Page 3 of One Hot Deal

"Thank you," I reply slowly, while I try to decide if she's really hitting on me this time.Not that I mind.But every time she says something like that, I fight the almost overpowering impulse to drag her into me for a hot kiss.

Diana doesn't say anything else once we exit the elevator and head into her flat.While she prepares dinner for herself, I wish her good night and leave.Then I have a solo meal in my own flat and watch an action movie I've seen five times before.By ten o'clock, I'm in bed, falling asleep.

I dream of Diana Sangster, naked, lying beneath me while I make love to her until we're both slicked with sweat and too exhausted to fuck anymore.

Damn, if only that fantasy would come true.But I'm her bodyguard, not her lover.

Chapter Two

Diana

I like knowing Derek Hahn is always watching over me, except when I'm at business meetings.Even then, though, I know he's in the hall waiting for me, ready to usher me out to the car and to wherever else I might need to go.Maybe part of the reason I like knowing that is because I enjoy looking at him.Though I've never seen him naked, I can imagine what he might look like.The man has powerful muscles, the outlines of which I can see quite well through his suit.I had never been attracted to a man at first sight until I met Derek.Now I can't stop thinking about him.

But the last thing I need is a man in my life.

Unless he's my bodyguard.

Three days have gone by since I told Derek he should wear Armani because he has the perfect body for that style.Can't believe I discussed clothing with him.But spending so much time with that man has turned me into a ruddy moron.

After precisely forty-five minutes of ambling along the river, we walk back to my building, with Derek following at a discreet distance as usual.Only when we enter the lift does he move to stand beside me.

"How was your walk?"Derek asks.

"Quite lovely.Did you enjoy it?"

"Oh yeah.The view was spectacular."He glances down at my arse."The best I've ever seen."

The hairs at the nape of my neck tingle and stiffen as if he had exhaled a breath onto my skin.I experience a strong urge to grasp the lapels of his suit jacket, haul him into me, and kiss him.What would his lips feel like?What would he taste like?I will never know because I will never do the things I fantasize about.

I should tell him never to stare at my arse again, but it's too late for that.And besides, I don't want him to stop.If he did, I would need to stop admiring his arse.

As we enter my flat, Derek holds the door open for me.Once I've crossed the threshold, he moves to leave, grasping the knob as if to shut the door behind him.

"What are you doing?"I ask, half turning toward the door.

"Going home."

"I require twenty-four-hour protection.That is what our contract states."

Derek nods toward something past me."That's why Ellie is here.And Geoffrey will be here in one hour, which means you'll have plenty of protection.Good night, Ms.Sangster."

Though I want to order him to stay here, that would be inappropriate.So I nod curtly and climb the stairs to my bedroom on the second floor.I'm halfway up the steps when I hear the front door click shut.My fingers grip the handrail more tightly.Derek has left.

No, that doesn't bother me at all.

I trudge up the stairs and pause to peer out the window, so I can watch Derek hailing a taxi.As the vehicle drives away, I hurry into my bedroom and change into my nightclothes.Just as I'm crawling into bed, my mobile rings.The screen tells me who's ringing me, and I rush to grab the mobile and say hello.

"Did I wake you up, Diana?"

"No, dear, you did not.I'm always awake at this hour."My attention swerves to the clock on the nightstand."Why are you still awake?It's past your bedtime."

"I'm not a baby anymore.I'm fourteen, and I don't need a bedtime."

She says that in a long-suffering tone, as if I'm unbearably old-fashioned.Perhaps I am.And perhaps that's why Derek Hahn won't seduce me.He is nine years younger than I am, after all.Why should that stop me?And why haven't I tried to seduce him?We are both adults, and I haven't slept with anyone since long before I met him.I have never been afraid to go after what I want, whether it's a business deal or a man, so I can't understand why I'm hesitating with him.Well, his sister is marrying my business partner.But no, I can't possibly be afraid of what other people might think.I don't do that.

"Are you still there, Diana?"

I shake off my idiotic thoughts."Yes, dear, I'm here.But honestly, Pippa, you should be asleep at this hour."

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