Page 10 of The Female Warrior & The Charming Gentleman

Four

Autumn satin a recliner on Aiden’s spacious Gulfstream, trying to ignore the huge presence of one Jarom Love seated far too close for her peace of mind. Of course he and her pilot friend Paul had hit it off at first handshake, talking about planes and flying.

Jarom was a pilot and a rock climber? She hadn’t known those impressive tidbits, and she thought she knew far too much about him. He’d started with shipping ventures like his father but then gained a huge social media following because of how charming and handsome and filthy rich he was. He’d ventured into men’s clothing, with himself as the designer, succeeding famously, and even had his own line of cologne. She’d smelled that delectable cologne when she tackled him in his closet. Faint wisps of it were drifting over her now.

It was too much. He was more than she’d bargained for, and she’d been prepared for an ultra-handsome, enticing charmer.How to stay strong? She hadn’t been prepared for a brave, mesmerizing, and caring Jarom.

Even though Paul had instructions to take his phone to Aiden’s tech team, Jarom charmed him into committing Aiden’s people to forward all contacts and communication to Autumn’s phone so he could deal with ‘business fires’.

Jarom enamored everyone, men and women alike. He reminded her of Aiden, but Aiden had the warrior angle and was as tough and battle savvy as he was world-famous charming. Jarom had pretty boy muscles and had proven himself brave, but unless he was hiding more than the rock climbing and pilot skills to his followers worldwide, she doubted he had combat training. She would have to defend him. She didn’t mind. It was a heady rush to be the woman protecting and defending a man the ilk of billionaire heartthrob Jarom Love.

But oh my, the way it felt to touch him, see that teasing glint in his eyes directed at her, hear his charming lines, banter with him, have him use endearing terms on her, gawk at those pretty boy muscles and blue eyes in real time… She caught herself before she fanned her face. Would she ever get the image of him shirtless out of her mind?

She gritted her teeth. Gah. How had he gotten under her skin so quick? Yes, she’d fan-girled about him, followed him on social media, thought the media was right and he was the hottest, kindest, and most eligible and charming bachelor in the universe, but what did that matter to her? She didn’t do relationships. She was tougher than most men in a fight, and more hardened emotionally than anybody she knew. She was closed off and didn’t let down her guard. Most people assumed her tough act was a front, but it was the flirting and teasing that was a front. Paul knew she’dhad a rough childhood but not much more. Aiden, Paul, Nick and the others would be there for her, but nobody knew how cold and distant she was inside.

What if Jarom chinked through the iron surrounding her heart?

Deep breath. It wouldn’t happen. She needed to get back to teasing and taunting. Jarom knew she would never have a relationship, and he easily admitted he was a player with no interest in anything serious. What he’d suggested was an ideal set up. If only she could convince her heart to be relieved she had no chance with him.

“I should warn you that Easton Coleville has a huge crush on me, so you’d better lay off the flirtations when that tough, perfect bull rider is around.”

What was she saying? Taunting him to flirt more. Ridiculous … but far too thrilling.

Jarom turned toward her in his seat. “I absolutely thrive on a challenge, my love.” His smile came easily, but the effect on her heart was terrifying. “Easton is the cowboy I need to best for your heart? A bull rider? How fascinating.”

Oh, how she wished Jarom could fight for and win her heart. She’d gladly hand it to him. On a platter.

No. A player like him would pulverize her worse than Charles had.

“Nobody wins my heart,” she said. “I thought I explained earlier that it is encased in iron.”

“Ooh. Iron, is it? That sounds awful, my love. How do you survive?”

She purposely stiffened when she wanted to melt. She wasn’t his love. Was he not listening or was she not keeping up? She always kept up. They’d agreed to flirt and tease and not getinvested. Right? How many times did she need to draw up parameters in her own mind?

“No gate or chink in that iron that I can pry open or melt with the blow torch of my fabulous wit and charm?” He pumped those perfect eyebrows.

Why did he have to look like a male model at all times? He was more appealing than any model. Jarom was real. Flesh and blood. She’d felt that flesh under her fingertips. Gripping her hands together, she barely restrained herself from reaching out.

“No gate. Solid iron. Impervious to blow torches.”

He studied her. His blue eyes were full of concern … for her.

Concern? Could she be reading that right? Concern from an accomplished flirt and womanizer? She thought the world of her bodyguard buddies but they learned quickly to treat her like one of them. She gave them a hard time and they responded in kind. After knowing her for a few months, they didn’t get in her way on jobs or express concern for her. Paul was the exception, but they had a long-standing friendship, and he was engaged. No threat.

But Jarom? Jarom was a threat.

She wasn’t around accomplished playboys often. That could be the problem. The other problem was that, despite being a womanizer, Jarom was genuine in his benevolent nature. How could that be? An ultra-wealthy, ultra-handsome, sought-after charming gentleman like him? He should be as conceited and uncaring as anyone in the universe, but he wasn’t.

“What happened to encase that beautiful heart of yours in iron, love?”

She could only stare at him. Her heart seemed to soften at the invested look in his brilliantly blue eyes. What washappening to her?

Nothing. Absolutely nothing could happen to her or between them. He was only messing with her, teasing her. She could not allow any barriers to crumble. She was the one who instigated the flirting and left men longing for her, not the other way around.

“Okay, Jarom, myfriend.I thought you defined this, but you have to understand the parameters.”

“Do I now?” That smile played at the corners of his lips, and she’d never wanted to kiss someone so badly.

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