Wild About The Bodyguard by Tabitha Robbins Page B

about
scripts. Last time we spoke, he said he’d be happy to put me up in
his spare room.”
    A pulse in
Chase’s jaw began to beat. “A man?”
    “ A friend .”
    “ I thought
you said he was Laycee’s friend.”
    Rather than
meet his doubtful gaze, she told her pounding heart to slow down
while she focused on the calm expanse of water spread out before
them.
    “ I’ll keep my
condo here,” she went on. “I’ll rent it out. And I’m sure I’ll be
able to pick up some part-time work.”
    “ Like
what?”
    “ Keeping
books.”
    His head
snapped around. “You do that stuff?”
    “ I’m good at
it. Kinda why I got my degree.”
    “ I didn’t
know...” He pulled a pained face. “I hate figures.”
    She probably
shouldn’t but she felt as if he’d somehow insulted her.
    “ Well,
figures like me .”
She lifted her chin and peered out over the water again. “I just
want to be an actress more.”
    He remained
silent for a long moment. Out of the corner of her eye, she could
see him, gaze fixed on the gauges.
    “ There are
some bad influences in that town,” he finally said, “particularly
in that industry.”
    “ There are
bad influences everywhere if you try to find them.” She met his
gaze. “Which I won’t.”
    “ I’ve worked
in L.A.–in the seedier places that people know about but try to
gloss over with Sunshine Strip glitter.”
    “ My
background isn’t exactly Swedish boarding school. I’ll make out
okay.” Her cheeks were blazing now but she simply had to ask. “Of
course, if you’re trying to turn me off because you don’t think
I’ll cut it there–”
    “ Whoa. No . In my opinion,
you’re amazing. It’s just I know that good people in tricky
situations make for flashing targets.”
    “ Give me an
example.”
    Clearly Chase
had been around, perhaps too close to the fire. More and more she
got the feeling something monumental had propelled him away from
the job that was so obviously a part of his DNA. But whenever he
got close to discussing it, the same look glazed over his eyes. He
wasn’t going to divulge a thing—ironic given that private
investigation involved digging into people’s lives...their
weaknesses and often sordid affairs.
    Sammy made an
effort to push those thoughts from her mind. She and Chase might
have hit a snag, but after days wallowing in self-pity, now she
planned to enjoy herself. She wouldn’t be around that much
longer.
    They anchored
in a secluded area not far from shore. On the lower deck, she got
down to a bikini top and her favorite cut-offs. Sitting back, she
let Chase organize food and beverages on the open rear deck while
she drank in the perfect synchronicity of his fluid movement and
well-honed muscle.
    His thighs
were strong and dusted with just enough hair, and his buns looks
great in the square-cut trunks he’d hidden beneath his jeans. He
kept his shirt on, although the buttons now were undone. Each time
a breeze ruffled the fabric, Sammy’s mouth watered.
    Slipping in
behind the table, Chase made himself comfortable on the cushioned
bench seat alongside of her. A champagne cork popped. When both
glasses were filled, he proposed a toast.
    “ Here’s to
fitting together all the pieces.”
    Bubbles hit
her nose a second before she took a long sip of the finest drop
she’d ever tasted–and having stayed with Ann and her impeccable
choices many times, Sammy had tasted a few.
    The table was
set with a platter of fruit, cheese and seafood. He collected a
pre-shucked oyster. Edging the tip of a knife into its back hinge,
he asked, “Do you slurp?”
    Oysters? She winced.
    “ You don’t
like oysters?” he asked.
    “ They look
slimy.”
    “ So, you’ve
never actually tried one.”
    “ That would
be correct.”
    He leaned
closer until she was caught in the mirror of those blue
eyes.
    “ Imagine
taking everything around you here,” he said, “the sun and sea and
kick-back feeling—and having it caress each and every taste