by Rachel Grant
She’d been naked in his bed with just a thin sheet pulled up over her hips. Her breasts had been on full display that night in Grand Cayman, and they’d featured in several fantasies ever since.
Hazel was tall like her sisters, at least five eight or nine, lithe with the muscles of an athlete. He imagined fieldwork and hiking kept her in shape. Over the years, she’d spoken a lot about camping and hiking, and there had been talk of them hiking together, but he’d never had the courage to take her up on the offer. He had a feeling if he ever got her alone in the woods, he’d give in to temptation.
He met her gaze, and she cocked her head as her eyes narrowed, letting him know without words that she’d caught the direction of his stare, but her expression didn’t indicate if his ogling irritated or not.
On one hand, it was thoroughly unprofessional, but on the other, they both knew she’d deliberately shown him a lot more in the past.
“I should finish up in the next half hour,” she said.
“Good. Rav called about ten minutes ago. He and Dan are on their way and will be early—arriving before noon. We can leave when they get here.”
She nodded and headed back into the lake. He followed. From here on out, he wouldn’t let her get more than an arm’s reach away as long as she was in the water.
For the second time in two days, Sean had plucked Hazel from the lake and carried her to shore because she’d injured herself. This week was going just swimmingly. In that she kept swimming in a damn shallow lake that was determined to kill her.
She huffed out a deep breath. When freaked out over the fact that she’d fainted from anxiety, best to blame the lake.
She forced herself to finish photographing the bones and recording three-point provenience for the obvious skulls. It was important to get back on the horse—or back in the water—for both herself and to show Isabel she could do the work. She was fine.
Perfectly peachy.
Sean hovered way too close, but she understood his concern, so she gritted her teeth and said nothing. She was doing her job; he was doing his.
“Rav’s here,” Sean said as she bagged a skull.
She glanced up and saw Alec on the lakeshore introducing a tall man who must be Dan to Isabel. “Can you do me a favor?” she asked.
“Depends on what it is.”
“Can you not tell Alec I fai—fell in the water?” She caught herself just in time from admitting the truth.
“Sure, but you know Isabel will tell him. She might be telling him right now.”
She cursed, knowing Sean might be correct. But she hoped Isabel would wait and tell him in private, when they had their nightly “How do you solve a problem like Hazel?” conversation she was certain they’d been having since she moved in with them.
“Put your hand on my chest,” Sean said suddenly.
“What?”
“Put your hand on my chest. In a way that’s casual, but could hint at interest because it’s unnecessary. Dan’s watching us, and he’s one of the people we need to sell on the fake relationship. When he hears rumors about us—everyone in the office gossips worse than teenagers—he’ll remember this.”
While he spoke, she did as he asked, taking a step toward him and looking up at him, relaxing her shoulders so her body language toward him was open. Sean’s handsome face split with a wide, sexy grin that brought out his dimples.
God. The man had dimples. It just wasn’t fair.
“Yeah. Like that.” He raised a hand to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear.
She knew this was all for show, but her belly fluttered. He was so damn appealing.
He slowly dropped his hand and stepped back, as if reluctant to end the moment, then his gaze flicked to the shore and his body stiffened slightly, as if he feared being caught being inappropriate with a client.
Sean was a good actor. He’d make this easy, as long as she didn’t get carried away with the idea it was real.
“I should finish up so we can hit the road.”
He nodded and stayed by her side.
“Talk to Alec. I’m just going to collect a few more bones.”
“I’m not leaving you.”
“I’m fine, Sean.”
“I’m guarding your body, just like my contract says. You got an issue with that, complain to my boss, but I’m pretty sure he’ll side with me on this one, especially after I tell him you fainted.”
She didn’t bother to correct him with a lie. Instead, she let out a heavy sigh and finished collecting samples. When she was done, she headed toward the shore, leaning on her cane and carrying what she could with one hand. Sean carried the rest of the sample bags.
“Don’t forget to look at me like I make you all swoony in front of Dan. In fact, we can give that as the reason you fainted. I’m so hot, you lost your head.”
She snorted. “Nah, we’ll say I faked it so you’d carry me out of the water again.”
He laughed.
Their debriefing with the others on the lakeshore was short, and ten minutes later, they were in Sean’s SUV, ready to head back to Gaithersburg so Hazel could shower and change before they set out for Baltimore to meet with a precision microscope supplier. An extra shower hadn’t been on the original schedule for the day, but her impromptu swim made it necessary.
As Sean pulled onto the dirt road, she realized this was the first time she’d been alone with him since Grand Cayman. The walk down the path yesterday didn’t count.
Once again, she felt excruciating embarrassment, remembering vividly the feeling of being naked in his bed and being told—no matter how kindly—that it wasn’t going to happen. Not to mention she was making him uncomfortable as well as putting his job at risk.
Her face flushed with mortification, remembering Sean’s look of pity and disappointment, cloaked by a professional demeanor.
She hadn’t had rum since that night and probably would never drink the deceptive stuff again. Rum could convince a woman she was beautiful, desirable. When really she was nothing special.
