Vulnerable: (McIntyre Security Bodyguard Series - Book 1) (16 page)

She’d only known him for a little over a week, and she was already tied up in knots. She wanted this, she really did. She’d never been so attracted to a man in her life. But she didn’t know if she could go through with it without freaking out – and that was the last thing she wanted him to see.

 She’d taken her time getting ready that afternoon, trying to cover every contingency. She’d showered and shaved her legs and underarms. She’d taken time with her hair, arranging it in a loose updo that made her look more sophisticated. She’d applied a little bit of mascara and a pale smoky eye shadow that nicely complemented her eyes. She’d brushed her teeth and flossed to within an inch of her life.

When it came time to decide what to wear, she’d been at a complete loss. She wasn’t a fashion hound by anyone’s definition. She knew people who spent more on one pair of shoes than she spent on clothes in a year. She preferred to shop at thrift shops and consignment stores, and she loved vintage things. Occasionally she’d splurge and buy something from one of the indie boutiques in the city, but that was rare as she just couldn’t justify the expense. After all, it was just clothes.

She settled on one of her favorite outfits – a linen dress with an empire waist and a low, square neckline that made her look like she might actually have some cleavage. Her bra and panties were plain white cotton, but there was no help for that. She hadn’t had the inclination to go shopping for something better.

She’d looked at the full-length mirror hanging on the back of her closet door and wondered what Shane would think. She was certain his usual dates wore slinky designer dresses and four-inch stilettos – like that woman they’d run into at Clancy’s. Beth couldn’t compete with women like that, and she didn’t even want to try. If that’s what he wanted, he was in for disappointment.

As she’d studied her reflection, she realized she liked the way she looked. If he was disappointed... well, she couldn’t help that. She wasn’t going to try to be someone she wasn’t.

She was checking her purse for the necessities – inhaler, house key, credit card, phone – when she noticed movement out front. There he was. He’d double-parked in front of her house.

Her eyes widened as Shane got out of the car. “Oh, my God,” she breathed.

He was stunning in a dark suit, white shirt, and black tie. His blue eyes were the only spot of color on him – well, his eyes and the bouquet of blue Forget-Me-Nots in his hand. It was such a simple thing, but the tears welled up. No one had ever had cause to bring her flowers before.

Her hungry gaze followed him as his long legs ate up the distance between his car and her front stoop, his stride both controlled and graceful. He caught sight of her in the front window and gave her a small wave and a smile that made her belly do a somersault. She waved back, then jumped up from the sofa and ran to the front door to let him in.

His hot gaze swept over her. “Beth.” His voice was low and warm, and it flowed into her like melted honey.

She smiled, her cheeks flushed. “Hi.”

Shane closed the door behind him. “You look beautiful,” he said, his voice a little rough.

The house was quiet, the only sound that of the steady tick-tock of the grandfather clock in the hallway. Shane stared down at her for much too long, which only made her more nervous. The intensity of his gaze rendered her speechless. When the grandfather clock began to chime, she jumped.

He smiled gently. “Are you okay?”

She nodded. “I’m fine. Just a little nervous, I guess.”

He nodded, as if he could relate. Then he handed her a bouquet of the delicate blue flowers accented with baby’s breath and tiny ferns.

“Thank you, Shane. They’re lovely.”

“They match your eyes.”

He followed her to the kitchen where she arranged the flowers in a crystal vase and set them in the center of the kitchen island countertop.

“Ready to go?” he said.

On their way out, she grabbed her purse from the hall table and reached down to pick up her overnight bag, but he beat her to it.

“I’ve got it,” he said. And then he opened the front door for her.

When they pulled into the parking garage at Shane’s building, he parked in one of the spots near the bank of elevators marked “reserved.” Apparently, owning the penthouse floor came with some pretty nice perks.

Shane summoned the private elevator that led to his floor, and a moment later they were on their way up.

“Tell me what you’re thinking,” he said, reaching for her hand. “I can see the wheels turning.”

Beth shook her head, not wanting to go there. Her mind was a chaotic mess at the moment as her anxieties and inadequacies assailed her. Her heart was already racing, and she was trying hard to tamp it down before it got out of control. She took a deep, steadying breath.
Just keep it together and don’t make an ass out of yourself.

