Page 1 of Love Under Protection

Prologue

Raylynn

Aweek ago, I was making my way through Paris, possibly the most romantic city in the world, with my boss slash fiancé, Sawyer Flynn. Things were pretty perfect. Or at least I thought they were.

That was, until we returned to the States, and I walked into Sawyer’s office three nights ago to surprise him with a little dinner anddessert. Only this time, the surprise was on me. There was Sawyer Flynn in all his muscular, well defined, naked, glory, fucking Charlotte from Accounting.

When his eyes met mine, he didn’t even bother to stop. In fact, Charlotte had the nerve to smile at me as she squealed his name while he pinched her nipples and rammed harder into her body.

That was the day that I became singleandunemployed.

Who would have thought that after a four-year stint as Sawyer’s personal assistant and a year as his other half, things would have ended like this?

I guess it’s true what they say, you shouldn’t mix business with pleasure.

With a hefty and quickly put together severance package to keep my mouth shut after I threatened to let Sawyer’s father - the CEO of Flynn Enterprises, know exactly the kind of stunts his son was doing behind closed doors; and my best friend’s wedding on the horizon - I decided there was only one thing to do.

To celebrate my newfound freedom, I called theKahala Resortin Honolulu and added two extra days to the front end of my stay. I now had two whole days to myself to drown my sorrows in booze, hot cabana boys and ice cream before I would pull myself together, plaster a smile on my face, and stand proud for my friend as she marries the love of her life.

I spent the first day laying on the beach, soaking up the sun, drinking Mai Tais and eating my fill of cocktail shrimp. Sadly, I passed out in my room at nine o’clock, alone, after a hearty room service dinner and the most amazing soak in the suite’s jacuzzi tub.

But today is a new day, and I have a plan. A plan that includes a shopping spree for some new clothes and a night out on the town. And if I’m lucky, I won’t be coming back alone tonight.

Nope, tonight is the night that Stella, erm, I mean Raylynn, is going to get her groove back.

Chapter 1

Harley

Three months of double overtime and still no solid proof on the suspects in the larceny and theft cases we’ve seen come through NYPD as of late. There’s a huge part of me that thinks this little vacation was a bad idea. But, after working my ass off in a job that I’ve loved for years, I think I deserve the damn break. Maybe, just maybe, I’ll come back with fresh eyes and be able to close this damn case and get that promotion I’ve been gunning for.

Plus, there wasn’t a chance in hell I was going to miss Jameson finally tying the knot.

So, I stuck to my original plan, leaving NYC a day before all the wedding craziness was set to begin. A whole day on the front end—before the bride and groom arrive—to relax, unwind, and blow off some steam. Which is exactly what I’m trying to do at the bar right now.

If only I could put my phone down and shut my brain off. Stop thinking about work. About the damn criminal that is out there stealing from hard-working citizens, scaring families.

What I need is a distraction. A few drinks and a beautiful woman to take my mind off of it all.

I’m busy scrolling through my social media feed when the answer to my silent plea manifests right before me like some kind of fantasy come to life.

“You look like you’re having a great time.” She leans closer so that I can hear her over the music. Her sultry voice captures me instantly.

Tipping my beer bottle her way, I shrug. “What can I say? I have a hard time separating from work.”

“Hm. Sounds more like you just don’t have the right distraction.” The stranger gives me a saucy wink, and I nearly choke on my beer. I think she’s read my mind.

At this point, I’ve got nothing to lose, so I go for broke. “Are you volunteering for the job?”

She takes a long drink from her martini glass, then extends her hand to me. “I’m Raylynn, and all of that was really cheesy. But, buy me another round, and we’ll see what happens.”

Fuck. I think I’m in love, er, lust. “Harley. The next one is on me.” I give her hand a firm shake, and I don’t waste any time flagging down the bartender to order us both another drink.

For the next hour or so, Raylynn and I make small talk. Nothing too serious or heavy. No “What brings you here, what do you do for a living?” She laughs at my obnoxious jokes and has a few of her own. We flirt and get a little handsy, gentle touches in all the right places. Raylynn matches my every move with one of her own, adding even more excitement to the evening.

I realize it’s the most relaxed I’ve felt in a long time. Yes, taking the extra day for myself before all the craziness was certainly a good call.

“Another round?” I ask when the bartender stops by briefly to check on us.

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