An Opportunity Seized by Donna Gallagher Page A

stiff. It was a glorious feeling and Toni had been enjoying the reminiscing, until she’d noticed his scowl.
    He didn’t waste a second escaping from the bed either. She’d decided that as soon as Jason went into his bathroom she would jump up, grab her robe and go back to her room. She really didn’t want to face any excuses or regrets from him until after she was clean and full of coffee. When she heard the sound of the door bang shut, it startled her into action. Toni swung her legs over the edge of the mattress and got out of bed. Trying to be as quiet as she could, she put on her robe and crept from the room, the click of the door as it latched closed behind her a somber sign that her fantasy night was over. Safely back in the sanctuary of her own room, Toni took time to evaluate the situation. She boiled the little kettle the hotel supplied and made a coffee as she tried to decide how she would play it.
    It was obvious that Jason had been annoyed that she was still in his bed—his actions had confirmed that when he’d stopped her from touching him and fled. Of course he probably wouldn’t say anything to her about it, given that he still had the job of shadowing her. Maybe he’ll ask someone else to take over? The thought put her into a panic. No, he’d need a good reason and it would take at least a day for someone to get here to replace him. Guess old Ma and Pa wouldn’t want me traipsing around without their spies. If I can convince him I meant to go back to my room… That I’m not looking for a repeat performance… Maybe he’ll hang around. I wonder if he really wants to do the whole sightseeing, touristy thing with me or retreat back to following me, hiding in the shadows?
    She was working herself into a frenzy trying to decide what to do. One-night stands or even relationships were not her field. She was flying blind and had no one to turn to for advice. Deciding that a shower was at least the first step needed, Toni quickly washed and dressed. Just as she was putting on her sandals, there was a knock at her door.
    Hopping, one shoe on and the other dangling from her grasp, Toni opened the door.
    “You didn’t even look through the peephole,” Jason growled at her. “Don’t you have any kind of self-preservation instincts? You never think of your own safety. I know, I’ve seen it first-hand over the last few days. For God’s sake, Toni, it’s written on the back of your door not to open without checking first who it is. And that is advice for everyday folk, not just bloody heiresses.” Jason pushed past her and stormed into her room.
    He was so angry with her that Toni unconsciously took a step back, putting more space between them. She’d never been yelled at like that before and Jason was frightening her. All she’d done was open the door. Anyone would think, the way he was carrying on, that she’d walked into some gangster’s house with a loaded weapon and demanded their drug money. When he’d pointed out the heiress part, it was as if a barb had struck her heart. She didn’t want him to see her that way—ridiculous really, given that he was hired to protect her and all. Not that it really mattered what he thought anymore. It was clear her luck of the previous day had run out.
    “Don’t yell at me,” she finally managed to blurt out. “I can open the door or shut the door however I like. I can do and go anywhere I decide too—without your permission or advice. You do not get to lecture me. I get lectured enough by my parents. I do not need to hear it from the person that was hired to follow me and, might I add, without my knowledge or my approval. And not counting the attentions of the low flying goose with a significant bowel condition yesterday, I’ve managed to remain free from the clutches of evil and chaos all on my own accord.”
    The instant the words had spilled from her mouth, Toni wanted to capture them all and reel them back in, but it had been too late. She