Up Close and Personal

by Kathryn Freeman

Dear God, she was serious. Zac ran a hand over his face, shocked to find it trembling. Should he feel delighted, or terrified? He was in so deep already, this might push him into an obsession he couldn’t back away from.

  And if she was offering to give up her own privacy, to have him stay when he knew very well it was the last thing she wanted … he felt the beginnings of a cold sweat. She must really think he was in danger.

  ‘Are you sure it’s his safety that’s at the front of your mind, Kat?’ The heavy tone in Mark’s voice signalled his displeasure. They might never have been an item, but it was blindingly obvious Mark had feelings for her.

  ‘You know me better than that,’ Kat retorted.

  ‘Yeah, I know you, Kat Parker. That’s why I’m asking the question.’ A pause, which might have been a hesitation. ‘I was there, remember. I don’t want you going through it again. Any of it.’

  Going through what? Zac was torn between wanting to hear more and guilt that he was eavesdropping on such an intimate moment. In the end, guilt won and he leapt to his feet and started to walk down the stairs. He was nearly at the bottom when he heard Kat reply quietly, ‘Neither do I.’

  Had he inhaled too loudly? Did the stair creak? Whatever it was, suddenly two pairs of eyes, one steely grey, one dark brown, swung in his direction.

  ‘I fancy a cup of tea,’ he said lightly, acting for all he was worth. ‘Can I get either of you anything?’

  They shook their heads, and he was hyper-aware of their eyes tracking him as he walked over to the kitchen. Mark was clearly annoyed at being interrupted, or annoyed at Kat, or both. Kat looked … damn, she looked upset. Whatever tough personal stuff Mark had helped her with, had clearly been traumatic.

  It seems he wasn’t the only one keeping secrets.

  ‘Have you decided where I’m sleeping tonight?’ he asked innocently as he waited in the now strained silence for the kettle to boil.

  ‘Yes.’ Kat gave Mark a look before turning her attention to him. ‘We think it’s best if you stay here for a few days. Easier and safer.’

  He’d known the answer, and the twin emotions of joy and dread sat uncomfortably in his stomach.

  ‘Is that okay with you?’ Mark this time, his gaze sharp. ‘It’s not ideal, so if you want to say no—’

  ‘I’m fine if Kat is.’ No way was he going to be intimidated into staying somewhere else.

  ‘Okay then. Seems it’s decided.’

  Zac pretended to focus on making his drink – teabag into mug, add hot water, clearly very taxing – while Kat showed Mark out.

  ‘You could do with a teapot,’ he remarked mildly when she walked back into the room.

  ‘Maybe you can lend me one of yours. I seem to remember you having quite a stash.’

  Bollocks. He’d forgotten what she’d seen on that first day. ‘I’d be happy to.’ He gave her a wide smile to prove the point.

  ‘Oh, for God’s sake. I’m not stupid. You can cut the crap.’

  ‘Sorry?’

  ‘You were listening to me and Mark, weren’t you?’

  Ah. ‘Maybe?’

  She huffed. ‘You sneaky bastard. I forgot how easily the sound travels upstairs from the living room, though I did kind of assume you’d have the decency to shut the bedroom door.’

  ‘You were talking about me,’ he protested.

  ‘Well, whatever you overheard, forget it. The only reason I’m offering for you to stay here is because I believe it’s best for your safety. Okay?’

  ‘Understood.’ He hesitated, then figured, to hell with it. ‘It seems we might have more in common than I thought.’

  She glanced at him warily. ‘You’ve decided you like mushrooms after all?’

  ‘No.’ He swigged at his tea. ‘We both have areas of our lives we’re keeping hidden from each other.’

  A strangled laugh left her throat. ‘Oh no, you don’t get away with that. There’s lots I don’t know about you, and you don’t know about me. The difference is, you’re choosing not to tell me something that could impact your safety.’ Her eyes zeroed in on his. ‘You’re stopping me from doing my job properly.’

  His heart sank. It always came back to that. No matter how close he felt they were becoming, he was still a job to her. ‘The police sent me the photofit of the suspect, Kat. I don’t recognise the woman.’

  ‘If she’s the stalker,’ Kat muttered, clattering plates and mugs into the dishwasher. ‘Right, let’s get you to the studio.’

