Dangerous Beauty (O'Connor Brothers Book 4)

by Rhonda Brewer

  “Look, I know my dad thinks I need the security, but you aren’t exactly going to blend into the background. I’ll call my dad and find alternate arrangements.” Emily said.

  “What are you talking about?” He looked confused, but when he glanced out through the front window, it was if something clicked. “I’m afraid I’m not the O’Connor you’ve been expecting. That would be my older brother, and I’m pretty sure it will be even harder for him to blend in.” A.J. and Aurora laughed. “I’m here to pick up something for Kim.”

  Before Emily had a chance to ask what they were laughing at, the chime on the door rang, and in sauntered a walking wall of muscle dressed in black from head to toe. The only other color was the ginger color of his hair, but there was no doubting the family resemblance between A.J. and the large man.

  “What are you doing here?” His deep voice echoed through the salon and Emily was sure she felt it right to the tips of her toes.

  “Nice to see you too, dick.” A.J. snorted.

  “That didn’t answer my question.” The looks were the only thing similar about the two men. This guy was stone-faced and way too dangerous looking.

  “Had to pick up something for Kim if you must know.” A.J. turned away from his brother and back to Aurora. “Last chance, honey.”

  “Out, A.J.” the huge mountain grumbled.

  “Okay, Mr. Happy.” He left, but not before he winked at Emily.

  “Aurora, nice to see you. I’m here to see Ms. Bradshaw.” He stood next to the reception desk, and it barely came to his hips. The man had to be well over six feet tall.

  “Nice to see you too, Keith, and you know you could really smile a little more. Might get rid of the frown lines you have.” Aurora held up her finger and pointed towards Emily.

  “She would be Ms. Bradshaw, but if you don’t want to be bitch slapped I’d start calling her Emily.” Aurora turned away from him to answer the ringing phone.

  Up to that point, Emily hadn’t really got a full view of his face, and when he turned towards her, she couldn’t breathe. He had the most piercing blue eyes she’d ever seen, and it was as if he was looking right into her soul. For a moment she thought she saw his expression falter, but he cleared his throat and stalked towards her.

  Sweet Jesus, he’s beautiful. And Huge.

  Chapter 4

  Keith moved towards the Auburn haired beauty staring at him with wide eyes. It seemed as if Ms. Bradshaw was about to turn tail and run, but as Keith got closer, she straightened her shoulders and raised her eyes to meet his. That was when his heart started to thud. Blue gray eyes stared defiantly into his.

  “Ms. Bradshaw, I’m Keith O’Connor from Newfoundland Security Services. Your father hired me as security for you.” Keith held out his hand, but she glanced at it and then back up to his face.

  “I’m well aware of why my father hired you, Mr. O’Connor but I don’t think this is going to work out.” She retorted.

  “Call me Keith, and I’m sorry, but your father hired me.” Fury was building in her eyes.

  “I’m sure he’ll pay you for your time today, Mr. O’Connor. Have a nice day.” She turned around with her head held up and hurried through a curtain in the back of the salon.

  Oh no, you don’t, princess.

  Keith started to follow her, but a woman with wild black hair and way too much cleavage stepped in front of him.

  “Honey, I’d suggest you enter at your own risk. She’s pissed that her dad has someone here and even a beefcake like you wouldn’t make this any easier for her.” The woman said

  Keith glanced down at the tag on her shirt and saw the name, Penny. Before he got a chance to speak, she put her finger under his chin.

  “Eyes are up here, big boy.” She raised an eyebrow.

  “I was looking at your name tag, Penny. Thanks for the advice but I’m sure I can handle this.” Keith stepped around Penny and continued to the back of the salon.

  “Don’t say you weren’t warned,” Penny called after him. Ada and Aurora were laughing as he walked through the curtain.

  “Dad, the only place where this guy could blend in, is at the World Wrestling Federation or a biker bar. He’s going to scare off my clients or have them tripping over themselves flirting with him.” Keith stood just outside the door of the office and continued to listen to the one-sided conversation.

