Sweetest Obsessions - Anthology

by Anthony, Jane

  She could care less about someone’s eye color or hair color or fashion sense. Those things could be manipulated at a moment’s notice and didn’t say anything about what kind of person she was really dealing with. But physical and mental strength were two things no one could fake. Strength was sexy.

  And Rex Randall felt incredibly strong.

  “You can let go of me now.” She craned her neck to peer at him. He was incredibly tall too.

  As much as she hated to admit it, he was damn cute. She’d watched his most recent films on her flight and had noticed his good looks on-screen. But she’d chalked that up to makeup, lighting, and camera angles. Unfortunately, he was even better looking in person.

  He smiled down at her, obviously enjoying his height advantage. “I could.” His grip didn’t falter. “But I’m not sure I want to.”

  The low tone of his voice made her wonder exactly why he didn’t want to let her go. Surely, he wasn’t hitting on her. That wouldn’t help their working relationship. Yet, she couldn’t stop the tiny feeling of satisfaction that rooted in her chest at the thought that he might be.

  “Why not?” she asked, not sure what answer she hoped to hear.

  “Because you might do something stupid and dangerous again like climbing on my roof to check for bad guys. I can’t let you get hurt on my watch.”

  She stiffened and pressed against his chest, silently encouraging him to release her. Using force on her client wasn’t ideal, but she would if she had to. There was no way she was staying in his arms any longer. He’d gotten their roles completely mixed up when he’d hired her. She was here to protect him, not the other way around.

  “You remember I’m the bodyguard, not you, right?”

  He shrugged. “You’ve mentioned that. But I’ve never had anyone use my house like a jungle gym before. I’m not so sure you’re the real deal.”

  “That’s because you’ve never had a security detail with my skills. Let go of me before I hurt you. I wouldn’t want to accidentally bruise your overly large ego.” She shifted her weight slightly, ready to twist free of him.

  He grinned and hesitated for a moment before finally releasing her. “I think you’re all talk and no action, like a little dog with a big bark but no real bite.”

  She took a step back giving herself some distance between their bodies and smoothed her outfit back into place where it had bunched up under his hands. “First of all, the sooner you accept my position, the better this will go for both of us. Secondly, stop doubting my abilities. Read my resume if you need validation. Or better yet, call one of my many references. Lastly, if you ever refer to me as a dog again, for any reason, my bite will be the least of your worries.”

  A look of challenge and curiosity crossed Rex’s face. “I’ll try to remember that. In the meantime, you remember that I’m your boss and not the other way around. Install cameras if you must but admit that you’re short and use a damn ladder.”

  She opened her mouth to fire off a witty comeback, but before she could utter a word, he turned and sauntered back into the house, sliding the glass door closed behind him with a soft thud.

  Not exactly her best first day with a new boss, but honestly not her worst either.

  Besides which, she wasn’t there to be his friend. She was there to keep him safe. They didn’t even have to speak for her to accomplish that goal. All she needed was for him to stay the hell out of her way.

  Anytime he wanted to start doing that would be fine with her.

  Ignoring the chill on her body now that she wasn’t wrapped in his big arms, she trotted down the steps to the beach to see what else needed to be added to the rear of the house before she moved around to the sides and front. Without any further interruptions by him, she might actually be able to finish her work in the daylight.

  Rex stared at the script in his lap, but the words jumbled together incoherently, mirroring his thoughts. Ever since Lacey walked into his house that morning, he hadn’t thought clearly. True, she was the perfect way to have a bodyguard and keep his image, but did she have to be so full of sassiness, hardheaded as a bull, and tough as one too? He couldn’t stop thinking about her huge personality in that tiny, sexy package.

  But he wouldn’t think about her that way.

  She was his employee, and he didn’t have time to fool around with anyone right now, least of all his staff. He had to focus on the movie coming out and the madness that surrounded a new release. And somehow, he had to survive the onslaught of paparazzi. They already wanted to photograph him at every opportunity, but once they saw the movie, he’d be thrown headfirst into an ocean full of sharks.

