Wild About The Bodyguard

by Tabitha Robbins

  “I’ve decided to make the move to L.A.”

  His expression changed, but before he could say a word, she hurried on. It all made such sense.

  “I should have done it before now. That’s where all the action is. All the contacts and opportunities. I’ve gone down for auditions plenty of times, but I need to be in amongst the action. I don’t even have an agent, for God’s sake, and I’m twenty-freaking-five.”

  Talking out loud about it made her agitated, but in a good way. Her life was passing her by while she was mired down here, trying to dig up skeletons from the past when now and the future were what mattered. Just like Ann had tried to tell her.

  Chase’s expression eased. He nodded once, but didn’t look convinced. Because he would miss her?

  They’d known each other, like, a minute. More likely he quietly thought she might be wasting her time. He had seemed impressed by her acting performance the other night, but they were sleeping together. Big chance he wasn’t objective.

  She only knew if she didn’t go, she would never know.

  “Laycee has a friend in Hollywood,” she went on. “He’s always telling her 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 bud from the tip of your tongue all the way down to your toes.”

  As she watched the way his mouth moved, her taste buds came up with a few ideas of their own.

  “Watch and learn,” he said before squeezing some lemon and adding ground pepper atop that oyster. “You want to make sure you open wide and kind of massage it around the molars before letting it slide down your throat.”

  She grinned. “We’re still talking about the oyster, right?”

  When he leaned over to kiss her, Sammy’s eyes drifted shut. They’d had a difference of opinions earlier about opportunities and L.A., but now, thank God, they were back on track. As her lips parted, and anticipation began to rise, something wet slipped into her mouth—but not what she’d expected.

  Her eyes shot open in time to see Chase withdraw the shell.

  Ohmigod-ohmigod-ohmigod!

  Her mouth was filled with this huge briny, slimy blob. Holding her throat, she darted a look around. She was ready to spit it out over the side when the flavours Chase had spoken so eloquently about began to blend, and–well, who knew?–she actually liked it. Closing her eyes again, she let the texture and unique taste trickle through before rolling it around her teeth and finally letting it all slide down her throat.

  When she was aware of her surroundings again, she focused on Chase’s expression. He’d tricked her but good. Relishing the deepwater aftertaste on her tongue, she pretended to scowl.

  “I should thump you.’

  “But you liked it.”

  “Yeah. I did. I really did.” She sent over a pretty smile. “What a shame if I’d gone through my entire life without facing that fear and conquering it.”

  He narrowed his eyes at her not-so-subtle subtext. “Like having the guts to move to L.A.?”

  “That fits, too.”

  While he mulled, she collected and shucked her own shell. After adding lemon and pepper, she angled it near his mouth.

  “Your turn.”

  She didn’t need to say please.

  After he’d swallowed, Chase smacked his lips.

  “You do realize,” he said, edging close, “that oysters are aphrodisiacs?”

  She cast an eye over the spread. “Wine and chocolate are supposed to help stoke those fires, too.”

  “In that case…”

  He trailed a plump strawberry through a dish of rich dipping chocolate. This time, she happily opened her mouth and let the sweet combination swirl around on her tongue. When she swallowed, she sighed and collapsed back.

  “This is a world away from pizza and beer.”

  “Not that there’s a thing wrong with either of those food groups,” he pointed out before popping a strawberry into his own mouth.

  She had an idea.

  “Want to try som
ething different?”

  “You have to ask?”

  She shucked an oyster, plopped a spoonful of chocolate on top and offered it over. Putting on a comic brave face, he slipped the concoction into his mouth, added a long sip from his flute and then swallowed the lot. His eyes watered while Sammy laughed out loud. Shuddering, he took another mouthful of bubbles and swallowed.

  “Don’t think I’ll try that again.”

  “Point is,” she said, “you did try it.”

  “And, I suppose, so should you.”

  He was talking about L.A. even as he cupped the back of her head and brought her near to run the tip of his tongue over the parted seam of her lips. The combination of tastes blew her mind. Tart and salt and sweet and brut. Her nerve-endings began to spark in a telltale way that left her nipples rubbing through her bikini top.

