Guarding His Body

by A. C. Arthur

  In her lap Bree’s hands stilled. The familiarity of his lips on hers came rushing back. “You’ve given me a few already.” She nipped his lower lip and he grinned.

  “The best is yet to come.” He took her mouth quickly, fiercely claiming her lips, her tongue, pulling her deeper into his mouth, into his space. His hands delved into her hair as he held her still for his assault.

  Bree’s hands came up to his wrists as she gave as much to that kiss as she took. Her heart hammered against her chest, her thighs pressing tightly together to ward off the throbbing at her center. She pulled away before she was further tempted to ride him right here in his car, in his parents’ driveway. What is it with you and riding this guy? she questioned herself even as she licked her lips and lowered her head. “We’d better get inside.”

  It was a damn good thing she stopped because he was afraid he couldn’t. Dragging a hand down his face, Renny tried to think of something other than the sexy woman sitting beside him. He couldn’t go into his parents’ house with his erection tenting his slacks. He jumped out of the car into the cool night air hoping that would ease his arousal and opened the door for Sabrina. “Just a warning, the Bennetts are a testy bunch. My sisters are loud and opinionated. My brothers are dominant and full of testosterone. So be prepared.”

  He held her hand and Bree found herself enjoying the feeling of strength emanating from his palm to hers. “And here I thought you were the worst of the bunch.” She grinned up at him and he nudged her slightly.

  “I’m beginning to think you like making an entrance more than I do.” Adriana grinned as her long, bared arms came around Renny’s neck.

  She was gorgeous, Bree surmised instantly—tall, long legs, golden skin, spectacular eyes and perfectly puckered lips. Her ivory jumper hugged all her curvy areas and dipped low in the front to show off the best ones. Bree swallowed, hard. No wonder she was a model.

  “Somebody’s got to keep them on their toes.” Renny was smiling down at his sister. “I take it you have your car back.” He was glad to see for himself that she was okay. The thought of something happening to her had been frightening to say the least.

  Adriana waved a hand. “Please, I told Daddy there was no way I was driving that thing again. They could have done anything to it while they had it at that shop. My new toy arrives Monday by four.” She flashed him a brilliant smile.

  “I take that to mean Dad’s pocket took a big hit on this one, huh?”

  “You got that right.” Adriana lifted a glass and helped herself to a drink.

  Renny grinned, knowing his sister all too well. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Sabrina backing away. With a quick extension of his arm he had her by the waist, pulling her back to his side. “Adriana Bennett, this is Sabrina Desdune, my bodyguard.”

  Adriana choked on the wine she’d just sipped and Bree cast Renny a heated glance. She didn’t know what she’d expected. She wasn’t a part of the family, nor was she his date, so he really didn’t need to introduce her at all. He touched her intimately, pulling her to him possessively, and yet he’d called her his bodyguard. This was the first time he’d ever done that.

  “It’s nice to meet you, Adriana.” Bree smiled at the woman.

  “You’re a bodyguard.” The woman was small and looked about as strong as Adriana knew she wasn’t.

  “Yes, she is,” Alex interrupted. “And a very good one, I might add. She tackled this big goof to the ground to keep him from getting run down.” Alex wrapped an arm around Bree’s shoulder and pulled her against him. “I didn’t get a chance to thank you for that.”

  Renny didn’t miss the trick. While it appeared Alex was looking down at Bree, he was actually looking down the gap in the front of her shirt. Renny frowned; Alex had taught him that long ago. He immediately grabbed Sabrina’s hand and gently removed her from Alex’s clutches.

  Bree felt like a bone between two dogs and she pulled her hand from Renny, then cast Alex a heated glare. “I merely did what you’re paying me for.”

  Adriana smiled. “Anything for money. You sound like my kind of woman.” Linking her free arm with Bree’s, she balanced her wine and stood between her brothers. “You and I are going to get along just fine.”

  With that Bree found herself being whisked away by the beautiful sister, leaving the brothers in the middle of the room without a clue as to what had just transpired.

