Alexa pounced on this. “Change? Why?”
“The woman liked to wrap men around her finger. When Colin left, so she went after me. Desperate, I know.”
“I’m sure she wasn’t desperate.”
“I had a thing for her, even before I started working for her. I let her attention go to my head. Before I knew it, I was in way too deep. Soon, she got bored with me. She started dating another star at the same time she strung me along.”
“Jamison.” Alexa put her hand over his. “I’m sorry.”
He looked at their hands, and then pulled his away. “She was the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen. I was a fool to think she had real feelings for me.”
“Jamison. Not everyone is like her. She was the foolish one.”
“Really, Alexa?” His hard gaze bored into her, and she remembered how he had been prejudiced against her from the beginning, because he’d labeled her a beautiful woman. Now she understood why.
“I’m not her, Jamison.”
“You’re similar. You play games, too. You are right now.”
“How can you say that?” she said, appalled. “We both play games. And I’d appreciate it if you’d stop judging me based on my appearance!”
“You judge me.”
Because he was shorter than she was—it was funny, but lately she had stopped noticing. He was a wonderful man. Even if it meant opening up her heart to a truth that scared her, Alexa had to make Jamison understand a little of what she saw in him.
“You’re…” she heaved a fortifying breath, “…nice looking.”
“Don’t choke on it.”
She glared. “I’m not. I don’t want you to get a big head.”
“You think that’s a problem?” He regarded her, his eyes still hard. Why? To hide his anger—or his hurt?
“It’s difficult for me to say positive things to you.”
“Why?”
“Because I’m afraid.”
“That I’ll take it the wrong way?”
No. She was more afraid he’d take it the right way. Which was that she was too drawn to him for her own good, and that terrified her.
He said, “So you think I’m nice looking.”
“Very nice looking.” She bit her lip and glanced away.
He remained silent, so she looked back at him.
“You mean that.” He smiled a little, searching her gaze.
“Yes. I do.” She stared at him, daring him to make something of it.
He leaned forward. “Is this progress, princess?”
“I’m just trying to tell you the truth.”
“Come out with me tonight,” he said quietly, unexpectedly.
“Why?” Trepidation edged the word.
His smile edged higher. “A restaurant I know serves the best chocolates in the world.”
“That’s not fair. You know I have a weakness for chocolate.” As she had a weakness for him.
“Will you come?”
“For the chocolate, of course.”
“Of course…only for the chocolate. Six o’clock work for you?”
“Fine. I’d better get to work, then.” She left the sitting area with undo haste, and closed her bedroom door. What had she just done? Agreed to a real date with Jamison? Had she lost all of her marbles?
What a foolish girl she was. This date would only bring them closer together. Or was that what she wanted?
Yes. Alexa closed her eyes, unable to ignore this relentless truth. But she had made it clear it was only about the chocolate. Surely he would take her at her word.
But when had words ever been simple between them? As always, they hummed with double meanings, flirting with the truth of the attraction between them.
She crossed the room to stare into the mirror. Her blue-green eyes, looking disturbed and serious, confronted her. What was she doing? Was she truly leading him on, with no intention of anything else, like that hussy of a star had done? After all, where could their relationship possibly lead? Nowhere. She would go home soon. And Alexa wouldn’t hurt Jamison for anything. She cared about him too much.
But she did want to go…and taste the chocolates.
They drove from Zurich to a small town nestled near the base of the Swiss Alps. The scenery on the way was breathtaking, especially the gray, craggy mountains which grew closer and larger with each kilometer they drove. Pristine white snow clung to the peaks.
The restaurant was beautiful. Wooden beams arched overhead, and on the tables were candles in cut crystal glasses. A wall of windows offered Alexa a breathtaking view of the Swiss Alps. Even though it was well past 7:30 p.m., the sun had yet to reach the far horizon. A terrace edged the back of the restaurant, but it was too chilly for anyone to eat outside tonight.
Jamison settled across the table from her, his eyes gleaming. “Like it?”
“How could I not? It’s beautiful.” And disconcertingly romantic, too, for the dim lighting cast his face into shadows. In fact, those same shadows cut his nose and mouth into chiseled planes. Discomfort prickled. She should be staring at the menu, not admiring him. Wouldn’t that be for the best?
Unfortunately, she recognized few words on the page. “I suppose you speak German, too?”
“Not much. But I can try to interpret. What do you want?”
“A chicken something would be good.”
“Living dangerously, are you?”
Alexa sent him a look. “And what are you going to eat?” she inquired sweetly. “A bloody steak? Seems like that would be right up your alley. In fact, I could see you as the type to hunt it down and rip into it fresh.”
“Are you disparaging my character again?”
“Never.” She raised her eyebrows. “I never said you were a Neanderthal.”
He laughed. “Sheathe the claws, princess, or you can pay for dinner.”
She smiled. “You want me to be nice to you?”
“Until dessert. Then you can sharpen your tongue again.”
Feeling a bit uncomfortable with her cutting wisecracks, she studied her indecipherable menu. Why did she always resort to flippancy whenever her heart threatened to open up to him?
It was simple. She was afraid.
