Close to Perfect

by Tina Donahue

  Now, there was a question that didn’t need answering. Tess knew he would be more than fine, the professional in her would see to his safety. The woman in her was another matter entirely. She was far too attracted to this man; he was making her want more than just this job.

  Not a chance. Behave like the professional you are.

  It wasn’t only her future on the line here, it was also her dad’s. If she were to act like a silly fool and lose this job or compromise it, his business would be the one to suffer. It probably would be best if she also remembered that. “I’ll protect you as no one else ever has.”

  Josh’s expression said he had absolutely no doubt of that as his gaze grew thoughtful and lingered.

  If any other man had looked at her as he was now doing, this moment might have felt inappropriate and uncomfortable.

  With this man it seemed oddly right, even though Alan and Peg had not yet left. Tess was vaguely aware that they were speaking, but whether it was to each other or Josh, she had no idea.

  Only he existed. She saw wanting in his gaze, the kind fueled not only by desire, but admiration and respect. How many times had Tess searched for that look on the faces of other men? How many times had she been so disappointed that she had come to believe what she was now seeing didn’t exist?

  Her belly fluttered and her body felt deliciously weak. If she hadn’t already wanted him, she surely did now.

  Not that she would act upon it.

  The door closed behind her.

  Tess glanced over her shoulder to see that Alan and Peg were now in the woman’s office, lingering by the glass wall that separated it from this space. She turned back to Josh.

  His gaze was on her heels, before lifting to her eyes. “I believe that.”

  “Believe what?”

  “That you’ll protect me as no one else ever has.”

  Her cheeks and throat got hot. Her heart was beating far too fast. If she spoke now, Tess was afraid her voice would betray what she felt, so she simply nodded.

  Josh regarded her for a moment more, then went to his desk. He was lowering her resume and the brochure onto that copy of Keys Confidential when his head lifted to the boat outside.

  Several moments passed as he continued to watch that boat, obviously forgetting her, and so easily too, unless there was something about that boat that bothered him. “Everything all right?”

  Josh looked over his shoulder. His expression and sudden smile said that he had forgotten her. “I hope it will be, but I’ll need your help.”

  Tess nodded. Her heart was really pounding now. He was going to give her this job. She suspected it, of course, but then, there had always been the possibility that he asked Peg and Alan to leave so that he could gently let her down and ask for a date, instead.

  Tess had to admit that a date with him would have been very nice, but that had to be put aside now. She was going to get this plum assignment for Privacy Dynamics. She had beaten out all of the really big industry players.

  Her father would be so proud just as soon as he finished yelling at her. Tess had given him no end of grief when she became a cop and now that she was a bodyguard, he wasn’t all that thrilled about her going after clients like Josh.

  Just this morning he had ordered her to stay away from the man.

  “I mean it,” he had said as he lifted the tabloid in his fist. “He’s obviously a pervert.”

  “Aw, Pop. He was swimming in his own pool in his own yard in a gated estate, not taking a dip in front of City Hall.”

  “Just stay away from him.”

  As a rule, Tess followed orders in her professional life, but not today. Something kept drawing her to this man, like the promise of an outstanding contract and those luscious pictures of him and—

  “Of course,” Josh said, interrupting her thoughts, “you wouldn’t be acting solely as my bodyguard.”

  Just like that, Tess’s heart sank, because she knew what was coming. It wasn’t uncommon for wealthy clients to expect a bodyguard to also walk their dogs, run errands, and be a substitute maid. Because this man had to work for his wealth, because he kept looking at her with admiration and respect, Tess had expected far better of him. “What?”

  “Let me explain.” He moved past her.

  Where was he going? Tess looked over her shoulder, surprised he was so close. As she turned her back to that bank of windows, he glanced outside again.

  “You okay?”

