Page 6 of Baby Bodyguard

“I suspect he’s part wolf, though when I eventually tracked down the owner, we never got around to the subject.”

That snagged her attention. “You tracked down the owner?”

“Yes.”

“The one who’d abandoned Loner.”

“Right.”

“Whatever for?”

Noah released his breath in a long sigh. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d had to explain himself to someone. He also couldn’t remember the last time he’d wanted to. But with Sami… “I needed to explain to him the importance of taking proper care of his animals.”

Comprehension dawned. “I see. And did he survive your… er… explanation?”

“Let’s say he won’t be making the same mistake again.”

“Good.” She fixed him with a direct look that combined approval with admiration. It shouldn’t please him, but it did. “I assume Loner’s been with you ever since?”

“Anywhere I go, he goes.” Perhaps he should make himself a little clearer on that point. “Without exception.”

She lifted an eyebrow. “Even to bed?” she asked irrepressibly.

“In the bedroom, at the foot of the bed.”

“But not in it?”

“You ask some mighty peculiar questions, lady.” Her gaze remained trained on him and he sighed. “No. Not in it.”

“I thought we should clarify that up front.”

“Why?”

“Because it’s my bed you’ll be sleeping in.”

“So the position comes with room and board?”

“The position?” She chuckled. “Cute. Look, why don’t we sit down and get to know each other a little better, Mr—?” She stopped short. “Good grief. Ican’t believe we’ve been talking all this time and haven’t introduced ourselves.”

“It’s Noah.”

She held out her hand, bracelets jangling. “I’m Sami Fontaine. So is Noah your first name or your last?”

Matters got sticky at this point. The next few minutes would be crucial. If she didn’t accept what he told her, he’d soon follow the hapless Mr. Griffith out the front door, the rich golden oak kissing his backside. “First.”

“And your last?”

“Hawke.”

She stilled. “Hawke?” Her brow wrinkled. “Hawke. Hawke. Iknow that name. But from where?”

He turned his back on her and crossed to a cluster of chairs where she’d been conducting her interviews. Papers were strewn across the table in the middle of the sitting area. He didn’t wait for an invitation, but took a seat. “So what questions do you have for me?”

She snapped her fingers. “I’ve got it. My mother once planned to marry a man with that last name.” She followed him to the sitting area. “Mel Hawke. Have you heard of him? Are you related?”

“I believe there’s a connection,” he admitted casually. “In fact, that’s how I came to hear about the job.”

“Excuse me?” Sami sank into the chair opposite his, her eyes so wide they threatened to engulf her face. “Mel told you about my ad? He knows? How in the world would he—”

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