Chapter Six

Rule for success number six:

Get your head in the game.

HER concentration was nil this morning. Whenever Heath spoke, Jolie remembered every dirty, amazing thing he’d said he would do to her body—just before he lived up to his word and performed way beyond her expectations. Despite the importance of this meeting, she could hardly think about anything else.

For all the times she’d chastised her friends, her sister—especially her mom—for being too wrapped up in some guy, she was finally understanding how a man could wreak havoc on her concentration. And karma was paying her back in spades. When he said, “Lack of proper security protocols around all entrances and exits,” what Jolie somehow heard was Heath commanding her to take him deep again. As he demonstrated the proper use of the security card readers he advocated for the office suite, she zoned out to memories of him sliding his tongue through her sensitive folds before he settled on her clit and ate her to screaming climax.

Damn it, she really needed to focus, but she couldn’t seem to stop squirming in her seat and reveling in the delicious soreness pervading her most intimate places. Could everyone else look at her and know that she’d spent the night with Heath buried inside her?

“What do you think, Jolie?”

Startled out of her thoughts, she peered down the table at Karis, who stared expectantly. When had she projected that mockup for Betti’s new website, complete with graphics, on the screen?

Blinking and resolving to ignore the hot British sex god across the conference room, she focused on the image. Immediately, she spotted Karis’s handiwork in the visual elements. Slightly whimsical, a little bit retro, yet somehow cutting-edge and chic, the splash page dazzled.

“It looks fantastic,” she praised, smiling at her sister. Then she noticed the girl’s dark smudges and drooping lids. “Are you all right? You don’t look like you slept much.”

Karis blinked, her expression startled.

Her sister couldn’t be surprised that she cared. But openly expressing concern during a business meeting was definitely unusual. At the office, Jolie focused hard on Betti and its problems, leaving her personal stuff—what little she had—at the door.

“I’m fine.”

But Karis wasn’t. Besides looking pale and tired, she seemed agitated. She glanced at Heath, then back Jolie’s way, her face now sharp with speculation.

Jolie tried not to wince. Not once last night had she stopped to think that sleeping with the man Karis currently mooned over would hurt her sister. Remorse slashed her. Yes, Karis probably felt nothing more than a crush, and Heath wasn’t interested. It took two to tango, right? But she could have let the girl’s feelings wane before she jumped on the sexy Brit.

Jolie bit back an apology. Now wasn’t the time or place. “Just checking.”

Karis set her mouth in a flat line. “I’m guessing you got even less sleep than me.”

She looked down at the papers in front of her so no one could see the blush heating her cheeks. “I never sleep much. Show me more of the site. You’ve done a great job with the home page. Do you have the fall collection ready to display here?”

Rohan jumped in to click the link, explain the coding, and talk through some options with her. After that, they slogged through Gerard’s accessories and Arthur’s financials while Jolie struggled to concentrate. She really should rethink the concept of the eight a.m. staff meeting.

No, she should stop sleeping with the man she’d hired to keep her company safe and pay closer attention to the most important meeting of her career.

When it was over, everyone began to gather their belongings and rise. Heath stared at her like a man with something to say. Jolie had to think about Karis first. Sisters before misters, and all that. She didn’t want a confrontation now. Honestly, she didn’t have time. But she’d never been one to push something uncomfortable off until tomorrow when she could tackle it today.

“Heath, let’s talk more in depth about the security system this afternoon.” She glanced at her phone, shocked to discover that it was nearly noon. “I’m going to take my sister to lunch now.”

He nodded. “One thirty, all right?”

“Perfect.”

“See you then.” He sounded professional but his gaze lingered a fraction too long before he sauntered out of the conference room.

Karis jammed her phone on top of her notebook and shoved the pen in the wire spiral before heading to the door with an exaggerated huff, glaring Jolie’s way. Poor Arthur watched, looking like he’d rather be killing a super mutant in the wasteland than watching this awkward exchange.

“Wait!” She followed after her sister, who utterly ignored her. “Karis.”

