by Lori Foster
The freaking mansion had intimidated him. Who the hell needed a house that big? A few times there, he’d thought for sure his voice would echo back at him.
The obvious wealth had intimidated him, too. The ornate staircase alone probably cost more than what he got paid in a year. The rock on Mrs. Wade’s finger had all but blinded him. He’d been half-afraid to move for fear he’d bump into some pricey shit and break it.
As if all that weren’t enough, Fallon Wade’s father had tried—unsuccessfully—to cow him. The man had a cold stare that probably made lackeys buckle. But behind that act, Justice had seen the real concern.
The man loved his daughter, spoiled as she might be.
Thinking of her...little Fallon was quite the surprise. He’d expected a princess, a snooty brat used to snapping her fingers and having her every wish granted. Instead, he’d looked up that sprawling staircase and found a curious mouse peeking through the rails... Then he’d caught her wicked grin and bursting enthusiasm and knew that looks were deceiving.
He watched now as Fallon Wade practically danced down the wide tiled steps to the circular drive where he’d parked. The printed scarf draping her neck blew out to the sides from an increasing wind.
Brown hair, parted on the side with wispy bangs over her forehead, skimmed just below her shoulders, bouncing with her every step. That hair looked silky enough to be liquid.
When he’d first seen her, he’d noticed the smooth, flushed cheeks, a small straight nose and rounded chin... Really nice mouth, too.
But it was her eyes that got him.
For an otherwise unremarkable face, her eyes were amazing, dark like a doe’s, framed by long, thick lashes and gently arched brows.
The innocence and curiosity in her face was enough for a second look, but the body...
She wore a plain pink crewneck top tucked into a long black skirt, a darker pink cardigan sweater and that fancy scarf.
For a petite girl with slim legs and arms and a narrow waist, she still had curves. Hard to tell much about those curves in that particular outfit, but he had a feeling she’d be pretty sweet all over.
Following her down the steps to the SUV, Justice noticed she had some nice padding around back. There’d be no hiding that heart-shaped ass.
As she headed for his ride with a happy, brisk walk, her black skirt hugged her hips but swished around her knees.
Her face looked young, her body looked ripe and she behaved like a puppy just let off the leash.
Her parents treated her like she was ten instead of twenty-four. Overprotective much? Hell, it had smothered him to see the way they tried to harness her.
Somehow, Justice thought, he had to get a handle on the situation. He’d expected this to be an easy assignment, but so far, nothing added up.
In an effort to understand, Justice drew out his phone and pulled up the internet.
He was aware of Fallon Wade watching him before she asked, “Do you need privacy for your call?”
So even now she wouldn’t complain about his lack of deference? He should be focusing solely on her, but first... “I’m just looking up a word.”
She tipped her head. “What word?”
“Avuncular.”
The wind carried her laugh until it surrounded him.
Smiling, Justice asked, “You think that’s funny?”
Mirth danced in her dark eyes. “And a little embarrassing.”
“Because I don’t know the word?” It finally popped up on the screen.
“No, of course not.” She looked wrecked by his conclusion. “I was in no way judging you.”
That only made his smile widen. He didn’t come off as the most professional person and he knew it. “Then why?”
She faced him from a good distance away. “Because my father felt the silly warning was necessary.”
Avuncular: of or pertaining to an uncle, especially in kindness and manner. “Ah.” Now he got it. “So your dad was warning me against making any moves?”
“It wasn’t personal. Dad feels compelled to make similar warnings to everyone, even though it’s never been an issue.” She wrinkled her nose. “I’d hardly need to hire you if I had a string of big, strong guys taking me out, right?”
“Oh, I dunno.” By the minute, she somehow got sexier. Justice didn’t understand it, but maybe it was that quirky smile or those subtle curves she tried to downplay. She definitely didn’t seem spoiled, and in fact was downright modest. “I think if you wanted it, you’d have plenty of guys hoping for a shot.”
Her brows went up. “A shot?”
Justice gave her a long, heated look. “You know my meaning.”
Her dark eyes widened. “Oh.” Surprise, then embarrassment, had her ducking her face.
Damn it, why the hell was he flirting with her? “Sorry. I shouldn’t have...” He shook his head. “Ignore me.”
Appearing both amused and confused by his attitude, she started to speak, and instead lifted her arms out to her sides and turned her face up to the sky. “It’s a beautiful night, isn’t it?”
Dark clouds rolled over one another and humidity hung thick in the air. He liked storms.
They made him horny.
Though this time, he wasn’t sure if it was the storm or the girl. “Sure.” Lengthening his stride, more than ready to get the show on the road, Justice opened the door to the backseat of the SUV. “You want to tell me where we’re going?”
“You mentioned a bar.” She bit her lip. A nice full lip, he couldn’t help but notice. “Is there one you’d recommend?”
Justice couldn’t figure her out. Was she a practiced flirt? Too naive to know how she affected him? For sure, she made him forget himself. He kept focusing on her mouth—plump lips and that shiny gloss... She waited for an answer, but he’d forgotten the topic. “One what?”
