She rose from the desk, her eyes going to the window. Noah was already out of the room and opening the door to their studio.
“Are you all right?” he asked as he crossed to her. His support and care were almost tangible, as he wrapped a protective arm around her.
Jessica rubbed her arms, nodding.
“Oh, hey, big guy, you can’t just walk in here—” Hamish fell quiet at the dark look Noah shot him.
Noah turned back to Jessica, his concerned gaze warming her through the chill of fear embracing her. “Come on, let’s get you out of here.”
Julie stood at the door, with Irene hovering behind her. “I’m so sorry, Jessica,” she began at their approach. “I had no idea he was going to say all of that. He seemed so nice before I put him through.”
Jessica nodded. “It’s all right, Julie. I understand.”
“Hey, the ads are about to finish,” Hamish called out.
Julie grimaced. “I have to get back. Again, I’m so sorry that call went through. I had no idea you had, uh, issues, until Mr. Samuels went all commando in there. Wait here for a moment, will you?”
Jessica nodded. She just wanted to leave. She wanted to run away. She should have known this could happen. Should have expected it, prepared herself for it. Noah rested his hand on her shoulder. She couldn’t help it. She leaned into him, into his strength, into his warmth. His protection.
Julie dashed inside and tapped away on the console. She indicated to Hamish, who had already strapped his earphones back on. Hamish began to talk.
She swiveled around on her chair, typed on a keyboard and waited. A minute later she pressed a button, and a compact disc slid out of one of the machines. She hurried back to them, writing something on the label.
Jessica straightened as Julie handed the disc to Noah.
“Here’s the recording you asked for. That’s the originating number on the label. I hope you catch this sicko.” She turned her warm gaze to Jessica. “Do you need some time off?”
Jessica thought about it. The same thing could easily happen again. This Max, if that was his real name—and she seriously doubted it—could call and pose as a normal, nice person, and then could verbally attack her as soon as he got on air.
It was tempting, not having to go through that again. She knew she would be tense for the duration of all of her shows, just in case the man called back. And he probably would. He’d been successful in reaching her this time. He was bound to try again. Each caller could potentially be him.
She shuddered at the thought. She didn’t want to sit there, waiting for the next caller, for the next onslaught. But, if she left the show after that call, he would win. Besides, how would people perceive her? Would the listeners think there was any basis to his remarks? Contrary to popular belief, she hadn’t been born with a silver spoon in her mouth, hadn’t always been the proper miss. Would the businessmen and women she dealt with wonder? She crossed her arms tightly. Her aunt would be disappointed at all the talk, too.
Jessica straightened her shoulders. “No, I’ll be fine. See you next week.”
Noah turned away briefly, as though masking his reaction to her words. When he finally looked at her, his face was impassive. Only the faint tightening of his lips gave any indication he was displeased with her decision.
“Let’s go,” he muttered.
Jessica nodded. She walked by his side. Unlike the support and warmth of a moment ago, this time there was no touching.
Chapter Seven
Noah strode through the underground parking lot. He could hear the clatter of Jessica’s heels on the concrete as she tried to keep up with him. He didn’t slow down. He was too angry to slow down. Jessica’s stalker had gotten to her. Sure, it was over the phone, but his job was to ensure her safety. That meant no threat reached her, even if it only came over a phone. And the woman wanted to go back for more of the same next week.
He’d seen her face. She was tempted. She’d almost said yes to the offered leave of absence. It would have been the smartest thing to do. But no. The woman had to keep sticking her neck out, keep painting a target on her forehead.
“Noah, please, slow down,” Jessica huffed.
“We need to get out of here,” he muttered. Car parks were a great place for an ambush. He reluctantly slowed his pace, and eyed her heels. They were impractical. They made her legs look long and sexy, but still, impractical. He didn’t understand why people, women in particular, persisted with discomfort, just for the sake of looking good.
