Sweetest Obsessions - Anthology

by Anthony, Jane

  “I’ll be fine until we get home.”

  “It’s a glass of champagne, not a bottle of tequila.” He poured two glasses and held one out to her. “Besides, we’re almost home, which means you’re almost off the clock.”

  Reluctantly, she accepted the glass and sipped. The chilled bubbles tickled her nose, reminding her why she was more of a whiskey girl than a champagne girl.

  “I didn’t realize you were carrying your gun today,” he said, eyeing her weapon where she’d placed it on the seat beside her instead of back in the holster where it belonged.

  “I always carry. It’s part of the uniform.”

  “Not all the time though, right? There must be times around the house when you don’t have one with you.”

  She shook her head. “I wouldn’t be a very good bodyguard if I didn’t have a weapon at hand to protect you with.”

  “Even when you’re reading a book on your time off, you’re packing heat?”

  She laughed. “No one says that, but yes. Even while reading, but only if I’m in the vicinity of my client.”

  “You’re a fascinating woman, Lacey Grace.”

  She shrugged.

  “You were pretty cute squirreling through the divider window earlier. I’ve never seen anyone do that before. I guess that’s one benefit to your petite size.”

  Though he’d used the word cute, which irritated her to no end, he’d said it with a tone and expression that wasn’t mocking or patronizing. For the first time, he’d spoken about her job with something that hinted at appreciation, possibly even being impressed.

  “Someone your size could fit through that window if they were motivated. In fact, I’m surprised you’ve never done it in one of your action movies.”

  “I’ll have to try that on the next one. Maybe you can teach me your moves.” He cocked an eyebrow.

  Her pulse quickened. Was he flirting with her or was the champagne going to her head already after only a few sips? Damn bubbles.

  Better question—did she want him to be flirting with her? Because her heartrate certainly thought it was a good thing.

  No matter how much she wanted to deny it, there was something incredibly intriguing about Rex. True, he rubbed her the wrong way sometimes—like when he didn’t take her job seriously—but there was something about him that made her wonder what it would feel like if he rubbed her the right way for a change. Everywhere.

  Too bad she’d never find out.

  As tempting as Rex was, she’d been hired to protect him, and getting involved with him in any way, other than as his bodyguard, would only lead to trouble. Giving in could put them both at risk.

  7

  Rex strolled into the living room dragging his carry-on bag. Leaving it against the wall, he grabbed himself a coffee. He hadn’t slept well the night before. All night he’d dreamed about that limo ride with Lacey. Every time it got to the part where she shimmied through the divider window, he’d grab her by the hips, pulling her back into his space and then the fun would really begin.

  Sometimes it would involve removing her clothes slowly, kissing his way along her body as she became more and more naked. Other times he’d tear the clothes from her body and ravish her completely while she clawed at his back and shoulders, calling out his name in pure ecstasy. Either way, she lost her stubborn, commanding attitude and became putty in his hands, obeying his every demand with enthusiasm.

  Something had changed inside of him when he’d seen her jump to action on his behalf, diving through the window, drawing her gun on Edgar, being alert and in charge of the situation.

  It was all very…arousing.

  Seeing her respond to a perceived threat had brought out a side of her that was even more confident than usual. He hadn’t been nervous that there was a threat she couldn’t handle.

  He’d been around actresses in action movies for a long time, but they were only tough on-screen. Sometimes only until the action started, then they’d have a stuntwoman jump in.

  Until yesterday, he’d expected the same thing to be true of Lacey. He’d thought as soon as there was any real threat, she’d call for some secret backup team to storm in.

  Now he knew that wasn’t the case.

  Lacey didn’t just talk a good game, she played it—she lived it.

  One look at her in action and he knew she was a strong, confident woman who wasn’t afraid to get her hands dirty. He couldn’t stop wondering what she was like beneath the tough exterior. Was she always so serious and on alert? Did she ever let her guard down and become the real Lacey Grace? Anyone who wore those skimpy, silky pajamas of hers must have a softer side, at least at night, when she could be herself without worrying about anyone else’s wellbeing.

