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I bark out a laugh and if looks could kill, I’d be dead by now and she huffs. “Given your prominence in the business world, it was forwarded to the department I work for as a matter of urgency.”
I’m a little surprised at that because I’ve heard absolutely nothing and wait for her to finish before I speak.
“Due to your financial status, I was assigned to your case and went undercover in your store to find out what I could.”
“So I heard.” I shake my head. “I can’t say I’m surprised that it didn’t work out for you. You’re not really cut out for customer service, are you?”
She sighs and fires back. “I’m not here to trade insults with you, Mr Harvey. I’m here to discover who hates you enough to want you dead, although the list is long, and I am considering adding my own name to it.”
Despite her tone, I laugh out loud, which causes her to blink and appear a little surprised. “Did I say something to amuse you, Mr Harvey? Because I can assure you, I am not laughing.”
I lean back and smirk, “It’s a start, I suppose.”
“What is?”
“Your feelings towards me.”
“I don’t have any.”
“Are you sure about that, Miss Taylor, because I believe you are delusional. In fact, I’m of the opinion that you like our conversations a little too much and if I asked you to accompany me to dinner, I’m guessing you would be tempted.”
Her mouth drops open and for the first time she doesn’t have a quick retort and I watch her eyes narrow and her face flush as she growls, “I’m not here to date you, Mr Harvey. I’m here to protect you.”
“That’s settled then?”
“What is?”
“You are here to protect me and to do that properly, you will need to stay close to me. I mean, the postman may be out there waiting. My life is possibly in danger, and you would fail in your mission if I was murdered in cold blood as an act of revenge. You would never forgive yourself and neither would your colleagues because you would have let the team down.”
“What are you saying?” She appears lost for words for once and so I lean forward and stare her straight in the eye and say firmly, “Until the postman is found, you must remain by my side, and we will work together to discover their identity, even if it takes until the New Year.”
The red tinge to her cheeks causes me to groan inwardly because Miss Taylor doesn’t even realise how attractive she is. To be honest, today is panning out better than I dared hope for because as soon as she stormed into my office, I knew I couldn’t let her leave. There is something so enticing about my detective and as she stares at me through the most astonishing brown eyes, I allow myself to imagine every dirty thought running through my head right now and pray that Santa delivers them to me in one beautiful gift-wrapped package that goes by the name Detective Constable Jessica Taylor.
CHAPTER9
JESSICA
For the first time in my life, I have no words. The man staring at me from across the desk is undoubtedly the most infuriating one I’ve ever met. Cocky, self-assured, and yet strangely mesmerising. The fact I’ve even noticed him is surprising me. I’m not interested in snagging a man, and especially not an arrogant one like him, but there is wisdom in his suggestion and now I think about it, I’m inclined to agree. Working in close proximity with him would take me deeper undercover. It would give me access to the areas of his life that he hides away from everyone else. Detective Inspector Ranauld will applaud my diligence and when I’m victorious, he will reward me with grittier missions, darker criminals, and I will finally realise my dream.
All I must do is get through the day without murdering the very man I’m sworn to protect, and the sooner I find the postman, the quicker I’ll be out of his life.
Reluctantly, I must agree this is the best decision all round, so I nod. “Ok.”
He looks surprised. “Ok?”
Rolling my eyes, I fix him with my most ‘she means business’ expression. “You’ve got yourself a bodyguard, although for appearances, we need to come up with a cover story.”
“Why?”
“Because the postman mustn’t know we are onto him. So, let’s get to work. Where does he deliver these cards? Here or to your home?”
“My home.”
I don’t miss the gleam in his eye as he says with a smirk, “Obviously, the threat is there. I’m guessing you should come and check it out,”
“My thoughts exactly.” He looks surprised as I reach out and wrestle back control of the situation. “Ok, I will need to relocate to your home. I require my own room with a bathroom and my own space. Hopefully, it won’t be for long, but it’s a necessary evil I’m afraid when you work undercover.”
I don’t like the spark in his eye as he nods, looking a little too pleased with himself.
