The Bodyguard

Chapter 19 - The Cottage

Kristen POV

I seriously hope Gabriel didn’t see Jason in the store. I could do without that awkwardness or conversation. He hasn’t said anything so I’m pretty sure he didn’t and I'm not going to bring the subject up if he doesn't.

He takes me home briefly to change, eat a light lunch and grab my bag and then we leave for the countryside together.

The drive is smooth in his car and I don’t mind the journey.

We arrive shortly after 5pm and he gives me the tour of his village. It’s so quaint and beautiful and before I know it the houses become sparse and he’s turning down a small road which is lined with trees on each side. The trees link together at the top forming a beautiful archway, which we drive under, with the sun peeping through the leaves, it's magical.

It’s a good mile before we see any buildings and it’s just one. A lovely little cottage up a huge driveway. The driveway already has 3 cars on it, which makes me wonder who else lives here.

He turns into the driveway and pulls up outside the cottage. I see the black Mercedes next to a sleek Range Rover and a vintage white Porsche 911.

Gabriel sees my face and laughs.

“What? I like cars,” he says like it’s no big deal.

“These are all yours?!” I can’t hide the disbelief in my voice.

“The Aston is my day to day car. The Merc is when I have a driver because it's the only car I'll let anyone else drive, this,” he points to the Range Rover, “is for driving round the land here, towing things or round in the country and this,” he points to the Porsche, “is my baby. She was my first decent car, I saved up for six months and I still love her dearly.”

I have no words, I've never known anyone love cars so much, so I stay quiet. He takes my hand and leads me towards the cottage. It’s a pristine white 2 story building with trees all round and a beautiful wooden door painted sage green.

He opens the door and we enter into a small hallway lined with bookcases. There are hundreds of books here, who knew he was such a big reader.

He shows me into a cosy sitting room which is furnished with beautiful plush cream sofas and a huge cream rug. It has a real fireplace with logs piled at the side. It’s really neat and homely.

He continues the tour with the kitchen which has beautiful marble worktops and white cupboards. There’s a huge stove with a double oven and an island with white leather bar stools.

I notice the dining room just off it, which has a huge oval wooden table with six white cushioned seats round and two larger seats at the ends.

He shows me up the staircase which is made of solid wood and into a huge bedroom with an enormous wood framed bed. It has slats in the headboard and beautiful cream cushions on. The sheets are pure cotton, but silky looking and they are trimmed with black edging. It’s beautiful, but masculine.

He opens the walk in closet and shows me a space he’s made for my clothes while I stay if I want to hang things up.

“The main bathroom is just down the hall and after that is the guest room if you’d feel more comfortable staying there please just say, I didn't want to presume.”

I shake my head because we both know I won’t be spending any time in there.

He leaves me to unpack while he makes coffee downstairs.

I arrange my clothes and put my bag on an empty shelf then head downstairs for coffee.

“I also have an office and a gym in the loft where I work out. Sunday is one of my training days but you’re welcome to join me if you like.” He says teasingly.

I laugh because I’m not a gym kind of girl and I know I don’t look like I could lift anything.

“I was thinking we could go to dinner tonight,” he suggests changing the subject.

“That would be nice.”

“There’s a really cute little Italian place in the village we passed.”

“Sounds great, I love Italian food,” I reply honestly.

“How about I run you a nice relaxing bath and you can get yourself ready while I finish off some work?”

“Ok”

He leads me to the bathroom and hands me a white fluffy towel from a large cupboard. I go back to the bedroom to undress, I don't know why but I feel uncomfortable undressing in front of him, when I reach the bathroom again he’s running a bubble bath in a huge roll top bathtub.

He leaves me to it and I climb in when the water is high enough and switch off the taps.

I enjoy my bath, soaking my aching muscles and letting the stress of the day leave my body.

I lie there thinking about what the evening will bring and imagine what it’ll be like sleeping in his huge bed tonight.