  Josh nodded, then spoke in a lowered voice only she could hear. “If you were to act solely as my bodyguard you’d attract all sorts of animosity and probably even more press. However, if you were to pretend to be involved with me romantically, when we’re out in public, you’ll get rid of the others fast, without bloodshed.”

  As low as Tess’s heart had just sunk, it now bottomed out, making her feel like the ultimate fool.

  He didn’t want her to be his maid, he wanted her to pretend to be his girlfriend?

  Is that why he had turned on the charm? Is that all he thought she was—a pair of boobs and hands and lips that would be all over him in public to keep the rest of the women away? Nitwits like Badder Girl Yum?

  Tess’s gaze drifted to that basket of orchids adorned with that blonde’s erotic photos.

  She tried to imagine doing that herself, but could not, unless she loved a man and those pictures were for his eyes alone. If Tess loved a man, there would be no end to her need or what she would do for him. That kind of passion knew no shame or restrictions. She met Josh’s gaze.

  His brows lifted. “Hey, you all right?”

  Tess wasn’t sure. He wasn’t leering at her as she had expected or looking as if she were no more than a potential employee, a mere staff member paid to do all of his bidding, even if it might be weird.

  That same admiration from before, that same respect was in his eyes and expression. That and his concerned manner was turning her brain to mush.

  Just stay away from him, her father had advised.

  Too late now.

  Tess cleared her throat. “What?”

  “Are you all—”

  She interrupted, “I heard that. I’m still having trouble with what you first said about being romantically involved with you.”

  Josh appeared surprised, maybe even hurt. When he spoke again, his voice was still lowered, as if he were afraid Peg and Alan might be eavesdropping. “Why?”

  Is he kidding? Tess spoke in her normal voice. “I’m not an escort, Mr. Wyatt. I’m a bodyguard.”

  “No need to shout. In fact, I’d prefer it if you kept your voice lowered.”

  “Why? Can’t you just order Peg and Alan not to listen in on my interview?”

  He arched one brow to the snotty way she had said interview. “I’m not worried about them. Besides, they never do what I want anyway.”

  That was the honest-to-God’s truth. Tess had seen the two of them in action.

  “It’s not funny,” Josh said.

  She sobered.

  “Can I continue?” he asked, his voice still lowered.

  “With what?”

  “With what I’m asking of you.”

  Tess told herself to leave. “Go on.”

  “First of all, it’s Josh.”

  “Whatever you say, Mr. Wyatt.”

  He inhaled deeply, then sighed it out.

  Poor baby. Tess warned herself not to smile.

  “As my bodyguard,” he finally said, “you will be staying at my place to protect me from intruders, and lawsuits and, well, you know. So, it’s only one small step for you to pretend to be involved with me romantically when we’re out in public.”

  This was getting worse, or better, by the minute depending upon how Tess wanted to look at it.

  As my bodyguard you will be staying at my place... involved with me romantically when we’re out in public.

  A few seconds ago those public moments had stopped Tess cold; now the private ones were an even greater worry. Stay at his place? Was he
kidding?

  His place, which Tess had researched for security purposes before coming here, was a Caribbean-style estate with an eighteen-eighties mansion flanked by moss-draped live oaks and cypress trees. The kind of place where heroines in historical romances were deflowered by guys who looked like Josh, after which they spent each day in bed awaiting their lovers, their naked flesh moist from the tropical heat and desire. Was he kidding?

  Tess looked from the open collar of his shirt to his eyes.

  They still weren’t leering. They were honest and looked nearly as vulnerable as she felt.

  “It’ll only be a little flirting until this blows over.” His voice, though lowered, had a reassuring tone to it.

  Still...

  “You do know how to flirt with a man, don’t you?” he asked.

  Tess arched one brow.

  “I’m not kidding,” he said.

  “That’s what worries me.”

  “Okay, let me prove it to you.” He moved so close this time they were almost touching.

  Good sense told Tess to step back. His masculine scent, the sound of his deep, rich voice, and his powerful male presence kept her rooted to the spot. “What are you doing?”

