Guarding His Heart

Acknowledgments (#u6dc2ebcc-55eb-5085-8190-e46321c90cca)

Chapter 1 (#ua885a4f1-0e98-576e-81b8-8d6d83ffe2e0)

Chapter 2 (#ue99bdb85-0891-5bc0-99a7-b717a2331da3)

Chapter 3 (#u8a0e75eb-1c71-5810-90ee-16df11babd58)

Chapter 4 (#u05f75bf4-fc3a-541e-b0fd-06052ba5b0f7)

Chapter 5 (#u338dd72e-a866-51e2-846e-ae4cd9f55a0c)

Chapter 6 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 7 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 8 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 9 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 10 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 11 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 12 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 13 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 14 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 15 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 16 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 17 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 18 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 19 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 20 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 21 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 22 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 23 (#litres_trial_promo)

Extract (#litres_trial_promo)

About the Publisher (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 1 (#uaaee1d1d-9f66-529d-a955-ac55901217d5)

Kevin Koucky had no problem getting naked.

Getting naked in a cold studio, in front of a crowd of mostly strangers, as part of the photo shoot for Sports Fitness magazine was an entirely different situation. He glanced at his publicist across the studio. Rod gave Kevin two thumbs-up while his always enthusiastic grin covered his thin face.

Kevin answered with a half smile. Rod had been raving about this photo shoot ever since the magazine had called with the offer. Kevin’s naked body was about to grace the cover of a magazine hitting every magazine rack in the country. The “Bodies in Motion” issue, which paid homage to the various fitness levels of professional athletes, was the magazine’s most popular of the year. The cover spot was given to someone considered to be at the top of their game. Kevin had played professional basketball since he was eighteen and was proud of being considered an elite athlete chosen for the cover. Even if nature was slowly siphoning away his abilities.

The representative for Sports Fitness walked over to him. The petite brunette had a friendly face underlaid with a fierce focus toward ensuring he was comfortable as they prepared for the shoot.

“Okay, Kevin,” she said. “Jasmine is here, and she’s ready.”

Kevin looked at his wrist to check the time. Realized a second later it wasn’t there because he was butt naked in a cold studio. They’d been waiting fifteen minutes for the diva photographer to make her way uptown and complete the shoot. He’d never meet Jasmine Hook before, but she was already getting on his nerves. He wasn’t in the mood to deal with an artist who had a self-importance complex and believed coming to a photo shoot late somehow increased her demand.

“Oh, she finally decided to show up,” Kevin said, not bothering to hide his annoyance.

The representative’s grin tightened. “Well, she had another appointment before this that ran long and then got caught in traffic.”

Kevin looked skyward. “Yeah, I’m sure her time photographing models and actors provides her with plenty of perfect excuses for being fashionably late.” He’d heard enough about Jasmine to know she was the most sought-after fashion photographer in the nation. Why she was chosen for this shoot probably had more to do with her name than anything. He wouldn’t be surprised to find she was just as self-absorbed and obsessed with fashion as the people she photographed.

“You’d be surprised how much I’ve learned photographing models and athletes,” an amused female voice replied. “Especially the naked ones with an attitude.”

Kevin tightened the towel wrapped around his hips and turned in the direction of the voice. The smart retort died in this throat. The woman who’d spoken snatched his voice with just the sparkle in her eye.

She was tall. He’d guess five-ten or -eleven. At six foot four, he was a sucker for a tall woman. Ankle-high boots added more inches to her. Her short hair was highlighted with royal blue streaks in her bangs. A loose white shirt stopped at the waistband of skintight black jeans in the front and hung longer in the back. The studio lights glinted off the diamond studs in her ears where multiple piercings also included a hoop at the top of her left ear. Where else was she pierced? He took in the rest of her tall, curvy body and no longer worried about the effect of the room’s cold air on his anatomy.

“Jasmine Hook, I presume,” he said with an upward tilt of his lips that usually made women grin and giggle.

She raised a brow and smirked as if she knew he was giving her his killer smile and found it unimpressive. “Your presumption is correct.” She zipped open a black bag on the table next to her and pulled out a camera and various gadgets.

“It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.” Emphasis on finally. She was sexy as hell, but he wasn’t ready to let go of the fact that she’d arrived late.

“I know. Most people find my company pleasurable.” She winked and lifted one shoulder.

Her eyes were brown and beautiful. Not much makeup as far as he could tell, just a darker brown liner along her lids and mascara on long, dark lashes. Blood pounded in his veins like a basketball on concrete. Sexy and smart-mouthed. Jasmine was getting hotter by the second.

“I don’t doubt that.” He strolled over to her, everyone else in the room temporarily forgotten. “Were you late because someone else was enjoying your pleasurable company?”

“Yes and no. In my defense, I tried to get here sooner, but the man I was with didn’t know when to quit.”

The beginnings of disappointment stirred in his chest. He should have known a woman this alluring was taken. “And is that man your man?”

Her low, husky chuckle ran over his body like teasing fingertips. “Are you trying to find out if I have a man?” She checked her camera, then set it on the table.

Kevin’s body hummed with the thrill of potential. “Would you have a problem if I were?”

Her gaze swept over him quickly. “I don’t know yet.” She crossed her arms and cocked her head to the side. “Okay, Kevin, what are you looking for from this shoot today?” Her voice lost the flirtation as she subtly switched to a professional tone.