Chapter One
Wow, I hate
tourists!
The Grand
Mariner spit its passengers out to spend money and waste the day in the
Florida sunshine. The port teemed with the pseudo wealthy, retired, and
middleclass, all seeking the perfect escape. Retirees in Bermuda shorts and
brightly colored polyester milled aimlessly as they waited for tour guides to
tell them what to do next. Honeymooners sighed and snuggled planning their day
in Miami, and intoxicated rich kids jeered at the “poor people” and staggered
to their waiting limos. Jessica Summers repressed the urged to tell them all to
get the fuck out of her way.
Irritated and
hot she wove her way through the congestion of bodies until she reached the
marina where the private yacht was scheduled to dock. Dodging the crowd in the
heat aggravated her already pissy mood. Her egocentric boss had insisted she
play nursemaid to some frickin’ big shot and the pompous ass didn’t have the
courtesy to be on time. Checking her watch once more, she settled against a
pillion with her arms and ankles crossed to wait.
Sweat ran in
a tiny rivulet down her spine and soaked her underwear. Her linen suit coat and
slacks, immaculately pressed when she’d left home, hung on her body in one
giant frumpy wrinkle. No one, especially a forty-year-old woman who knew
better, should have to wear a suit in ninety-eight degree weather, but she
couldn’t walk down the pier with her holster and hunting knife in plain sight. She’d
be arrested on the spot.
Three hours
later, the private yacht finally docked. Mr. The World is All About Me
stepped off the ship. Jess immediately wondered why in the hell he needed a
bodyguard unless it was to keep the women at bay. Dale McCloud oozed money and
charm as he turned to help a classy-looking, older lady down the gangplank. His
sun-bleached hair blew across his forehead in the wind, and the smile he
flashed the woman gleamed white and perfect in the afternoon sun. Everything
about him bespoke a life of wealth and luxury. The perfect poster child for
silver-spooners everywhere.
With a
resigned sigh, Jess headed toward the couple. She flashed her best smile at the
petite woman. “Hi, I’m Jessica Summers. Harold Donavan sent me.”
Turning to
the good looking playboy she had obviously been sent to protect, she repressed
a sarcastic remark as she extended her hand. “You must be Mr. McCloud.”
He accepted
the handshake, and her fingers disappeared in his large palm. Big hand—bigger
dick. Jess gave herself a mental kick and tried to focus on what the man
was saying.
“…call me
Sean.”
Shit, what’d
I miss?
“Excuse me? I was told you’re name is Dale. Was I misinformed?”
The woman
laughed. “I’m Dale McCloud, like Dale Evans. Sean is my son.”
“Oh.” Of
course the big guy didn’t need a bodyguard, at least not a female one. Though
if he weren’t her daughter’s age, she might volunteer to take the night shift. Shaking
off the misunderstanding, Jess smiled at the other woman. “I apologize, Mrs. McCloud.
I am apparently here to assist you these next two weeks.”
“My mother
doesn’t need a companion or an assistant. I hadn’t planned on coming along, but
since I’m here, your services won’t be needed. Thank you.”
Jess assessed
the arrogant man at a glance. He stood with his weight naturally shifted to his
left leg and a relaxed no one-crosses-me attitude. It wouldn’t take more than a
swift kick to bring the big guy to his knees. Add a shove and his ass would be
in the water. The image brought a smile to her face.
“I’m to
protect Mrs. McCloud, not entertain her. There have been some incidents
recently in the open waters where you’re headed. Mr. Donavan felt it would be
best if you had a professional on your boat who knows the area.”
Sean’s eyes wandered
from the top of her head, over her less than stellar attire, to settle on her
lightweight canvas shoes. Even Jess had to admit she didn’t look much like a
bodyguard. That was half of her strength. No one expected a five-foot-four,
hundred and twenty pound woman to pack a punch, let alone be an expert marksman
and knife handler. However, the lack of respect in McCloud’s eyes made her want
to demonstrate her skills.
“I really don’t
think Mom needs you.” His voice came out as a pompous sneer mixed with a
repressed laugh.
Jess started
to tell him to get fucked, but his mother interrupted.
“Now,
children. No need for bickering. Ms. Summers, was it?”
“Jess.”
The older
woman nodded and smiled. “Jess, then. I will look forward to having you with
us.” She turned to her son with a reassuring pat on his arm. “I asked for
Harold’s help. As much as I love having you with me, I don’t feel comfortable on
the open ocean without some sort of protection. “
“Mom, don’t
be ridiculous.”
With a soft
chuckle, his mother continued. “However, in the interest of peace, we’ll have
Jess join us for dinner this evening so you can get to know her.”
Jess laughed
as Sean’s snooty look wilted away. “Sounds great. Where are we going?”
“I’m not sure.
Harold said he’d pick us up. Somewhere fancy I’m sure. He likes that sort of
thing.”
