A Man of Honor by Ethan Radcliff

chair. He needed a vacation. He hadn’t taken one in four years. He’d put everything he had into his job after his divorce. Now Shauna was in his life, and she was an unexpected pleasure.
    Thinking about pleasure, his mind turned to her. He checked the clock in his office. It was time to pack up.

Chapter Thirteen
     
    He never thought life could get any better with Shauna, but it did.  When he got home, she was waiting for him in a long, black, satin robe. She’d cooked dinner and had it waiting for him. Her red hair was pinned up with wavy tendrils adorning her beautiful face. He’d never seen a woman so beautiful. His mind and body reacted to her. Then that hard thud deep inside his chest happened again. For the first time in his life, he found himself deeply in love. He was also vulnerable as all hell. She could destroy him if she wanted to.
    When he entered his apartment she was at the dining table folding napkins, her lovely face turned to him, and she smiled. “Hey, baby,” she said softly.
    He walked over and took her into his arms. He kissed her lightly. “Hey baby, yourself,” he answered. 
    She hugged him tightly, holding on to him longer than usual. Something was wrong. “Hey, what’s going on? You’re trembling,” he said, holding onto her.
    “Nothing, I’m just glad to see you. I’m glad you’re home.”
    He knew her better. She was tough, strong, and resilient. Something had spooked her.
    “Shauna, I know you better than you think; what the hell is going on? You do know I’m a U.S. Marshal and if anyone is bothering you, I want to know.”
    “That’s it, Dominic. You are the law, and I don’t want to jump to conclusions.”
    “About what?” he demanded.
    “It’s nothing, really, just that I have a very affluent new customer. He is buying some high-end designer clothing for his wives. Not sure how he found me, but he is charming and has taken a fancy to me. I think he’s kidding, but he said he’s never seen a redhead like me and would love it if I’d come to a party that he’s giving. I told him thank you and would be coming with a guest. He made a face then smiled.”
    “Did he?”  Dominic pulled her gently off of him and held her out in front so he could examine her face. “Babe, this guy really spooked you. Do you need to me to talk to him?”
    “No, no, I can handle him. Besides, I’ll make thousands, and that’s what I need to do to get my business on the map.”
    “Okay, baby, but you need to tell me if he’s doing anything shady.” Dominic stopped, and then raised an eyebrow. “Wait, did you say wives ?”
    She smiled faintly. “Yes. He’s from the United Arab Emirates. His name is Ahbeeb Saheeb Dinar, and he’s quite charming.”
    “Is he? Should I be jealous?”
    She took his face in her hands. “Never. If he saw you he’d understand why I want no part of him. I love you, need you, and must be with you.”
    “You did say Arab, right?”
    “Yes, why?”
    “I’m pretty good with names, and that name sounds more Indian to me, not Arabic,” he said, kissing her forehead.
    “I often wonder how you can tell.”
    “It’s my business, baby. It’s what I do. I’m a profiler.” He smiled, watching her puzzled face. “You look confused?”
    “I am, actually. He specifically said The United Arab Emirates but spoke pretty damned good English. I mean with an American accent, yet he definitely looked foreign.”
    “So many of them are schooled here, even at a young age. Sent to American boarding schools. Amazing, right? Then one blows up something in the free world.”
    “He looks rather harmless but horny,” she giggled.
    “Okay. I should be getting jealous here.”
    She turned in his arms. “You will never have anything to be jealous of with me.”
    The thought of her with another man did not sit well with him. It heated him up, churned angrily inside of him. Perhaps now was the right time to tell her exactly how he felt. “Shauna,” he hesitated.