TooDangeroustoLove Read online

  “You asked, Ice.”

  “I like it when you call me Ice.” His voice was a seductive purr.

  “What time is dinner?”

  Brandt moved her to his side and fit her head on his shoulder. “So you will come with me?”

  “Sure. No more surprises?”

  He chuckled, more than a little embarrassed. “No more surprises. Unless you have a few for me?”

  “Not that I’m aware of.”

  “I’m growing on you, sweetling. I know there is not one person watching us and yet, you stay close to me.” His arm tightened against her struggle. “No. Don’t struggle, stay like this for a while.”

  Movement beside him made his head turn. Her dogs had returned and they lay down on either side of them, content to just be near their mistress. Jax had the ball beside him.

  “Where do you live, Raven?”

  “In the middle of nowhere.”

  “I would have pictured you living in the city.”

  “I hate the city. I don’t much like people. I like my solitude.”

  “Tell me why you are doing this.” His hand had moved from her shoulder to caress her neck. He felt her light shiver and reveled in it.

  “As a favor for a friend.”

  Why didn’t she share more of herself with him? “That’s it?”

  “That’s it.”

  “You didn’t like me much, did you?” Not that he would blame her, he had been an ass to her. Didn’t do anything to make her job easier.

  “What makes you think I like you now?” She nudged him with her shoulder.

  “Must be I am just hopeful your feelings towards me have changed, since you are lying in my arms right now.”

  “I have to go.” She sat up and moved away faster than he would have thought possible. Before either of them could say another word, her cell phone rang. “Raven. Uh huh. Yep. Got it.” She glanced down at him as she shoved it back in her pocket. “I need you to do something for me.”

  * * * *

  His blue eyes moved languidly up her body, sparking flames as they went. Finally meeting her gaze, they smoldered with barely restrained passion, “Yes, sweetling?”

  “One, stop calling me that.”

  For a brief moment, she wondered if he could tell the exasperation in her voice was forced.

  “Two, I am bringing in another man and I want him to go to work with you. Before you even start to argue, hear me out. I can’t go to work with you. I don’t have the body for construction. Besides, I need to figure out who in the household is working with those responsible. I want you to promise me that you will trust and listen to him. Things have been escalating over the past few days.”

  “I like your body just how it is. What do you mean escalating?” He sat up.

  “More threats. Couple intruders. Nothing I can’t handle, but you need someone at work with you. And believe me; he has the body for construction.”

  “How well do you know him?” His question was growled.

  “We were in the Corps together. I’ve known him for over ten years. I trust him with my life. More than that, I trust him with yours.”

  She waggled her fingers at him so he took her hand and rose to his full towering height above her.

  “So you are going to pawn me off onto your friend. I think that explains some things, especially the attitude.”

  She narrowed her eyes slightly. “No, he’s going to help. You’re still mine.” His eyebrow arched and she quickly amended, “You’re still my responsibility. Look, you need to be careful, and no matter how I work it I can’t fit in at a construction site and keep a gun concealed. He’ll be able to.”

  “Who’s he to you? You were a Marine?”

  “I don’t believe that is any of your business. Let’s get back. I want the dogs to get settled in. Yes, I was a Marine. For a little over six years.” She motioned with her hand and the dogs were up and pacing beside her. Brandt walked with them as well.

  Raven showered and dried off for her date with the magnetic Brandt Fowler. When she got out of the shower there was a message for her on her phone from Brandt. His deep seductive purr reached her ears.

  “Hey, sweetling. Changed my mind, not going to a bar tonight. Going somewhere that I need a suit and tie. You know, a nice sit-down, intimate kind of place. Hope you have something appropriate to wear. If I don’t hear back from you saying something different, I’ll meet you at the bottom of the stairs at five-thirty. Don’t keep me waiting, sweetling.” She smiled over the absurdity of him calling her, with him sleeping two doors down from her.

  * * * *

  Punctual as usual, Raven came into view at the top of the staircase at five-thirty on the dot. Brandt lost his breath for a moment. Raven dressed up was Raven dressed beautifully, dressed to kill. Brandt wanted to yank her into his arms, throw her over his shoulder, head upstairs and ravish her body.

  His heart pounded so hard he was amazed it stayed within the confines of his ever- tightening chest. She’d coiled her hair up in an elegant French chignon, showing her graceful neck.

  A simple filigree chain necklace adorned her neck and it bore a three-stone pendant. The diamonds sparkled brilliantly against her darker skin. Diamond teardrop earrings hung from her delicate earlobes. Aside from the silver hoop that was higher up on one ear, that was all she wore for jewelry.

  Her dress was spectacular even with its simplicity. Smoky gray with a hint of blue, it had him believing the color gray had never looked so fetching. A scalloped neck swooped low to reveal her generous cleavage. The straps of the dress were about a half an inch wide and settled nicely on her unblemished and smooth skin. It fit her lush body like a dream.

  Plain and unadorned, the dress made her a vision to behold. For the first time since he met the tough Raven Dare, bodyguard extraordinaire, there was no harshness about her. She was all pliable and soft. She looked every inch the woman he knew she was.

