Wild for Him
Janelle Denison
Now, she introduces a hunky bodyguard guaranteed to drive fans wild.
Ex-marine and security agent Ben Cabrera isn't about to complain about his latest assignment protecting the daughter of a gubernatorial candidate. After all, spending 24/7 with Christy Delacroix isn't exactly a chore. But it turns out that Christy's seduction tactics are top-notch – and soon it's impossible to keep things strictly professional
Janelle Denison
Wild for Him
The ninth book in the Wilde series, 2008
A book in the Elite Security Specialists series
Chapter One
WITH a slight frown, Ben Cabrera glanced down at the formal place setting arranged in front of him, silently contemplating the array of forks, spoons, and knives laid out for him to use. Even for a casual lunch meeting for three, the large, long dining table had been lavishly decorated with painstaking perfection, with a white lace-edged tablecloth, three extravagant bouquets of fresh flowers, and unlit tapered candles in two matching silver candelabras flanking each end of the table. Then there was the expensive, gold-rimmed china he was supposed to eat off of, the cloth napkins that had been folded into a fancy, intricate design, and the delicate crystal glasses with stems that looked so fragile he was certain he'd snap them in two with his fingers if he wasn't careful.
The thought nearly made him wince. As an ex-Marine who'd fought in the Iraq War, he was more used to rowdy mess halls and MRE field rations. After his last tour of duty had ended and he'd returned to the States, he'd settled into a bachelor existence, preferring take-out or prepackaged food and paper plates that didn't require a whole lot of thought or cleanup. As a security agent, he'd honestly never been in a situation where his dining etiquette was called into question.
Until today.
Feeling way out of his element, Ben hoped like hell that he made it through the meal without making too much of a fool of himself in front of gubernatorial hopeful Nathan Delacroix and his daughter, Christine, when she arrived for the impromptu lunch. Maybe he could just watch to see what piece of silverware Christine used before picking up his own so he didn't make any high-society faux pas that pegged him for the simple, small-town guy he really was, and always would be.
"Don't let the elaborate place setting make you nervous," Nathan said, a bit of easygoing humor lacing his voice. "My wife insists that the table be formally set at all times, no matter the time of day or occasion."
Ben glanced at the other man, who was sitting beside him at the head of the grand table. For someone in his late fifties, Nathan was still an extremely good-looking man, the kind that voters were drawn to, with his sandy blond hair, dark, intelligent green eyes, and a distinguished appearance one would associate with a politician. Even on a Sunday afternoon, he was impeccably dressed in a collared polo shirt and pleated trousers.
"Was I that obvious, sir?"
With a grin tugging at the corners of his mouth, Nathan shrugged in answer. "I'm used to my wife's idiosyncrasies, but I know others find all the formality and decorum a bit… overwhelming."
To say the least. There was just enough wryness in the other man's tone to let Ben know that he was also referring to the ostentatious elegance encompassing the entire house. The stately home located just out of the city limits of Chicago had been decorated in a way that was dramatically elegant and smacked of affluence and wealth, with expensive pieces of furniture; rare, collectible art and antiques; marble flooring; and imported rugs throughout the downstairs area.
Truly, there was nothing warm, welcoming, or inviting about the inside decor of the house, but having been in the same room with Audrey Delacroix more than a few times over the past year, Ben had to admit that everything about the furnishings was just like the woman herself-refined and polished, but also very cool and aloof. Quite the opposite of her husband, Nathan, who was warm, friendly, and an all-around nice guy.
Good thing she wasn't the one running for office, Ben thought dryly.
Then there was their only child and daughter, Christine, who'd luckily inherited her father's amicable disposition. Despite her rich and privileged upbringing, she was far from being spoiled or snobbish, and was nothing at all like her mother in terms of Audrey's standoffish personality and the aura of entitlement the other woman exuded.
"Christine should be here any minute." Nathan cast a quick look at his Rolex. "I sent a car to pick her up so she wouldn't be on the road alone, and my driver is pretty good about being on time."