  Grinning, she nipped his lower lip. “I think we might be onto something here.”

  He murmured against her lips. “I think so, too.”

  The moment his mouth covered hers, she was floating. Being with Chase just got better and better. But she needed to take on L.A., and the two cities weren’t that far away. She would absolutely keep in touch with her friends.

  Definitely keep in touch with Chase.

  But she couldn’t see her and Chase hooking up again like this after she left. This was a diversion for him; he’d made that clear from the start. When she was gone, life would go on for Chase Wild the way it had before. Maybe he’d find another small time case to maintain a connection with that other side of his nature. She hoped he continued to do what he enjoyed.

  She hoped he’d look back sometimes and remembered this.

  She hoped that he would remember her.

  Wanting to taste more and more of him, she leaned in as his hand travelled down. Maybe it was the oysters and chocolate and wine or that bittersweet hope, but suddenly she needed this contact more than she needed her next breath. Everything that had come before had been a prelude to what was about to catch light now. She wanted to feel him around her, inside of her, stroking and kissing and, yes…loving.

  As the caress deepened and her skin began to heat, she gripped his shoulders and crawled up onto the upholstered seat. When she was on her knees with her head locked over his, she coiled her arms around his neck and pushed against him. Two large hands cupped her behind.

  He spoke against her lips.

  “Those oysters work fast.” She felt his grin graze her mouth. “I’m getting all kinds of crazy ideas about what to do with one or two.”

  She wasn’t so sure about that.

  Reaching over, she swept up a finger full of melted chocolate. He sucked it all off and then kissed her again. They were too far from shore for anyone to see. There weren’t any boats anchored nearby. She pushed half her bikini top over and swept up more chocolate. A heartbeat after smearing her nipple, Chase shimmied down to latch on.

  A moment later, when he unzipped her cut-offs and stroked between her thighs, she bit her lip to contain a sigh. She tugged at her shorts. Both the cut-offs and bikini bottoms came off.

  He murmured against her ear, “We’re out in the open. It’s the middle of the day.”

  “What can I say?” She quivered when he nipped her lobe. “You’re a terrible influence.”

  “And you’ll get me arrested.”

  “Let’s face it.” She grinned into his eyes. “We’re as bad as each other.”

  He grabbed her hand and they hurried into the cabin.

  The bedroom was a cosy space organized in the bow. After he peeled back the covers, she lay on the sheet and concentrated on the elevated beating of her heart as Chase dragged off his trunks. As he slotted in beside her, she hummed in her throat at the feel of his mouth covering hers. She hooked a leg over his thigh and felt him reach up. She heard something slide and then cooler air drifted in. When his lips left hers, she saw that he’d opened a vent.

  “Not too cold,” he asked, dropping a run of slow kisses along her cheek and chin.

  “Just perfect.”

  He edged her leg higher and then shunted her closer while, nose-tip to nose-tip, his gaze searched hers.

  “I’ve missed you,” he said and tasted her lips again. “I’ve missed this.”

  His erection nudged the opening between her thighs before he shifted again and entered her–just an inch. His gaze was lidded now and the hand on her back was sliding lower. Pressing harder.

  “Sorry.” He hissed back a breath. “I need to find a condom, don’t I?”

  “Afraid so.” Even if rubber-free felt so good.

  After he saw to protection, he positioned himself on top and began nuzzling her neck–running his hands unhurriedly up and down her arms. He took his time, brushing her body with his lips, exploring nooks and crannies she had considered neutral zones until now.

  His tongue was circling the inside of one elbow when she urged his head up to hers and wrapped a leg around the back of his thigh. Then she reached between them and guided his sheathed length partly inside of her. The rumbling in his chest vibrated through her as he adjusted his position, elbows beside her ears, forearms curled around her head. Then, in one precise blissful move, he filled her and the air was pushed out from her lungs.

  For a long, lush moment, other than the throbbing down below and the pulse popping in his jaw, he didn’t move. Her own body was tingling, inside and out. She wanted this to last, but she already felt balanced on an edge. All her erogenous zones were on notice for the climax aching to break.

