Page 10 of A Bride for the Bodyguard

I want more, but I force myself to rein it in, remembering our audience of one: the flight attendant pretending not to notice from the other end of the cabin.

As I pull back, Marlie’s eyes flutter open, dazed and dark with something that might just mirror my own undisguised lust.

“See? I murmur. “That wasn’t so bad.”

Marlie giggles. “Jack Barton, practicing kissing with you is like playing with fire.”

“Then let’s make sure we don’t get scorched,” I reply, my lips curving into a grin that feels as dangerous as it does genuine. “For now.”

Chapter Four

MARLIE

Hours later, the light above the fancy keypad beeps green, and Jack nudges the penthouse door open with his shoulder.

As I step inside, I can’t help the gasp that slips through my lips.

It’s nothing like the cozy seaside apartment I had envisioned Jack living in.

The space is open and expansive—the kind of apartments you see in magazines but never imagine you’ll step foot in. Floor-to-ceiling windows reveal a breathtaking view of the Barton Beach boardwalk, chrome and glass shimmer beneath recessed lighting and edgy art pieces line the walls.

“Wow,” I breathe out. “Your house is incredible.”

Jack grins as he watches me drink it all in. “This is your home too, Marlie.” Then he extends his hand to me. “Let’s head to the kitchen. I have a surprise for you.”

I take his outstretched hand and let him lead me down the hallway, feeling slightly dazed.

It’s been a day of dizzying highs and lows—starting with the most unromantic yet undeniably stirring moment when Jack and I said, “I do,” in front of a justice of the peace who looked as if she’d rather be anywhere else.

The ceremony was exactly as Jack had outlined—quick, simple, no frills. But the rest of the day has thrown me into emotional chaos.

All day, he’s been gentle and considerate, like he’s really my husband. Which is insane because there’s no way there could be anything real between us. We literally just met. But then there’s the way my name sounds coming off his tongue and the way his eyes seem to find mine like I’m the only person in the room.

And now I don’t know what to think.

As Jack guides me into the kitchen, my gaze lands on the island in the center. A collection of high-end baking equipment is sitting neatly on the counter, wrapped in a big pink bow.

I spin around to face Jack, eyes wide with surprise. “Jack, you didn’t have to do this,” I say, gesturing towards the gifts.

He waves away my protests with an easy grin. “Like I said before, this is your home now too, baby. I want you to have the best equipment if you’re going to be baking here.”

“But this stuff is like, ridiculously expensive.”

He saunters over to the bar set against one wall of the kitchen. “I’m going to be working quite a bit these next few months and I want you to feel comfortable here.”

His words sink in as he pours two glasses of wine from a bottle resting on the counter. Then he hands me one glass with a playful wink. “You’re welcome.”

With our drinks in hand, we settle into a comfortable silence until curiosity gets the better of me. “So is tomorrow your first day at your new job?” I ask him casually.

“Yeah,” Jack replies after taking another sip from his glass. His tone is nonchalant but there’s something guarded about his expression that wasn’t there earlier.

My interest piqued even more by this mysterious side of him, I tease him lightly, trying to keep things light-hearted between us despite my growing curiosity about his job. “Should I start worrying about spending nights alone here?”

Jack’s gaze snaps up to meet mine. “No.”

I tilt my head to the side and continue teasing him, unable to resist pushing just a little bit more. “And how can I be so sure?” I ask, my voice laced with playful challenge.

His next words are a velvet growl. “Because you’re mine, Marlie Barton. And I protect what’s mine.”

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