Page 75 of Colton Family Bodyguard (Coltons of Mustang Valley)

“Hence the military and then personal protection.”

Earthy and adventurous.

He had never conveyed his life journey to anyone in that way. He left his thoughts to look at her, this magnificent woman. “I loved the navy, but not the discipline. Being a bodyguard suits me perfectly.”

Hazel sat back and sipped her champagne, crossing one slender leg over the other. In admittedly selfish pleasure, he covertly took in the shape of her knee and the lines of her fit thighs and the side view of the curves of her butt.

“Mr. Callum Colton,” she said, turning her head with just the right angle to give her eyes a sultry slant. “You are one sexy, successful man.”

Her relaxed pose and flirtatious words and tone threw him. “And...you are...” What could he say? She had already trumped him. She was one sexy, successful woman. Taking a chance, he moved in, touching her cheek and kissing her.

He would have encouraged her for more but she drew back, almost flinching.

Opening his eyes, he searched hers.

After several seconds, she asked, “Would you ever be able to try having a family again?”

Her catching, whispered question speared him.

This conflict would not go away. She had been abandoned, pregnant with Evie, and he had lost the mother of his unborn child, and with her a baby girl he would never know.

He and Hazel had issues that meant they might never be able to work together to form a healthy, new relationship. Everything felt so good with her. Everything felt right and safe. But was it?

Callum could never go through what he’d gone through with Annabel ever again. He had to be honest here. People died. Hazel could die. Something could happen to both her and Evie. What if they had a child of their own? Something could happen to that child.

He imagined living with Hazel and Evie, having a blended family and living an everyday life together. Spending time in the evenings with them. Doing schoolwork. Going to bed every night with Hazel. He would fall in love with that life. He could already feel it to his core. And then, after growing more attached than he had ever been to Annabel, what if something tragic happened? Nothing and no one could predict life or what awaited everyone as time marched on.

“I don’t know if I’m ready for that.” Would he ever be?

His spirit plummeted as he saw Hazel’s reaction. Her face hardened to disappointed stone and she lowered her eyes in sadness before getting up from the sofa.

“Good night,” she said.

The urge to go after her nearly brought him to his feet. That urge, foreign in its powerful, primal need. Go after her. Take her. Never let her out of his bed. Ever.

But therein lay the problem.

He’d only just begun to confront the tragedy of his past. If not for Hazel, he would not have gone to see Annabel’s parents. He had blocked all emotion where his ex-girlfriend was concerned. Nearly five years later he still wasn’t over his loss. It was unfair to lead Hazel on, to let her believe he was ready for a future with her and Evie.

Evie.

Oh.

He could not, he would not, hurt that wonderful child—or her amazing mother.

* * *

Hazel hadn’t liked Callum’s answer yesterday, but there was little she could do about it. There was even less she could do about how she was beginning to feel about him. Conversation had been limited on the way back from San Francisco. Now they were back at the inn and Patsy arrived with another food delivery. With the help of two hotel staff members, the goods were unloaded on the kitchen island counter.

“Thank you, Patsy. You sure are indispensable for Executive Protection...and now me.” She smiled.

Patsy gave a quick, “No problem,” and turned to leave.

Odd, the woman seemed to be behaving differently than usual. She seemed awkward, as though something troubled her.

“Is everything all right, Patsy?”

“Yes, fine.” She offered a half-hearted smile and left.

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