  “Whew, I’ve never seen Alex and Renny vying for the same woman’s attention before,” Adriana said when she and Sabrina were off to a corner of the large living room by themselves.

  Bree caught her words and gave her a puzzled look. “What are you talking about?”

  Adriana laughed. “Tell me you’re not serious? You weren’t just the victim of a jealous tug of war over there?”

  Bree looked back to the center of the room where Alex and Renny still stood. “No.” She rubbed up and down her arms with the memory of being stretched back and forth. “I don’t really know what that was.”

  “Then I’ll enlighten you. I watched you and Renny from the window when you pulled up. I saw you walk up to the house and enter this room.” Adriana raised her brows as if she expected Sabrina to understand her meaning.

  It took Bree a moment, in which time she thought about denying everything she knew was going through the woman’s mind. She was here on business, which meant she had no right lusting after her client. Still, she did and apparently that was obvious. “I sure hope the rest of your family isn’t as observant as you.”

  Adriana laughed again, the melodic sound making Bree smile, as well.

  “Girl, you’re probably the only one that thinks I’m observant. The rest of them think I’m a flake obsessed with clothes and makeup.”

  Bree relaxed, finding herself enjoying Renny’s sister much more than she had anticipated. “Anyway, Renny was right. I’m his bodyguard.”

  “And soon to be his lover.” Adriana emptied her glass and signaled Raphael, the butler, for another one. “If you’re not already.”

  Bree frowned. “No, we haven’t gotten that far yet.”

  “Then my big brother’s slipping and he better get his act together before Alex the Great steps in.”

  Bree looked at Alex and his dashing good looks. While she could clearly see where a woman would be attracted to him, she realized quickly that she wasn’t. No, there seemed to be only one Bennett man for her.

  Alex was looking at Renny suspiciously while Renny tried to avert his gaze. “You couldn’t resist, could you? After all that bickering about your bodyguard being a woman. I’ll bet you’re damned happy she’s a woman now, aren’t you?” Alex had a drink in his hand now as he watched his brother stewing. He’d seen from the moment Renny and Sabrina walked through that door that his brother wanted her. It was something in the way Bennett men swaggered when they were near a woman that whetted their whistle, and Renny had definitely swaggered. Alex had decided to test the waters by lightly coming on to Sabrina himself. From the steely glare Renny had tossed him, he’d known he was right.

  “It’s not like that, Alex,” Renny grumbled.

  “Like hell it’s not. You’re almost seething because I touched her. I sure hope she’s good at everything she does, because we’re paying her and her brother an awful lot of money to keep us safe and now, apparently, to keep you satisfied.”

  Renny looked at his brother. Alex was only about an inch or two taller than him, so they were just about eye to eye. He recognized the teasing glint in his eyes and felt his shoulders relax. “I only know she’s good at being a bodyguard. We haven’t done anything else,” he admitted.

  Alex let loose a loud sound, the smile across his face full and almost obnoxious. “And you’re this uptight about her. Man, you better sleep with her and quick before you kill somebody.”

  Renny was about to respond when a hush fell over the room. The patriarch of the family and the other siblings made their appearance. Sam and a man Renny didn’t know came in behind them. />
  “Good evening, everyone. Before we get started I’d like to introduce you to Trent Donovan. Trent’s an investigator from Vegas that I’ve known for years and have had the pleasure of working with. Since we’ve had some new developments I thought it’d be good to bring Trent in. He’s not local so he’ll be looking at this from a different angle.” Sam slipped his hands into his pockets and looked around the room.

  Bree recognized Trent Donovan, handsome man that he was, from her parents’ last anniversary celebration a couple of years ago. Time had been good to him. Trent had a soldier’s body: hard, buff and absolutely delicious. Of course, with an ex-Navy SEAL, she expected nothing less. However, her gaze soon found itself shifting to the left, raking over the broader body, the darker skin and the sexier mouth of Lorenzo Bennett. If she didn’t know better she’d swear she was falling for him.