“I’m busy,” she called back over her slender shoulder.

Arthur chose then to step in front of her. He adjusted his glasses and cleared his throat nervously. “Um, I know you asked me to wait until next week—”

Karis was getting away, and Jolie didn’t want her leaving mad.

“Sorry. Not now.” Then she darted after Karis, catching up to her in the hall and wrapping a gentle hand on her arm.

Her sister jerked away. “What?”

“Let’s go to lunch and try that new Indian place you’ve mentioned. My treat.”

“Like I said, I’m busy.” Karis folded her arms across her slight chest.

Jolie dropped her voice to a whisper. “If you want to talk about this, then come to lunch. I’m not discussing it in the office.”

Her sister hesitated for such a long moment, Jolie expected her to refuse. Or worse, threaten to quit. The girl could be sweet and fun . . . and so damn impulsive.

Thankfully, Karis sighed, her spine losing some of its starch. “Fine. I’ll get my purse.”

Neither said a word in the car or as the hostess showed them to a table tucked into the corner of the cavernous restaurant. Dark and atmospheric rather than trendy, the place wasn’t particularly crowded.

That would be a bonus today.

The moment the waiter took their drink orders, Jolie glanced at the menu to confirm they had chicken tikka, then set it down to find Karis glaring at her.

Jolie didn’t drag her feet. “Yes, I slept with him.”

“You knew I liked him.” She looked both angry and hurt.

“I did. And I handled it badly. I’m so sorry.” Jolie tried to say the next words gently but diplomacy really wasn’t her forte. “But your feelings . . . You know they aren’t reciprocated.”

“Yeah,” Karis said glumly. “But that might have changed in time. You never know. Maybe he just needed to know me better. Now I have no chance. The way he looked at you during the meeting, like he couldn’t wait to strip you down and devour you—”

“He didn’t,” Jolie protested. But she feared he actually had. The few times she’d dared to peer at him for more than a moment or two, his stare had darkened, lingered.

She’d flushed hot every damn time.

“Oh, please. It was so obvious. Everyone noticed.” Jolie grimaced but Karis kept on. “Even Gerard looked crushed. He really hoped Heath might swing both ways—”

“I can wholeheartedly vouch for his heterosexuality.”

“Yeah, my gaydar is pretty accurate and I told him Heath was straight as an arrow when he walked in on Monday morning. Gerard still didn’t want to believe me but he didn’t ask Heath out because of your policy forbidding dating among the staff. Remember that?”

Jolie remembered when she feared office romances would be a distraction. Now she knew they were. “He’s a contractor, not an actual employee.”

“Aren’t you splitting hairs?”

Probably. So in addition to Karis thinking she was a man thief, now she sounded like a hypocrite. “You’re right. I really am sorry if I hurt you. That wasn’t my intention.”

In the past, Jolie had chided women for their weaknesses when it came to men, but last night she’d become that bimbo willing to do something desperate and stupid to be with a hot guy. Damn it. How had she gotten so turned inside out by a stiff penis and her softening heart? She didn’t like it. Worse, she knew she should take a step back from him. But she wasn’t sure how. She’d never had to fight her feelings before.

Was this desperate giddiness what her mother felt when she thought she was falling in love?

“You seemed really off your game at the meeting this morning. Did he upset you? Hurt you?”

The concern in her voice touched Jolie. She and Karis hadn’t been really close since they were kids. Back then, they’d banded together to survive a chaotic life with a fickle, almost gypsy mother. During college, Jolie had worked nonstop to afford her tuition and books. She’d scraped enough together to afford a crappy studio apartment she shared with a cash-strapped med student. It had been a tight squeeze that really only worked because Melanie had been gone more often than not. Jolie hadn’t visited her family a lot. In truth, she hadn’t wanted to. By the time she graduated—with honors—Karis was fifteen and headstrong and unwilling to listen to anything her big sister had to say. She’d hoped this job would make them closer . . . but that didn’t look promising now.

If Jolie wanted that to change, she had to make it happen.

