She tore her mouth away, breathless.
"No. No!" She pushed him back. He went only because he chose to, she knew. Sweet mercy. How could she fall for this again? She leveled a scathing glance at him. "Last night must be fuzzier than I thought, if I keep walking into your traps," she muttered more to herself as she scooted a safe distance from him.
Calli faced the fact that she was highly attracted to him, that she trusted him no matter how hard she tried not to or how serious he was about wanting her gone. Yet even in her confusion, which was threatening to dissolve any guard on her self-preservation, a familiar awareness drew her back to him, to the darkness and secrets he wanted to shield from her, from the world. She promised herself she would fight it. But then she glanced at him and was swallowed in those hard green eyes devouring her willpower like a panther with a defeated victim. His gaze slipped to the neck of the robe, to her skin, and she was acutely aware of her nakedness thinly shielded, aware of him and how erotic his touch felt on her body. Her breathing increased, a deep, pulsing ache spreading up her thighs as he simply looked at her. She broke her gaze, frantically grasping for some anger, some disgust. But it just wasn't there.
Frustrated, she threw her hands up. "All right, I give up. I know when I've been licked."
"So," came the dark rasp. "Last night is coming back to you."
She sputtered, swinging around to see him pause at the door, his tanned hand on the frame as he looked at her. An odd half-smile tugged at his lips, his gaze caressing her. White-hot heat spiraled through her, making her mad.
"You're twisted, Angel."
"Remember that."
Calli didn't know what to make of the shadow shifting over his expression.
But Gabe knew. And he was even more certain of himself now. Now that her faint smile offered forgiveness for the despicable cruelty he'd played on her last night. He didn't deserve forgiving, but he was glad he had it. God. He had to keep away from her. Touching her brought him a bizarre freedom that he would keep destroying in slow increments until he destroyed her, too.
He wasn't good enough for a woman like Calli. Not for her kisses, her smiles and for damn sure, not her bed.
Southern New Mexico was beautiful, full of exquisite little shops brimming with unique and very expensive items. Calli decided to hurt her credit card. Mega-shopping was an instant balm to her bruised feelings. Angel had vanished and although she decided it was just as well, giving herself time to get her act together, she actually missed his pesty brooding self. She'd had plenty of time to think about him and his invasion into her life. And why he'd bothered to bring her car back, clearly a gallant gesture, when he'd warned her not to trust him? She remembered the crude way he'd spoken to her, his matter-of-fact manner about the scene he played on her. And that's exactly what it was, she thought. A scene. Designed and executed especially for her oh-so-delicate constitution. A warning. He didn't know her well enough to realize that it would take more than his less-than-subtle charm to send her packing.
Sighing dispiritedly, Calli fingered a silk blouse and knew she trusted too easily. The nuns had taught her to see the best in everyone. If she hadn't, she wouldn't have insisted Daniel let her hire Rodrigez straight out of prison. Rodrigez had proven that his prison training was valuable and had become her number one chef. More importantly, though, it had shown she'd been right; there was good in the former armed robber. It was a break she could afford to give now and she understood how infrequently those came along. Like Rodriguez, she had no family and since she was a child, had depended only on herself. Even under the care of very loving but strict nuns, she was always alone. Being a ward of the church until she was eighteen had its moments, albeit very few, but she'd never met anyone as enigmatic and ominous as Angel.
She was attracted to him, by more than the quiet restrained power he exuded. And he scared her, his empty eyes, his vacant expressions. Sometimes, it was like no one lived behind those beautiful pale green eyes. Yet despite her fear, her lack of knowledge about men like him, she was drawn to him, as if only she could feel an invisible lure.
Was it his secrets she found so intriguing? And what had Daniel said to him on the phone? They'd spoken before she entered the room, she was certain. Angel was hiding something. What it had to do with her was beyond comprehension. Or maybe it was as she'd first imagined, Daniel feeling protective and questioning him?
