Page 19 of The Forbidden Bodyguard

The question hanging unspoken in the room, though, is why her family would choose Tony Marino as a suitable husband. I wouldn’t want my worst enemy’s daughter marrying the guy.

“Anyway, that’s a problem for tomorrow. Let’s head downstairs, and I’ll show you to your apartment.”

“Sorry?”

“The apartment. I rented it...did Josh not... oh crap, I forgot to tell him.” Stella bites her lip and God she looks adorable. If we were on a date, and obviously we are not, I would probably grab the back of her neck and kiss her.

Instead, she’s marrying a notorious businessman fifteen years her senior and under her rich daddy’s thumb.

No, thanks.

That doesn’t mean I don’t want to do a whole lot of naughty things to her sweet body and have the urge to wrap her in bubble wrap. I just don’t want to get involved in her family drama.

Still, being close in an apartment is a smart idea.

“Okay. I’ve just arrived in New York, so I’m staying in a hotel. I can move my things later tonight.”

“I didn’t want a roster of security. I’m an author, so I’m home a lot, meaning you won’t need to be on duty twenty-four/seven.” Stella explains as we walk to the elevator. “We can access this floor in my private elevator, which means you won’t have to go up and down in one of the other cabs.”

“Handy.”

She gives me a smile and tightens her ponytail, which pushes her breasts out, and I pretend not to get a little hard. Fortunately, she turns to face the doors.

My gaze drifts over her exposed neck and then down over the floaty white shirt she’s wearing with a pair of blue jeans. It’s sheer enough to show a hint of lingerie but not too much.

Jesus. The desire to cup my hands around her slim waist and tug her back against my body annoys the hell out of me.

I never react to a woman like this. With Stella, I’m fighting this constant desire to touch her, kiss her, strip her...fuck her.

She’s intoxicating.

I’m not a man with only a few choices and in need of female touch. I had a bunch of touching just last week.

I love sex.

The only thing that explains this level of chemistry is that she’s untouchable. I’d likely start some kind of mob war if I did. Who knows the connections Marino and her father are involved with, so I and my excited cock need to sit this one out.

Which is going to be a fun experiment, given I’ll be with her every day.

That reminds me...

“Sundays I don’t work.”

“I understand.” Stella unlocks the door, and we walk into a very nicely furnished apartment with a stunning view. There are two bedrooms, a bathroom, laundry, closet and kitchen, along with two living areas.

It’s far more than I need.

“Here are the keys, and if anything doesn’t work, you can ring the building manager or speak to Gary downstairs. He’s amazing.”

I’m sure they are if you own the penthouse in the building, which takes up the entire top floor.

“Thanks.” I take the cards from her and note the number on the door. “Smart thinking. Being close will make things easier for managing your schedule.”

Stella smiles and walks to the window. “The view is nice.”

Not as good as hers, but the Seventh Avenue view is impressive.

“Best view I’ve ever had.” I join her, standing side by side, and we look out across the high-rises and Central Park. “Although the hotel I once stayed in Sydney on the harbor was pretty amazing.”