Allison asked, “What’s the plan now, chief?”
He smiled. “I’m going to look over security footage and check in with Detective Jones.”
“Boring,” she teased, though she appreciated that he took his job of protecting her seriously. “Why don’t you put on a swimsuit and take a dip with me after you get done?”
He shook his head. “You have fun.”
Allison entered the house and flipped her hair. “I will.”
She strutted away from him, catching an appreciative look but he didn’t tell her he would swim with her. They’d had fun mountain biking and climbing, sort of. Why couldn’t he relax and realize if he was protecting her he could stay right with her and actually enjoy himself on the job? She grabbed a water bottle and an apple from the kitchen as she walked through. Whatever. She’d have fun without him.