She pushed open the door of a kitchen store and smiled. She was in heaven and moved from rack to shelf, seeking the odd gadget she might not already have in her own kitchen. She hadn't worked in over a week, which meant she hadn't cooked. And she wanted to test out a new recipe batting around in her head. Finding nothing to sufficiently satisfy her buying spree, Calli settled for a red cobbler's apron with the words I Cook, You Clean emblazoned in white. She laughed to herself. Who was going to clean up after her? She lived alone.
Juggling the handles of four bags, Calli left the shop and immediately bumped into a man. She dropped one of her packages and bent to retrieve it just as he did. She thanked him, then straightened and stared into a pair of warm brown eyes.
"Gee, I'm glad I don't have to pay for that loot," he said, gesturing to her bags.
Calli smiled. "I'll hate myself when the bill comes, I just know it." She started past him. "Thank you."
"You look like an expert shopper." He paused and she waited for him to continue. "Think you could help me select something for my sister's birthday?"
Indecision creased her brow. "I don't know…"
"I'm afraid I'm a failure at getting her anything she doesn't return." His tone pleaded.
Calli bit her lower lip. Harmless, she thought, we'll be in public.
"Clothes or jewelry?"
Relieved, he chuckled to himself. "Find me a woman who can resist jewelry and I'll marry her."
She looked him over, smiling. "Sorry, pal, you'll have a long hunt," she said, then gestured to her car. "Let me get rid of these." Leaving her packages in the car, she liked that he kept his distance, remaining on the pathwalk to wait for her. She didn't want this guy too close. Though he seemed nice enough, and in the past week she'd certainly hung out with people who were far more menacing, Angel's warnings vibrated in her mind. Along with the memory of his touch. A soft smile bowed her lips as she walked back to him.
"Something funny? You look, I don't know—" he shrugged "—satisfied?"
Not quite, she thought mischievously, but said, "It's nothing." She gestured up the walk. "I saw a wonderful Indian jewelry display up here." He met her pace and made introductions on the way to the store. Braiden Murdock, engineer, businessman in town for the week, she discovered, and Calli mentally classed him in the "yuppie, financially stable, now-looking-for-a-wife-before-he-got-too-old" department. Especially when he started the conversation with the "Are you married? Don't you want a family?" lines. Like she was on a schedule?
Minding her manners, in minutes Calli had the store owner displaying his creations for Braiden. Calli bought a pair of turquoise cufflinks for Daniel and earrings for herself. As the shopkeeper wrapped items and had them shipped for Braiden, he asked if he could repay her with lunch. Calli stared into his chocolate-brown eyes, thinking he was a gentle, considerate man and she would enjoy his company, but a voice whispering, He isn't Angel, interrupted her thoughts. Extremely annoyed with the invasion, she agreed.
A half hour later, she smiled at his wide-eyed look. "You're a chef?"
"Don't look so surprised. Women can cook, or have you been sleeping for the past two thousand years?"
He laughed quietly, leaning back in his chair and toying with his fork. "So. Give. Where can I try these culinary talents?"
"London, Paris, Rome, New York, Dallas." His brows wrinkled in confusion. "Excalibur Confections," she supplied.
His eyes widened. "The pastries? The ones with the gold sword charm through their centers?"
She nodded. Excalibur was the elite dessert, like Godiva was to chocolates, each
dessert wrapped in gold-embossed paper. The gold sword charm was her idea. Customers needed a little pleasure, even after the last bit was gone.
"I eat them whenever I can afford it."
She peered over the edge of the table at his stomach. "Not worried about fat or cholesterol, huh?"
"I run to do penance for those goodies," he said, gesturing for the waiter.
Penance. A Catholic boy, she thought. He paid the check and they left the restaurant. Discreetly, she stepped away from his touch at the small of her back and for an instant wondered why she'd let a guy like Ike paw her as if she were covered in fur, yet wouldn't let Braiden lay a finger on her.
Outside, he waved and a gray limousine slowed to a halt in front of them. Whoa, she thought, more than financially stable.
"Can I give you a lift to your car?"
