Twelve Days of Pleasure by Deborah Fletcher Mello Page A

finger waving in her face. His tone was low and even with just the slightest hint of attitude. “Get dressed and be ready in the next hour. If you’re not ready I’m going to dress you myself and that might not be so pretty.”
    â€œYou can’t...”
    â€œI can,” Kendrick said, cutting her words off. “And if you push me, I will.” He turned abruptly and moved out of the room.
    Vanessa exhaled a deep sigh as she closed the room door. Her heart was beating heavily and perspiration dampened her palms. Staying mad at him was going to be a challenge, she thought. The sexy man was breaking down her resolve and he didn’t even know it.
    * * *
    Exactly one hour later there was another knock on her bedroom door. This time she pulled it open without him having to call her name.
    Vanessa Harrison was stunning as she stood before him, dressed in a little black dress that stopped just above her knee. The sheath was formfitting and complemented her figure. She stood on five-inch stilettos that made her legs look miles long. Her makeup was impeccable and her lush, black hair was loose, flowing over her shoulders. She took his breath away.
    â€œWhat are you staring at?” Vanessa asked.
    â€œYou,” he responded, his voice dropping an octave. “You’re beautiful.”
    A slow smile pulled at her mouth. “Thank you,” she said, her tone shifting.
    He nodded, taking a deep breath. “I hope you’re hungry. Liam says they’ve prepared an incredible Thanksgiving meal.”
    Vanessa’s eyes widened. “It’s Thanksgiving already?”
    â€œYeah. I forgot, too, until Liam reminded me earlier.”
    * * *
    She followed behind him as he moved into the living room. He lifted his suit jacket from the back of a cushioned chair, sliding one arm and then the other into it. As he adjusted the lapels, Vanessa eyed him from head to toe. The man looked good. Really good. The suit was charcoal gray, its contemporary lines crisp and stylish. He wore a white dress shirt beneath it that fit his large body to perfection.
    Their gazes met and held. Kendrick smiled and once again the warmth of it lifted her heart. She nodded and smiled back.
    â€œFinally,” Kendrick said teasingly. “I was really scared that you were going to scowl through the whole meal.”
    She rolled her eyes, her smile widening. “I’m still mad at you.”
    â€œWhy? What did I do?”
    â€œIt’s not what you did, it’s something you said. But it’s not important. It doesn’t really matter anymore.”
    He nodded. “It matters to me. So what was it that I said that upset you so much?”
    She sighed. “It was that comment about this just being your job. I allowed myself to be vulnerable and opened up to you because I thought we were becoming friends. But I get it. When this is all over you’ll go your way and I’ll go mine. I understand that this is nothing more than an assignment for you.”
    He eased his way slowly to where she stood, coming to a stop directly in front of her. “I never meant to hurt your feelings,” he said. “But the fact remains I am doing my job whether we like it or not. I have a responsibility to ensure your safety and I don’t take that lightly. So first and foremost, I have to be about my business and nothing else.”
    Vanessa held her breath, suddenly unnerved by the nearness of him. Her knees were quivering, the look he was giving her consuming. She suddenly felt as if she might combust from the intensity of it. She dropped her gaze to the floor, fighting not to lose herself in the look he was giving her.
    Kendrick cupped his fingers beneath her chin and lifted her face back to his. He studied her intently before he spoke again. “I don’t handle it well when people I care about shut me out. And I do care about you or I would have had them put someone else on your detail after