Her Protector

by Rianna Campbell

“And what were the terms?”

  “Protective detail any time you aren’t in your apartment or at the office. Any off-site visits accompanied by one or more of my people, depending on circumstances, including escort door to door, office and apartment.”

  Alexandra narrowed her eyes.

  “How many of your people?”

  “Three, or four, total but working on rotation.”

  “Beginning now, I assume?” She asked.

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “And was it agreed that you would speak with me regarding these details in order to coordinate schedules?” She asked.

  “Am I under oath?” He asked, arching an eyebrow.

  “Just answer the question, Mr. MacLachlan.”

  “Honestly, we didn’t discuss it. I assumed your father would discuss it with you, but apparently I was wrong. I apologize for the oversight. In the future I will be sure to confirm that we’re all on the same page.”

  Her gaze was assessing. Shrewd.

  “Very tactfully put.” She finally said. After another moment, her expression softened slightly. “In the future, be sure that you do, particularly when it comes to Mr. Hughes. He is an excellent lawyer and omission of certain facts is one of his favorite tactics.”

  “I appreciate the words of advice. I’ll keep that in mind.” He replied with a smile. She obviously wasn’t thrilled with this, but she wasn’t blaming him which was good. Uncooperative protectees were a serious pain in the ass. They made the job ten times harder because they were constantly arguing or trying to lose their detail.

  “So, do you have plans for the evening?”

  She looked confused and that blush began again. She scowled and shook her head. It was all he could do not to laugh.

  “Not really,” She finally said, turning to put on her coat and retrieve her purse. “My assistant, Janie, and I are going for drinks a couple blocks away.”

  “Great, I could use a beer.” Connor grinned. Again she looked confused and then startled.

  “You’re really starting right now?”

  “Yes, ma’am.” He nodded. “Your father thought it best, and I happened to agree.”

  “Stop calling me ma’am, I’m probably younger than you are.” She snapped. She bit her lip and stared at him. Hard.

  “Fair enough.” He shrugged.

  “Listen, I haven’t told my assistant about all this. We’re… friends and I don’t want her involved. I don’t want anyone else in the firm involved.”

  Connor pursed his lips. He saw her point, but he couldn’t tell where she was going with this.

  “Is there anyway to do… this without it being obvious?” She asked, making a circular motion between them with her finger. He wanted to roll his eyes, but for the first time she wasn’t putting up a neutral wall. Her feelings were written all over her lovely face; anxiety, fear, vulnerability. It was brief, but very real.

  Damn it all. He took a deep breath and held it for a second, then released it slowly.

  “Look, I don’t have to be on top of you all night,” He said. He restrained himself from smiling as she blushed again. “I need to be able to see you at all times, and I need to be close enough to get to you quickly if I need to. I’ll be paying attention to anyone around you so it’s not like we’ll be socializing.”

  “How close is close enough?” She asked, biting her lip again. It was damn cute on her. For being a tough as nails attorney, and for all her attempts to present herself as a cold, heartless automaton, she had some adorably innocent tendencies.

  “In a crowded public place? Five feet, maximum.”

  “Ten.” She countered. He scowled.

  Damn it, this is what happens when you start letting your emotions into the job. You can’t protect her if you’re too worried about giving her her damn privacy.

  “Five.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “This isn’t a negotiation. This is my job. This is your safety. Five feet. You try to get by me, you try to hide from me, you try to slip out, and I’ll be six inches from your ass at all times until this is over. Get me?”

  Alexandra scowled and blushed at the same time. Now what the hell was he supposed to do with that?

  ✽✽✽

  She wasn’t sure if her mind had followed Janie’s into the gutter or if he was being deliberately provocative. On top of you all night. Six inches behind your ass. Who the hell talks like that without realizing what was implied? At this rate she was going to have to buy stage makeup to hide all the blushing she’d be doing in the next two weeks.