Jamison leaned over and quietly pointed out a few items she might enjoy. She decided on meatloaf and mashed potatoes.
Once the waiter took their order and departed, she said, “Thank you.”
A black brow raised. “Can’t let you starve.”
“I’m sorry,” she blurted, and then bit her lip. “I mean about calling you a Neanderthal. I don’t know why I say things like that.”
His hand closed around hers, impelling her to meet his dark gaze. “Don’t you?”
Wasn’t it time to be honest? Even if it did make her vulnerable. “You’re right. I’m afraid of this whole date thing with you. Remember, last time didn’t end so well.”
“Why do you want to live in denial, Alexa?” His hand felt warm and gentle around hers. His thumb stroked the back, disturbing her.
“I want it to be about the chocolate. And seeing if we can be civil to each other for one whole evening.” And she did. In fact, she very much wanted to enjoy a warm, intimate dinner with him. Could she do it without pushing him away, and still not irrevocably lose her heart to him? Maybe she was a coward, but the threat of falling in love with him terrified her. Then leaving him next week would rip her soul apart.
He exhaled softly. “All right. I’m game to try if you are.” She felt loss when he released her hand.
“Okay.”
“I’ll start us out.” His Italian accent had thickened, and the dark gaze held hers. “You are beautiful as always tonight, Alexa.”
She glanced away. “No need to go overboard.”
“Accept a compliment, princess.”
His compliment fizzed in her stomach. It was dangerous, because she liked it. “Thank you.” Her gaze skittered from his. “How did you find this restaurant?”
“A friend told me about it. I needed a place to bring a date.”
“A date?”
“I’m a man, Alexa. I date. And sometimes groupies latch onto bodyguards. I could go out as often as I’d like.”
Colin had said as much in Paris. Jealousy squeezed Alexa’s heart.
“I’m sure you could.” She fiddled with her glass. The thought of some vapid hussy fawning over Jamison bothered her. More than she wanted to admit.
“Some women actually find me attractive.” He grinned.
“I’m sure more than a few.” Now, what had she done, stroking his ego like that? She would create a monster, if she wasn’t careful.
Then she mentally rolled her eyes. Porcupine mentality again. Jamison deserved far more than one praise. He was a wonderful man.
Jamison’s grin widened. “Another compliment? In one night? Careful. It might go to my head.”
Alexa liked seeing him smile like that, in pleasure. With a return smile, she softly teased, “As long as you realize that’s your full quota for tonight.”
Dinner arrived, and the meatloaf and potatoes melted in her mouth. “Much better than frozen,” she told Jamison. Conversation during the meal remained warm and civil. No double meanings—well, some, but they were subtly teasing. Alexa enjoyed her time with Jamison. All over again, she realized how smart and funny he was. And he could converse on any number of topics in depth and with ease.
As the waiter cleared their dishes, she said, “You’re obviously very smart, Jamison. Do you plan to stay a bodyguard?” Hastily, she added, “Not that it isn’t a perfectly good career.”
“No, I don’t. I want to form a security service—the best in Europe.”
“You do? Really?” Alexa was amazed by this latest insight into this complex man. “That’s terrific.”
“Thanks. We’d do background checks, contract out the best guards, and offer top-of-the-line training. We’d specialize in personalized service to top athletes and stars. I’ve got a bunch of contacts already.”
“Not to mention your reputation as being the best in the business.”
Jamison dipped his head. “Eventually, I want to tie in personal training, too. Mostly for the guards, but also for any top athlete who wants to train. Security and a professional environment will be one of the foundations of my business.”
“What great ideas. You’ve done the market research, I assume? Found your competition?” She wanted him to succeed, even now, in the fledgling idea stage.
“Yes. It’s viable. I even have clients lined up—Colin being one. I’ve saved up half the capital I need to start, and I’m lining up backing for the rest.”
Alexa was even more amazed. She had never guessed Jamison was contemplating—no, planning—to go into business on his own. “That’s awesome. When do you plan to start?”
“Within a year, most likely. I enjoy what I’m doing for the moment.”
“You like to travel.”
He grinned. “Yes.”
“No doubt you’ll need to travel to attract the best clients from all over Europe. Or maybe you could set up facilities in several different countries.”
“You’ve got vision, princess. I like that.”
She lifted her glass. “To your future, and continuing success.”
His glass softly clinked hers. “Thank you.”
The waiter appeared with dessert menus in hand.
Jamison told Alexa, “I know what I’d like to order for dessert. I’d like to surprise you.”
“Okay,” she smiled, and realized that she had been doing a lot of that this evening. Should she be concerned about their deepening intimacy? Or continue to enjoy it? It wasn’t hard to decide, although her choice was probably foolish.
Jamison spoke quickly to the waiter, and the man melted in the direction of the kitchen.
“When he comes back, humor me and close your eyes,” he told her.
“I’m supposed to trust you?” Alexa raised her brows. “You aren’t going to smash cake on my face, are you?”
His dark eyes gleamed. “Trust me, princess. Will you?”
“Okay,” she agreed dubiously.
When the waiter returned, she obediently closed her eyes.