  Of course, that’s why Lacey was there—to make sure none of the sharks got close enough to chomp on him.

  He sighed. He hated it when Gabe was right. As much as he didn’t want to admit it, he needed security. He needed Lacey.

  But he sure as hell wouldn’t admit that to her.

  The knock on his door startled him out of his thoughts. It was uncharacteristic of Gabe to bother him in his private quarters, and he wasn’t expecting anyone so late in the day either. Most of his staff finished work at five on quiet days and it was nearing seven. Only the chef would be around until dinner at eight.

  Rex stood from the couch and crossed the room to the door. It was a good thing it couldn’t be anyone too important, since he was still in the shirt and shorts he’d worked out in earlier with his trainer.

  Lacey stood in the hallway, her gaze sweeping the doorframe before finally meeting his. “Your room is the last for me to check. May I come in and do that now, so I can complete my list of necessary supplies for tomorrow?”

  He couldn’t imagine what kind of supplies his room might need where Lacey was concerned, but he wasn’t about to turn her away. As she’d said earlier, if she was going to do the job, she may as well do it one hundred percent.

  “Come in.” He held the door open for her and stepped aside. As she walked into the room, she scanned the space. For what, he wasn’t sure. Nor did he care at the moment. He skimmed her form as she wandered his room and couldn’t help but notice that she had a positively fantastic ass.

  Not that he should be paying attention to it.

  Employee. Boss.

  Besides, she’d made it perfectly clear there wouldn’t be anything between them, which was fine with him. But that didn’t mean he couldn’t look a little and appreciate her body as it paraded around his room. Clearly, she’d put a lot of effort into that ass. It’d be wrong not to appreciate it.

  “What exactly are you looking for?” he asked, casually leaning against the closed door.

  “Anything that needs reinforcement. Large obstacles that might hinder my line of sight from this room. Obvious penetration points.” Lacey’s back was to him as she surveyed the windows.

  He knew each of the things she’d listed were security features, and perfectly innocent, but all he heard was handcuffs, the large obstacle in his shorts, and Lacey’s lace covered penetration points.

  The dirty part of his brain groaned as he forced the thoughts away. “Find anything that needs fixing?”

  “Do you usually keep these open or closed?” she asked, pulling open the heavy drapes and peering down to the beach.

  “Closed. I like my privacy.” He was usually only in his room for a bit in the morning and right before bed. The only reason he was in his room right now was because he’d been trying to give Lacey space to work.

  “Good. Let’s keep it that way. I was able to see into the guest rooms from the beach, which means someone could easily see into this room as well.”

  “You could? I didn’t realize that.”

  “That’s why you’re paying me the big bucks. Try not to open these unless you need to. If you do open them, don’t be stupid and wander around naked.”

  “If wandering around naked is stupid, then I never want to be smart. It’s freeing to let your inhibitions go.” He sighed and cursed himself. The last thing he shou
ld be doing right now is thinking about being naked with an employee, especially Lacey.

  “Inhibitions aren’t your problem. Photographers are. And from what I’ve seen so far, there is often one out on the beach. Let’s not give them any more ammunition to use against you, shall we?”

  “I’m afraid anything they could see up here has already been seen on the big screen. If someone wants to plaster my junk on a tabloid magazine cover, all they have to do is take a screen shot from Try to Die. But of course, I guess you’ve been too busy with the ‘real’ bad guys to see that one, right?”

  By the sudden rosy hue of her cheeks and the way she broke eye contact, he knew he was wrong on that last assumption. She’d seen Try to Die and his full-frontal nudity too.

  He hated that his junk was forever on record for anyone and everyone to ogle. But he’d been young and stupid and had believed the director when they’d said the nudity was important to the art of the film. Or they wanted to attract women to the otherwise overly gory film. Lesson learned.