Jess’s cell
vibrated, and a quick glance told her it was her boss. “Excuse me. This is Harold
now.”
“May I talk to
him?”
“Sure.” Jess
handed the phone to Dale and stepped away to give her some privacy. She didn’t
expect Sean to follow.
“Come with me.”
He grabbed her arm and hauled her down the dock toward the yacht. “We’ll be on
the boat, Mom.”
Jessica
gritted her teeth against the urge to knock him flat on his back. She went
along nicely until they reached the main cabin, out of his mother’s line of
view, then she jerked away. She remained silent, automatically assessing the
room for exits and weapons while she kept one eye on Sean.
He stepped
close in an obvious attempt to intimidate her. She shifted her focus to his
face. His eyes were the coolest color she had ever seen, grey, blue, green all at
once, sort of stormy water and grass combined. Fascinated by them, she almost
missed his command.
“Whatever
Harold is up to, tell him it won’t work.”
Jess could
have laid him out, but she wasn’t willing to give away the element of surprise
yet. She held her ground with a smile. The man stood no more than six feet and weighed
about a buck-eighty, but he appeared to be all lean muscle. The large hands she
had noticed earlier were perfect—neither too slender nor too broad—with fingers
designed to play either a piano or a woman with equal skill. Her hormones stood
up and did the happy dance. Maybe she should give the guy a chance. Her
daughter, Melanie, would love the look of him.
Which means
you need to get your head off his body and focus on why he’s so anxious to get
rid of you.
****
Sean waited without
comment on her silence. Bright, clear, green eyes sparkled behind killer dark
lashes. Full lips, devoid of artificial color, gave her an innocent look
despite the fact that she had to be almost ten years his senior. Her dark brown
ponytail, though limp in the afternoon humidity, revealed a slender neck made
for kissing. The petite beauty couldn’t pass as a babysitter let alone a
bodyguard. Whatever the hell Harold Donavan had planned wouldn’t work no matter
how many distractions he threw out.
She stared
him down then patted his arm and smiled. “Listen, Sean. I understand you’re a
big tough guy and protective of your mommy, but Harold sent me to do a job. Until
my boss says otherwise, I’ll be doing just that. Now go play in your room like
a good boy and leave the grown-up stuff to me.”
Smug little spitfire. Sean stepped
closer, forcing her back against the bar as he leaned down. Her eyes widened
and he couldn’t resist tracing the gentle curve of her cheek with a single
finger. Her lips parted in delicious welcome. Kissing her wasn’t a good idea,
but he thought about it as her subtle perfume drew him closer. She worked for a
man he didn’t like, and her cool attitude demanded he force some sort of
reaction out of her. “You think you’re funny, don’t you, Grandma?”
He green eyes
flashed fire, and she stood straighter forcing him to move back a step. “Oh,
you didn’t say that, you brat.”
He bit back a
laugh. God, she was cute and so damned easy to goad. Maybe he should try for a
kiss after all. It would probably be worth the face slapping. “Should I
apologize for insulting my elders?”
Jess glared
but didn’t respond to his dig as his mother entered the lounge.
“All right, we’ll
see you tonight, then.” She handed Jess’s phone back with a smile. “Harold’s
sending a car at seven. That gives us two hours. I think I’ll lie down for a
while if you two don’t mind.”
“Of course
not, Mom.” He kissed her on the cheek. “Rest well.”
As soon as his
mother walked out of earshot, he turned on Jess. Intriguing or not, she worked
for a man he wouldn’t trust with a pet rat despite Harold’s long time
association with his mother. “You need to go and don’t bother to come to the restaurant
tonight. I have enough to do keeping an eye on Harold.”
She
straightened from leaning on the bar. “Dale should be safe here in the city,
but I will be there tonight. And when you leave for the open ocean, I’ll be on
this boat.” She trailed a finger down his chest before she smiled seductively. “Get
used to the idea, Seany baby.”
Her
condescending manner stretched his patience thin. No one had ever angered or
aroused him so easily. She moved toward the door, but he caught her arm once
more.
Jess looked
at him with a raised eyebrow. “You shouldn’t make a habit of grabbing me. You won’t
like the consequences.”
He laughed. She
stood at least a foot shorter than he did, and he could circle her tiny waist
with his hands. “Have you looked in the mirror lately? You couldn’t handle a
flyswatter let alone a full grown man.”
“Next time I
see a man, I’ll have to demonstrate for you, won’t I?”
Jess walked
off before he could respond to her insult. Her body language screamed sarcasm. He
followed her onto the deck.
She walked
backward a few steps and flipped him the bird and a smart-assed grin before she
hurried up the dock. He had to chuckle despite himself. Disregarding the
wrinkled mess that disguised her body, she intrigued him.
You’ve been
too long without a good lay if that one gets you going, Seany baby. The patronizing
nickname made him laugh. Maybe it won’t be so bad to have her around.