  She just prayed that it wouldn’t be him going to London with her. The last thing she needed when she was supposed to be performing Maid of Honor duties and enjoying a much needed break from work was to be stuck with this confusing, irritating, bewildering, gorgeous, muscular, impressive...

  Stop that right now.

  She didn’t speak a word as he followed her out of the building. Janie had gone ahead and had texted Alexandra that she and Charles would wait for her at the bar. It was October and too cold to stand around outside waiting for her, especially after dark. It made sense since Janie didn’t know what the meeting was about or how long it would take. Unfortunately she was now stuck walking the four blocks with Connor MacLachlan in uncomfortable silence. She’d just have to walk fast.

  She pushed through the glass doors and headed right, until a hand snagged her arm.

  “Car’s this way.” Connor said, indicating the parking garage to the left.

  “It’s only four blocks, I was going to walk.” She replied.

  “Then what?”

  “Then come back the whole four blocks for my car.” She snapped, exasperated.

  Seriously, why was he making this so difficult?

  He frowned. “I think it’s better if I drive you. I’ll be escorting you home afterward, anyway. You can leave your car here.”

  “What?” She practically shouted.

  “Escort. Door to door. Apartment and office.” He said, enunciating each word. “I will be escorting you home. Depending on your schedule tomorrow, I can bring you back to pick up your car then.”

  “Wait… you’re not planning on... sleeping over are you?” There was no way in hell that was happening. Her personal space was just that, personal. She didn’t even invite friends over very often. Connor shook his head and ran a hand through his hair. It still looked perfectly tousled and sexy afterward.

  Asshole.

  “No, ma’am.” He gritted out. “That is unless you intend to go somewhere in the middle of the night. Otherwise, I will go home, sleep, and come back in the morning.”

  “Oh.” She said quietly. “That makes sense.” He released her arm but gestured her toward the parking garage. She decided it wasn’t worth the argument and followed him.

  The drive was quiet, and that was fine with her. She couldn’t decide if she liked him or hated him. He was, at different times, playful, charming, argumentative, and stubborn. She’d known him less than eight hours and she was completely confused by him.

  She was normally a decent judge of character with a few notable, and regrettable, exceptions. And she was a quick judge. Usually it took her one meeting with a client to decide if they would be a good client or a bad one. Whether they would be honest and forthcoming or if they were going to withhold information or outright lie.

  There were clients she’d had to turn away because they didn’t meet the burden of proof, and those were hard on her, but she had no compunction about turning away uncooperative or dishonest clients.

  If Connor MacLachlan had come into her office, she’s not sure what category he would fall into. She felt he’d been honest with her about everything so far. He’d answered her questions. He’d even agreed to give a little when she said she wanted to keep the situation as quiet as possible.

  Maybe she was being too hard on him. Maybe he was just doing his job. She had to admit, it wasn’t something she was familiar with and she should probably trust his judgment. At
least to a point. The whole situation sucked, but that wasn’t his fault. She couldn’t even really blame dear old Dad on this one, either. He was trying to protect her, as her father and as her boss.

  The fact of the matter was that she didn’t have any logical reason to be upset with either of them. It was an inconvenience, but a necessary one. She just found herself… flustered in his company, and that she despised.

  Connor pulled to the curb, smoothly parallel parked, an impressive feat given the size of the SUV he drove, and hopped out. She decided she owed him an apology for being snippy and making assumptions. And he would have gotten one, but he just had to open his mouth.

  ✽✽✽

  “Well, I feel a wee bit overdressed, but at least I dinnae have any trouble finding it.” Connor remarked with a wolfish grin. Alexandra looked confused so he pointed to the pink neon sign hanging over the bar that read: G-SPOT. Alexandra read the sign, his joke registered, and her entire face flushed all the way to her hairline.

  Damn, but she’s easy to rile.

  She muttered something under her breath, frowned and then turned and glared at him.

  “Right. Five feet, no hiding, no sneaking away.” She nodded. “But, you don’t know me in there. Just because I have to tolerate your presence doesn’t mean you can insert yourself into my life.”