  He took a final gulp of tea before relinquishing the mug to her. ‘I see my tidy habits are catching,’ he remarked, keen to divert the conversation. ‘Is now a good time to ask if I get the same service here as the hotel? I’ve become rather accustomed to a daily laundry service and a chocolate on my pillow every night.’

  She looked like she didn’t want to smile, but he saw when she lost the battle, and amusement entered her eyes. ‘There’s a perfectly good washer dryer, and I’ll point you to the tin of Quality Street left over from Christmas.’

  ‘I don’t suppose there are any purple ones left?’

  ‘You’ve got to be kidding. I can offer fudge, coconut and one or two orange creams.’

  He winced. ‘Thanks, but I’ll pass.’

  ‘Thought you might. I expect you’re more of a Thorntons man.’

  ‘Charbonnel et Walker, please. If it’s good enough for her Majesty …’

  Finally, he pulled a full smile from her. ‘God, Edwards, you’re such a snob. How are you going to cope slumming it with us?’

  If only slumming it was all he had to worry about, he thought, his eyes skimming over the sexy curve of her buttocks as he followed her to the door.

  Chapter 15

  A few days ago, he’d been a man who lived in a hotel. Temporarily, sure, but it had become his substitute home; a place where, despite its lack of personality, he’d felt comfortable. He’d even developed a routine; exercise in the morning, shower in the walk-in shower cubicle with the half a dozen jets. Order room service breakfast: fruit and cereal, followed by toast. At the end of the day he’d shower again – it was a very good shower – go through his lines and order more room service. Maybe watch a film before he went to bed in the super-king bed with its 400 thread count bedding.

  But then the crazy stalker person responsible for all this upheaval in his life had conned their way into his suite – apparently by pretending to be a new housekeeper – and he was no longer a hotel dweller. In the space of a few weeks he’d gone from a man living in his own place, to a man dossing down at his bodyguard’s house. The same house she shared with her teenage niece.

  Luxury had flown out of the window, and while he didn’t need it – he’d lived a good part of his life without it – he did miss the order. Walking into a space and knowing exactly where everything was.

  He also missed his privacy. He was very happy for the company, but there were times he needed more space than the four walls of Mandy’s bedroom provided.

  Take tonight, his third night in his new accommodation. Debs had come back late again, and Kat and she were currently having a shouting match downstairs. This time he had shut his door, but he could still hear it. It wasn’t so much that he minded the noise. More that, beneath the anger, he could hear the distress in Kat’s voice.

  ‘Yeah well, guess what, you’re still not my fucking mum, so you still can’t tell me what to do.’

  Zac winced as he heard footsteps thump up the stairs, followed by a door slamming.

  Gingerly he opened the door to his room and walked out onto the landing.

  ‘I suppose you heard all that.’

  Kat’s voice sailed up to him. Deciding it was an invitation, he went down to join her. ‘It was hard not to. Even with my door shut.’

  She sighed deeply, her dark eyes full of misery. ‘Sorry.’

  ‘Don’t be. I’ve heard plenty of rows in my lifetime, though teenage ones are new to me.’

  ‘They’re the worst, because they’re so flaming s
tubborn.’

  Kat’s body trembled as she inhaled, and Zac ached for her. It was obvious to anyone who saw Kat and Debs together how strong their bond was. How much Kat loved her niece. ‘Am I allowed to hold you?’ Not giving her time to answer, he wound his arms carefully around her very still body. ‘Just like this. Nothing more.’

  He held his breath, aware there was a high chance she’d push him away, but after a few seconds she surprised him by exhaling softly and resting her head against his chest.

  He had no idea how long they stood like that. Only that everything seemed to melt away and the only thing that existed was Kat, and how good she felt in his arms. How right, even though everything about it should feel wrong. They had nothing in common. Were only here, together, because he was her assignment.

  Yet despite being effectively homeless, and with a stalker who seemed to be turning more and more sinister, he was, in that moment, the happiest he’d ever been.