  “Yes, I realize you want me to be safe, but this is my business, dad. If my clients don’t feel safe here, I’ll lose them. You know the women from SummerBrook are not the most pleasant people to deal with.” For a few minutes, all Keith heard was tapping and a huge groan.

  “I know you think this place is beneath me, dad, but it’s my baby, and you will never understand what it means to me. So call off the guard dog, or I’ll have him removed from my shop.” Keith couldn’t help the grin forming as he heard her voice rise again.

  “I will not be coming to stay in SummerBrook or at Mr. O’Connor’s place either, dad. Are you out of your freaking mind?” Keith peeked into the office. She was staring out the small window with her back to him.

  “Dad, I’m not dealing with this right now. You call him and get him the hell out of here. I mean it.” She tapped the screen and tossed the phone onto her desk while she muttered something under her breath.

  “He’s just looking out for your safety.” Keith should have known that was the wrong thing to say. She turned slowly and glared at him.

  “If I were you, I would be checking my phone for a text from my father instead of eavesdropping.” She pulled her long hair into a ponytail and then did some twisted thing with it. It always amused him the way women would grow their hair and then put it up.

  Keith pulled out his phone as it buzzed. He was really expecting it to be Nelson telling him to forget about everything. He opened the message and chuckled as he read it.

  She’s going to fight this but please just be patient. She’s feisty like her mother, and she has a mouth on her. I’m sure it won’t offend you when she starts to curse like a sailor.

  “You have a great day, Mr. O’Connor.” She grinned when Keith looked up from his phone.

  “It’s Keith, and I’m sure I will have a beautiful day. I just need you to show me where I can settle in and not be in your way. I also need you to let me know if you’re going to be staying at your father’s, or at my compound so I can have everything in place before the end of the day.” It took everything he had not to burst into laughter at the way her mouth dropped open, and her eyes went completely full.

  “My father didn’t text you?” She stammered.

  “He did, and it was good to know that you curse like a sailor when you’re mad.” Keith grinned as he shoved his phone back into his pocket.

  “I will fu…., I’m going to kill him.” She growled.

  “I wouldn’t say that with me around. I do have four brothers, an uncle and new sister-in-law that are police officers, and I would feel obligated to tell them about a threat of murder.” Keith leaned against the door jamb and crossed his arms over his chest.

  “You’re going to be a pain in the ass, aren’t you?” Emily sighed.

  “Not as long as you let me keep you safe.” Keith watched as she gripped onto the edge of the desk.

  “Do you have to be out front?” She didn’t look up at him.

  “Yes.” Keith had already done an outside sweep of the building and knew there was no other entrance except the small window in her office that was not big enough for a person to crawl through. So there was no reason for him to be in the back of the salon and he could do this job by himself.

  “You don’t have to stand by the door, or anything do you?” She looked up at him under her eyelashes.

  “No, I can probably sit behind the reception desk,” He wanted to laugh at her expression, but he sensed that would only piss her off.

  “I’m sure Aurora will love that.” She stood up and pulled down her shirt over her full hips. The woman had curves that would make
any man fall at her feet.

  “I’ve known Aurora and Ada for a long time. I’m sure she won’t mind me.” Keith didn’t move out of the doorway as she walked towards it.

  “I’ll agree to let you be here, but there is no way in hell I’m going to SummerBrook or where ever you live.” She tried to push past him, but he put his arm across the door to stop her.

  “I live here in Hopedale, and it’s probably the safest place you could stay. It’s not negotiable. Your dad’s place or mine. You’ve got until lunch to make your choice.” With that, he dropped his arm and moved out of her way.

  Keith waited for her to argue but she didn’t. The way she almost bowled him over when she pushed past him was enough to let him know Emily would be a handful, but he was pretty sure she was going to be fun. Maybe the first job he’d enjoyed in a long time.

  Chapter 5

  Emily finished her last client and headed back to her desk. Ada had dropped her lunch there when she returned from Jack’s Place. It was a small pub just around the corner from the salon and had the best turkey sandwiches Emily ever tasted.

