HUNTER

With my hands in the air, I exaggerate, “Warren, I don’t care what you say. I don’t need a fucking bodyguard. Shit, I’m six feet two and all muscle, who’d fuck with me? Besides, the last threat was three weeks ago. It’s probably over. Jealous and crazy women, it’s why I stay single. I’m glad to be back in the privacy of my own home. The familiar walls are my solitude. No more traveling, no filming on location, no more directors yelling in my ear. I plan on taking the next year off to enjoy my wealth while I’m still young enough to enjoy it.” I lean against the kitchen counter.

Warren gulps down the Pepto-Bismol like its water. “I’m aware of the situation, and since you plan on disappearing from the circuit, we have to be careful. There are nut jobs out there and with the movie premiere, I’d rather be safe than sorry.” He places the plastic bottle on the kitchen island and walks into the living room.

Why can’t anyone understand? I’m an adult and can handle this shit on my own. How am I going to continue whoring around with anyone I want, with a bodyguard up my ass? It’s an inconvenience. I’m going to have to lay down some ground rules. I look up to the clock above the kitchen sink, it’s almost four. Great, whoever this asshole is, will be here soon.

“I’m going to take a piss and maybe a dump, I’ll be back. Try not to scare the guard if they arrive before I return.” He says and shuffles his way up the hallway.

Warren’s been with me since the beginning. When my acting career first took off three years ago, he took me under his wing and would never steer me wrong. I went from a small-town kid to a high paid actor in less than two years. I owe him everything.

I grab a beer from the fridge and down half of it, hoping to bring my temper down. I know it’s a temporary situation and he’s looking out for me, but still. A subtle sound of a cushion being sat on draws my attention to the living room. Thought Warren would have taken longer. When I step around the kitchen island I freeze. Who the fuck? I step back, and don’t say a word.

On the couch sits a petite woman, shoulder length dark hair, and she’s focused on the table. I lean against the counter and reach behind me feeling for the bamboo block which holds the knives. Once I wrap my hand around one of the handles I slide it free and step back in her direction. Her big brown eyes look up, the right side of her mouth lifts into a smirk.

Who the fuck is this chick and why is she in my house? Maybe Warren is right, maybe I do need to up my security. Her eyes narrow, she flutters her long lashes, then winks. She’s fucking bat-shit crazy, she has to be. I take another step and a subtle hint of vanilla drifts into my private space, my eyes close for a mere second. When they reopen, I’m staring down the barrel of a gun. And not just any gun, a Beretta PX4. Holy shit!

Her eyes light up with passion, she has me if she wants me. I’m at her mercy and she knows it. My mouth goes dry and I can’t speak, frozen in time. Her eyes flicker from passion, to control and then a questionable look.

DANICA

I jumped over the fence and now I’m breaking into the townhouse. It isn’t hard at all. The security needs to be up to date if I’m going to be able to protect this guy here. I pop the screen and climb through the window of an exercise room. No-one here, I step out of the room into a short hallway.

Wooden floors cover the length and a plush gray carpet starts in the living room area. With my back to the wall I assess the area and check my watch. They should be expecting me. Why is no-one around? With a swivel of my head I search the room, and movement from what looks like the kitchen area catches my attention.

Okay tough guy, let’s see how tough you are. Out of view, I walk over to the sofa and make myself appear at home. Hard headed or not this guy needs to know he’s in more trouble than he thinks. I sure the hell am not going to put up with his temper tantrums. He’s my first assignment and I’m not going to blow it.

From the corner of my eye, I watch as he steps in from the kitchen. He looks from the hall to the fireplace and then his eyes settle me. Startled he steps back. Took you long enough, I think to myself but say nothing. I lift my head and bat my eyes then wink. Yeah asshole. A crazy woman invading your home, what are you going to do? The fear and confusion on his face cause my insides to chuckle.

He backs up and reaches for something behind him. When he comes towards me, I wait to make my move. I see the shine of a blade at his side, okay let's tango. His eyes close as he takes a deep breath and I jump up, draw my gun, and aim.

His eyes fly open and the knife he was holding drops to the floor. I wait a full minute without saying a word. His pulse increases, sweat begins to form on his upper lip. My insides celebrate the fact I won this round. I lower my gun and step past him, kicking the knife to the side. A real tough guy, not.

I plop my ass on the stool at the kitchen island and he side steps. Little does he know what danger he put himself in. “Did you just back yourself into a corner?” This guy is a real winner. No wonder he needs protection. He's a joke; unable to hide my satisfaction, I giggle.