“Why are you cranky?” She panted as she hurried to keep up with him.
He glanced at her briefly, before scanning the deserted parking lot. “You continually put yourself into situations where you know your stalker can get to you. You won’t move out of your house, you won’t take a leave of absence. I’m trying to keep you safe, but I can’t work miracles.”
He heard her huffing as she stepped briskly at his side. “I think that wherever I go, whatever I do, this guy will probably be watching. You know, for a moment, I actually thought it was Hamish, before the call came through.” Her blond hair moved in a silky curtain as she shook her head.
“Why would you think that?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know, the way he deals with some people. He’s a bully, and for a moment, I thought, well, it could be him.” She shook her head again. “This business has made me so paranoid, but you’re my reality check. I can’t have you getting paranoid, too.”
He stopped and turned to meet her solemn blue gaze. “I don’t want you to get hurt,” he said in a low voice as he gazed down into her earnest eyes. He gave up trying to convince himself that he didn’t care for this woman, that she was just a job. He worried about her. In the past few weeks they’d spent every waking moment together. He knew she did yoga in the middle of the night when she couldn’t sleep. He knew she preferred tea to coffee, and that she normally ate rabbit food for lunch. He knew she crammed too much into her days, and fell asleep on her couch reading old romance books. He knew she wasn’t used to cooking steak, but that she did it for him. And he knew he was beginning to care more for her with each passing moment.
She nodded. “Good. I don’t want to get hurt, either. That’s why I have you,” she said, prodding his chest. “You’ve already proven yourself. I have every faith in your abilities to keep me safe.”
He glanced down. Her hand had flattened against his chest. It felt small and warm, slowly spreading heat through his shirt.
“Yeah?” he grated. “Well, you’re going to have to meet me halfway.” He covered her hand with his. He didn’t know if it was to stop her from pulling away, or to bring her closer. He just knew he liked her touch, and he didn’t want her to stop. He wanted her hands on him. All of him.
The muscles worked in her throat as she swallowed. “I, uh, I think I can work with that,” she said, her voice all soft and husky as she took a step closer.
* * *
Jessica trembled. For once, Noah’s expression wasn’t impassive. His gaze wasn’t the inscrutable one she was familiar with. There was care, concern and just a little worry, but more than that, there was heat. Hot, naked desire, and he wasn’t trying to hide it.
Her cheeks heated as his other hand rose to slide up the back of her neck.
Uh-huh. She trembled at his touch. His fingers speared her hair and clenched. She suspected she was about to experience some of those fancy warm-milk moves, then all proper thoughts left her mind in a rush as Noah lowered his lips to hers.
He did it slowly, as though giving her an opportunity to stop it. Nuh-uh. Jessica opened her mouth beneath his. His tongue swept in, all hot and slick and strong. He moved his mouth across hers, as though drinking her very essence. Heat flashed through her. Her nipples tightened in her lacy bra, and she moaned into his mouth. He consumed the soun
d.
He moved her backward a few steps until she felt the cold hard surface of a car behind her. She dropped her bag to the ground with a clatter and slid both hands up over the smooth glide of his leather jacket to entwine around his neck.
All conscious thought burned away as he moved his body against hers. Hard muscle pressed against her hips. Strong hands drifted down her back to cup her buttocks and lift her on to the hood of the car. Her legs slid open, and his hips nestled in hers, separated by jeans and rumpled skirt.
Hot hands skimmed down to her legs. A husky groan erupted from his throat as his fingers slid up her skirt to encounter the lacy edge of her stockings and the strap of her garter belt.
She was on fire. Her breath came in quick pants as he angled his head one way, then another. She arched her back as his lips left hers to trail down her neck.
Brring.
Jessica jolted back to earth with a jarring shock. Noah stiffened in her arms.
Brring. Brring.
“What the—?” Noah straightened.
Her phone.