  “I’d like to start by asking Mr. Bennett—Lorenzo, that is—about his business dealings, relationships, enemies,” Trent stated as he pulled out his notepad.

  Rico grinned and clapped Renny on the back. “Every single man in the county’s an enemy since all the available women are making a play for him.”

  Renny’s eyes immediately went to Bree, who frowned at the remark. He made a mental note to give Rico one good punch before the night was over. “I don’t have any enemies that I know of, either personal—” he glared at his older brother “—or business.”

  Trent seemed to ignore the underlying implications of both men and continued with his questions. “How about this gallery you’re opening? Other than the break-in, have you had any problems in that area?”

  Renny shook his head, remembering back over the past year in which his plans had been set into motion. “No. No problems.”

  “That gallery’s a waste of time and looks to be at the root of this threat against you,” Marvin Bennett added.

  Bree’s attention turned to the older man. His sons definitely took after him in the looks department, from their broad builds and muscular chests to the feeling of complete domination simply by being in the same room with them. Marvin was darker than his boys, half his face covered by a dark, foreboding beard. His eyes were those of a shrewd businessman, his touch, as witnessed by the way he held his wife’s hand, that of a loving father and husband.

  “Dad,” Renny warned in a low menacing tone.

  “I think the gallery is just fabulous and I can’t wait until it opens. Renny’s pieces have already doubled in price since the whisperings of the gallery began.” This was the youngest sister, Gabrielle.

  She’d bounced into the room with loads of energy and effortless beauty. Her long legs crossed quickly as she took a seat in the chair right next to where Renny stood. Dark, exotic eyes swept the room while long manicured nails raked through her vicious, yet stylishly short haircut. “I’ve been keeping track.” She shrugged when questioning eyes rested on her.

  “I don’t think this has anything to do with my gallery.” Renny cast his sister a grateful look.

  “I’m inclined to agree with you,” Sam added. “However, that doesn’t mean somebody wouldn’t use that to get at the top prize.”

  All eyes shifted to Marvin Bennett.

  “I believe it’s this merger and all this publicity it’s bringing.” This smooth, slightly accented voice was from Beatriz Bennett, formerly Beatriz de Carriero, from Pirata, a tiny village in Brazil.

  Bree was instantly drawn by her serene air, her dark alluring eyes. Her skin was the same shimmering bronze complexion of her sons, her hair thick, black and wavy coming neatly to a chignon at her nape. She wore an elegant yet understated turquoise suit that seemed to illuminate her very existence. Diamonds at her ears, her neck and on her hands stated her husband’s success even as the look of pride and love stated her dedication to her family.

  “If anything, Lorenzo is just a pawn in these business dealings. I have expressed this to Marvin on numerous occasions.”

  Beside her Marvin didn’t flinch even though he’d hoped his wife would keep this between the two of them. He’d been feeling out his own suspicions, but didn’t want the rest of the family to know about them. Besides, when he heard about the break-in at Renny’s gallery, he figured this was the perfect time to put his son’s hobby to rest. He belonged at the realm of Bennett Industries with his brothers, not making horny little sculptures for the public to gawk at.

  “I agree with Mom. I think Renny is a means to an end and he’s the best one of us to attack.” Raphael had just passed Rico and he motioned for the butler to bring him a stronger drink.

  Trent nodded. “Because he’s not directly involved with the business he’d seem the most unlikely, the most vulnerable. His gallery’s opening in less than two weeks. That will provide publicity and opportunity.”

  “Maybe you should postpone the opening, Renny,” Adriana suggested.

  “Uh-uh.” Gabrielle shook her head while rising. “He’s not backing down from this creep. That would be like giving in, and Bennetts don’t give in.”

  “We won’t risk his life,” Beatriz said to her daughter. “It might be a good idea to postpone the opening until after the merger goes through.”