"The whole thirty yards?" She laughed lightly and shook her head, then offered her hand. He clasped it, tugging her closer. He stood within the open door of the limo.
"Join me for dinner." That it sounded like a demand set her teeth on edge.
"No, thank you, Braiden." She tried to pull free, but his grip tightened. Suspicion crept up her spine.
"Come on." He ducked into the car, making her lean down a bit. Calli caught a glimpse of the plush interior, the bar, TV, laptop computer, and mostly, the mini-fax with a picture of a familiar face curled over the machine. "You already know I don't bite."
"But she does."
Calli jerked her hand free and whirled around. Angel. He was braced against the stone wall near the restaurant entrance, one leg bent, booted foot flattened against the wall. His arms folded over his chest, he had Dare me written in every taut muscle. Something in her heart said, Yes! But her mind scolded her, reason screaming that she shouldn't be so pleased to see his stubbled mug.
His green gaze shifted from her face to her lunch date hanging half out of the limo. Pale eyes glittered and his long legs took him to the side of the car. He loomed over her, sparing her a flash of a look, then maneuvered his body along the limo, making her either step or be pushed back.
"Dammit, Angel!"
His hands braced on the door frame and the roof, he ignored her and peered down at the man, studying him briefly. From what Calli could see, Braiden simply stared back.
"She's busy."
Calli politely tapped his shoulder.
"Calli, are you all right with this?" Braiden asked.
Gabe smirked.
Calli wanted to punch Braiden herself, but Angel blocked her. "It's all right," she said tiredly. She ought to be used to Angel butting in by now.
Gabe leaned down into Braiden's face, his voice so low she couldn't hear.
"Try that again," he rasped, each word clipped and razor sharp as his gaze, "and I will kill you."
The other man's features stretched tight. Message received, Angel thought, then stepped back and made to close the door, forcing Braiden to jerk his legs inside or be crushed. The limo peeled away from the curb. Gabe watched it leave the posh galleria, then turned to Calli. She was already walking to her car.
His gaze swept the body-shaping, lemon-yellow tank dress to her tanned bare legs and yellow-heeled shoes. His breath hissed out between clenched teeth. She looked good enough to eat.
His gaze shot to the limo. That was too damn close. It was only pure luck that he'd hung around a little longer than he'd planned. She hadn't a clue, he decided, and wondered what she would think if she knew her friend had been trying to kidnap her.
* * *
Three
« ^ »
She really had a sweet behind, he thought before he stirred himself and started toward her.
"Be warned, Angel," she said the instant he was near. "I won't be responsible for what I may say—" Her gaze slid meaningfully to the teeth marks she'd left on his neck. "Or do right now." She unlocked her car and slid into the seat.
But he stopped her from closing the door. He noticed that her hands shook.
She glared up at him. "Do you mind?" He gave her that passionless stare she was beginning to really hate, his long body bent, hand on the car roof. She sighed back into the seat and spoke to the ceiling. "You have made this my worst vacation in years."
"Slumming wasn't good enough, so you went after bigger game?" He nodded toward the restaurant.
She was insulted and her look told him she was fresh out of patience. "I realize this may come as a complete shock, Angel. But I'm not on a manhunt. In fact, after this week, the last thing I want is another man in my life. I have at least eight—no." She put up a hand. "Make that nine," she added, delivering a glare that carved the flesh from his bones. "Nine men who can't keep to themselves and leave me alone!"
She jerked on the door handle, but still he wouldn't move.
"Do I have to hurt you?"
He straightened. "Listen, little tigress," he said. "Your lunch date was—"
"Trying to get me into his limo by force?" His brows rose.
Her smug look slapped him. "I'm not a fool. Money tends to breed arrogance." Her gaze swept him. "But that doesn't seem to stop you, now, does it?"
She was still smarting, he thought. Calli wasn't a mean person. He'd known that from the start. Though she didn't know why Braiden Murdock was trying to steal her away, Gabe recognized the fact that Calli wasn't leaving, no matter how much he wanted her to go home, where it would be safe. She was his job, his responsibility, and he had only one choice left. Close off any danger.