Cool air brushed the front of her body where a mere moment before a warm body had pressed against hers. And with the cool air came a rush of cold comprehension. Warm milk. The short, clipped thought fired through her mind. She’d just had a taste of Noah’s version of warm milk. And she wanted more than just a taste.
“Oh, dear.” She swallowed. Her phone kept ringing.
She lifted her head and met Noah’s eyes. His expression tightened from hot lover to removed bodyguard between one ring of her phone and the next.
They were in a parking lot, for crying out loud.
And she was sitting on the hood of someone else’s car.
At that thought she bucked off the car as though burned. Oh. My. God. She yanked down her skirt as Noah bent to retrieve her bag and the items that had fallen out of it, including her cell phone.
She jerked her jacket closed as Noah handed her the phone. She nodded as she accepted it and turned away to take the call. She couldn’t look him in the eye. Oh. My. God. Her cheeks grew even hotter.
The phone trilled in her hand. She slid it open with a snap.
“Jessica Pennington speaking,” she said hoarsely, then cleared her throat. Great, she couldn’t talk properly. He’d singed her vocal cords with his kiss.
“Jess? It’s Ollie.”
“Uh-huh?” She pressed a cool hand to her hot cheeks. She’d kissed Noah. What was she thinking? She could sense him by her side, but avoided looking at him.
“Are you all right?” her friend asked.
“Uh-huh.” Words were beyond her. She was lucky her legs could hold her.
“O-kay. I know you have a shopping appointment with Anita Cross this afternoon, but would you mind dropping into the office? You and Noah both have visitors.”
“Visitors?” she repeated. She tried to get the mush that was her brain to start functioning again. She had a visitor? Most people of her acquaintance would never just drop by. Scheduling was an accepted form of strategy in her world. Who had the effrontery to drop in unannounced?
“Yes. Your aunt is here.”
A chill swept over her, and she nearly dropped the phone.
“What?” This time there was no difficulty getting the squeak past her lips.
“Jacquie is here,” Ollie whispered down the phone. “And she doesn’t look happy.”
Chapter Eight
Noah stood next to Jessica in the elevator as it climbed to the third floor of her office building. He stared at her reflection in the polished doors of the elevator. She was beautiful. Her hair was smooth. She’d touched up her makeup. She’d tucked her blouse back into her skirt. She stood by his side, serene. He pulled out his cards and started shuffling them.
His mouth kicked up at one corner. He knew now that it was all an act. The car ride back from the radio station had been interesting. She’d sat next to him in the car, hurriedly putting herself to rights as he drove the short distance back to her office. If he didn’t know any better, he’d say she was in a panic. Her hand had trembled as she reapplied lipstick. He’d seen her fumble in her purse for her brush. Jessica had muttered to herself as she tried to straighten the creases out of her skirt. He pretended to ignore her when she’d gone all zen on him, closing her eyes, breathing deeply and murmuring something about tranquil oozing, although he had no idea how that was supposed to work.
And it was all due to one kiss. He was right. There was a passionate, fiery woman under all that class and propriety. A woman who made him forget about his job, and about the aches and pains of his body, who made him forget about time and place, and duty. A woman who swept him away in the moment, who made his blood simmer with just a look.
“It can’t happen again.” The voice was quiet, subdued, but stronger than the shaky mutterings from the car, or the breathy little moans from the parking lot. His body clenched at the memory of her hot surrender in his arms. Even now he tamped down a blaze of desire to finish what they’d started back on the hood of a stranger’s car.
He met her serious gaze in their reflection, and arched an eyebrow.
“What happened in the parking lot. It can’t happen again,” she reiterated. “No more—” Her hand fluttered briefly to her neck to touch the pearl necklace. “No more warm milk.” He watched as color swept over her cheeks, swamping those sexy little freckles in a tide of embarrassment.
She was right. He sighed roughly. It couldn’t happen again. He shuffled the cards faster. He was her bodyguard. He was supposed to protect her. Not have his way with her sweet little body on the hood of a car in a parking lot.
