Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 77335 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77335 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
I needed to break free from this man before we were caught together.
Rising on my toes, I strained to look over his shoulder to make sure we weren’t observed by the servants. “I won’t dignify that with a response. You have no right to cross the line with me. Now move aside.”
He leaned in close until his breath warmed my cheek as he chuckled, the sound a dark vibration emanating from deep inside his chest. “If you think this is crossing the line, I can’t wait to see your reaction when I—”
My eyes widened as I flattened my palms against his chest and pushed. “Sergeant Taylor, not another word! Let me go!”
Agitation made my voice a high-pitched whisper as I strained to keep it low.
The entire household was on edge after Eddie’s kidnapping. The slightest sound of a commotion would bring everyone running.
My cheeks burned at the idea of being found in such a compromising position. To any observer, it would look like we were caught in a lover’s embrace.
My father and brother would not have the patience to listen to my excuses. They would assume the worst and lock me in my room until I was thirty.
The small freedoms I currently cherished would be yanked away from me.
Oh, hell.
I really needed to get away from this man. Now.
My fingers splayed across his chest. His skin was so warm beneath the soft, worn fabric of his black t-shirt. I inhaled deeply, and the leather and cardamon scent of his cologne was an unholy aphrodisiac.
This was bad. Really bad.
He didn’t budge as his gaze focused on my mouth. “I can’t do that.”
The breath seized in my lungs. My lips tingled as if he had physically touched them.
Knowing I would deeply regret it, I asked, “Why not?”
The corner of his mouth curled up in a wolfish grin. “Because I’m your new bodyguard.”
CHAPTER 2
REID
My objective was simple.
Scare the pretty, pampered princess into running back to daddy and demanding a new bodyguard.
That I had even been approached with this assignment was an insult.
Unfortunately, the Manwarrings weren’t used to hearing the word no.
And while I agreed that their precious commodity needed to be guarded after recent events, I objected to their insistence that it be me.
I had plenty of trained men on my staff who could have taken on the arduous task, but no… they wanted the best.
Only the best for their precious princess.
Fuck my life.
I didn’t have time to be a goddamn babysitter.
The Irish mob were not going to just give up their lucrative business interests and territories.
It was only a matter of time before they struck again, and I needed to be ready for it. It wasn’t only my job, but my reputation on the line.
If something were to happen on my watch, while I was holding up a wall waiting on princess here to finish shopping or brunching or whatever the fuck she did with her empty days, I would be pissed as hell.
Her chocolate brown eyes blinked up at me.
No, not chocolate, that was probably too common for her.
Her silky, mink brown eyes.
“You? They made you my bodyguard?”
I pressed the tip of my tongue against the sharp point of one of my canine teeth, the small bite of pain a reminder to control my response.
Stick to the plan.
This is what I wanted.
Still…
My gaze narrowed as I pressed my hips into hers, pushing her more firmly against the wall. “Do you have a problem with that? Is my ten years of advanced military training by the United States Marine Corps not good enough for you?”
Pride. It was just stupid, arrogant pride.
Her lower lip trembled as her big, beautiful eyes misted. “Please. I didn’t say that. It’s just—”
Cupping her cheek, I ran my thumb over her lip, having an insane impulse to feel the delicate vibrations against my skin. My cock lengthened. Would I feel the same subtle tremble along my shaft?
“Say that again,” I ordered.
The skin between her perfectly arched brows wrinkled as she tried to twist her face to the side. “Say what?”
I tightened my grip on her face. “Please. I want to hear you say that word again.”
Like the word ‘no’, I didn’t think the word ‘please’ was in any Manwarring’s vocabulary, but it wasn’t just that.
With her staring up at me as her hands pressed against my chest, looking vulnerable while desperately trying to hide the fact that my presence intimidated and scared her, the word took on a sensual, erotic meaning. I could just picture her on her knees before me.
Begging me with her gorgeous full lips. Please, please, please.
Christ.
My cock hardened further.
Her eyes widened, leaving little doubt she felt the urgent press of my rigid shaft against her abdomen.
Her lips opened. Her hesitant breath caressed my skin as I kept my thumb pressed against her lips. Still, no sound came out.