  He yearned to know if his theory about her was true. Was she hard and commanding while working, but soft and pliable given the right circumstances? He needed to know who the real Lacey was. If felt like a mission.

  Not that he should be thinking of an employee that way, but he couldn’t help it. She was too damn intriguing. The fact that she didn’t fall all over herself to please him like the rest of his employees did, made her all the more irresistible. He loved that she wasn’t afraid to stand up to him, to do her job, to speak her mind. The more he tried to ignore her and the feeling she brought to life inside him, the more he couldn’t stop thinking about her. Yesterday’s limo ride had simply solidified how much he was enjoying her company.

  Exactly why he wanted to get away and do something fun for a few days.

  Normally, he’d invite someone like Roxanna along for the vacation, but the thought of that didn’t interest him at all. The only person he wanted to spend time with was the girl who had to come. The thing was, he actually hoped she wanted to. He wanted her to enjoy his company as much as he was enjoying hers.

  But he couldn’t tell her that.

  He wasn’t about to take things with her to the places his mind begged him to. Instead, he would keep their relationship above board. He simply wanted to have a little fun with her. Or at least that’s what he’d told himself when he’d finally gotten out of bed, tired but with purpose, and made all the arrangements for later that day.

  “What’s the suitcase for?” Lacey asked, walking over to the sliding glass doors to have a look outside, her usual routine for meetings. “Did someone come to visit? Because I’m supposed to be notified in advance, so I can clear them before they arrive.”

  “I was wondering the same thing,” Gabe said. “Care to enlighten us, oh wise boss man?”

  “Your sarcasm will get you nowhere, oh mighty manager.” Rex sipped his coffee, drawing out the anticipation. “The suitcase is mine. I’m going to Vegas later and you’re all coming with me. You’re welcome.”

  Who wouldn’t enjoy a free trip to Vegas?

  And he would certainly enjoy some alone time with Lacey to see if he could strip away a few of her more serious layers and get a peek at what kind of person she really was on the inside. It was the perfect plan really. He’d get to reward Gabe and Alexia for all their hard work with a little time off, and Lacey would be forced to accompany him. Alone. Surely, she’d open up a bit if it was just the two of them.

  “Vegas?” Lacey asked. “I was told the Vegas appearance wasn’t for another few days. I haven’t finished checking out the location and people involved yet. As head of security I should be kept apprised of any scheduling changes.”

  “I thought a couple of days in Vegas to unwind before the craziness of promotion really begins would be a great idea for all of us. We won’t get much downtime again for weeks.”

  “When are we leaving?” Gabe asked. As his friend and manager, Gabe was used to going with the flow.

  “A few hours.”

  “What would you like me to do while you’re gone, Mr. Randall?” Alexia asked from her corner of the couch where she sat so quietly that he’d almost forgotten she was in the room. There was a time when he would’ve gone for a woman like that, someone who wante
d to stand in his shadow, someone who would accept his decisions without question.

  Now he found he enjoyed being challenged.

  “You’re coming with us. I still have work to accomplish, but we could all use a little fun. Then there is the appearance as planned. I’ll need you packed and at the airport in three hours.”

  “I, um…that sounds a little out of my budget, sir.” Alexia looked down at her hands, twisting them.

  “Not to worry. The trip is on me. It’s part of the job.”

  She looked flustered as she closed her notebook and stood. “I’ll have to leave right now if I’m going to meet you on time. Thank you, Mr. Randall. This is very kind of you.”

  “It’s only kind until you realize you still have to get work done with all the distractions of Vegas around you.” He chuckled. “Go ahead. We’ll finish our meeting on the plane.”

  Alexia practically sprinted down the hall to the front door.

  “I should pack too,” Gabe said, standing. “What time are we leaving from here?”