Better to focus on the other chores on their list for the day. She’d wanted a better microscope for years but the one she’d wanted was out of her range. But now, Alec had offered to pony up the price. Considering he was the one who wanted her working at the estate instead of making arrangements to use a university lab, she’d decided to let him. If she ended up hanging out a shingle and working as a forensic anthropology contractor, having the sweet microscope would be a boon for her business.
If she kept the microscope, she’d pay Alec back in installments. He’d refuse, but she’d insist. After all, she was living in his house, eating his food, and driving his cars, completely rent-free. She was willing and grateful to accept his charity, but it could go only so far.
When they finished in Baltimore, they’d head to Talon & Drake in Bethesda so she could borrow other items she needed to set up a lab on the estate.
They’d been on the road a few minutes when Sean cleared his throat. An ominous sort of sound.
Shit. He’s going to say something about that night.
“I’m sorry for the way things went down in Grand Cayman,” he said, proving her mortification detector functioned perfectly.
“No need to apologize. I was out of line.”
“You were on vacation. You were fine. I was the one who was working and should have handled it better.”
“Can we please…never talk about this again?” Her face was hot. She imagined if she checked the visor mirror, she’d look like a tomato.
“It’s okay, Hazel. You were adorable, and I was flattered.”
“I was awful, and you were sexually harassed.”
“You were not, and you also weren’t my client or my boss. It wasn’t sexual harassment. Not even close.”
“Whatever. I thought we were going to stop talking about it.” She said the last bit under her breath, but he heard her and laughed.
“Hazel, it killed me to turn you down that night.”
“Cut yourself some slack. You were on vacation. You drank too much. It happens.”
“It doesn’t happen to thirty-five-year-old grown-ass women. I’m old enough to know my limits. Can we please stop talking about this now?”
But that wasn’t about to happen. Christ, now he was smiling. “Nope. We’re going to keep talking about it until you get over it. Until you stop judging yourself so harshly. I don’t give a damn that you were bombed. All I care about is that we’re going to be spending a lot of time together over the next week or more and need to put that night behind us.
“When you look at me, people need to believe we’re dating. Like we’re lovers. Like we’re eager to spend every damn minute together. Meaning this won’t work if you turn bright red with embarrassment if someone asks about Grand Cayman. And they will ask, because it’s part of our story, part of why us as a couple after spending just two days together is plausible. So I’ll say it again. You were on vacation. You had too much to drink. It’s no big deal. It happens to the best of us. Hell, I’d have joined you in the drinking if I’d been on vacation too, but for me, it was a job, and I take my work seriously. Because not taking it seriously can get someone killed. Now will you forgive yourself so we can move on and play our roles, and I can keep you safe?”
“You know I’m not the target.”
“No. I don’t know that.”
“Why on earth would anyone threaten me? Going after Isabel would destroy Alec.”
“You’re like a sister to him. So are Ivy and Laurel. Lots of people saw how he reacted—and how much money he spent—when Ivy was in trouble in Palau. I’m not about to take the chance the threat is bogus or directed at Isabel when you fit the description. Rav hired me to protect you, and I’m going to do my job. But I need you to participate, or no one is going to believe we’re a couple.”
He reached across the console and took her hand in his. “Most of my closest friends are going to be at this wedding. You can bet they’re going to be watching us closely. Hell, Trina’s been trying to set me up since the week we met. She’s going to flip when she finds out I’m taking you to the wedding.” He leaned toward her without taking his eyes off the road. “Body language is really important in selling a cover story. You did good in the lake for Dan’s benefit, but we’re going to have to practice more. Leaning in to each other.” He pulled her hand to his lips. “Little gestures like this. Relax your hand. Your body needs to be loose and inviting.”
Her hand tingled from the feel of his mouth on her skin, which was why she’d stiffened—trying to hide her reaction. The last thing she wanted was for him to know how very much she still wanted him. Now she did as he asked and relaxed her arm. She leaned toward him, close enough to feel his body heat along her left arm, even though their arms weren’t touching.
She closed her eyes. She could do this. All she had to do was resist the urge to hide her attraction, and everyone would see what they needed to. And she would just have to hope Sean would believe it was an act.
She pulled away, slipping her hand from his and scooting over in her seat so she could look at his profile as she asked the question that had been driving her nuts since last evening. “Why do you think secrecy is so important? Why not just tell everyone you’re protecting me? The guests at the wedding are Alec and Isabel’s closest friends too. Why can’t he tell Curt? The guy was US attorney general for nearly four years. He was seventh in line for the presidency. I’m pretty sure he can keep a secret.”
“Was. He’s not AG anymore. Sure he’s still got clearance, but he’s not part of this administration, not part of government. Anything related to intelligence is the highest tier secrecy. Rav can’t screw that up. You saw how much that letter was redacted. Even you and Isabel weren’t allowed to see it, and it was a threat directed at you. I have no clue what was redacted from that note, but my guess is, it was big.” He took his gaze off the road for just a moment to look at her, then focused on the narrow forest road again. “So, are you going to cut yourself some slack and work with me, or are you going to keep beating yourself up and make this difficult for us both?”