“You’re nothing but a big ass pussy,” I take my badge off my hip and throw it on the marble counter. He reaches down for the knife and points it in my direction. Come on man, he hasn’t taken his eyes off me. Look at the badge you big jerk.

“Put it down Sparky, I’m not here to hurt you. In fact, I proved my point. Security is an issue. I’m Agent Leroux, you can call me Danica. I’m here under Chief Belmont's orders.” His eyebrows scrunch together, looks down at my badge and puts the knife back in the block.

When he turns to me, his mouth opens to speak but nothing comes out. This occurs a few times and it’s quite comical. “I’ve left men speechless before, but never with my clothes on.” I wiggle my eyebrows.

His eyes widen, and all I can think is: here’s this big muscular guy, and little ol’ me scared the shit out of him. Hmm, fucking with him might make this assignment more fun.

“You’re lucky. I could’ve killed you,” I lift my Beretta to my cheek and slide my tongue along the cold metal barrel. A sound comes from behind me. In one swift move, I cross the island and place my hand against Mr. Ford’s chest. With him behind me I aim the gun at a short stocky man shuffling down the hall.

When he looks up he stops in his place. His mouth falls open, a muscular arm swings around and chops at my arm. Seriously, he’s going to try and disarm me? My elbow jets back and I make contact with his ribs.

He wraps his arm around me and holds me to his chest. I flick my head back and make contact with his, he lets go and stumbles backwards. Dazed for a second.

HUNTER

Ow, my nose! She head butted me. “You bitch,” I reach for her again but she blocks me, she’s quick. I lurch forward but she grabs hold of my wrist, spins me around and pushes me against the unforgiving wall. Holy fuck.

She applies pressure and raises my hand higher in the center of my back. Her warm breath caresses my neck, and the next thing I know, my knees hit the floor with a thud. My cock twitches, why is this turning me on, what the hell?

“Now, if you guys can stop fucking around. I’d like to get down to business and introduce myself.” She releases my arm with a shove and walks into the living room. Her gun slides back into the holster above her ass. And a nice ass it is. I stand and take in her curves.

She can’t be more than five feet three, maybe. Her deep brown hair hangs past her shoulders and her hips sway with every step she takes. When she turns, her lips draw my attention— plump, the kind I want to kiss. I shake my head and try to clear the thoughts. Where did that come from?

“Warren, you need a drink?” I ask as the seal cracks open on the can of beer I grab.

“Yeah, I think I might.” He says as he makes his way over to the sofa. Since he doesn’t drink alcohol I take a soda and toss it to him.

DANICA

His dark emerald eyes shoot daggers through me as he swallows. Awe, sorry babe. Did I hurt your ego? Knock you down a notch or two? Good. Now you’ll take me seriously. I may be petite but I can handle myself. In fact, the bigger they are - the harder they fall. Its men like you who give all men a bad rep. I kick my legs out in front of me and my boots land on the coffee table.

“I’m Danica, your bodyguard. FYI- I don’t take orders from you, I take requests. I’ll do my best to fulfill requests. However, I do have standards. My one and only goal is to protect you, and keep you safe.” Both men sit across from the chair I’m in and stare.

What is with these guys? After a few minutes of looking back and forth at each other, the short stocky one stands. As he slouches over, he extends his hand.

“Hi, I’m Warren, we spoke on the phone, how? How did you do that?” He gestures to Mr. Ford. I shrug my shoulders. I’ve placed first rank in my class, put down men and woman for that matter and it never seems to get old. My older three brothers kept me on my toes, along with my father. They taught me everything I know.

Except the makeup thing. With mom gone I had to figure it out on my own. I release Warren’s hand and reach for Mr. Ford’s. He takes my hand in his, a spark ignites and the heat burns my skin, I flinch and pull away.

“Sorry, the carpet must have static.” He says rubbing his hands on his jeans.

“Okay, let’s get down to business. I’ve seen the file. You have a big premiere coming up. Congrats. As an undercover bodyguard, it will appear I’m your next best fling. No-one but us three, my partner Mark and Chief Belmont will be aware of the truth.” Hunter sits back and sighs. “Look buddy, this isn’t all wine and roses for me either. So, deal with it and make the best of a shitty situation.” He rolls his eyes.

“With the threats you received, we felt it would be better if I escort you to events. The pool, stores, blah, blah, blah. Got it?”