  Bree watched Renny taking in all the conversation around him. He hadn’t moved, nor had his facial features given away what he was thinking. Still, Bree knew that postponing the opening was not an option for him. This was his dream and even the thought of it not happening in the time that he wanted it to was not acceptable. And she agreed. “No. A postponement will only be that. If all this were simply about the merger, then why would it only be focused on the Bennetts? Coastal’s owners sought you out for this merger. Why not put the pressure on Glen Rickman or a member of Coastal’s board?” With one arm folded beneath her breasts and the other bent tapping a finger to her chin, Bree walked around the room. She did her best thinking while she was moving. “Because this is personal. This vendetta has to do with the Bennett family, or should I say Mr. Bennett personally? The merger was simply the means to put this plan in motion.”

  The moment he heard her voice she had his complete attention. Renny’s eyes followed her as she moved across the room.

  “So let’s go over persons with a personal vendetta against Mr. Bennett.” Sam had his notepad out and silently applauded his sister. For all that she seemed fragile and delicate on the outside, he knew better than anyone that Bree was intelligent and strong and probably capable of cracking this whole case on her own. Sibling rivalry wouldn’t allow him to concede that point just yet. “Pissed off anyone lately, Mr. Bennett?” Sam raised his eyes in the older man’s direction.

  It was quiet inside of the car as Renny and Bree made their way back into the city toward Renny’s condo. Just as discussions about Mr. Bennett’s enemies had gotten under way, Raphael announced dinner and they’d all moved to the dining room. Renny had claimed Bree’s arm as soon as the progression from one room to the other had begun, making sure she sat next to him. Adriana was on her other side, giving her knowing smiles throughout the meal. Alex, too, kept an eye on Bree throughout dinner until she knew unmistakably that he’d seen the same thing his sister had.

  Oddly enough by the end of the evening she found she wasn’t overly bothered by it. In fact, she could say that by the time she and Renny prepared to leave she’d almost felt as if she’d enjoyed a family dinner. She, Sam and Trent were the only outsiders there. The other guards had been given a few hours off since all the clients were relatively in one place. After they’d come up with a few suspects, one Bree still hadn’t mentioned, the discussion had turned to the merger and what it would mean to the family. Bree noticed with some surprise that Renny contributed to this conversation as if he were an employee of Bennett Industries. He had been right when he told her he had an interest in his family business; he simply had another interest, as well.

  She thought of his sculptures again and felt anticipation bloom as the opening of the gallery grew closer. Exactly when she’d become interested in a
rt she hadn’t the faintest idea, but she was definitely proud of Renny’s work and anxious for the world to see what she saw. When the car came to a stop she didn’t even move to open her own door, for she knew he’d be right there reaching for her hand and she’d gladly give it. She was as independent as they came and as capable as any man, but when she was with Renny she slipped easily into the role of female, allowing him to comfort and protect her as needed. And as she stepped out of the car and he held her close to his chest for a moment, his arms encircling her waist, she wondered exactly when this change had occurred.

  “You’re tired. Come on so I can tuck you in.” He laced his fingers through hers and they went through the parking garage doors and up the steps to his condo.

  On the way, Bree wondered if they would sleep together on the floor in front of that mesmerizing fire again or if they’d go their separate ways, sleeping in the beds assigned to them. All of a sudden the latter didn’t seem so appealing.

  She was busily thinking of the impending sleeping arrangement when they approached the door and she felt Renny stiffen beside her. When he paused, she looked up at him, then followed his line of vision.

  The door was ajar.

  In an instant Bree was reaching down to her ankle to retrieve the gun she hadn’t been able to strap on because of the cut of her pants. Cursing to herself, she moved in front of Renny with an arm behind her pushing him back. She kicked the door open just as Renny grabbed her arm, pulling her back out of the way. “What the hell are you doing?” He scowled.

  “Uh, my job.” She tossed him an insolent look. “Someone could still be in there.”

  Renny frowned, knowing this was neither the time nor the place to have this conversation with her. Besides, he wasn’t all that sure he’d win the battle. “I realize that. That’s why I’m going in first. Stay close behind me.” He barked the order and didn’t give her time to reply as he’d already stepped into the apartment first.