  He began to move–measured, gliding strokes. Dropping her arms behind her head, she pressed back into the sheet and surrendered to the cadence created by their bodies and images in her head. As he rubbed his lips through her hair, she pressed her calves up under his behind, urging him deeper. Wanting him harder.

  When he withdrew almost all the way, rather than starving the fire, those flames only grew. Her core compressed. Bearing down, she gripped either side of his neck as that heat shimmered and swirled. His lips were on hers again, tongue pushing and searching out hers. She wanted to kiss him back only...

  She couldn’t find enough air.

  Holding Chase this way…needing to be with him again even before this was done…

  It was almost enough to make her change her mind and stay.

  Chapter 12

  Sometime later, lying beneath him, Sammy stroked Chase’s jaw. “Hey. You look worried.”

  “I’m regenerating.”

  “All worn out, huh?”

  Opening his eyes, he nipped her lower lip. “Not by a long shot.”

  She filed her fingers through his hair. “How old are you, anyway?”

  “I’m a pup of thirty-one.”

  Smirking, she snuggled down. “Ooh, an older man.”

  “I’m not that old.”

  “So long as you can keep up.”

  “Except, I was the one doing all the work.”

  Pretending to pout, she wobbled his cheeks. “Aw, poor baby.”

  He rolled over, dragging her over, too, on top of him. Her knees settled either side of his hips. Her palms on his chest, she shunted up, and then her breasts were right there, begging for him to lean in and lap up any chocolate he might have missed.

  His hands slid up her sides, high enough for his thumbs to stroke her nipples, while she smiled down at him.

  “You really like my breasts.”

  “No. I love your breasts.”

  He loved...

  Well, he loved everything about her.

  She flopped down beside him and studied the low ceiling like she was listening. And then her eyes drifted shut and she smiled as if she didn’t have a care in the world, which was precisely the way he felt.

  For now, he’d put that other issue out of his mind. He didn’t want to think about losing her. Not yet.

  “I like the slap of the waves against the boat,” she said. “The way it rocks. Gentle. Lulling.”

  He rolled toward her
, kissed her temple, her ear. “Are you sleepy?”

  “I’m content. Amazingly, stupidly satisfied.”

  She turned and then pressed back so he could spoon her—one of his all time favorite things to do. But then she suddenly stiffened.

  “We won’t drift off anywhere, will we?” she asked. “I’d hate to smash into Alcatraz.”

  He reached down to pull the sheet up and over them. “We’re not going anywhere.”

  The boat rocked on, and soon their breathing had evened out and slowed. The only noise was that slapping and, occasionally, a distant boat motor growling past.

  “I’ve been thinking,” she said.

  “What’s that?”

  “If I’m moving to Los Angeles, I should get my finger out and start packing.”

  His scalp crawled. Brilliant way to kill the mood. But now she’d brought it up…

  “You want to move straight away? What about the ring?” What about this?

  “Ann was upset when I brought it up again. She told me that I needed to stop living in the past. Trying to change things that couldn’t be undone. The police didn’t take my visit seriously.”

  “They might still have it on their books to investigate.” He admitted, “It wouldn’t be a priority.”

  “And, as much as I’m grateful for your interest and help, I’m still not sure you take me seriously, either.”

  Chase blinked. “So, I’ve been calling on people, following leads, because it’s–what? A way to fill in my day?”

  “A way to make your day maybe a little more exciting. How it used to be. Tell me I’m wrong.”

  He opened his mouth to deny it. But Sammy was right. He’d got a buzz from greasing up those old, familiar skills. He felt at home asking questions, gauging answers and sifting through it all to develop new theories. He had a few. The one he still favoured most involved David Green’s scumbag brother.

  But if Sammy wanted to leave, hell, it wasn’t up to him to try to stop her. He had no claim. He didn’t want to get in the way of what she truly wanted, same as that character from Sammy’s daytime drama part hadn’t wanted to stand in the way, either. As much as he would like to keep this fire ablaze, he wasn’t about to flip out and say something stupid...like, he didn’t want her to go. Because, as much as L.A. could be brutal, she was right there, too; as far as actors were concerned, Hollywood was the land of opportunity.