  “Noon.”

  “Got it, boss,” Gabe said as he disappeared down the hall.

  Lacey stood at the patio doors, the only person who wasn’t in any hurry to move. “Why didn’t you tell me about this trip sooner?” she asked.

  “Because I only decided on it a couple of hours ago.” He stood and crossed the room to her. “Do you have a problem that prevents you from joining us in Vegas?” There shouldn’t be. Gabe would’ve checked out Lacey fully before hiring her. Of course, something like a gambling addiction might not come up on a typical background check. He couldn’t see that being the case with someone as serious as Lacey.

  “My problem is that your quick decisions lead to holes in my security efforts, which in turn leads to you being in vulnerable positions.”

  Rex leaned against the door, his arms crossed. He was so close to her, he could practically feel the annoyance radiating off of her. The way she challenged him and always stood her ground was attractive. Who knew he’d like that so much? But he did. It was refreshing to be around someone who wouldn’t bend to his every whim. It made him want to push the limits with her even more.

  As she peered up at him, her annoyance turned to something else. He couldn’t quite pinpoint what it was exactly, but the change in her was immediate and obvious as soon as he wandered into her space. Did he affect her as much as she did him?

  “How is it that you’ve been in personal protection all this time, but yet you still can’t go with the flow at all? Didn’t your other clients ever do anything off the schedule?”

  “They did. The difference was, I had an entire team of people working for me so there was never an issue with having someone ready to go anywhere anytime. Here, I’m solely responsible for your wellbeing and it would be a hell of a lot easier if you’d work with me, instead of against me.”

  The thought of being against her body made him clench his jaw and fight the urge to kiss her. There was no doubt in his mind that her tiny body against his would feel amazing. He swallowed hard. “I’m trying to do something nice for myself and my team, you included. Rel—”

  “Don’t tell me to relax again.” She stood tall and puffed up her chest as if daring his eyes to take in the soft mounds of flesh beneath her shirt. “I appreciate the thoughtfulness of this trip, but next time, give me notice about any decisions that change your schedule. Okay?”

  He reached out and squeezed her shoulder. “I’ll try to remember that, sugar.” Her skin was warm under his touch and he longed to run his fingers down her arm, up her neck, across her plump lips. Her lips parted slightly as if she were thinking about the same thing. He wished. Now wasn’t the time for those kinds of thoughts or actions, no matter how much his body tried to tell him otherwise. “Go get ready before we’re late and my pilot starts charging me overtime.”

  She nodded and walked away from the window. As she did, his hand slid down her arm before falling back to his side, leaving his fingertips feeling like they were live wires.

  Damn.

  Lacey did something dangerous to him.

  Lacey sat across from Rex. They been in the air for an hour and she’d regretted her seat choice since the second she’d sat in it. She’d had no choice but to stare at her book or out the window for the entire flight since looking up involved looking directly at him. She wasn’t ready to do that yet.

  She wasn’t ready to risk seeing that look in his eyes again.

  Ever since he’d touched her shoulder, she hadn’t felt the same. There was something about him that she found so captivating even though she knew the last thing she should do is look at her boss as anything other than her boss. She couldn’t seem to help it anymore. Ever since that night in his room when he’d been in boxer briefs and she’d been in her pajamas, she’d done her best to keep an adequate distance between them. But early today by the patio doors, there’d only been an inch or two separating them, and she’d never been more aware of his body, or hers. It had been as if they were back in his bedroom again, almost naked. His touch on her shoulder had stripped away the wall she kept up around her, tearing her protection down to the studs.

  When he touched her, everything else stopped existing. For that brief moment, she’d barely been able to think. The only thing she’d been able to focus on was how close his mouth was to hers and how she desperately wanted him to kiss her. She’d seen the same desire flash in his eyes. For a few seconds, she’d silently willed him to go for it. Take what he wanted. Kiss her.