  When Raven began her descent down the marbled staircase, Brandt found his eyes glued to the flashes of skin that alternated with each step she took. Her dress had slits on each side that reached to about mid-thigh, and his greedy gaze eagerly sopped up the view.

  “Wow,” he breathed, as he took her hand to help her descend that last marbled step. As usual her peach fragrance wrapped around him and enclosed him in its warm cocoon. She had no makeup on that he could see and, in his opinion, she didn’t need any.

  Electricity jumped as their skin touched. Neither pulled away but there was no doubt they both felt it. Her feet were covered by heels the same color as her dress, putting her a few inches taller. Closer for him to kiss.

  “Wow yourself, Brandt Fowler. You clean up pretty fine. Versace? I feel underdressed.”

  Well, she knows her clothing. “As do you, sweetling, as do you. There is no way you are underdressed.”

  “Is this okay? It was all I had with me. And stop calling me that.”

  “Believe me. You look fine. No, that’s not true.” At the dark look that crept into her eyes he hurried to finish. “You look better than fine. Stunning, gorgeous, amazing. . .”

  “Enough. Where are we going tonight?”

  “Somewhere that I can get to know you better. And no, I won’t stop calling you that. I’ve decided that was my nickname for you in college.” He escorted her down the front steps to his waiting car.

  A Porsche this time. Silver. Sleek. A 2002 X50 996.

  “What makes you think I want you to know me better?”

  “I don’t really care.”

  “Why are you so determined to know about me?” Raven asked him as the engine purred to life.

  “You intrigue me, Raven. I’ve never met anyone like you.”

  She laughed, a low and throaty sound. It was the first time he had ever heard her laugh and his heart skipped a few beats at the sound as his penis swelled with desire.

  “I fully believe that, Brandt Fowler. I truly do.”

  His body shifted on the leather seat to hide
the evidence of his arousal. “How come you are a bodyguard if you don’t like it?”

  “After this I am done.”

  “What do you mean?” He got them on the interstate and drove them off into the sunset.

  “This is my last assignment. No more after this.”

  “So that’s all I am, an assignment?” A faint tinge of bitterness laced his tone.

  “What do you care? I’m not exactly your type, Brandt Fowler. Besides, everyone is just an assignment to me. It’s how I operate.”

  His answer was growled low in his throat. He didn’t like what she had to say. It was the second time she had done so and he disliked it even more this time. He pulled up to the front of a building and as the valet approached, he said, “Don’t assume you know all about me Raven. You don’t. Not yet.”

  He got out of the car and walked around to assist her, ignoring the waiting men in jackets that were there for that purpose. The restaurant was beautiful. High ceilings and large chandeliers were suspended over the tables and the mini fountains that were placed among the building.

  A tall, older man dressed in tails met the couple as they entered the restaurant. “Good evening, Mr. Fowler. Good to see you again, sir. Your table is ready. If you would follow me please.”

  He smiled once at Raven and then headed off, leading them towards a semi-dark corner. Brandt helped her into her chair and then slid into his own. The man gave them their menus and left after promising to bring some wine.

  Once their orders had been placed and they were alone, Brandt looked at her and asked again, “Why do you think you aren’t my type? That is the second time you have said that very thing. Why?”

  He noticed the way she didn’t touch her wine but drank a sparkling water instead. Ever on the job.

  She flicked her tongue along her lower lip. “Can we talk about something else?”

  “If you answer one question of mine honestly.”

  “Ask away.” Her tone was back to its usual bland monotone.

  “Why you? Why did they send you to guard me?”

  “I’m the best.” There was no bragging in her tone, she just spoke like she was reciting the weather.

  “Then why didn’t you come at first?”

  “I believe, Ice, that is two questions. But I will answer it and then we won’t discuss this anymore. I didn’t come at first because I was not in the business anymore. They had to track me down and convince me to come.”

  Brandt wanted to ask her so many more questions. “I see.” He didn’t, but he wasn’t about to tell her that.

  “Tell me about you.”

  “You said you knew all about me. Read the file and all that.” His tone was sharp with bitterness.

  “Yes, I have, but I want you to tell me about you.”

  “Why?”

  “Humor me, Ice. Tell me about yourself.” She put those rich brown eyes on his and he was lost in their swirling depths.

  So he did. The evening was spent talking about his past. When the waiter came with dessert Brandt turned the tables.

  “Tell me about you, Raven. About your family.”

  “Well, my parents live out in Texas. My father is an architect and my mother is a doctor.

  “After I graduated from high school, I joined the Marines. After that I joined the bodyguard service that was hired to protect you. That is pretty much the story of my life.”

  “I hardly believe that, sweetling, I’m sure there is much more than that. Ever been married? Engaged?”

  A heavenly smile crossed her face as she put a bit of her triple layer chocolate cake in her mouth. She chewed it and swallowed before answering him.

  “No. Never married or engaged. Not unless it pertained to the assignment I was on. But never for real.”

  “Why not, if I may ask?”

  “Guess I just haven’t met the right person. That and I was always so busy with work.”

  “But you like men?”

  She put her fork down as she stared at him. “I’m sorry, did you just ask me if I liked men? Are you implying that I may be a lesbian?”

