The Unlikely Bodyguard

“Can I give you a lift to your car?”

“The whole thirty yards?” She laughed lightly and shook her head, then offered her hand. He clasped it, tugging her closer. He stood within the open door of the limo.

“Join me for dinner.” That it sounded like a demand set her teeth on edge.

“No, thank you, Braiden ” She tried to pull free, but his grip tightened. Suspicion crept up her spine.

“Come on.” He ducked into the car, making her lean down a bit. Calli caught a glimpse of the plush interior, the bar, TV, laptop computer, and mostly, the mini-fax with a picture of a familiar face curled over the machine. “You already know I don’t bite.”

“But she does.”

Calli jerked her hand free and whirled around. Angel. He was braced against the stone wall near the restaurant entrance, one leg bent, booted foot flattened against the wall. His arms folded over his chest, he had Dare me written in every taut muscle. Something in her heart said, Yes! But her mind scolded her, reason screaming that she shouldn’t be so pleased to see his stubbled mug.

His green gaze shifted from her face to her lunch date hanging half out of the limo. Pale eyes glittered and his long legs took him to the side of the car. He loomed over her, sparing her a flash of a look, then maneuvered his body along the hmo, making her either step or be pushed back.

“Dammit, Angel!”

His hands braced on the door frame and the roof, he ignored her and peered down at the man, studying him briefly. From what Calli could see, Braiden simply stared back.

“She’s busy.”

Calli politely tapped his shoulder.

“Calli, are you all right with this?” Braiden asked.

Gabe smirked.

Calli wanted to punch Braiden herself, but Angel blocked her. “It’s all right,” she said tiredly. She ought to be used to Angel butting in by now.

Gabe leaned down into Braiden’s face, his voice so low she couldn’t hear.

“Try that again,” he rasped, each word clipped and razor sharp as his gaze, “and I will kill you.”

The other man’s features stretched tight. Message received, Angel thought, then stepped back and made to close the door, forcing Braiden to jerk his legs inside or be crushed. The limo peeled away from the curb. Gabe watched it leave the posh gallena, then turned to Calli. She was already walking to her car.

His gaze swept the body-shaping, lemon-yellow tank dress to her tanned bare legs and yellow-heeled shoes. His breath hissed out between clenched teeth. She looked good enough to eat.

His gaze shot to the limo. That was too damn close. It was only pure luck that he’d hung around a little longer than he’d planned. She hadn’t a clue, he decided, and wondered what she would think if she knew her firend had been trying to kidnap her.

Three

She really had a sweet behind, he thought before he stirred himself and started toward her.

“Be warned, Angel,” she said the instant he was near. “I won’t be responsible for what I may say—” Her gaze slid meaningfully to the teeth marks she’d left on his neck. “Or do right now.” She unlocked her car and slid into the seat

But he stopped her from closing the door. He noticed that her hands shook.

She glared up at him. “Do you mind?” He gave her that passionless stare she was beginning to really hate, his long body bent, hand on the car roof. She sighed back into the seat and spoke to the ceiling. “You have made this my worst vacation in years.”

“Slumming wasn’t good enough, so you went after bigger game?” He nodded toward the restaurant.

She was insulted and her look told him she was fresh out of patience. “I realize this may come as a complete shock, Angel. But I’m not on a manhunt. In fact, after this week, the last thing I want is another man in my life. I have at least eight—no ” She put up a hand. “Make that nine,” she added, delivering a glare that carved the flesh from his bones. “Nine men who can’t keep to themselves and leave me alone!”

She jerked on the door handle, but still he wouldn’t move.

“Do I have to hurt you?”

He straightened. “Listen, little tigress,” he said. “Your lunch date was—”

“Trying to get me into his limo by force?”

His brows rose.

Her smug look slapped him. “I’m not a fool. Money tends to breed arrogance.” Her gaze swept him. “But that doesn’t seem to stop you, now, does it?”

She was still smarting, he thought. Calli wasn’t a mean person. He’d known that from the start. Though she didn’t know why Braiden Murdock was trying to steal her away, Gabe recognized the fact that Calli wasn’t leaving, no matter how much he wanted her to go home, where it would be safe. She was his job, his responsibility, and he had only one choice left. Close off any danger.

“Come home with me.”

Her eyes narrowed sharply. “Excuse me?” She tipped her head toward him, cupping her ear. “Did I hear right?” She lowered her hand. “You, who wanted me gone from your precious little town, are inviting me into the wolf den, the love dungeon?”

He liked the way she teased him. As if she expected to get a rise with her soft-soaped barbs. “No, I’m not. I’m inviting you to work for me.”

Work for him? As what? His personal sex slave? “I have a job.”

“You haven’t heard the offer.”

There was heat in that statement, she thought, tempting heat.

“And you don’t know my qualifications.”

He squatted inside the open door, the air suddenly filled with her perfume. He inhaled the soft, powdery fragrance, gazing into her eyes. He braced his forearms on his thighs and clenched his fists in an effort not to touch her. He didn’t know why he was doing this. There had to be other choices if he thought long enough. Getting close to a woman like her was dangerous for him. She was the past he never had. The tender heart and passion he’d never known, never even been close to. But the side of him that survived by sheer luck and deviousness on the streets said to risk it, invite her into his world and see if he could hang with it.

“I’m shorthanded for the next couple of weeks and—”

“What is it that you do?” she interrupted

He couldn’t tell her he paid more bills as a private investigator than with the profits from his ranch. Not that she would be any help at either. He didn’t want her getting suspicious. He’d already screwed up by talking to Daniel where she could overhear

“I have a small farm in the valley.”

She blinked, her wide eyes looking him over. “You? A farmer? Oh, please.” She rolled those big blue eyes and Gabe fought a smile. Smart-ass to the end

He shrugged and muscles twisted beneath his tight black T-shirt. “It’s just as well, a woman like you—” he indicated the expensive car and clothes with a quick flick of his hand “—probably couldn’t cut it on a farm.”

Rebellion lit her features, her incredible lake-blue eyes. He’d expected it, counted on it, and as she leaned close he had the irresistible urge to kiss the tightness out of her lush little mouth.

“You have no idea what I can cut.”