“Is it really necessary for you to be so logical about this? I mean, you could be a total dick and then I wouldn’t care that you rejected me. When you’re so understanding, it only makes it worse.”
A dimple appeared in his right cheek, and she wished he weren’t driving and facing the road so she could take in the full beauty of his smile.
“I was on duty, Hazel. I couldn’t have slept with you even if you weren’t too drunk to consent.”
“And what if things get out of hand this weekend?” she dared to ask.
“I’ll be on duty. Twenty-four seven. Just like in Grand Cayman.”
“It’s your friend’s wedding! You’re best man. Surely you won’t be on duty then?”
“I love Ian like a brother, and I’m honored he asked me to stand up with him. I will enjoy the wedding and participate in the celebration, but I won’t forget the job I’m being paid to do.”
Hazel couldn’t help but stare at the man. He was crazy to take this on. “Do you have a life?”
He shrugged. “Not really.”
“I’m sorry you had to break off your wedding date. I feel terrible about that.”
“It’s fine. It wasn’t serious.”
She wanted to believe that, but who knew with Sean? He prioritized work over life, so he could be lying. Maybe he’d ended an important relationship because he lacked work/life balance.
She didn’t have balance either, so she really couldn’t throw stones. But her issues were different. She worked too hard and played too hard, but the ratio was off and the extremes, instead of balancing each other out, were damaging. Her teeter-totter didn’t maintain an even rhythm. It was stuck at the top or at the bottom, never in between. She was tossed up and slammed down, like booze in a cocktail shaker.
Grand Cayman was an example of the play-too-hard end of the spectrum; she’d overdone it on her break. Croatia had been months of being slammed down, and the mental bruises had triggered a fainting spell in a lake.
She’d arrived on Alec’s doorstep looking for a break to give her that balance at last. No party-girl fun. No work. Just rest. But now she had dozens of skeletons to identify and a surprising invitation to a cozy wedding celebration.
“Are we cool now?” Sean asked.
She nodded. “We’re cool.” And she did feel better. It was good that he’d brought it up so she could put the mortification behind her. “But you have to promise to never bring up Grand Cayman again.”
He laughed. “Deal, so long as you don’t try to get me reassigned again. You tell Rav you want someone else, and I’ll tell everyone how sexy you looked in my bed.”
She couldn’t help but smile. He’d found her sexy that night? He was probably just saying that, but for the moment, she’d try to believe it. “Resorting to blackmail?”
“Whatever it takes to keep my job.”
She laughed. Sean was a good guy. She needed to remember that this couldn’t be any easier for him than it was for her. Harder, in fact, because he would be lying to Ian while standing up with him at his wedding.
They reached the estate, and she was quick with her shower, and soon they were on the road again for Baltimore. They were lucky and traffic was light. It was just after two when they reached the supplier. The microscope was a beauty, and Hazel was practically giddy with the excitement of it, but damn, the price. She felt guilty buying it, even though Alec had insisted.
The amount Alec was expending for Hazel’s protection—an expensive microscope, Sean’s protection twenty-four seven, with bonus pay because he was supposed to be enjoying his best friend’s wedding—it didn’t make sense. Her being the target made no sense.
Unless there was something Alec wasn’t telling her.
5
Alec sat with his
back to the headboard and watched Isabel comb the tangles from her curls. She wore a pale blue satin camisole and matching pair of shorts that he planned to remove as soon as she finished her nightly ritual. He never tired of this view. Never tired of these quiet moments.
Isabel’s cat, Gandalf, jumped on the bed and stood on Alec’s legs, staring him down as the cat always did before settling down to accept Alec’s petting as his due. Alec stroked the animal, always amused that Gandalf had adopted him from practically the moment they met. As if the cat knew he’d be stuck with Alec for the rest of his days and so he might as well get the bonding over with.
The old tom had a certain bossy charm. He was especially clingy in the evenings, when he knew he was about to be banished from the master bedroom. The cat didn’t share their room at night, because he inevitably wanted to sleep on Alec’s chest, which was great for Gandalf, but not so great for Alec.
The furry beast never tried to disturb Isabel’s sleep. What was up with that?
Isabel glanced over and smiled. “It’s nice having you home every night.”
“Yeah,” Alec said. “I hate the reason behind it, but I shouldn’t have let my schedule get so out of hand.” He’d been working so late these last few months that he’d been spending at least three nights a week in their DC condo. He was lucky to live driving distance from the Capitol. He was one of very few senators who could sleep at home every night, but lately, he and his staff had been putting in extra long hours, and it had been easier to stay in the city. At the same time, Isabel was too busy with her job to join him in the condo.
With the threat to her safety, he’d made it a priority to be home every night. Sean would be here in the evenings, but that wasn’t the same as Alec being able to watch over her himself.
“When all this is over, you think you’ll keep this schedule?” she asked.
