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I swallow hard, my heart pounding an erratic rhythm. Pure giddiness shoots through me at the confirmation that this man finds me attractive. He's feeling the same pull I do.
I slam the lid on it. Hard.
"If we're going to be working together, that's all it can be, Gideon," I say, narrowing my eyes at him. "Work."
"Sounds like you just hired yourself a bodyguard, Sparrow."
"I…" Well, crap. I guess I did, didn't I? "Don't make me regret it, Gideon."
"Wouldn't dream of it."
"Somehow, I doubt that," I say dryly. He strikes me as the kind of man who does exactly what he wants when he wants. He doesn't make apologies or take prisoners along the way. No one tells him what to do, and nothing stands in his way.
He grins at me, humor in his gaze.
"I meant what I said, Gideon. This is just work. Nothing else."
"You know what they say about all work and no play, Sparrow." He paces toward me, each step slow and deliberate, as if waiting to see if I crack like an egg and run like a coward. But I'm no coward. I don't run from anyone. He stops inches from me, looming like a wall. I hold my breath as he reaches out to tip my head back until my eyes meet his. "It makes Kenna a very cranky girl."
"Gideon," I say, trying to warn him to behave. His name comes out sounding more like a needy moan, though.
His wicked smile lets me know he's on to me. He knows I'm attracted to him. I think he may even know how much I'm attracted to him, darn it. But I'm not sleeping with him. I don't care how gorgeous he is or how much my body might want to betray my good sense.
That way lies madness. And I've already got way too many problems to add falling for this beautiful, infuriating man to the mix.
"Don't worry, Sparrow," he breathes, brushing his thumb across my bottom lip. "When you're ready to fall, I'll be here to catch you."
"I…"
He steps away, moving back to the opposite side of the lobby. "I should start today," he says as if he didn't just throw my entire world out of orbit. "We can tell people whatever you want to tell them to explain my presence, but you'll be with me twenty-four-seven until we catch this guy. Hopefully, that'll be before the charity event." He turns to look at me. "You should make a show of moving back into your place. I'll sneak in through the back."
Twenty-four seven? My place? Is he suggesting that he's moving in with me?
"What?"
"You heard me, Kenna." He grins, clearly enjoying this a little too much. "As of now, we're roomies."
"We are not roomies," I protest. "I live in a tiny one-bedroom apartment!"
"Then I guess it's a good thing I don't snore, isn't it?"
Oh my god.
I didn't hire a bodyguard. I hired a crazy person.
Fifteen minutes later, my phone dings, alerting me to the fact that John has arrived. Great. This is going to go well. "My manager is here."
"Where?" Gideon glances toward the sound booth as if searching for him.
"In the parking lot." I shove my phone back into my pocket, taking a breath.
"He doesn't need to know who I am."
"Seriously?"
"This doesn't work if everyone knows the truth, Sparrow."
"He isn't everyone, Gideon. He's my manager."