The corner of his mouth twitches into a smile, “blah, blah, blah. You think you could be my best fling?” he wiggles his eyebrows. All the tension leaves the room.

Maybe this won’t be so bad after all. I take the beer from his grasp and take a long sip. “We’ll have to make it look real. Can you fake it? I know I can.” I lick my lip and drag the bottom one in, cocking my hip out.

His eyes smolder with lust. “With me you’d never have to fake it,” he says and tilts his head admiring my curves.

“Oh Sparky, that isn’t true, according to all the gossip magazines. I hear you’re…umm...lacking in that department.”

His head snaps straight and his face turns a little red. Bull’s eye. “Well then, I’ll have to prove you wrong,” he yanks at his crotch. Yeah, I don’t know why guys think that does anything for us women. It doesn’t.

“I assume there’s an extra room somewhere in this place for me?” My boots sink into the soft carpet and I cross the room into the foyer to retrieve my bags from the front porch.

“Wait a second. I have a problem. Like you don’t take orders, neither do I. Now since Warren insists on this, there are some ground rules. For one, I won’t be a prisoner. You can’t cuff me and keep me here.” His anger shows and I can’t blame the guy, but I won’t be a babysitter either. We have to get along one way or another. I step closer and check out his full muscular figure, his eyes watch as I look him over from head to toe.

“Look Sparky, if I wanted to cuff you and keep you here, I could, and you’d fuckin’ love it.” In two quick strides, he’s a mere inch from my body. The tension between us builds. I hold my ground but my breath catches and my pulse quickens. I wasn’t expecting him to invade my space so quick. My libido is on fire. His aftershave is masculine and all him.

“So, you’re not only a smart ass but you’re kinky too?” His head tilts and a sly smirk appears. I poke my finger into his chest to push him back but he doesn’t budge, “Not that you’ll ever have a chance.” He steps around me and moves the hair from my neck, he’s testing me and I’ll pass with flying colors, I always do. Until the warmth of his breath caresses my bare skin below my ear and I swallow hard.

In a light whisper, “You can’t handle it.” His finger glides down the other side of my neck. “But I can, and once more you’ll enjoy it. You’ll keep coming…and coming…back for more.” He moves back into view, waiting for me to admit it. Yeah, it will never happen, but damn.

“What? You think you can have any woman you want? You think you’re so hot, people fall and kiss the ground you walk on.” I snarl back at him.

“They usually do. But you, you like the challenge. You like the excitement of the game. The chase. You like a good dare.”

I roll my eyes. He’s right but I’m not stupid. With my hand on my hip I ask, “And what would that be? You? Are you the dare?” He nods. Whatever, I’d never fall for him. He’s too high maintenance.

HUNTER

I’m right, her eyes gave it away when they flared, and I hit the nail on the head. This is one tough cookie and if I’m honest with myself, I like a good challenge too. This could be an interesting few weeks.

Warren clears his throat, “I’ll get out of the way. Remember Hunter I’m going away for few weeks. Call me if anything comes up.” He closes the door behind him. This leaves Danica and me standing in the foyer. I gesture towards the stairs which leads to the four bedrooms and take her bag.

We climb the stairs, her ass sways in my face and I want to spank it so hard my palm twitches. Tight blue jeans, a white t-shirt she cut so her mid-section shows, and freaking combat boots. Who would have thought someone so rugged would turn me on? I’ve always had models and glamour girls flaunting themselves at me. Here this beauty wants nothing to do with me, and I’m drooling over her feistiness.

When we reach the second-floor landing, she turns and I read the words, Bite Me, across her chest. “Is that an invitation?” Her neck stretches to look at me and her cleavage is now exposed. Her body is like an hourglass with curves in all the right places. “You have other clothes, right?” These can be distracting. Besides, if she’s my fake girlfriend, outfits like these won’t do.

“What’s wrong with my clothes?” She leans forward and intertwines her fingers. Her cleavage is about to burst from the low cut she made. Now it’s not just my hand that’s twitching.

“My eyes are up here.” I glance up and the left side of her mouth smirks, her left eyebrow raises.

Busted. Why do I find her so irresistible? She’s like gasoline to my fire. A high I want to feel and never come down from. I motion to the bedroom across from mine and drop her luggage at the door. “I’ll leave you to it.”

She takes her bag inside and looks over her shoulder, “I’ll be down in a few and you can show me around. Don’t go anywhere.” Then she tosses the bag on the bed and looks around.