  At least he could be proud of his body. If there’d ever been any doubt in his mind about how he stacked up in the dick department compared to other men, it was put to rest with the response to that scene.

  He smirked. “You saw that one, didn’t you? And you said you were too busy fighting bad guys to do that.”

  Her cheeks turned from a pretty pink tint to a flaming embarrassed red. “I…” She cleared her throat and steadied her gaze on his. “I had time to kill on my flights here. I brushed up on some of you work. I had no idea what to expect when I randomly picked a few.”

  Holding her gaze, he shrugged. “If you say so. I’m glad you enjoyed it.”

  The thought of her already knowing what his entire body looked like made him jealous that he hadn’t been privy to the same information about her. Although, he could guess based on how her clothes fit.

  “Keep the drapes closed whenever possible, I’ll need to install a camera in the corner, and let me know in advance of your plans outside the house so I can properly prepare for each location.”

  She turned to leave but he stopped her with a hand on her arm. “You will not put a camera in my room. My room is private. Period.”

  Her eyes met his as she gently pulled her arm free from his grip. “Fine. It’s a sheer drop outside your windows, so I guess it would be pretty hard for anyone to come in that way. But I’m putting one outside your door. Period.”

  “What are you hoping to find out by watching my door? Curious if I invite someone in?”

  “Only if they try to kill you.”

  He couldn’t help but laugh as she turned and wandered down the hall.

  There was something about Lacey that simultaneously intrigued him and rubbed him the wrong way. Working with a bodyguard was already proving more interesting than he’d expected.

  3

  Lacey stood off to the side of the living room, which Rex was using as his boardroom again. Apparently, he didn’t believe in having an office. It seemed this was his chosen place to conduct all of his business. A few days before, he’d been forced to hire her. Today, they were meeting the new real junior assistant while Lacey posed as the senior assistant. Good thing he insisted on paying the new girl a salary befitting someone of a higher level, since she was technically doing all the work, or Lacey would’ve had trouble playing along.

  Lacey held a clipboard in her arms and a pen in hand, pretending to take notes about what things needed to be done for Rex’s upcoming press junket. She could care less about what the tiny details were. The only things of concern to her were the location and the logistics of keeping Rex safe. So far, the venues didn’t sound too challenging. She may have to hire additional personnel if the crowds were too big. Hopefully that wouldn’t be necessary since Rex hadn’t been thrilled about having one bodyguard. She couldn’t imagine him agreeing to hire more of them.

  “Alexia, find out what time I need to be at the TV studio next week for the on-air interview. If it’s early, book me a hotel nearby. Find out what’s available.” Rex spoke without looking up from his phone, scrolling and pausing constantly as he spoke. “Gabe, what else is on deck?”

  “We’ve got a photo shoot that I’m still working out the contract for, but that won’t be for a couple of weeks. There are a few new scripts you should take a look at in case there is anything you’re interested in pursuing.”

  “That’s all great, but I need something sooner. Something immediate. I haven’t had so much as a ‘He buys groceries too!’ blurb written about me in weeks.”

  “Do you buy groceries?” Lacey asked, her voice thick with sarcasm.

  Rex put his phone down and looked at her. “No. It was an example. I have people who buy my groceries. If I went food shopping, it would take me an hour to get milk and bread. I’d have to sign autographs for everyone.”

  “The horror of being a big shot.” She smirked at the ridiculousness of his so-called problems.

  Lacey quickly noted the shocked expression on Alexia’s face. Apparently teasing and talking back to the boss wasn’t normally allowed as an assistant. Lacey should’ve known better. If she couldn’t keep her act together in front of one person, how would she fool the entire world?

  “I’m totally kidding.” The forced laugh that bubbled out of her sounded impossibly fake, but hopefully only to her and not anyone else. “Obviously you can’t do meaningless public tasks yourself anymore. I was only trying to be funny.”