“A bar?” She grinned, putting dimples into those pink cheeks. “I’ve never been before.”
Justice took a step back. Naive then, and damn it, since when was that a turn-on? “You’ve never been to a bar?”
“No.” She leaned closer in a conspiratorial way, her face turned up to his, her tone teasing. “Is it fun?”
Could be, depending on her idea of fun. But if she’d never been before, why pick now, tonight, with him of all people?
Suspicion got the better of him. “What are you hoping to do at this bar?”
“Drink a little.” Her nose wrinkled again. “That’d be a first, too.”
Justice folded his arms over his chest. “You’ve never had a drink?”
“Wine a few times at galas, but that was long ago.” Though she still smiled, shadows suddenly saddened her expression.
Justice had the awful urge to comfort her. He resisted with stoic effort. “How can it have been long ago when you’re so young?”
“Twenty-four isn’t that young, and if you want me to be specific, I’ll say that I haven’t had wine since the night I turned nineteen. Besides, it isn’t wine I want to try.” The impish grin returned. “I want a beer.”
“Beer?” She made beer sound scandalous. Every girl he knew occasionally had a beer, even if she didn’t particularly like it.
“Yes.”
Justice rubbed the back of his neck. “Okay, well, you can do that at every bar everywhere.”
She laughed. “Let’s see. I’d also like to dance. Maybe chat with new people. And I want to have fun.”
How the hell did she figure to do any of that when her daddy didn’t want anyone within spitting distance of her? A raindrop fell, then a few more...and Justice knew the skies would open up soon. He took her arm and tried to urge her into the backseat of the SUV.
She resisted. “I’ll ride up front.”
Taken by surprise, he did his parrot a
ct and repeated, “Up front?” Clients never rode up front. Definitely not young female clients.
She stared at him with those big soul-sucking eyes. “Unless that’s a problem for you.”
The only problem, so far, was his reaction to her. But hell, as the client, she got to call the shots, so... “Suit yourself.” He switched direction, closing the back door and opening the front.
The raindrops began pelting the ground in earnest, so she hurriedly seated herself.
Jogging around the hood, Justice narrowly avoided the sudden deluge. He checked that Fallon had on her seat belt, then, instead of driving, he returned to her earlier question. “There are a bunch of bars in the area. I don’t know much about them, though.”
“Really? I thought most guys...that is...” Her cheeks pinked. “You don’t drink?”
“Sure. But usually I head back to Warfield to Rowdy’s when I want to drink and relax with friends.”
“Rowdy’s?”
“A bar that’s gotten popular with fighters.”
“Fighters who are your friends?” she asked with interest.
He eyed her warily. “Yeah.”
“I’d love to go there sometime.”
A hint? Was she another groupie hoping to hook up with a fighter? God knew they came from all age ranges, backgrounds and interests. “It’s a no-go for tonight.” Hopefully Ms. Fancy-pants wouldn’t insist. “I’d need to ensure first that things aren’t too chaotic before I take you there. The bar has some rambunctious parties.”
She sighed. “Yes, I suppose tonight we should stick closer to home.”
“As to that, I should have been told your plans in advance so I could scope out any place you wanted to go.”
Brows coming together, she said, “I’ve never heard that rule.”
She sounded a bit stiff, and Justice bit back his smile. “Yeah, well, now you know.”
The frown intensified. “Going forward, I’ll plan accordingly.”
“Good.” Rain made the windows opaque and insulated them from everything outside the car. He could practically hear his own heartbeat, could definitely hear her soft breathing. The sense of intimacy made him uneasy. “So what are we doing now?”
“I’ll settle for a more local bar. Anyway, it’s probably a good idea that we don’t travel too far, just in case.”
“In case what?”
“In case we don’t suit.” She gave him a quick, firm glance. “If all goes well tonight, well then, there’s a lot more I’d like to schedule.”
He’d already been told that when he took the assignment, but still he repeated, “More?”
She ducked her face and pressed her hands over her skirt, smoothing an imaginary crease. “More...like every night? Did no one tell you this could be a month-long detail?”
“Yeah, I knew it.” Why was she being so shy now? “I was told we’d be getting acquainted, but I thought most of that would be at your house with your mom and dad.”
She laughed. “Nooo.”
Yeah, it’d probably be impossible with those two hawks overhead. “So here’s how it usually works. You tell me where you want to go, I find the best route to get there, then scope out the place in advance to ensure I know the different exits, if it’s secure, stuff like that.”
She flapped a hand. “That’s not necessary. Honest. I mean, I suppose that makes sense for most people who need protection. But overall, my parents just wanted to ensure I could explore safely. There will be plenty of other people at the bar, right? Lots of people who visit daily?”
“Sure.” Long as he didn’t take her to a dive, it shouldn’t be a problem.
“Why don’t you pick one, and we’ll give it a shot?” She grinned. “What could go wrong?”
Justice didn’t bother answering. If the alarm bells going off in his head were any indication, he figured they’d both find out soon enough.
