Page 55 of Phoenix Rising

“Are you a cop?”

“No.”

“Federal agent?”

He shook his head but offered nothing else. It was obvious he was used to being a leader. She had no doubt people listened to him. Heck, if he told her to go to his room and strip naked with that deep, commanding voice, she’d pull a hammy getting there as fast as possible.

“I don’t know who was following me.” She wasn’t about to get into the reason she was in Sedona. He was a stranger, after all.

“No one is paying attention to us or looks threatening. Did you get a description? Hair color, height, clothing?”

“I snapped a picture of him.” She pulled her phone from a pocket and scrolled to the photo. She turned the screen so he could see it.

He took it from her hands and squinted at the image. “I don’t see anyone.”

She yanked it away, preparing to show him, but he was right. She’d missed getting a picture of the guy. “Son of a rabid, dog-eared basket of fudge sticks.”

“Um, what?”

She glanced up to see the laughing stranger was back. Oh, he was still alert and ready, but his sexy mouth quirked with humor.

She waved a hand. “Sorry, I was around kids a lot when I was younger. I tried to get inventive when I cursed. I can’t believe I didn’t capture the guy on camera.”

His smile disappeared. “You’re sure it was a man?”

“Yes, but he was wearing a fedora and sunglasses. No idea what he looked like.”

“Why would someone be following you?”

“Shouldn’t you be asking him that?”

“Well, yeah,” he said, and she silently heard theduhhe didn’t voice. “He isn’t here. You are.”

“Maybe he was intrigued by my wit and charm? Captivated by my beauty?”

His eyes surveyed her, from the tip of her toes to the top of her head. She felt the gaze like a physical touch, and her body responded. Every molecule of her DNA perked to attention. “I can see where you’d draw your fair share of admirers.”

“Yeah? Why is that?” Yes, she was fishing for compliments.

“You know you’re stunning. That’s all it takes for some men.”

He thought she was stunning? Oh, gosh darn it, she was in love. “How do you know so much about stalkers?”

He reached into a pocket and withdrew a business card. “I work for a security firm. It’s my job.”

Her finger traced the raised gold letters. Christian Zamora. Powerful, virile name. It fit him.

“Do you need help?”

Boy, did she. But she wasn’t sure what she was doing, so it would be silly to include someone else in her shenanigans, even if he was the most handsome man she’d ever met. “No, I’m sure he’s gone.”

Aja Blue suddenly wished she’d kept her mouth shut. She was reluctant to let the man leave. She felt a strong connection with him. He made her feel safe.

“What’s your name?”

She tilted her head to peer into his aquamarine eyes and almost forgot what her momma named her. “Aja Blue LaLonde.”

Here it came . . .

---