Staring Into the Eyes of Chance by Kay Dee Royal

you’ve done for me. Please come inside and sit, I’ll fix you both a sandwich.” Olivia watched them physically relax their stance, both nodding in unison. “Okay, let’s go inside.”
    Olivia noticed Chance talking and walking farther down the drive. He hand signaled he’d be another minute. Jase and Dir followed a few steps behind Olivia, and once inside the kitchen both men sat silently as she put together five plates of food. No plate for her, with everything that had happened. Her appetite vacated the premises.
    When she finished her preparations, she set a plate in front of each one and watched them demolish it in minutes.
    “Thank you Ms. Bentley, it was delicious,” Dir said, sliding his chair back.
    “Please, call me Olivia.” She reached across the table and picked up their empty dishes.
    “Appreciate your kindness, the food was great,” Jase added, also getting up from his chair. “We’ll be heading out now.” And they both scurried out and jumped into a truck. They left, driving around Chance, who was still on his cellphone.
    Olivia stood inside the porch watching the expressions on Chance’s face as he talked. She opened her psyche and read him, serious, concerned, angry, frustrated, intrigued, and finally, satisfied. He stuffed the phone in his back pocket and looked up at her, almost like he knew she’d be standing there.
    He hurried through the door. “Tell me Jase and Dir minded their manners with you.”
    “Why wouldn’t they? As a matter of fact, they acted afraid of me, uncomfortable.” She studied him.
    “They aren’t used to damsels in distress. They’re more military action kind of guys.”
    “With one exception, Trevor, who loves a woman carting a whip, at least I think that’s what Lindsey has in her back pocket.” Olivia chuckled. “Hey, I made you something to eat, come on in and sit down a minute.”
    “Actually, I’m planning on staying here until we catch that beast. I didn’t really ask, but I assumed you’d appreciate a bodyguard.” He pulled out a chair and sat. Olivia immediately handed him a thick meaty sandwich, cucumbers, and a cinnamon applesauce muffin. “Damn, woman, you really know how to please a man.”
    “No,” she said boldly, “you haven’t experienced how I please a man.”
    Chance stopped mid-bite. His mouth opened at the ready, and he looked up, meeting her eyes. “I stand corrected, Ms. Bentley, I haven’t experienced that pleasure yet. But it’s something I definitely look forward to.” He wiggled his brows at her and took a big bite of his sandwich, smiling through his chewing.
    Right then, Lindsey and Trevor walked in, giggling like two kids after doing something naughty. Lindsey had a look of surprise, like she didn’t expect anyone.
    “The animals are all good for the night. Trevor and I released Rocky the raccoon.” Lindsey giggled again. “You had him on the schedule for release sometime this week. Today was his lucky day. Also, I figured it would be good for the others to—”
    “Oh, my, look who has kissed-lip syndrome now,” Olivia broke in, staring at Lindsey’s face, which went from red to beet red, and her giggly demeanor turned into a shy smile.
    “Looks like you’ve been busy, Trevor,” Chance said, while chewing another bite.
    “Wow, that looks yummy. You wouldn’t happen to have another one of those, would you?” Trevor asked, ignoring Chance’s comment.
    Olivia set two more plates on the table, one for Lindsey and the other for Trevor. Both of them ate with gusto and were finished at the same time as Chance.
    “Boss, you’re planning on staying, right?”
    “No way, I’ll stay,” Lindsey spoke up.
    “Sorry toots, you’re not a qualified bodyguard, are you?” Trevor squeezed her upper arm, like he was checking for bold biceps. “Nope, too skinny.”
    Lindsey slugged him in the chest and almost knocked him off the chair. “There, what do you think of that?”
    “Whoa, darlin’, you pack a