Beautiful Protection

Effortlessly Dangerous

Being trapped with her is Xander's last on the list. Erin was growing on him and being with her in the closed room doesn't help with whatever was going on with him. Her scent was filling the room like it was drugging him. He was reminded of the first time he held her in the pool almost lifeless, but the warmth of her body was there burning his skin in the process. Her lips to his when he was blowing life to her in desperation and the moment she was sobbing in the pool his heart was shattered just like her.

He was the first woman he met that gave him different emotions in a short time. It was all wrong to feel that way but he was drawn to her, he was after her safety as his job but deep down he wanted more than that, which is so wrong.

"Damn it." He cursed realizing the door was locked.

"We are locked." Erin simply announced not realizing the danger she was in with him.

Xander then rummages the room to unlock the door but how can a storage room so tidy that he can't spot one thing to use or maybe his mind was chaotic to even see clearer.

As if sensing his desperation, the golden pin of Erin shone at him. He walked towards her and she stepped back in the process.

"What are you doing?" Erin asked innocently.

"Stay still." He murmured.

Wrong move. He realized when his hand was on her head. He could ask her to hand it to him, but his hands were fast that he beat his brain to think first.

Xander was thankful that her hair was soft that he easily took the golden pin from her hair. He was working on the door right away as if he just have thirty seconds to open it, but the situation is not cooperating with him.

"It's okay, take your time," Erin commented at his back.

You don't know what you are talking woman. He talked to himself still juggling with the knob, he was sweating from doing it for a minute now.

"I would be mad if our door can be open by a single hairpin." She was sure proud of that.

After another minute or two, the door finally opened. Erin was the one to step out first when the air blown leaving her scent as if it's teasing him.

"You're really good." She commented waiting for him to step out of the room.

"It's part of the training." He decided to have a good conversation with her while trying to get used to the allure of her scent.

"Do you also unlocking bomb?"

"Disposing of." He corrected her.

"I'm not, it's explosive engineering profession." He added.

"Hmm... I wonder if you could also train me some basic self-defense?" Erin asked and he was not sure if it's something he would gladly do.

"It just came to my mind. You see, I was helpless earlier. I think it's time to change that." She sighed remembering the encounter with Will earlier.

"When do you plan to start?" Xander asked. Who is he not to grant her request? It's even better if Erin can protect herself if a situation needs it, he just hopes that the time will not come or much better if he is by her side.

"How about tonight?" Erin gave her a hopeful look.

"Sure." His reply and they parted after that.

At his place in the villa, Xander searched for basic self-defense moves where he can stay away from her during the training, but it's impossible when the training needs close contact between the person in offense and the person in defense. He was contemplating on his laptop screen when his work phone rings.

It was from Rebel.

"Sage," Xander spoke. It was his codename in their organization.

"Got the information you sent earlier and we are already tracking all the past activities that might correlate to it."

"Good."

"It was a piece of great information you attained in less than twenty-four hours." Rebel said with enthusiasm.

"It is and I even met Willard Ferguson in person."

"Woah. Hold your horse's man. Do you think he will have suspicion after the encounter?"

"Maybe, it's not a pleasant meeting earlier. He might have asked around by now."

"Just watch your back, Sage. We can't be in trouble." Rebel reminded him.

"I know, it's a big project to mess up."

"Just let me know if you need help." Rebel offered.

"I'm good. Just do your part and don't miss any details." Xander said hinting that their call is longer than usual.

"Alright, I will call you again this Sunday." Rebel ended the call after that.

Xander was in deep thinking while staring at the documents. It's a great start, but he was worried about Erin's safety since she was the last person in possession of the documents.

He will assess the situation first and decide after that. For now, he needs to prepare himself for a more dangerous situation for his being.

Xander took a quick shower and found himself shaving, sprayed some cologne in his pulse area, and even applied some wax into his dump hair. He then flexed his naked upper torso and satisfied with the lean muscles he was seeing, the fruit of his constant workout and discipline. Having enough of himself, he wore yoga pants and a white shirt hugging his body.

What a complete show-off. He said to himself in the mirror while shaking his head in the process.

Once in the living room, he was reminded again that Erin was effortlessly dangerous. He can't help but stare at her and his testosterone raised. The black leggings were so tight hugging her legs, her plain v-neck white shirt was simple but accentuate her average bosom.

He blinks rapidly to gain focus before he could do something that will embarrass himself.

"Are you ready?" Erin asked.

More than ready. He could have said it aloud, instead, he threw a flirty wink at her.

The old habits never die.