* * *
FALLON REJECTED JUSTICE’S first two choices. One was too swanky for the way she’d dressed, and the other looked more like a club. She wanted a regular, everyday bar with everyday people and, finally, on his third try, she agreed with his choice.
A multitude of fluorescent signs filled the big front window of The Broken Pony. People loitered outside, some openly making out, others smoking, groups talking. The parking lot across the street nearly overflowed.
Because it was still pouring, Fallon said, “Drop me off at the door, please.” The thought of walking in there alone made her breathless with nerves, but otherwise she’d be soaked, so—
“No can do,” Justice said. “I promised to stick like glue, remember?” He swung the SUV into the lot, drove up one row then down another until he found an empty space a good distance from the bar.
“I’ll get wet.”
He paused in the process of turning off the car, blew out a long breath, then said evenly, “I’ve got an umbrella.”
He reached around to the backseat, coming very close to her as he did so.
And oh, God, he smelled good. Not like aftershave, just like...man. Fallon tried to take a deep breath without being too obvious.
He gave her a look as he settled back, now with a black umbrella. “You okay?”
She nodded fast. “Yes.”
Without looking convinced, he said, “Stay put. I’ll come around.”
After pocketing the keys, he opened the door, popped up the umbrella and circled the hood to her side of the car.
By necessity, she had to step out very near him to stay shielded under the umbrella. He didn’t bother trying to protect himself from the storm.
“Come under with me,” she insisted.
He hesitated.
“Please, Justice? I’ll feel terrible otherwise.”
Reluctantly, he moved up against her back, his arm around her as he tilted the umbrella to block the worst of the rain blowing toward them. “C’mon.”
With every step, their bodies touched. She could smell him again, a rich masculine musk, and better than that, she felt his incredible heat.
Why, even if the bar turned out to be a bust, this alone was a wonderful new experience.
He kept her sheltered from the storm until they’d stepped into the bar, then he turned her so her back was against a wall and he stood in front. While closing the umbrella, he visually scoured the room.
Teasing, Fallon asked, “Safe to proceed?”
“Don’t be a smart-ass.” His grin took the sting from the comment. “How about those seats at the bar?”
The men to the left of the empty stools looked like a rough motorcycle club, and the men to the right could have been a college fraternity group. She loved the differences. “Yes, please.”
“It’s crowded, so stay close.” He pulled her around in front of him and left one big, warm hand on her shoulder, guiding her as they maneuvered through the crowds. Soon as they reached the bar, he mean mugged the men on either side of them until they turned away.
“So what’s it to be?” He helped her onto the high round stool. “Still want a beer?”
She could smell the alcohol in the air. In the background, loud music played. Belatedly, Fallon realized that she probably should have eaten something before now, but earlier she’d been too nervous. “Yes, please.”
“You sure? ’Cuz you don’t look sure.”
Trying for more confidence, she said, “Beer.”
“All right, then.” He ordered one.
“You aren’t going to drink with me?”
“I’m on duty.”
“Working for me, yes? So I insist.” She leaned close to ensure he’d hear her, then whispered, “I’ll feel less awkward.”
His gaze went from her eyes to her mouth, then away. “Hey, if you insist, who am I to argue?” He ask
ed for another beer.
The man to her right glanced at her again, then turned for a closer look. Fallon didn’t smile. She must have been too surprised by the attention.
The young man glanced at Justice next—then quailed. When she looked at Justice, she saw only an innocent expression, one brow raised. But she wasn’t buying it, especially since the man turned back to his friends, spoke low, and together they vacated their seats.
“Hey,” Fallon complained. “I was going to talk to him.”
Justice snorted. “It wasn’t talk he wanted.”
“How do you know?”
“The way he looked you over? Besides, he was already crocked. You don’t want to deal with that.”
From the other side of her, a guy said, “I ain’t crocked.”
Justice narrowed his eyes. Fallon quickly turned to see the biker grinning at her. She had the fast impression of frazzled brown hair in a long ponytail, a ridiculous handlebar mustache, broad shoulders under a black T-shirt and leather vest.
Fallon said, “Hello.”
“’Lo yourself, honey.” He ignored Justice and asked, “What’s up?”
Lifting her glass, Fallon said, “I’m having a beer.”
His grin widened. “I’m guessing this ain’t your usual place, is it?”
“Am I that transparent?”
“Little bit.” Swinging around to face her, he said, “So besides riling the big guy, what’s the plan?”
“Oh, I’m not trying to rile him.” But one glimpse at Justice showed he was more than a little fired up. “Justice,” she said. “Anything wrong?”
“Not yet.” His eyes narrowed on the man. “And it’s going to stay that way, isn’t it?”
“What’s happenin’ here?” the biker asked. “You two a thing?”
“No,” Fallon denied. “We’re—”
“I’m watching out for her.” Justice, too, smiled, but it wasn’t a nice sight. More like a warning.
She sighed. “Justice is—”
“Look,” Justice said, standing and taking her arm. “A booth opened up.”
She barely had time to snatch up her beer before he led her away. Two other men got to the seats at the same time, but Justice stared them down until they detoured away without a fuss.