  “I’m just saying that a woman as beautiful as you, unattached. There must be a reason for it.”

  * * * *

  “There is.” One, that with most of the guys I know, I lie to them about who I am. “But believe me. I like men.”

  “Good.” His tone had dropped to the seductive purr that made her insides weak.

  “So why haven’t you married? Are you gay?”

  “Not on your life, sweetling. Not on your life. I suppose, like you, I just haven’t found that special person yet. Most people I know lie to me. Want me for the money I will be getting someday. Not for me.”

  And here she was lying to him as well. She felt horrible, but there was no way around it. “Don’t worry, I’m sure the right woman for you is out there. Give it time.” The thought of him with another woman made her hurt deep down within her heart. Somewhere along the way she had fallen, and fallen hard, for this man.

  There was a hint of little lost boy deep within him and it made her want to hold onto it. He really was a wonderful man when he dropped that damn cynical attitude. Over the past few weeks she had fallen in love with the man he was when he thought no one was watching him. But she was. Always. Watching. And now it would be her cross to bear alone, her love for him could only be in her mind. She was just too dangerous to love.

  “I didn’t used to be sure about that, now I am.” His eyes held hers as he spoke. The waiter brought the bill and he slipped a platinum credit card to the man and he left. “Want to take a walk around? It looks pretty cool at night with all the lights and fountains outside.”

  “Sure.” That nagging feeling she had had before was gone now.

  They sat in companionable silence as they waited for the man to come back with the receipt. After Brandt signed the paper and slipped his wallet back into his suit coat, he stood and walked over to help her stand.

  He slipped his arm around her. In fact, she allowed her head to rest against his shoulder for a short moment.

  The outside air had cooled off while they’d been eating. “Are you cold?” he asked her as they headed for the display of fountains.

  “A little. I will be fine.”

  “Nonsense. Take my jacket.” Before she could argue, he had placed it over her shoulders.

  “Thank you.”

  “My pleasure.” He stopped by one of the displays. It was magnificent. The water was backed with colored lights and it was amazing to watch as the colors changed along with the sprays of water.

  “This is beautiful.”

  “It sure is.”

  * * * *

  Brandt wasn’t watching the fountains, but the woman at his side. Her eyes had softened and he watched as they reflected the lights they watched. A soft smile had turned up her mouth. His heart slowed before it picked up speed.

  “Take your picture?” a man asked them as he approached.

  Brandt smiled, “Sure.” He wasn’t about to let this opportunity pass him by.

  Raven smiled and shrugged out of Brandt’s jacket. She handed it back to him and, after he put it on, easily moved to his side.

  “Get closer, this looks like it was a romantic night. Man, put your arm around that beautiful woman. If I had a woman like that I wouldn’t be able to keep my hands off her.”

  Brandt pulled her to stand in front of him. His arms circled her waist. “I’m having a hard time of that myself,” he said, joking with the man.

  Raven put her arms over his and leaned back into his chest. His head leaned down and his lips brushed her cheek. “Smile, sweetling.” And she did. Brilliantly.

  The man snapped the picture just as the fountain behind them shot up to surround them with diamond-like water droplets. He nodded. “This will be a wonderful shot. Would you like another one? Maybe one where we can see more of her dress?”

  “Sounds good to me,” Brandt said. He winked conspiratorially at Raven and the
y took some more pictures. They were enjoying themselves. Finally, the man stopped snapping and looked at the two of them.

  “I have one more shot. Then you will be able to come look at the pictures over there. They will be ready in about one hour. You two make a wonderful couple. Let’s get one of you kissing.”

  Brandt spoke before Raven could protest. “It would be my pleasure.”

  It was a huge surprise to Brandt when her own eyes swirled with desire. “Mine too,” she whispered.

  The man said, “I’m ready when you are.”

  So, in front of a multi-tiered fountain that was shooting water into a huge arc with a background of different colors, Brandt Fowler slipped one hand around the waist of the woman in front of him and, with his other, tipped her face up to his.

  Neither of them blinked as their lips met. To those that watched around them, it looked like a kiss from a romantic movie, but to them it was just the beginning. His lips were light upon hers and his tongue ran along them, asking for entrance.

  She gave it to him as her hands moved up to his chest and rested there. The man smiled at them and asked, “Are you two married? Your love for each other is so strong, I think it is wonderful.”

  “No, we aren’t married,” Raven answered as they thanked the man and began to wander around for the hour that it would take to get those pictures.

  Brandt was having a hard time getting his bearings back. That kiss knocked him for a loop. Never before had he felt anything like it. This was even more powerful than the one she had given him in front of Sherri.

  The silence between them was full of sexual tension. There was a deep craving to finish what that kiss had begun. He was on pins and needles as their bodies cried out for completion of what had begun. As they walked to another corner she stumbled, causing Brandt to tighten his grip on her. “What happened? Are you alright?” She must not be paying attention because I’ve never seen her stumble.

  She was bent down as if adjusting her shoe. Raven put her hand up and Brandt pulled her up, her body facing his and keeping what she held in her hand hidden.

  “Alright, Ice. Time to show me what you are made of.”

  “What are you talking about?”