Page 10 of Her New Bodyguard: Colton

COLTON

After a big spinach salad and my signature cheeseburgers, Julia and I curled up together in the loveseat in front of the fire.

"I feel a bit guilty," she said softly, as her fingers trailed along my forearm.

"Why?"

"I'm supposed to be in danger. Mom is probably freaking out wondering where I am. Yet this is actually really nice."

I leaned in and nibbled her earlobe just long enough for her to giggle.

"First off, no matter what's going on with Warren, he's going to assure your mother that you're safe. He knows me. I have a ton of experience, and having me protecting one sweet girl like you is complete overkill."

Julia grinned. "So, you're a big bad tough guy? I haven't even seen a gun."

"I keep them out of sight. Partly because I don't want to frighten you."

I nodded to the drawer in the coffee table. "I was wearing a piece at all times outside this cabin. It's in that drawer now. There's one by the front door, another at the back door, and two more hidden in the bedroom."

Julia's beautiful lips fell open and the smile fell off her face.

"It's okay." I gently stroked the back of her shoulder. "My uncle trained me on gun safety when I was fourteen. I don't understand his obsession with them, but once I got into the military, I was glad that I already respected them."

"It's just all a bit strange," she said softly. "I don't want to feel like you're obligated to take care of me. Like you're my babysitter or whatever."

I shook my head. "I don't see it like that at all. You're my client and it is my job to keep you safe at all costs. Also, we're a team. We work together to… " I pulled her onto my lap. "Guard this body."

Julia's head fell back as she laughed. "Geez, have you been holding onto that one for a while?"

"Honestly? Yes."

She felt so perfect in my arms. Like her body was designed to fit against mine.

"We're a team, Julia. I'm going to keep you safe, sheltered, and fed."

"And what's my job?" she asked.

"Well…I suppose in the morning you should show me those stretches so that I'm not an ugly old hunchback by the time I'm forty."

Julia's laugh was magical. Then those warm brown eyes locked on mine. "Your eyes are greener in the firelight," she murmured.

"Is that a good thing?"

She grinned. "It's something."

"What kind of thing?" I ran my fingers along her knee, tightening my other arm around her shoulders as I grinned. "Tell me, or I'll squish you."

"You wouldn't dare."

Gripping her knee with one hand and her hip with the other, I began to squeeze her body against mine until she burst out laughing. "Fine."

She brought her forehead to mine. "I think green eyes are sexy. But I've never really found anyone sexy before. Um. I don't know if I'm supposed to tell you that."

I released her so she could lie gently back against my arm. It also shifted her off my rapidly-growing erection.

"If that's your way of flirting, Julia, it's working. You're the sexiest woman I've ever seen in my life. I've been trying to be professional with you, but I just don't want to."

I gave her knee another squeeze, then lifted my hand to run my thumb along her bottom lip. "Julia, do you want to drop the whole bodyguard and client thing for the next few days, and just be two people who are clearly into each other?"

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