"Come home with me."
Her eyes narrowed sharply. "Excuse me?" She tipped her head toward him, cupping her ear. "Did I hear right?" She lowered her hand. "You, who wanted me gone from your precious little town, are inviting me into the wolf den, the love dungeon?"
He liked the way she teased him. As if she expected to get a rise with her soft-soaped barbs. "No, I'm not. I'm inviting you to work for me."
Work for him? As what? His personal sex slave? "I have a job."
"You haven't heard the offer."
There was heat in that statement, she thought, tempting heat.
"And you don't know my qualifications."
He squatted inside the open door, the air suddenly filled with her perfume. He inhaled the soft, powdery fragrance, gazing into her eyes. He braced his forearms on his thighs and clenched his fists in an effort not to touch her. He didn't know why he was doing this. There had to be other choices if he thought long enough. Getting close to a woman like her was dangerous for him. She was the past he never had. The tender heart and passion he'd never known, never even been close to. But the side of him that survived by sheer luck and deviousness on the streets said to risk it, invite her into his world and see if he could hang with it.
"I'm shorthanded for the next couple of weeks and—"
"What is it that you do?" she interrupted.
He couldn't tell her he paid more bills as a private investigator than with the profits from his ranch. Not that she would be any help at either. He didn't want her getting suspicious. He'd already screwed up by talking to Daniel where she could overhear.
"I have a small farm in the valley."
She blinked, her wide eyes looking him over. "You? A farmer? Oh, please." She rolled those big blue eyes and Gabe fought a smile. Smart-ass to the end.
He shrugged and muscles twisted beneath his tight black T-shirt. "It's just as well, a woman like you—" he indicated the expensive car and clothes with a quick flick of his hand "—probably couldn't cut it on a farm."
Rebellion lit her features, her incredible lake-blue eyes. He'd expected it, counted on it, and as she leaned close he had the irresistible urge to kiss the tightness out of her lush little mouth.
"You have no idea what I can cut."
Gabe smirked. "There's no electricity, no phones, just work." He said it like a taunt. He could see the indecision in her face. Something wild scrambled in his chest as he waited for her to answer. He shouldn't want this, this bad. It was like inviting a sweet lit
tle lamb into the lion's den again and asking it not to run for cover. And asking the lion not to trespass. He straightened, staring down at her. God, she was beautiful.
Calli had never been on a farm. Not that she wasn't used to hard, backbreaking work. The nuns had seen to that when she was old enough to scrub a floor. But spending time with him would be more than hard work. It would be agony. She turned her attention to the emblem on her steering wheel. If she looked at him she couldn't think clearly. Why she was even considering his offer was totally irrational. But she also considered that guys like Dee and Tiny were afraid of him. She should be, too, she thought, after the other night. Yet she wasn't. He'd had the opportunity, to hurt her and hadn't.
Though she'd asked around town about him, no one knew who she was talking about and she let it drop. But what pressed her to even contemplate his offer was what she'd seen in Murdock's limo. The face on the fax sheet was hers. That meant he'd singled her out. Why? She could only assume it was because of Excalibur and the competitors' constant offers for her to leave Daniel and come work for them. She'd refused and she'd believed that force was beyond them. Apparently that wasn't the case. It made her distrust everyone. Except Angel. At least she knew where he was coming from. Well, almost. She didn't think anyone knew him at all. And never would.
And farming? She knew what to do with the stuff once it came to market, but cultivating it? Other than growing herbs on her balcony, she was out of her league. But then, if she was away, really out of touch, maybe Daniel and his seven cohorts would get a dose of reality. She could take care of herself. And they needed to know it or she couldn't go back to Excalibur to work. Their smothering was half the reason she'd taken her first vacation in three years and hadn't told them where she was really going. And a woman could take only so much shopping and bars and self-imposed solitude. Besides, she did have her car and portable phone if she needed to connect.
THE UNLIKELY BODYGUARD Page 4
