Page 9 of He Has Charm

He follows me off the plane, carrying our bags, and I can feel his eyes on my back and the heat of his body close to mine. Apparently he’s sticking close because he doesn’t trust my ability to walk without stumbling. Sure. That must be it.

When we get to the exit area I wrench myself free from his gravitational force.

“I need to call Ham.” Maddox nods and I step away from him as I tap the icon for Hamish Jett, my boss. “We’ve landed,” I tell Ham when he answers.

“Good. The driver should be there in a few minutes to pick you up. When you drop off your things at the hotel the car will wait because you need to get to the Garden for a press conference introducing Knight.”

“As if all of Boston’s hockey world doesn’t already know exactly who he is,” I say. “We’ll put on our best face.”

“I’m counting on it. Make sure Knight stays on script. It’s going to be a busy evening. The Brawlers have a command performance charity event for their foundation later tonight and you’ll need to escort Knight. It’s black-tie,” my boss reminds me.

“Got it. We’ll be there. No problem.” Shit. I forgot to tell Knight about the black-tie. It’s so not like me to forget details, any details.

“And remember Harper, the ironclad rule.”

“I know. No dating the clients. No fooling around, not even flirting will be tolerated. Although I’m not sure how I’m supposed to communicate with Maddox Knight without flirting. It seems to be the only language he knows.” My boss chuckles.

"Professional flirting doesn't count. No relationship with the clients that isn't a professional one. And honey, if you do, it's a fireable offense." He pauses to let that sink in as if I don’t already feel the weight of extreme pressure. “On the other hand, if you’re successful and get Knight to the end of the season with the Brawlers, there’s a big fat bonus in it for you.” That makes me grin.

“Now you’re talking,” I say. “How much?” I shouldn’t be surprised, because if there’s one thing that Jett is known for, it’s that he’s fair. He’s fair with owners, players and his employees, and generous.

Ham is an ex-player—hockey player, that is—one of the most respected men in the NHL and now the best in the sports agent business. So if I mess this up, I know my career is over. I swallow a gulp of anxiety because I can already feel the stretch of professional flirting boundaries as sure as the heat waves that come over me whenever Knight’s charm gets too close.

His charm isn’t even about his perfect square chin, those teasing blue eyes, or his chiseled body. At least not so much. Because I can control my physical attraction. Pretty much. But it’s that freaking boyish innocence combined with a hefty amount of confidence and genuine attentiveness that gets to a girl. That combination of gorgeousness and real decency mixed with fun is his real and deadly brand of charm. Shit.

But one, or even a few lays in the hay with magical Maddox and all his heady charm would hardly measure up to my need for this job and the money. I scoff inwardly. I mean, it’s not like we’re talking about risking my career for a meaningful relationship. God no.

“You got it. I’m all in.” I say to Ham to instill confidence. In him and in me too.

“I’m not worried about you. But if Knight steps out of line, you let me know.”

“I can handle him. You know I can or you wouldn’t have given me this assignment.”

“Sort of.”

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” Shit, there was a little more edge to my voice than I meant. “I mean—”

“Settle down. I know what you mean.” He pauses. “Truth?” I eye Maddox as he glances around at several drivers holding signs identifying their passengers. “No one else was available after Collins refused. You were my last and only choice.”

“So you were desperate and now you’re counting on me?”

“Yeah. Pretty much. But that doesn’t mean I don’t think you can do it. It only means that I didn’t intentionally put you in this situation with a guy like Knight.”

“Don’t worry about me. I’m an ex-hockey player, remember? I can handle Knight.”

“I know you can do it. It’s only for four months. All you have to do is keep him out of trouble, and that means especially out of anyone’s bed—including your own. Keep him focused on hockey.”

“You can count on me.” I should feel ashamed that all I see is dollar signs and that helps a lot to ignore all the other signs that this is going to be one tough assignment. But not because I can’t handle the likes of a hockey bad-boy. No, because I also need to handle myself and the stupid secret crush I’ve been harboring about this particular bad boy. I have no idea why, but there’s something vulnerable and boyish about him that calls to me more than his looks or his light-hearted charm. And whatever it is, I need to shut it down. Hard and fast.

“I’ll leave it to you, but I know you can find plenty of wholesome activities—maybe some hands-on charitable work or something—to keep him out of trouble.”

“You know, Jett, maybe we’re both underestimating Mr. Knight. Maybe he can keep himself out of trouble.”

“You’re probably right, but we made a deal with the Brawlers that says we’re babysitting him. We need to make sure we’re making the effort whether we need to or not. And by we, I mean you. Clear?”

“Crystal.” We end the call and I go back to Maddox’s side, a new and strangely familiar place.

“There’s our driver,” he says, lifting that manly chin of his in the direction of a short man in a black cap holding a sign emblazoned with JETT, our agency’s name. Maddox lifts both our bags and I follow him. Feeling like his elderly aunt more than his escort or whatever the hell I am, when we finally get inside the car, I’m relieved.