"That's fine." Ben certainly wasn't going anywhere anytime soon. At least not until this current assignment of his was set up and put into action, all of which required Christine's presence and cooperation.
At Nathan's unexpected and insistent phone call earlier that morning requesting Ben's security services, he'd hurried out and arrived at the Delacroix home nearly an hour ago, more than a little curious as to what the other man needed him for so urgently. Ben was a partner of ESS, Elite Security Specialists, and Nathan Delacroix had become one of Ben's high-profile clients over the past year. The other man called on Ben whenever he needed extra security for campaign events, public speeches, or other political situations. And with the race for governor only three weeks away and things heating up for a big finale, Ben could only assume that Nathan was in need of extra security and backup for the duration of the campaign.
But instead of the simple, routine security detail he'd expected, Nathan had thrown him an unexpected curve by informing him that as of that morning, he was being hired to provide his daughter with around-the-clock protection. Nathan had gone on to tell him that he'd received an anonymous threat against himself that also put Christine's safety in jeopardy. The note that had arrived in an unmarked envelope instructed Nathan to drop out of the election, or risk losing what was most precious to him. And there was nothing, and no one, that Nathan adored more than his daughter. Ben had seen that for himself over the past year.
And now, Nathan was trusting Ben to keep Christine safe and out of any potential danger.
Earlier, Nathan had handed Ben a dossier on his daughter, which gave him important information on Christine-her newly formed business and job as an event planner, where she lived, and details about her recent past and breakup with her ex-fiancé, Jason Forrester, seven months ago. Including the fact that Christine had to have a restraining order issued against the man due to continual harassments and threats.
The elder Delacroix had no idea if her ex was behind the current blackmail attempt, but considering Jason had worked directly for Nathan as a political consultant before being fired and blacklisted in the political arena for his blatant indiscretions, along with the discovery that Jason had been embezzling money from the campaign contributions, Christine's ex had every reason to want to sabotage Nathan's campaign for governor. Delacroix had assured Ben that Jason would have no qualms about using Christine for leverage to ruin him, since Nathan had been the one who'd been responsible for sending Jason, and his shot at a political career, on a downward spiral.
At least that's how Jason had seen things. According to Nathan, the other man should have been far more considerate and faithful to Christine, as well as keeping his hands out of the campaign funds.
Thinking back on the security details they'd discussed back in Nathan's study earlier, there was something Ben had meant to ask the other man, but had been sidetracked by other more imperative issues. "Sir, is your daughter aware of the fact that you've hired me as her bodyguard, twenty-four/seven, until the election is over?"
"No, not yet. Which is why I've invited her to join us for lunch today, so I can break it to her gently." The older man laughed. Clearly he understood there would be nothing easy or gentle about
informing his daughter she'd have a shadow for the foreseeable future.
Leaning back in his chair. Nathan's expression took on a firm and determined look. "My daughter has become very independent recently, but I can promise you she'll cooperate with this sudden change of plans. Having a private bodyguard, especially during election time, isn't something new for her. She might be a bit surprised at the live-in arrangements, but she'll understand that it's absolutely necessary and non-negotiable."
Ben nodded in agreement. Until they discovered who the culprit was that had sent the intimidating letter, he'd be glued to Christine's side.
Ben had to admit that the job of protecting Christine's body certainly wouldn't be a hardship, not when she had the kind of shapely curves that made him wonder, and imagine, what she'd look like naked, with nothing but moonlight painting her supple, creamy-looking skin. Then there was all that silky blond hair the color of rich honey, those bright blue eyes that were always so full of life and carefree laughter when she was around him, and that sweet mouth of hers that could smile so guilessly, yet also managed to fuel some hot, erotic fantasies of how those soft, sensual lips might feel sliding against his skin.
The front door slammed shut, the sound jarring Ben out of his inappropriate and too arousing thoughts. His job was to protect Christine Delacroix, not seduce her, no matter how much she'd made her interest in him clear. And she had, each and every time they'd run into one another over the past months of Ben working for her father.