  “Trying to explain my position without anyone else knowing what I’m saying.”

  Uh-huh. “You mean someone other than Peg or Alan?”

  “That’s exactly what I mean. There’s a paparazzo outside.”

  Tess knew she shouldn’t have been surprised by that, but she was. No wonder he had been acting so weird. “Where?”

  “No, don’t look,” Josh said.

  Tess turned back to him and arched one brow.

  Josh sighed, then leaned close and whispered in her ear. “He’s in the upper helm station of that boat to the left. I saw him earlier and thought he looked familiar, but couldn’t figure out why. That camera and zoom lens in his hand made everything click. That jerk’s been following me for days. He’s the one who snuck into my yard and sold those photos to that tabloid. For all I know, he’s not only taking pictures of us now, but using that zoom to read our lips.”

  Tess glanced down to Josh holding her wrist. His fingers were calloused from years of labor, his skin warm and dry, his touch exceedingly gentle.

  “I’m telling you the truth,” he whispered.

  Her belly fluttered to his rich voice; his sweet, hot breath tickling her ear.

  “I wouldn’t joke about something like this,” he said, “especially after those humiliating pictures.”

  Humiliating? Tess’s gaze turned inward, remembering each. Until this moment, she hadn’t considered that a man as beautiful as Josh would be humiliated by those pictures. They were nearly artistic. Of course, he hadn’t asked for that exposure. He hadn’t suspected it. It must have really blindsided him, making him look ridiculous to the business community.

  Turning her face into his, she whispered, “He shouldn’t have done that. I’m sorry.”

  Josh was so surprised by that response he didn’t know what to say. He was far too used to Peg’s lighten up, give it a rest, it could be worse, or anything else that was all too flip.

  But there was genuine understanding in Tess’s voice.

  There was comfort in being this close.

  Her cheek was silky and moist against his; her hair was as soft and fragrant as he had imagined.

  She was an amazing woman, and it took all the will Josh owned to ease back.

  He was glad he had.

  Her gaze was so sincere, seeing only him, not the wealth, not the status, that it stole his breath. “Thanks.”

  Her color heightened; those delicate nostrils flared.

  Without thinking or considering the consequences, Josh touched her cheek.

  Her lids fluttered, but she didn’t move back. After the briefest hesitation, she lifted her hand and gently stroked the inside of his wrist.

  Her touch was thrilling, yet comfortable, and more powerful than sex or all the money the world had to give. It was a caress that touched every part of Josh, and made him want more.

  He searched her gaze and saw unexpected trust mingled with a female yearning that hardly needed to be questioned, and could not be denied.

  Without pause, he lowered his mouth, gently brushing his lips over hers.

  They were velvety, her sigh so soft only he was privileged to hear it, and to feel those lips yielding to his.

  He explored that exquisite flesh, he enjoyed it, then felt humbled as Tess parted her lips, inviting him inside.

  Josh’s first reaction was to seek immediate relief, savage and wild; his second was to be tender, searching, making certain she enjoyed his touch, scent, and unbearable need as he slipped his tongue inside.

  She suckled him without pause, as if she had been born for this and him. Her heat and response thickened his cock, making him bold as he drew her closer so that he could deepen the kiss.

  Again, she responded, until Josh couldn’t breathe, he couldn’t think.

  He wanted this to last forever, but already she was pulling away, then putting even more distance between them as someone continued to hammer on his door.

  Josh ignored that intrusion, following her, instead.

  Noting that, Tess gave him one of her hard stares.

  This time, Josh wasn’t intimidated. Her lips were still moist from their kiss, one she had fully participated in.

  “Yo, Josh?” Alan suddenly said from behind.

  Fuck. “What?”

  The attorney paused to Josh’s sharp tone. “Ah, we have business to discuss, and I thought—”

  “It can wait,” Josh said, his gaze still on Tess. “It’ll have to wait.”