  ***

  Kat took a moment to just be. To breathe, relax her shoulders and appreciate how good it felt to be held by a strong pair of arms. Okay, by Zac’s arms. His heart thumped steadily, comfortingly as she pressed her head against the muscled wall of his chest. His smell wrapped around her; essence of Zac, mixed with a dose of expensive cologne. A combination both heady and reassuringly familiar.

  How long had it been since anyone had done what he was doing now? Taking some of the strain away, just by holding her.

  His hand began to move in slow circles along her spine, and Kat melted into him that little bit more. God, that felt good.

  This – the enforced intimacy – is exactly what Mark warned you against.

  Guiltily Kat jerked away. Mark was right, if she went down this path it was all likely to blow up in her face again. Worse, she realised sickeningly, it could be Zac’s face it blew up in.

  Aware of Zac’s confused eyes on her, she moved over to the sofa, almost falling on it as her legs buckled. ‘Thank you,’ she managed, desperately fighting off the rising panic. When he raised an eyebrow, she added, ‘For the hug.’

  ‘It was hardly a hardship,’ he answered dryly, coming to sit next to her. Close, but not touching. ‘Do you feel any better for it?’

  ‘Sadly, Debs is still mad at me for not being her mum, and I’m still mad at her for being so stupid.’ But God help me, I enjoyed every moment of your arms around me.

  He eased his long legs out in front of him, and Kat tried not to notice that he’d taken off his socks. How was it fair that even his feet were attractive?

  ‘Is she still hanging around with guys she shouldn’t be?’

  Kat dragged her eyes from his slender feet, to his face. ‘Of course. Why would she take any notice of me? I’m just the pain-in-the-neck aunt who keeps on at her to do her homework, tidy her room.’ Seeing Zac smirk, she added, ‘I know, I know. Seems like double standards, but at least I don’t leave my clothes lying around.’ Another twitch of his lips. ‘And you can take your mind out of the gutter, Mr Edwards.’

  ‘Noted.’ They shared an amused smile and for a few grateful beats Kat thought they’d waded out of the emotional minefield. But then he sighed and leant back against the cushion. ‘Have you told Debs what happened to you?’

  Feeling defensive, Kat drew her knees up to her chest. ‘I’ve told her I hung about with boys too old for me, yes.’

  ‘And the rest?’ There was so much compassion in his eyes, she found it hard to look at him. ‘Maybe if you tell her about your own experience, she’ll take more notice.’

  ‘I should never have told you that.’ Kat stared down at her hands. ‘It was way too personal a conversation to have with a client.’ Yet she’d blurred the line so many times now.

  ‘I’m more than a client, and you know it.’ There was no anger in his voice, just a statement of fact.

  ‘You shouldn’t be, and that’s entirely my fault.’ She jumped to her feet, frustrated at how badly she was handling the situation. Hadn’t history given her enough warnings of how dangerous it was to get involved with a man she had a responsibility to keep safe? ‘Anyway, thanks for the advice. I’m sorry you had to hear the shouting match.’

  ‘No problem.’

  The shrewd look he gave her made her feel off kilter. ‘I bet you miss your hotel room now, huh? All that peace and quiet, no clutter.’

  ‘You think it bothers me to sleep in a house with noisy inhabitants and clutter?’

  Calm green eyes zeroed in on hers and though she wanted to move away, she found it impossible to untangle herself. ‘I think it must do, yes.’

  ‘You’re wrong.’ He unfurled his long, lean body from the sofa and her heart gave a powerful thump as he walked towards her – no, stalked towards her. ‘This is what bothers me.’

  Before she knew what was happening, his mouth was on hers.

  It was like a repeat of their last kiss, only better. Hotter. Longer. His hands held her head steady, his lips teasing and nibbling before his tongue plundered. The heat of him, the soft feel of his mouth, the sounds he made, the press of his taut, hard body against hers. She couldn’t move, couldn’t breathe. Could only absorb everything he gave her like a parched flower, deprived of water for too long. She needed to stop him, this wasn’t helping either of them, but she didn’t have the willpower. Fighting him, fighting this, was too hard when all she wanted to do was give in.

  His hands dropped to her hips and he angled his body, thrusting unsubtly against her. Holy hell, the feel of him. It was like a fire had been lit inside her. Yet as her fingers curled into the softness of his hair, and her body pushed back against his, it was he who eased away. His fiery gaze that trapped hers, his ragged breaths echoing around the room. ‘The knowledge that you don’t want me to do that,’ he said, his voice rough with unfulfilled need, ‘is what bothers me.’