  Rex raised an eyebrow at her. “It’s okay, Lacey. I’ll let you get away with that one since you’re still new here. Generally speaking, I don’t want or need advice from my assistants.”

  Alexia silently peered at the papers in her hands, clearly wishing she were anywhere else. The girl might be a good assistant, but she would be terrible in high-pressure situations. Rex didn’t take his gaze off Lacey’s. He was clearly good under pressure.

  But Lacey was better.

  She didn’t care for his tone and was about to tell him as much when he winked. A smirk on his face pulled up the corner of his mouth in a way that made her knees suddenly a little weak. She didn’t like the feeling, especially when her boss caused it.

  But he had successfully broken the tension in the room. A tiny motion in Alexia’s direction was all the reassurance she needed to let her annoyance go. He wasn’t trying to be a dictator or looking down on her. He was trying to clue her in to what was normal for her pretend position, since she had no idea. She’d researched his movies, but she should’ve also researched personal assistant’s responsibilities.

  She pasted a smile on her face and added a carefree attitude to her voice. “Understood, Rex,” she said with as much aloofness in her tone as humanly possible. Aloof wasn’t something she did normally, but being a chameleon was part of her training and a skill she had mastered.

  His reciprocated nod was all the indication she needed that she’d said the right thing. He turned his attention back to Gabe and she quietly let out the breath she’d been holding.

  “Gabe, check with Roxanna LeClaire’s people and find out if she’s free for dinner sometime soon. If she is, book us somewhere nice, like Merlot’s.”

  He doesn’t even schedule his own dates?

  That couldn’t be true. No one was so busy or so amazingly famous that they couldn’t even find the time to call and ask someone out on a date. Surely, she’d misunderstood.

  “Alexia, would you mind grabbing me a coffee? Strong and nothing in it.” Rex smiled sweetly as the girl eagerly jumped to her feet and scampered off toward the kitchen. Before she disappeared, he called out another request. “And ask the chef what’s for lunch and dinner today. In detail. Thanks.”

  Once she was gone, Rex grinned at Lacey, a glint of amusement in his eyes. “For someone who claims to be a master of disguises and roles during her long career in real action work, you have a terrible poker face. Go ahead and say what’s on your mind.”

  “You don’t book your own dates?”
Lacey asked without restraint. “Is your ego so big you can’t ask a girl out? Wow.”

  “I could, but she’s not any girl. She’s a busy supermodel.”

  “So, what?”

  “So, it’s tricky to find a time when our schedules mesh.”

  “And?”

  “And what?”

  She shrugged. “And that’s an excuse to not act like a gentleman? Here I thought celebrities went on fantasy dates with amazing people because they were the only ones who understood their lives, but actually it’s a publicity thing, isn’t it? Do you even like her?”

  “Of course, I like her. She’s fun to go out with once in a while.”

  “When you need a blurb in a magazine?”

  “I wouldn’t complain about a blurb. A cover headline would be even better.”

  He looked away as Alexia wandered back into the room and handed him a coffee. Lacey took the opportunity to roll her eyes.

  “If you don’t mind, I’m going to take a quick walk during my lunch break.” It was their agreed upon code for her to check the perimeter of the house to make sure all was well with the property and cameras. “When I get back, I’ll start working on preparations for your upcoming events. I trust Alexia will be able to manage anything you need but if not, let me know.”

  Lacey excused herself out the sliding doors leading to the deck and took the steps down to the sand two at a time, eager to put a little space between herself and Rex.

  If there was a line, she knew she’d stepped so far over it, she couldn’t even see it anymore, but she didn’t care. He was ridiculous. She couldn’t believe he was the person she was protecting with her own life—someone who didn’t even ask a woman out on a date himself.

  But what the hell was wrong with her? Since when did she care what her clients did? She’d worked for royal families, dignitaries, and other celebrities before, and had never once stepped out of character to question them.