But no matter how much she flirted and teased, or how much the mutual attraction simmering between them tempted him, Ben was a professional. He could daydream and fantasize about Christine all he wanted, but he'd never touch.
Not only was she about to become a client-and he didn't mix business with pleasure-but she was so out of his league, in so many ways. Socially and financially she was at the top of the list. The only reason he was even a part of her affluent world was as a hired security agent. Other than that, there was nothing about her privileged lifestyle he could even begin to relate to.
"Speaking of the angel, here she is now," Nathan said fondly.
The sound of heels clicking on the marble entryway sounded seconds before Christine appeared in the dining room, dressed in a beige V-neck top, slim black jeans, and a pair of expensive-looking designer shoes that enhanced the length of her slender legs. Her dossier pegged her at five foot five, a good eight inches shorter than himself, but the confident way she carried herself, combined with those killer heels she always wore, made her appear much taller than she actually was. And they made her legs and her ass-his two favorite attributes on a woman-look sexier than hell.
But despite those four-inch heels strapped to her feet, there was a distinct and lively spring in her step that caused her loose hair to swirl around her shoulders. The brisk energy in her walk also made her small, firm breasts bounce with just enough motion to draw his gaze for a brief, appreciative moment before lifting back up to her lovely face once again.
He silently agreed with Nathan. Christine did look like an angel, but Ben's thoughts were anything but saintly or pure when it came to her.
As she entered the room, her gaze locked on her father first, since he was seated at the head of the table, and she headed toward Nathan with a sweet, genuinely-happy-to-see-you grin curving her lips.
"Hello. Daddy." Reaching his side, she leaned down and placed a kiss on his smooth-shaven cheek.
The warm, affectionate smile Nathan gave his daughter in return made him appear ten years younger than his true age. "Hi, sweetheart."
Ben pushed back his chair and stood up to greet Christine, finally bringing her attention to the fact that he was in the room, too. She glanced at him in startled surprise.
"You remember security agent Ben Cabrera, don't you?" Nathan asked his daughter.
Once her initial shock at seeing him there on a Sunday afternoon ebbed, she flashed him one of her effusive grins. "Of course I do. Hello, Ben."
He nodded politely in return. "Christine."
She rolled her eyes at all his formality, then waved a hand toward his chair, setting off a light, tinkling sound from the gold bangle bracelets circling her wrist. "Please, sit down. You don't need to stand when I enter the room. I'm hardly the Queen of England,'" she said, laughter in her voice. "And how many times have I told you to call me Christy?"
He settled back into his seat, doing his best to remain unaffected by that mischievous twinkle in her eyes that made her look too damned irresistible. "A few." He knew that her friends called her by the informal nickname, but for Ben, calling her Christy was too personal and intimate. Especially since he was about to become her private body guard for the next three weeks.
"Maybe someday you will." Her sexy wink and the playful lilt to her voice indicated that she wasn't done trying to sway him-no big shock there. Undoubtedly, she was used to getting her way. She also took great delight in provoking him, the minx.
She slid into the chair next to Nathan and across from where Ben sat, then glanced at her father. "Where's Mother? It's nearly one o'clock in the afternoon. Is she not joining us for lunch today?"
"She's still in her room, as far as I know." Nathan sighed, the sound barely concealing the frustration creeping into his tone. "According to Maggie, she woke up with a headache and claimed she wasn't feeling well this morning. Things haven't changed much since you moved out."
Ben shifted uncomfortably in his chair. Though he was used to people discussing their private lives in front of him, since he was supposed to be the invisible bodyguard, this intimate table discussion was more than he wanted, or needed, to know about this family's conflicts that centered around Audrey. Ben had no desire to get involved, and he figured if he was lucky, he wouldn't even have to see the woman for the next three weeks.