  Panting heavily, Kat took a step away, and then another, until she could lean her weak, trembling body against the kitchen breakfast bar. Would she have stopped, if he hadn’t? To her shame, she didn’t know. ‘Just because I don’t want you to do it, doesn’t mean I don’t want it.’ Want you. ‘And you kissing me like that, and looking at me like you are now, doesn’t help.’

  His mouth curved and there was mischief in his eyes now, alongside the heat. ‘It doesn’t? Good.’

  She ignored the flutter in her chest. ‘But neither does it change anything. You and me … it can’t happen. I need to keep an emotional and professional distance to do my job.’ A fact she’d conveniently forgotten a few minutes ago.

  ‘Come on, I know you, Kat.’ There was an edge of annoyance to his voice now. ‘Something else is stopping you.’

  His insightfulness was scary, yet she couldn’t let this softly spoken, smooth talking, drop dead gorgeous actor make her forget the harsh, harrowing lesson Afghanistan had taught her. ‘Why would I risk my career and your safety for a quick fling?’

  He frowned, eyes seeming to caress her face. ‘How do you know that’s all it will be?’

  ‘You said it yourself. I’m – what was that fancy word? Your antithesis? We’re a million miles away from being compatible.’

  ‘Being opposites doesn’t mean we aren’t compatible.’ His gaze zeroed in on her mouth. ‘I’ve found at least one thing we’re extremely compatible at.’

  He started towards her and for a heart stopping moment she thought he was about to kiss her again, but then he changed direction and walked past her into the kitchen. ‘Why don’t you go and check on Debs while I cook us something for dinner.’

  Yet again he’d successfully turned the tables on her, leaving her disappointed she wasn’t being kissed rather than grateful. ‘Well, well, Zac Edwards can actually cook?’

  ‘Why is that such a shock?’

  ‘Because you’re a film star born with a silver spoon in your mouth. Why would you ever need to cook?’

  His answering smile didn’t reach his eyes. ‘Because even actors have to eat.’

  ‘Fine. I’m not going
to argue if you want to take over the kitchen.’ Probably she sounded ungrateful, but she didn’t like the way he kept unbalancing her. ‘I’ve already taken some chicken and vegetables out of the fridge.’

  ‘So I see.’ He pulled a sharp knife out of the block and, with a quick flick of his wrist, expertly peeled and sliced an onion.

  ‘Well, you seem to have that under control,’ she murmured, unable to take her eyes off him. Zac frigging Edwards was in her kitchen, barefoot, shirt sleeves rolled to reveal tanned forearms. He glanced up, and a sexy little smirk played across his face as he saw her watching him. ‘Did Mark tell you the hotel staff confirmed the woman who conned her way into your hotel suite matched the police photofit?’ There, that’s why she hadn’t left yet. Not because she was busy ogling him.

  ‘He did, yes.’ With a clearly practised move, he deftly scraped the onion into a frying pan. ‘But I gather there’s still no name or address.’

  ‘True. The net is closing in, though. It won’t be long before she’s spotted.’

  He arched an eyebrow. ‘Are you saying that to reassure me, or reassure yourself you won’t have to put up with me much longer?’

  As her feelings were too confused to know for sure, she turned and headed up the stairs. When she’d argued with Mark for Zac to stay with her, it had been with the purest of intentions. She genuinely thought he was safer here than in a hotel.

  Now she was starting to think Mark was right to be concerned, because now there was no break from Zac, no space. No time to get her hormones under control until she saw him again.

  Pushing her muddled thoughts to one side, she went to knock on her niece’s room.

  ‘Can I come in?’

  ‘Sure.’

  Kat drew in a breath and stepped inside. Debs was lying on her bed, computer on her lap. ‘What?’

  Swallowing her frustration, Kat perched on the end of the bed. ‘There’s more to the story I told you before, about me hanging around with older guys.’

  It clearly hadn’t been what Debs was expecting. ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘I mean I lost my virginity to a drunk seventeen-year-old when I was fifteen.’