“Beth.”

She sighed, recognizing the tone. He wasn’t going to just give up. “I was thinking about the last time I was here.”

Shane set her bag on the elevator floor and took her in his arms. She slipped her arms inside his jacket and around his waist, delighting in the strength and the warmth of his muscular torso.

“You don’t have to do anything tonight you don’t want to,” he said. “You know that, right?”

When she didn’t respond, he said, “Right?”

She nodded.

“I would love for you to stay the night, but if you want me to take you home after dinner, I will. No pressure. I want you to feel comfortable.”

She looked up at him. “I don’t want to run this time. Please, don’t let me run.”

He frowned. “Beth.”

“Please, Shane. Promise me.”

He shook his head, his expression a mix of conflicting emotions. “I’m not going to pressure you to stay,” he said.

“I’m not asking you to pressure me.”

“Then what are you asking?”

She shrugged, clearly frustrated. “I don’t know. Just don’t let me run. Promise me.”

“All right, I promise.” Shane turned her so that they were both facing the mirrored wall in the elevator. “Look at us,” he said. He moved behind her, his hands settling on her shoulders as he held her against him.

She gazed at their reflection, mesmerized by the sight of the two of them together. The contrast between them was stark. She was pale in comparison to him, and her body was dwarfed by his height and broad shoulders. Just looking at him made her feel weak in the knees.

One of his arms snaked around her torso, just under her breasts, pulling her back against his chest. He leaned down, putting his mouth to her ear. “You take my breath away, Beth,” he said, his blue eyes glittering hotly as he met her gaze in the mirror. “Since the first moment I saw you, I’ve been a wreck. I want you more than I want my next breath.”

Their gazes locked in the mirror, and the heat in his expression generated a corresponding heat low in her belly. She could feel his erection pressing against her lower back. His hand came up and played with a tendril of hair that hung down to her shoulder, coaxing the strand to wrap around his long index finger.

“I love your hair,” he said, pressing his lips to the side of her neck.

Beth tilted her head to the side, giving him access to her throat. She shivered at the feel of his lips on her sensitive skin.

He released the tendril of her hair and ran his fingers up into her loose updo, his fingers stroking her scalp. Tingles rippled through her. “I want to take your hair down and feel it brushing against my skin.”

She closed her eyes and melted into him, and his arms tightened around her, providing some badly needed support. He could seduce her so easily. One hot glance, his mouth on her skin, his heated breath in her ear, and she was lost. It frightened her to think how easy it would be for him to simply take what he wanted from her.

The elevator came to a gliding stop, and Shane turned Beth to face him. “I meant what I said.” He dropped a light kiss on her mouth. “It’ll always be your call. Don’t forget that.”

The elevators doors slid open, and they stepped out into the foyer. Beth came to an abrupt halt when she saw a man standing in front of a door across the room. His gray hair was cut short, and he had a handsome face with a strong jaw line and warm brown eyes framed by dark lashes. He was clean shaven, fit, with well defined biceps and a lean abdomen. He was dressed in worn blue jeans and a black t-shirt that molded itself to his muscular torso.

The man straightened and smiled warmly at Beth. “Good evening, Miss Jamison,” he said, with a faint southern drawl.

“Good evening,” she said, feeling at a distinct disadvantage. She glanced at Shane.

“Sweetheart, this is Daniel Cooper. He shares the penthouse with me. He’s my best friend and right-hand man.”

“Somebody has to keep an eye on the big boss,” Cooper said, winking at Beth.

She couldn’t help smiling. “It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Cooper.”

“Just Cooper,” the man said.

“Cooper, this is Beth Jamison,” Shane said, completing the introductions.

Cooper nodded at Beth. “It’s a pleasure, ma’am,” he said. Then the man turned his attention to Shane. “The caterers are almost finished setting up.”

“Thanks, Cooper,” Shane said. He handed Beth’s overnight bag to Cooper. “Would you mind putting this in my suite?”

“Sure thing,” Cooper said, failing to suppress a knowing grin.

Beth blushed hotly. That man knew she was planning to spend the night!