  But as quickly as it started, the moment ended, and he’d sent her to get ready. The feelings he’d stirred inside lasted far longer. It was only after she’d packed and took stock of everything she needed for Vegas that she was able to focus on her job again and stop wondering what his lips would feel like on hers.

  Even now, out of the corner of her eye she could still see his lips, grinning and chatting with Gabe easily as if nothing had transpired earlier. It was possible that touching her hadn’t caused any feelings inside of him the way it had in her. As much as she hated to admit it, it was also possible that she’d let her emotions get out of control for a few minutes while he’d remained perfectly normal, not caring about her in any way other than how a boss should care about an employee.

  Rex caught her gaze. The desire she’d seen earlier in his eyes flashed again, and she knew what she’d felt before was real. He had some kind of effect on her that she wasn’t prepared for. Nor did she know how to ignore it.

  “You okay?” he asked.

  “Fine. Why?”

  “Just making sure. You seem on edge.”

  She shrugged. “I’m fine. Ready to get to Vegas.”

  “We should land in a few minutes.”

  Gabe drummed his fingers on the armrest. “What’s on the docket first?”

  Alexia grabbed her notepad and a pencil, ready to take notes. Lacey wondered if the girl thought it was weird that she didn’t do the same.

  “Check into the hotel, then it’s up to you. I was thinking I might hit the tables. Maybe grab a bite to eat. What do you think?”

  “Sounds good to me,” Gabe said. “Let’s hope luck is on my side this time.”

  “Don’t bet the shirt off your back, just in case,” Rex teased.

  “You should take your own advice,” Gabe teased back.

  Both men laughed as if there was an inside joke behind the comment. She didn’t want to know. She didn’t want to think about either one of them losing their shirts at gambling, figuratively or literally. Especially not if it was Rex doing the losing. She’d seen his gorgeous naked chest once already. Seeing it again would be far too tempting.

  “Will you join us, Alexia?” Rex asked.

  She looked up from her notebook. “I’m not much of a gambler.”

  “Fair enough. If you want to come with us anyway just to hang out, that’s fine. Or you can do your own thing. Either way, you should meet up with us for dinner. I’m buying.”

 
“That’s very generous of you. I’d love to tag along.”

  “Don’t think too highly of me. We’ll talk shop for fifteen minutes and I’ll write the whole thing off as a business expense.”

  Even though he laughed and sounded a little cocky, Lacey suspected he’d buy everyone’s meals for the entire trip even if he couldn’t write them off. His generous soul had peeked through their daily life on a few occasions already. This was just a grand show of it.

  Rex might act like an arrogant movie star a lot of the time, but actions like this one gave her a glimpse of the guy he was behind the Hollywood hunk façade. There was more to Rex than most people got to see.

  As the plane came to a stop off to the side of the main airport terminal near the private hangers, everyone grabbed their things and stood, waiting for the door to open. Lacey was the first to peek outside the plane. A dark limo waited a dozen feet from the jet and beyond the fence, a horde of people with cameras clamored for the best angle.

  “All clear,” she said, stepping to the side to allow Rex to exit the plane first. She followed closely behind—one hand on her bag and the other ready to grab the holstered 9mm at the small of her back.

  Rex stopped at the top of the stairway leading down to the tarmac and waved to the photographers.

  One of the photographers pulled away from the crowd and yelled, “Are you ready to have some fun in Vegas?”

  “I’m always ready,” he yelled back. “But I don’t know if Vegas is ready for me!”

  Lacey sighed. And just like that, Rex went back to the A-list douchebag with nothing better to do than spend money on a private jet for a few days of reckless fun in Vegas.

  8

  Lacey sipped her soda and leaned back to stretch her legs out under the table. It had already been a long day and as dinner was ending at ten-thirty, Rex still showed no signs of calling it a night. How the man had this much energy, she had no idea. But any time he wanted to go back to their rooms would be fine with her.