  She’d tried to forget about the man behind the reception desk with Aurora. It also pissed her off that he wasn’t as big a distraction to the clients as she was expecting. In fact, most of the people knew him.

  She shouldn’t have been surprised since the O’Connor family were all over Hopedale. You couldn’t go anywhere without running into one of them, or at least that was what she was told. Emily didn’t spend a lot of time exploring the small town. Not because she didn’t like it, but she’d only been living in the apartment above the salon for a couple of months, and then her mother vanished.

  “Aunt Alice makes a great sandwich, doesn’t she?” Emily snapped her gaze up to the doorway which was filled with the beautiful man she’d been doing her best to ignore all morning.

  “I should’ve known she was related.” Emily tried to sound annoyed, but her voice came out all breathy.

  “Yep, if you meet an O’Connor in Hopedale, they’re related to me.” He plopped in the chair across from her desk and proceeded to open a massive sandwich. He popped one of his fries into his mouth and then looked up.

  “Is there a reason you’re in my office?” Emily didn’t feel comfortable being in such close quarters with him. The scent of his cologne was driving her nuts. Not because it was a bad smell but because it was incredible. If she wasn’t mistaken, it smelled like, Straight to Heaven by Kilian. It was a combination of spicy and woodsy with a hint of musk. It was also extremely expensive. She didn’t know many men that wore it.

  “I’m eating lunch and waiting for your decision.” He took a bite of his sandwich although she didn’t know how he got his mouth around the bloody thing. That was another thing that was too distracting. His mouth. Full lips that could only be described as lickable, suckable, and biteable.

  “My decision?” She had completely forgotten what the question was. It was hard to since her thoughts were engulfed in wondering if his lips were as soft as they looked.

  “Your father’s place or the compound.” He locked his gaze on her, and Emily trembled. “I need to know so I can make the necessary arrangements.”

  “I’m pretty sure I told you that I’m not going to either,” She wasn’t changing her mind.

  “How many bedrooms do you have?” He balled up the empty sandwich wrapper and tossed it into the garbage bucket across the room. Of course, he didn’t miss.

  “Not that it’s any of your business, but there’s one bedroom.” Emily rolled her eyes.

  “I guess I’ll have to get a camp cot brought over.” He pulled his phone out of his jacket and before she realized what he said, he’d made arrangements with someone to bring a camp cot to her salon.

  “Wait one damn minute. You’re not staying in my apartment. There’s no way in hell.” Emily stood up, pressed her fists against the top of the desk and leaned over it.

  “Hold on a second, Smash.” Keith pulled the phone away from his ear and stood up. She had to lift her head to look up at him. “I’m going to tell you this once more, and it’ll be the last. When we know you’re not in any danger and only then, will you be rid of me. Until then we’ll be joined at the hip. It’s pointless for you to cop an attitude with me because, Princess, nobody on this earth has an attitude that can match the females in my family. I’m immune to the pissy moods and complaining. Do you understand me? So if you don’t want me staying in your apartment, make a choice.” She didn’t miss the clenching of his jaw.

  “I’m no Princess, and you’re an asshole.” Emily stomped out of the office into the private bathroom off her office. She slammed the door and pressed her forehead against it.

  “Okay, so I’m assuming I’ll need the cot.” She heard him shout. Emily wanted to march out of the bathroom and punch him straight in the gut, but from what she could see she’d probably break her hand.

  Emily paced the tiny bathroom grumbling to herself. Keith was too huge a presence for her dinky apartment. She’d have to hide in her bedroom to avoid being around him, and she wasn’t one that liked to hide, but he gave the impression of being a bad boy. The very type of guy she avoided.

  It was unusual that she was so attracted to him, especially since she’d just met him. Her whole body reacted to him. Between the pounding of her heart, the palm sweating, and just his near presence, she was ready to go out of her mind. The thoughts of doing a lot of really naughty things to him, and with him were not helping either.

