I haven't eaten in a while.

I haven't eaten in a while.
Just as I thought he was about to leave, he spoke again, as if he had remembered something, "Oh, and Jensen will be your guard until further notice."
"What?" I lifted my head from the pillow . "Why?"
He waved his hand dismissively. "Oh, no real reason. I just had trouble with a couple of clients who don't like some of my rules. Extra precautions, and I'll soon sort it all out."
I nodded. Spending time with Jensen didn't bother me, and I planned to get some more sleep anyway. Suddenly, I felt very tired again. I closed my eyes and couldn't help but smile as Arthur closed the door behind him. His scent surrounded me where he had hugged me, and it comforted me.
When I finally woke up again, showered and changed, I walked out of my room and Jensen stepped away from the wall next to my door and walked behind me.
"Good morning, sleeping beauty " he mumbled, and a loud stomach rumbling accentuated his sentence.
I covered my mouth. "I'm so sorry. I had no idea you were here - haven't you even had breakfast?"
" Arthur told me to stand guard, and I can't protect you from any of the dining rooms." He didn't seem upset, just amused.
I let out a sigh as I walked down the stairs, my hand trailing along the smooth wooden railing. "Really? We're at Arthur's . I think you might have had breakfast, especially since I think the chef is making beignets this morning."
"That's fine with me. Any food is fine with me. " Jensen lowered his voice. "I haven't eaten in a while."
I glanced sideways at him and his eyes caught the light in a way that made them glow a little red.
Mr. Danny stepped forward from his post by the dining room. "Miss Harper." He nodded to me. "Jensen."

I paused. "Have you all been waiting for me to get up?"
Mr. Danny smiled slightly and then gestured toward the dining room. "I'll let the chef know you're here."
Breakfast was a quiet affair, although watching Jensen eat was fun. It was as if he didn't do it often and had forgotten how. Danny approached with a drink and I arched an eyebrow.
"Wine for breakfast?"
Jensen let out a laugh. "Not at all. After being on duty most of the morning, I need to recharge with a refreshing red fruit smoothie."
I wrinkled my nose. "I think I'll stick with coffee."
And instantly, Mr. Danny was at my side, offering me another cup of coffee like I had never tasted before. It was smooth and dark, with an almost caramel flavor. I was going to be completely spoiled after a month of drinking this coffee and staying in this house.
But the thought of home made my heart skip a beat. I missed the people there. "What's Dominic like," I suddenly asked.
Would he be good with my people? I almost laughed at the thought of Hall and Paul being my people, but I'd practically adopted them as uncles, whether they wanted it or not.
Jensen took another sip of his drink and nodded. "He's a good guy. Like me, Arthur trusts Dom in every aspect of his life, even what belongs to him."
He gave me a somewhat meaningful look, but irritation flared in my chest.
"The bar will soon be mine. Just one month. I had to hold out for a month.
Jensen swallowed saliva again and dropped the napkin over his half-finished beignet. "What's next? You have time before you have to be ready to party. Movie? Video game? There's a movie theater in the basement."
"Popcorn too?" I raised an eyebrow.
Jensen chuckled. "You just had breakfast."
I laughed too as I got up and shoved my chair under the table. "I know, but popcorn will talk me into just about anything."
"I'll be sure to let Arthur know." Jensen's words floated over his shoulder as he headed for the door.
"That and pizza," I shouted, and Jensen rewarded me with another chuckle.
"Noted."
We spent the rest of the morning going through Arthur's extensive movie collection , watching almost nothing except the odd scene here and there as we compared our favorite movies and Jensen did bad impersonations of various characters.
I had pizza delivery for lunch, and laughed. "Doughnuts, popcorn and pizza. great!".
Jensen smiled. "I think the after party will be better than staying here with pizza and a movie. Arturo's family knows how to throw a party."
I froze for a moment-his family? I thought maybe they'd be partners. I hoped so, at least. Family was strangely intimate to me. But he had mentioned it in our negotiations, so I played it down. I could handle a little family.
"Will you be there," I asked. Oddly enough, Jensen was the closest thing to a friend I had in this huge, museum-like house. "This morning has been a lot of fun."
Jensen's look was tender. "You won't need me there to protect you as long as you're with Arthur , among his family."
But his words were hesitant and seemed laden with apprehension, and it sent a shiver of warning through me, rekindling the desire I'd felt when I'd first arrived here, the one that made me want to know more about Arthur Hollow so I could be free of the bargain.
If Jensen thought Arthur's family was dangerous, Arthur probably was too. I had become too relaxed since arriving. I was too focused on holding out for the month when I could probably break the contract sooner and still get what was promised.
My mind wandered to the eternally closed doors of the west wing, but before I could ask Jensen anything , Mr. Danny appeared .
"Miss Paul " his usual clear tone echoed throughout the room ." The stylists have arrived and I've asked them to set up in your suite ."