“It wouldn’t be appropriate,” she said quietly. He stopped shuffling. And she was all about being appropriate, wasn’t she? He didn’t know what ticked him off more, her obvious regret, or the fact that she was right. He’d seen the shock on her face when her phone had rung. She’d been just as caught up in the moment as he, until the little cold shower of reality had intruded, and she realized what she was doing. Getting down and dirty with the hired help. Her shock and embarrassment had almost cooled his ardor completely. Almost. He still wanted her. He could admit that. But he could also get over it. He wanted a woman who wasn’t afraid or embarrassed to want him right back. Miss Prissy just wasn’t his cup of tea. Warm milk. Whatever.
“Fine,” he said abruptly. He put his cards back into his pocket. He’d do his job, and that was it. Nothing more. Nothing less.
A slight mark lined her brow as the elevator dinged and the doors slid open. Her hand dropped to her side. What, she was unhappy with his capitulation? Wasn’t that what she wanted?
“Is that all you’re going to say?” Jessica asked as she followed him out of the elevator.
He turned to her. She told him it shouldn’t happen again, and he agreed. What else did she want him to say?
“I don’t talk touchy feely,” he said. Then his lips pulled into a grin. “I do touchy feely, but I don’t talk it.” He waggled his eyebrows, and watched the bloom in her cheeks spread down her neck. He did enjoy making her blush. He wondered how far the color crept down her body. Thoughts of stripping her naked, one inch at a time, and doing and saying things to make her blush distracted him for a moment. Damned unprofessional. He had to snap out of it.
“If you’d rather not discuss what happened, then that’s peachy with me,” she muttered.
He held the newly installed polished walnut door open for her as she entered the academy’s reception area.
“You started it,” he whispered wickedly in her ear as she passed him. He got a sliver of satisfaction at her faint stumble.
“Did not,” she shot back at him under her breath as Gwen looked up from behind the reception desk.
“Well, you didn’t stop it either, did you?” Noah felt his lips
pulling back in a grin as her jaw dropped and no sound came out. He was enjoying their exchange. He enjoyed that stunned look every time he made her speechless.
Gwen waved to them. “You both have visitors,” she told them. They stopped to face the stocky woman.
Noah had heard Jessica’s aunt was visiting. He glanced around the reception. No matriarch was visible, but he took note of the long, lean legs belonging to a man reading a newspaper in one of the comfortable armchairs in the reception area. The paper rustled, and the man folded it and looked up, his green eyes twinkling.
“Hey, Noah.” His associate, Drew Michaels, greeted him.
Ollie almost ran down the hallway from Jessica’s office, a relieved look on her face. “Oh, hi, Jess.”
“Jessica. Finally, you’re here,” a woman’s voice exclaimed through the open door of Jessica’s office.
“Crap,” Noah muttered.
“Fiddlesticks,” Jessica murmured. They both turned in opposite directions to greet their guests.
* * *
“What the hell are you doing here?” Noah growled as Drew Michaels rose from his seat. The handsome man grinned.
“Reese sent me. He thought you might need backup.”
Noah’s head recoiled, as though he’d been slapped. Reese didn’t have faith in him? His friend and boss didn’t trust him to get the job done?
Drew stopped smiling when he saw his reaction. “Hey, it’s got nothing to do with you. Or me. Jeff Lyon wants to make sure all possible resources are used to keep his little sister’s best friend safe.”
Noah didn’t buy it. “You could do that from Chicago.”
Drew held up his hands. “I’m just following the boss’s orders.” He dropped his hands and shrugged. “I’m backup. You’re the point man. Reese’s rented an apartment a block away from Miss Pennington’s home. I’ve already set up a comms station there.”
Noah put his hands on his hips. He’d called Drew from the radio station, when Jessica had received that call. “You were already there when I spoke to you, weren’t you?” he accused.
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