Cooper opened the door to the apartment for them, and he followed them in. “I’ll be in the office if you need me,” he said to Shane, then turned to walk away.

“Cooper.”

Cooper stopped and looked back at Shane.

“Hold all calls this evening,” Shane said.

“Understood,” Cooper said, with a ghost of a smile on his face.

Shane led Beth into an open space of immense proportions, and she found it hard not to gawk. She’d thought her brother’s condo in Lincoln Park was fancy, but it was nothing compared to this. There was so much space! She glanced around, finding it hard to take it all in at once.

As Shane led her further into the room, she found her eyes fixed on the exterior wall, which was floor to ceiling glass, providing an unimpeded view of Lake Michigan in the distance. The vista was breathtaking as the lake stretched as far as the eye could see.

Despite its grand size and soaring ceilings, the apartment felt cozy. The polished dark hardwood floors and the earth tones of the furnishings and area rugs created a sense of warmth. This apartment was a real home, not just a showcase with an astronomical price tag.

“Why don’t you sit and relax while I check on dinner?” Shane said, leading her to a seating area in front of a stone hearth.

“Thanks.” Sitting down right now sounded like a really good idea. She needed a few moments to collect herself.

She dropped down onto a sofa that sat facing a wood-burning fireplace, which was currently ablaze. The scent of the burning wood and the sizzle and pop of the flames were familiar and comforting. A large flat-screen television hung above the fireplace on a towering stone hearth that reached up to the high ceiling.

The apartment was an unexpected combination of elegance and rustic charm. “Your apartment is beautiful, Shane,” she said.

“I’m glad you like it,” he said. “But I can’t take credit for it. My sister Sophie is an interior decorator. If I’d decorated the apartment, it would probably look like a bus station.”

Beth’s laughter was interrupted by the appearance of a striking young woman with a short bob of black hair and dark eyes. She looked tidy and professional in her black trousers and black dress shirt and tie. In her hands was a small, silver tray bearing two slender wine glasses filled with a light golden bubbling wine.

“Good evening, Mr. McIntyre, Miss Jamison. I’m Danielle. Robbie and I will be serving you this evening. Would you care for an aperitif? We brought a lovely Prosecco, a
Mionetto Ros
é,
c
ompliments of Mr. Capelli. He thought Miss Jamison would like it.”

Shane took both of the wine glasses from the tray and handed one to Beth. “Thank you, Danielle,” he said. He took a tasting sip. “It’s perfect. Please give Peter my thanks.”

“I’ll be sure to tell him, sir,” Danielle said. “Dinner will be ready to serve in about ten minutes. If you’d care to relax, I’ll come get you when we’re ready.” With a respectful nod, Danielle headed back to the kitchen on the far side of the open floor.

Shane took another sip of the wine. “I asked Peter to send something you might like. It’s sweet and fruity; I think you’ll like it.”

Shane joined her on the sofa and lifted his glass to hers. “To a memorable evening.”

Beth touched her glass to his. “Cheers.” She took a sip of the wine.

“I told Peter you weren’t much of a drinker and to choose the wines accordingly. If you don’t care for it, there are plenty of soft drinks and fruit juices in the bar.” He watched her sip the wine again. “Would you prefer something different?”

“No, no, this is fine,” she said. She took another sip, hoping the wine would settle her nerves a bit. “It’s very good.”

Shane picked up the remote control on the coffee table and pressed a couple of buttons. The quiet, soulful strains of old-fashioned delta blues filled the apartment.

Beth smiled. “Muddy Waters. You have good taste in music, Mr. McIntyre.”

“You know Muddy Waters?” he said, clearly surprised.

She nodded. “My brother’s taken me to a lot of barbecue joints. I know my blues.”

“What type of music do you like?” he said.

“I like just about everything,” she said, taking another sip of wine.

She took in the collection of antique tavern signs artfully arranged on the interior red brick wall. Period light fixtures showcased the chipped and faded signs. “Are those real?”

“Yes. I like to use reclaimed building materials,” he said. “The bar over there came from an old tavern in Lincoln Park that was slated to be demolished to make room for a new shopping center.”