  Connor frowned and opened his mouth to argue, but she raised a hand to silence him.

  “In other words, I expect to see you but not hear you.” She said icily. Kitten has claws. He liked this sassy side of her. He enjoyed the maidenly blushing that seemed to be a frequent occurrence, but other than that and her slight irritation with him, she presented an unemotional mask. He’d take sassy or angry or blushing over bland any day. He would have offered a return volley to keep the fun going, but his phone rang. He looked at the number, grimacing as he accepted the call.

  “Hey, Angel, what’s wrong?” He answered turning away from Alexandra.

  “Can you come over? I need your help. My car won’t start. Melissa is covering my shift tonight, but I have to go in tomorrow. I’d take a sick day but Maureen is still on maternity leave and Melissa has worked the last eight days straight.”

  “I’m working right now.” He said exasperated.

  “Pleeeease. I can’t lose my job.” She begged.

  “Alright, but I can’t come by until late. Will you be up?”

  “Yes. Thank you, thank you, thank you. You’re the best brother in the world.”

  “The best, huh?” He chuckled.

  “Absolutely. Hands down.”

  “Alright, I have to go now.”

  “Love you.”

  “Love you, too.” He sighed, hanging up the call. He turned back just in time to see Alexandra slip through the door into the bar.

  The hell… He locked the car as he hustled to the door. His legs were longer than hers and he caught up to her before she made it more than halfway across the dance floor. He grabbed her hand and she whirled around, fury etched all over her face.

  “You couldn’t have waited two minutes?” He growled.

  “It’s your job to stay with me, not the other way around.” She snapped back. “Maybe you shouldn’t be taking personal calls at work and you wouldn’t get distracted and lose track of your… person.”

  She yanked her hand from his, spun on her heel, and made a beeline for the bar at the back. He waited a few steps and followed. He didn’t know what the hell her problem was this time, but they were going to have a wee chat in the car on the way to her apartment.

  She threw her shoulders back and waved as she approached her assistant who was sitting at the bar with a good-looking guy in an expensive suit. Connor took a seat halfway down the bar from them and ordered a pint. It would likely taste like piss, but he needed something to drink.

  He swiveled the stool to face outward and put one arm on the bar while sipping his pint. He could keep an eye on the crowd, and Alexandra, while pretending he was just taking in the atmosphere.

  A busty blonde in a skin tight dress caught his eye and gave him a smile. She licked her upper lip casually and started his way. He glanced around, pretending not to notice, hoping she was just coming up to order a refill. She was pretty in a party girl sort of way, but wasn’t his type.

  She stopped inches from his stool and put a hand on each knee. She leaned over him, practically shoving her breasts in his face and whispered in his ear.

  “Buy me a drink?” She purred.

  “Sure.” He swiveled and signaled the bartender. She ordered some fruity concoction and when she had it, she perched on the stool next to him. Alexandra sat three stools down flanked by Janie and the suit.

  “You come here often?” The blonde asked.

  “Isn’t that supposed to be my line?” Connor replied with a raised eyebrow. She giggled and put a hand on his bicep.

  “Why? Are you one of those guys who doesn’t like forward women?” She asked, batting her eyelashes.

  She was certainly forward. She might as well have sat directly on his lap and asked him to come home with her. She hadn’t even asked his name or mentioned hers. It seemed like she was used to doing this kind of thing and all he could think was how stupid that was. Stupid and dangerous. She easily could, and eventually probably would, find herself in serious trouble.

  “Not at all.” He said calmly. “But I do prefer women who have some common sense.”

  She cocked her head in confusion.

  “I don’t mean to be rude,” He said. “But you don’t know me from Adam and for all you know I could be dangerous.”

  Her eyes gleamed and she licked her lips again.

  “You mean you might be one of those guys who rides a motorcycle and likes to tie women to the bed?” She was practically breathless. How stupid could she be?