  “Well, I—”

  “Later, Alan. And close the door.”

  The attorney sighed loudly, but did what Josh wanted.

  “Please don’t leave,” he said to her.

  Leave? Tess hadn’t even moved; after that kiss she wasn’t certain she could.

  She had responded to this man as if she had known him all her life; she felt that safe in his arms. And yet, he aroused her as if they just met, because they had.

  “Do this for me,” he asked.

  There it was again, that reassuring tone, that respect, that admiration.

  If she took this job, where would it lead? Tess had known him less than an hour and already she was letting him kiss her—hell, she had practically begged to taste his tongue. And that wasn’t the end of it. Oh, no. She really wanted to kick that paparazzo’s butt for humiliating him with those pictures.

  “I’ll make it worth your while,” he added.

  Closing her eyes, Tess ordered herself to use her head, not her body or heart. This was a terrific opportunity, one that could easily take her dad’s business to the next level and beyond. One she really wanted, and not entirely because of that business.

  “I want you,” Josh said.

  That sounded nice, except all that wanting would only be for as long as he craved it, right? After that, what would happen to her?

  Leave, Tess ordered herself. Run, don’t walk, to the nearest exit, and don’t look back.

  “Please,” Josh said.

  Tess opened her eyes and was sorely disappointed that he looked even better than she had recalled. Walking away from him would be hard. Staying for a little while, only to be dismissed a short time into the future, would prove to be even harder.

  Taking a deep breath, she finally nodded.

  Josh smiled. “Thanks.”

  Tess’s gaze lowered to his sensuous mouth, then returned to his beautiful eyes. “Better wait before you thank me,” she said in a voice that was finally professional, one that hardly matched the pounding of her heart. “We need to set up some ground rules before we get started.”

  Chapter Two

  Josh sighed. It seemed the honeymoon was over before it ever got started. Still, he wasn’t completely bummed.

  Tess hadn’t bolted out of here even though it kept crossing her mind
. Ex-cop or not, she hardly had a poker face, especially before their kiss.

  Her eyes then had been softened with surrender and glazed with desire, the same that Josh felt as her body snuggled into his, delivering her need and trust.

  Wow. In that slice of time, she had believed in him, she had wanted him, and as far as Josh was concerned, she’d want him even more in the days to come, despite that skeptical look on her face now.

  “Sure,” he said, casual as all get-out. “Whatever you want or need.”

  Tess regarded him until Josh’s legs were limp and his cock was rock hard. “A private place to speak would be nice.”

  Josh followed her gaze to Alan and Peg on the other side of the glass wall, craning their necks to see in, while that paparazzo was probably still clicking away outside.

  “Sure. We’ll go to the conference room.” He took her hand, but didn’t get all that far as she decided against surrender and held back like an ex-cop. Josh gave her a moderately hard stare, then inclined his head towards that docked boat.

  Tess finally glanced in that direction. Her eyes widened and then her lips parted to the camera in that guy’s hand. It was nearly as big as an assault rifle with the ability to do some serious harm.

  Leaning toward her, Josh whispered, “Told you.”

  Tess turned her face to his.

  There was a tiny mole on her right cheek he hadn’t noticed before, and a renewed look of wonder in her eyes. They searched his and didn’t seem at all disappointed.

  At least, until his phone rang.

  Just like that, Tess’s gaze cleared; she frowned.

  “I won’t answer it,” he murmured.

  “Maybe you should. Could be that paparazzo out—”

  “Shhhhh.”

  Her frown deepened. “Why?”

  He lowered his voice even more. “Could be he has one of those listening devices I read about on the Net when Nicole Kidman was having problems with the papa—Are you laughing at me?”

  Tess lowered her face and breathed hard. “Not at all.”

  Uh-huh. Curling his fingers around hers, Josh said, “This way.” Then he led her into the conference room. Or, at least, he tried as she stopped dead at the door.

  “Something wrong?”