Page 9 of The Female Warrior & The Charming Gentleman

She actually smiled at him. “I’m off my game tonight. I am usually the one instigating the flirting and the banter.”

“If you’re off your game, I’m on pins and needles to see you at full strength.”

She half-laughed but then shook her head. “I can flirt with any handsome man and taunt and lie to every criminal I’veencountered, but somehow you got the truth out of me.” She gazed at him as if bewildered.

“I’m your truth serum. I like that, my beauty.”

“Don’t plan on getting any more out of me.”

Jarom smiled. He was tempted to touch her smooth arm but resisted. Now was not the moment to push. He dated multiple women each week, always had fun, even sometimes went on a second date. He’d never found a woman who didn’t want him for his money, his fame, or his ‘pretty boy’ face and body.

Autumn was a puzzle. She’d all but admitted she followed him on social media, she’d said some telling things and let down her guard a few times, but she was a challenge. She would flirt with him, but she wasn’t going to let her brick walls down easily or at all. She claimed she didn’t do relationships. Intriguing. He couldn’t wait to make her eat those words.

Everything about tonight, besides his house being blown up, had been delightful truly. He rubbed his hands together in anticipation of more.

“You don’t have your phone to post on social media anyway,” she said.

“I do.” He pulled it out of his pocket.

She gave an audible gasp, swiped the device from his hand, powered it off and then removed the cover, searching it with her hand and her eyes as she drove with the other hand.

“I thought you needed to focus,” he teased.

Dropping the phone into the console, she shook her head but didn’t respond.

After a few beats of silence, he said, “So we’re back to you and I pretending to be dating for this protection detail. When we do the photo shoot, I hate to inform you, but you’ll have to kiss me, and make it look convincing.” He rubbed hispalms together in anticipation. “I’m looking forward to those moments already, love.”

“No.” She shook her head and pulled off the highway and into the airport. “We’ll be at a quiet and private ranch surrounded by security. There’s no need to pretend anything. No photo shoots.”

“Disappointing, but I can work with it.” He gave her his most winning smile. “I think the solution is we simply date for real. What a blessing that would be for me and hopefully for you. We can kiss nonstop, you can taunt me relentlessly, and I’ll have my exquisite bodyguard by my side at all times. Win-win.”

She didn’t respond as she pulled the vehicle up to a large airport hangar only five down from his own hangar that housed his Gulfstream G700. He’d had his pilot’s license for six years now and loved the freedom it granted him. Freedom he’d forfeited the past few months with Benjamin on his tail. It appeared things were about to get worse. Or better if he considered the engaging woman who had to stay by his side.

Pushing a remote opener, Autumn studiously ignored him, but her smooth skin was much darker than usual.

The huge hangar door lifted. She drove the Escalade inside, pushed the door button again, and then turned off the vehicle.

“What do you think?” he asked, giving her his most charming smile.

“I think you caught me off my guard and off my game. You want meaningless flirtations and nonstop teasing, knowing you’ll never gain access to my heart?”

“Eh …” That wasn’t quite what he’d been hoping for, but from the challenging look in her uniquely golden eyes, he thought it was in his best interest to play along. He’d find a chink in her armor, break down her walls, and pierce her heart. Hehad no idea what he’d do then as he’d never engaged in such behavior, but the battle would be fun. She’d said she didn’t do relationships. Jarom had never had a long-term romantic relationship. They were a perfect pair. No expectations, all reward.

“I think you’re right, beautiful. We can flirt and tease and have an impeccable time, knowing neither of us would ever be interested in anything serious or lasting.”

She gave him a sly smile, as if she read something in his words. As if she’d won this round. Jarom had never been so intrigued and off-kilter.

“Game on, Mr. Love.” She winked, and he was lost. “I am not only the top female security operative in the world; I am also an expert at no-commitment banter. Try and keep up.” She jumped out of the vehicle and slammed the door.

Jarom chuckled. He may be off kilter, but so was she. It was obvious.

The games were just beginning. His house exploding and the threat of death weren’t at the front of his mind anymore. It was all Autumn. This would be loads of fun. The perfect distraction from a death sentence hanging over his head, losing his home, and running into the night without even an eyebrow tweezer.

His personal challenge and objective was to see if he could break through her walls and secure her heart along the way. What he’d do with it at that point he wasn’t certain, but all was fair in love and the battle of the sexes. Jarom didn’t do war, but he was an expert at making a woman fall for him.

Game on indeed, Miss Autumn Cardon, beautiful female warrior extraordinaire. He’d win this game. With style.

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