  “No,” He said slowly, as if speaking to a small, particularly slow child. “I could be one of those guys that takes advantage of girls who’ve had too much to drink. Or I could be one of those guys that has a wife at home that he beats. Or I could be one of those guys that walks you out of the bar and your friends never see you again.”

  He sipped his beer calmly and waited to see if any of that would register. She pursed her lips and then gave him a nervous smile before slipping off the bar stool and slinking back to the dance floor.

  Probably the first smart thing she’d done that night.

  He glanced over at Alexandra to see her scowling at him. She looked furious. The bawbag in the suit said something to her and she shook herself a little before smiling and putting a hand on his arm. Connor frowned. Janie was nowhere to be seen and Alexandra was alone with an unknown man. He sipped his beer again and watched a little more closely from the corner of his eye.

  He caught Alexandra’s eye again and the expression on her face was one he couldn’t make out. Her eyes were still flashing warning signs at him, but the corner of her full mouth was quirked up in a hint of a smile.

  She gave the prick next to her all of her attention once more and laughed at something he said, placing a hand on his arm again. This time she left it there for a moment. Connor continued to watch, his discomfort growing. Apparently she needed the same lecture he’d just given the blonde about the dangers of picking up strange guys in bars.

  Alexandra laughed again and ran her hands through her hair, giving it a tousled look that suited her better than the straightened to perfection bob she’d walked in with. She ordered her second drink. It wasn’t a frilly drink either, gin and tonic. He watched the bartender make it on the strong side to boot.

  Connor sincerely hoped he wasn’t going to have to carry her home at the end of the night, or worse, that she’d boot in his Hummer. Alexandra surprised him by slipping out of her suit jacket and fanning herself as if she was warm. She even unbuttoned the top button of her shirt, giving a hint at the generous cleavage underneath.

  His mind was seething, but other parts of him were standing up and taking notice. She was a genu
inely attractive woman, despite her attempts to hide behind starch and vinegar. She moved with a lithe grace that mesmerized him. Her hand as she swirled the straw in her drink, the tilt of her head as she listened to something the jerk said, the way she held the straw to her lips to sip her cocktail-- all had the tension in his body ratcheting up.

  Visions of her full mouth wrapped around that straw would be enough to fuel all his fantasies for the foreseeable future, but when she lost the straw and darted her tongue out to recapture it in her mouth, he felt the dull ache of arousal grow sharper and more immediate.

  She leaned in and whispered something in the man’s ear and he laughed and put a hand on her waist. Connor’s vision went red. What the hell was she doing? Was she planning on making him escort her home with a one night stand in tow? Not a chance in hell.

  She finished her drink and signaled for another. She was going to be steamin’ at this rate. She smiled slowly and ducked her head, looking up from under a dark fringe of lashes at the man next to her. She practically handed him an engraved invitation for sex. This was going to stop. Right fecking now.

  He drained his glass, slammed it down on the counter and stood up. She looked at him again, looking a little uncertain and Connor gave her a cocky grin in reply.

  You brought this on yourself.

  CHAPTER THREE

  Maybe she had taken things a little too far. She had promised Janie that she would keep Charles to herself so that Janie wouldn’t get cockblocked at the bar. She was hell bent on flirting with some fresh meat in a search for boyfriend number twenty seven. Or was it twenty eight?

  Alexandra had also been so infuriated that Connor MacLachlan had been, seemingly intentionally, making her uncomfortable from the moment she met him, and flirting with that blonde bimbo at the bar, when he had so obviously been talking to his girlfriend less than an hour ago, that she’d decided to ham it up just to mess with him.

  Maybe if he thought she was interested in Charles, or better yet, that he was her boyfriend, he’d stop being so… flirtatious. She wasn’t entirely sure he had been, really, but he’d certainly made some innuendos that men with girlfriends shouldn’t be making in the presence of other women, especially other women who had a boyfriend, which, for all he knew, she did. He hadn’t bothered to ask and she hoped he felt like an ass for it. She certainly felt like one for drooling over him like an idiot.