“Okay,” Jamison said. “Open.” He’d arranged his napkin to hide whatever was on his plate.
“Those aren’t chocolate-covered frog legs, are they?”
“No frog legs.”
“Or squid parts?”
He chuckled. “Just chocolate, Alexa, relax. Now close your eyes again, and open your mouth.”
Anxiety mixed with sparkles of anticipation. Logic warned she shouldn’t agree to this. It seemed too…intimate.
However, she fixed a saucy smile upon her face. “Okay. Here goes. But if you feed me toad gizzards, you’ll pay.”
He chuckled and a hard, square morsel entered her mouth. She savored it. “Mmm,” she sighed. Pure ambrosia. Chocolate heaven.
“You can open now.” The dark eyes laughed with her, enjoying her pleasure. “What kind was it?”
“This is a test?” she demanded, outraged.
“If you want the next piece, give me your best guess.”
Alexa frowned. “Black-heart.” She rolled her tongue around the inside of her mouth, trying to recapture the last bits of flavor. “I’d say pure dark chocolate. Seventy percent or higher.”
“Correct. Close your eyes again.”
“What’s my prize if I guess them all right?” she wanted to know.
She heard his faint laugh. “I’ll work on that later.” Another morsel entered her mouth. His fingers gently brushed her lips as he retreated. Her lips tingled where he’d touched them, but she tried to forget that and focus on the chocolate in her mouth. It tasted creamier. Milkier.
“Easy,” she proclaimed. “Milk chocolate.”
“Two for two. I’m impressed. But it’s going to get harder.”
“Lead on,” Alexa commanded feistily. “You won’t stump me. I am the chocolate queen…princess.”
“Okay, princess. Open wide.”
A larger piece entered this time. Alexa felt very aware of one finger touching her lip, while two others deposited the confection on her tongue. Warm heat pumped through her blood as he withdrew. She tasted, slowly. The outside of the morsel tasted milky and bland, but as that layer melted in her mouth, another layer emerged. That one was more milk chocolatey. And then that layer melted, leaving the sharp, pure core of the chocolate she loved best.
She opened her eyes and favored him with a pitying grin. “You can’t fool me, Jethro. White chocolate on the outside, with milk chocolate next, and a dark chocolate core. Pretty tricky, but not tricky enough for the master chocolate connoisseur.”
“Okay, Miss Connoisseur. One left. It’s a little more tricky. Be patient.”
Tricky? Patient? Whatever could he mean by that? And why was her heart suddenly pumping faster?
“Don’t mind my finger. It’s clean. Pretty much, anyway.”
Why would he warn her about his finger? Like a trusting little bird, she opened her mouth. A sweet, pasty substance touched her tongue. It had the texture of nougat, and it stuck to his finger.
“Lick it off, princess,” he said roughly.
She gave his finger a tentative swab. The creamy paste was delicious. She wanted more, but the bulk of it still clung to his index finger. Why hadn’t he presented it to her on a spoon, she wondered inconsequentially. She gave it a bolder swipe, and more melted into her mouth. Alarmingly, Alexa wanted to suck the last of the sweet goodness off his finger. And not just for the chocolate. Heat burned her face, just thinking about it.
“Done?”
“Yes.” He withdrew, leaving her alone with the sweet taste still in her mouth. But she couldn’t seem to think about anything but his warm finger in her mouth, and her reaction to it. Her heart bumped and thundered in alarm. This would not do. This would not do at all!
She blinked her eyes open,
and found him watching her with an intensely black, hooded gaze.
“I…I didn’t get enough of that one to make a guess,” she gulped.
“Would you like more?”
“Not…not like that,” she squeaked.
“A spoon?”
“Yes. Please.”
“Guess first.”
“But I can’t!”
His gaze touched her lips. “Sure you can. And then I’ll give you a spoon, and all the chocolate you want.”
“I don’t want any more chocolate.”
“Why?”
Why couldn’t she look away from him, would be a better question. She couldn’t find a comfortable answer for that, either.
“It’s too rich,” she said.
“Intoxicating?”
She swallowed hard, and nodded. “Intoxicating.”
She sensed, rather than saw him reach out to cup her chin. He leaned toward her, urging her closer. “Jamison…”
“Shh,” and his lips burned into hers. They tasted sweet, like he’d been sampling the chocolates, too.
“Yum,” she whispered. Tentatively, she tasted him with her tongue.
“Alexa!” he growled harshly.
“Can’t I cheat?” she whispered. “I needed another taste.”
He pulled away, but his black gaze held hers. “Make your guess, then.”
“Chocolate nougat,” she murmured, “mixed with caramel. And cherry.”
His thumb slowly grazed her lips. “Yes. What prize do you want?”
Alexa wanted to kiss him again. But that would be purely stupid. And dangerous. Right?
She pulled away. “Take me for a walk on the terrace. The mountains look so close. Like I could touch them.”
“Like your fairy tale you keep chasing?”
“Maybe.” She had never seen the similarity before. Both beautiful, both untouchable, at least from where she stood now.
Her Reluctant Bodyguard Page 28