"I'm sorry." Christine went on as she shook her head, apparently used to her mother's personal issues, too. "I'll be sure to stop by her room to say hello before I leave."
Nathan nodded. "I'm sure she'd like that."
Christine tipped her head toward her father. The diamond hoop earrings in her lobes caught the light from the overhead chandelier and sparkled brilliantly. "You don't have to fib on my account. Daddy. She hasn't even come close to forgiving me for calling off the wedding and embarrassing her in front of her high-society friends. Never mind my humiliation. She tolerates me right now because I'm her daughter and she has no choice."
Nathan grimaced, but didn't refute her claim. "Fair enough."
An elderly woman with graying brown hair and kind hazel eyes entered the dining room from an adjoining doorway, a glass pitcher in her hand. Judging by the apron tied around her small waist, and the way she began pouring iced tea into their crystal glasses, Ben guessed that she was part of the household help.
"Hi, Maggie," Christine said in cheerful greeting. "How are you doing?"
The other woman beamed at her as she finished filling Ben's glass with tea, then moved on to Nathan's. "Just wonderful, Sweet Pea. When your father mentioned that you were going to be here for lunch today, I decided to make one of your favorite meals."
Christine thought for a quick moment, that infectious gleam sparking to life in her eyes again. "You made peanut butter and jelly sandwiches?"
Maggie laughed. "You always did love those as a little girl, didn't you?"
She gave Maggie an impish grin. "Still do, actually."
Amusement softened Maggie's features. "I sure do miss having you here at the house every day," she said, an unmistakable hint of melancholy in her voice. "As for lunch, I made wild mushroom ravioli with sweet vermouth and cream sauce. And for dessert, bread pudding with my special apricot sauce."
"Mmmm, you spoil me." The hunger and anticipation reflecting across Christine's face made for an arousing combination. "I can't wait."
Once Maggie retreated to the kitchen, Christine reached for the sugar bowl, dropped a few of the crystallized cubes into her tea, and met Ben's gaze from acr
oss the table as she stirred her drink. "I didn't realize that lunch on a Sunday afternoon was such a security risk," she teased good-naturedly. "Should I be concerned that you're here?"
It was clear that Christine was just kidding around and making light of his presence, but Ben wasn't quite sure how Nathan wanted to handle telling his daughter of his purpose for being there. So, he glanced at the other man, giving him the opportunity to handle the situation, and answer the question.
Nathan cleared his throat. "Actually, Ben's here at my personal request."
"Oh." Christine picked up her napkin, unfolded the piece of expensive cloth, and placed it on her lap.
Ben immediately followed her lead and did the same thing.
"Are you going somewhere after lunch that requires security?" she asked her father curiously.
Before Nathan could launch into an explanation, Maggie arrived with three salads and set one of the plates in front of Ben. "Thank you, ma'am," he said automatically, and glanced up as the older woman finished serving Nathan and Christine.
A sassy grin quirked one corner of Christine's mouth, and she lifted a perfectly arched brow in amusement. "-Ma'am?" she mouthed to him, as if she couldn't believe he'd used such a formal expression.
She was toying with him. Again. Because she could and obviously enjoyed the seductive game that tempted him to play along. God, if she was anyone else, he'd be flirting right back and wouldn't hesitate to act on the undeniable attraction between them. Wouldn't hesitate to drag her off to some dark, secluded spot so he could kiss her, slow and deep, and slake all the pent-up lust she'd been stirring in him over the past few months. If she was anyone else, he would have had her by now, in all the shockingly erotic ways he'd imagined for much too long.
Unfortunately, she wasn't anything like the easy, forgettable women he met at Nick's Sport Bar or The Electric Blue. A woman he could enjoy for a few weeks until he had his fill, then leave her behind. No, this beautiful, sensual woman came with too many complications, and he wasn't about to jeopardize his personal and working relationship with Nathan Delacroix by taking advantage of his daughter's interest. No matter how badly his sorely neglected libido wished otherwise.
Wild for Him Page 1