  “Get a fucking grip, Emily.” She leaned on the small counter and stared at her flushed face. He was driving her blood pressure through the roof, and the big jerk didn’t even know. She splashed some cold water on her face and covered it with the small towel that was hung on the hook.

  “Maybe you’re ovulating or something.” She whispered as she peered at herself in the mirror again. “And it has been a long while since….” A hard knock stopped her chat with herself and made her almost fall back over the toilet.

  “Your next client is here, Em.” It was Ada.

  “Thanks, can you tell her I’ll be right out,” Emily called through the closed door.

  “Will do.” She heard the clicking of Ada’s block heels slowly fade away.

  Emily took a couple of deep breaths and opened the door. She fully expected to see Keith still sat in her office. She didn’t know if she was relieved or disappointed to see the chair was empty. She tugged down on her shirt and headed to the front, and there he was sitting behind the reception desk like he’d been all morning.

  “I love that new receptionist.” Her client giggled as she motioned to Keith. No surprise that Ginger Dwyer would notice him. The bitch would probably text all her snobby friends in SummerBrook when she left to talk about him.

  The only reason she even continued to have clients like Ginger was because they paid top price for anything they had done. Sometimes Emily thought they just came to her place to look down on her.

  “Aurora has been here for a while.” Emily pretended she didn’t know Ginger was talking about Keith.

  “I wasn’t talking about the girl. I was talking about the bulging wall of muscle in black. He looks like one of those men you’d like to have just once.” Ginger whispered.

  “I don’t think that would work with him. I’m pretty sure he’s gay.” Emily spoke a little louder than she probably should have, but she wanted Keith to hear her, and from the way, his gaze slowly met hers she was sure he did.

  “Wow! Really? What a waste.” Ginger sighed as she turned to glance at Keith. Emily tugged on her hair. Hard. “Ouch.” Ginger whined.

  “Sorry, the brush got tangled.” Emily lied.

  She felt dead on her feet, and except for Aurora, everyone had left for the day. Emily walked around to check all the stations to ensure everything was turned off. It was weird being there without Kim hovering around. Her business partner had some kind of OCD when it came to checking all the stations.

  “I’
m gone, Em,” Aurora wiggled her fingers as she headed out of the door.

  “I’ll see you in the morning, sweetie.” Emily waved as she made her way to the reception desk to grab the cash drawer. She was just going to take it to her apartment and do up the tally. As she picked up the drawer, a deep voice startled her.

  “I’ve secured the windows,” Keith sauntered out of the back. Emily dropped the cash drawer sending coins rolling across the floor. The debit slips and receipts flew into the air, and she almost tripped over it when it hit the floor.

  “Shit, shit, shit,” Emily grumbled.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you.” Keith crouched and began to grab the coins that had rolled near him.

  “I forgot you were here.” Emily lied as she knelt on the floor and began to scoop up the mess. She couldn’t forget he was there even if she tried. His scent filled the place, or at least that’s what it seemed.

  “You forgot, or you were hoping I left.” He grinned as he knelt in front of her and tossed the coins he retrieved, into the drawer.

  “Hope springs eternal.” She couldn’t help but smile at him as he continued to help.

  “I’m starting to get the feeling you don’t like me, princess,” Keith chuckled.

  Emily shook her head as she picked up the drawer and began to stand. When she looked up, he had his hand held out. At first, she was just going to ignore it but the way her legs felt she was sure she wouldn’t be able to get up on her own.

  I’m so out of shape.

  She accepted his hand, and he pulled her to her feet as if she was a child. When he took the drawer from her hand, she glanced up at him.

  “Where do you want this? I’m afraid you’ll drop it again.” He winked.

  Emily rolled her eyes, and he smiled. It changed the whole appearance of his face. Softened it somehow. Not that he wasn’t gorgeous either way, but that smile could melt a woman’s heart.

  “My security is also a comedian. I dropped it because of you, jerk.” Emily took the drawer back and headed to the door of her apartment in the back of the salon. “I’m taking it upstairs.”