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A tall, broad-shouldered man catches my eye. Dressed in a well-tailored black suit, he stands with his arms crossed over his chest, surveying the crowd with a sharp, assessing gaze. There’s an intensity and coiled energy to him that screams military or police.
Our eyes meet from across the room and my breath hitches. Piercing blue eyes stare into mine, a smoldering heat behind them that makes my cheeks flush. A slow, knowing smile spreads on his lips, as if he can see into my thoughts. See the unwanted desire blossoming inside me.
He’s making his way over, his long strides eating up the distance between us. Each step ratchets up my heartbeat until it’s pounding in my ears. I rub my suddenly sweaty palms against my jeans and brace myself.
This must be him. My unwanted bodyguard. The man destined to drive me to distraction.
2
Ben
There. By the arrival gates. A stunning woman catches my eye, her curvy figure and heart-shaped face tugging at my memory. It takes me a second to place her—Flore Coly, my new assignment. client.
I find myself moving toward her as if compelled, my body reacting on instinct. She’s even more beautiful in person, with luminous brown skin, full lips, and eyes that hold a world of expression. Intelligent. Guarded. And if I’m not mistaken, aroused.
The signs are all there. Dilated pupils, quickened breathing, the way she presses her thighs together as I approach. She wants me, even if she doesn’t realize it yet. Or want to admit it.
I come to a stop in front of her, close enough to catch her scent. Jasmine and sandalwood, with an undertone of pure woman. My groin tightens, already responding to her nearness. This is going to be an interesting assignment.
“Ms. Coly, I presume. I’m Benjamin Locklear, your security detail.” I hold out my hand, watching as a blush steals over her cheeks. So responsive. This will be almost too easy.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Locklear.” Her hand slides into mine, soft and warm. I clasp it firmly, reluctant to let go.
“The pleasure is all mine.” I lift her hand and brush my lips across her knuckles, thrilled by the hitch of her breath. “Welcome to Luxbourg.”
This is only the beginning. She doesn’t know it yet, but she already belongs to me. I won’t rest until I’ve claimed every inch of her, body and soul. But first, we have a long drive ahead of us. Plenty of time for the game to begin.
3
Flore
I tug my hand from his grasp, unsettled by the heat in his eyes and the possessive way he kissed my knuckles. This man is dangerous. Not just because of the gun holstered at his hip, but because of the way he looks at me. Like I’m already his.
Ridiculous. I don’t belong to any man.
“If you’ll follow me, the car is this way.” He reaches for my suitcase, his arm brushing mine. I jerk away instinctively.
“I can handle my own luggage, thank you.” My tone is sharper than necessary, but I won’t have him thinking he can take liberties. I’m not some damsel in distress for him to rescue.
One dark brow lifts, amusement flickering in his gaze. “As you wish.”
He strides ahead and I trail after him, watching the way his trousers hug his muscular backside. I shouldn’t be noticing such things, but it’s impossible to ignore. The man is built like a god, all tanned skin and lean muscle.
Stop it, I scold myself. He’s here to do a job, not fulfill my fantasies. No matter how tempting it might be to explore the tension simmering between us. This is entirely inappropriate.
By the time we reach the car, a sleek black sedan, I have myself under control once more. I’m a professional, and so is he. We’ll maintain proper boundaries and decorum at all times.
At least, that’s what I tell myself. But when he opens the passenger door for me, the heat in his gaze threatens to melt my resolve. This is going to be a long assignment if I have to fight my attraction to him every step of the way.
Perhaps it would be easier to give in to the lust simmering between us. But I can’t. I won’t. No matter how skilled those hands might be, or how that mouth would feel pressed to mine.
Benjamin Locklear is not for me.
No matter how much my traitorous body insists otherwise.
We ride to the palace in silence, the tension between us as thick as the summer heat. I stare out the window at the countryside rolling by, fields of wildflowers and verdant hills, trying to distract myself.
It doesn’t work. I’m hyper aware of him in the seat beside me, the way he keeps glancing over with those stormy blue eyes. The way his fingers tap out a restless beat on the steering wheel.