“No. He didn’t hurt me.” She sipped her tea. “But I wish I could have a bottle of wine right now, KK, because he shocked the hell out of me.”

Karis smiled a little at the childhood nickname. “Was he kinky?”

“Dominant.”

“I’m surprised you didn’t shred him with your tongue.” She gasped. “Oh god. You let him boss you around?”

Jolie squeezed her eyes shut. Was she actually talking to her sister about her sex life? “When everything he wants you to do gives you the most amazing orgasms, it’s not that difficult to comply.”

It was only later that she’d had serious second thoughts about being so vulnerable to him. What was supposed to happen between them next? They hadn’t ended the night with promises, which was fine. But they also hadn’t started their morning by talking. Jolie had never before found herself in the position of caring if she had a tomorrow with a man.

Her sister giggled. “Seriously? That good?”

“Incredible.” Jolie covered her face with a hand and shook her head. “I sound like a starry-eyed girl.”

Karis cocked her head. “Is that bad, to be human? To be a woman? I’ve often thought that, if we weren’t related, you would have drifted out of my life long ago because you’ve never let yourself care too much about anyone. Maybe he’s good for you.”

“I’m pretty sure it was a one-night stand for him.” Jolie lifted one shoulder, refusing to want more. “Besides, it’s a really busy time for me. And hopefully, I’ll be even busier soon. If I get this financing from Gardner, I’ll be swamped with all the expansion tasks, including hiring additional stuff, overseeing a nationwide online marketing campaign, getting my suppliers ramped up . . . The list goes on. I can’t get involved with anyone now. I don’t think Heath wants to, anyway.” She peered at her sister, whose brown eyes now looked sweetly empathetic. “I read some of the report you compiled about him. It’s been seven years since his wife died. If he was going to get seriously involved with someone again, wouldn’t he have done it by now?” She heard herself and groaned. “Crap, I can’t be angsting about a guy I hooked up with once. We don’t have a future together, and I’m okay with that.”

“Are you?” Karis asked pointedly. “He may not have gotten seriously involved with anyone else because he’s never met the right woman. Not saying it’s you, but how do you know if you don’t try?”

There was some wisdom to Karis’s statement but . . . “Because I’m not anyone’s perfect woman. I’m built for business. For my career.”

“You’re capable of more.” Her sister raised a brow. “I think the real problem is that you’re afraid to be like Mom.”

“I love Mom,” Jolie protested.

She did. But the idea of being dependent on a man or losing herself to one so completely that she forgot to be her own person terrified Jolie utterly.

The waiter set down their food and promised he’d check back shortly. Jolie dug in, hoping Karis would pay more attention to her tandoori chicken than to the turn of this conversation.

Nope. She shoved a bite in her mouth and kept the chatter rolling. “But you don’t call her on the shit you should. If I did that stuff, you’d haul me into your office and berate me until I admitted the error of my ways. It’s as if you’ve accepted that Mom is just going to do whatever she wants, and you still send her money and listen to the plights of her romantic life. I know you love her. But you don’t respect her. And you work hard to make sure you’re nothing like her.”

Jolie opened her mouth. Then she closed it. What was there to say when every word was true? She stalled by pushing the creamy chicken around on her plate. “Why does she get married and divorced over and over?”

“I’m not sure. She’s looking for something she’s not finding . . .”

“Perfection?” But Jolie didn’t think that sounded like her mother.

“No,” Karis agreed. “I don’t think she has unrealistic expectations. I mean, she puts up with stuff that would totally piss me off.”

Diana endured way, way more from her former husbands and ex-boyfriends than Jolie would. Of course, the moment any had stood between her and the success she’d yearned to achieve since sketching out her first designs at eight, Jolie had ditched the guy and spent more time on her dreams.

“Her self-esteem isn’t the greatest. But I don’t think she ever had any goals in life, either.” Jolie took a bite of the chicken tikka and chewed. “I’ve never seen her strive for anything.”

“Yeah. Are some people born without ambition?”

“Maybe. What about you? What do you want to achieve in life?” Since this was the most honest conversation they’d had in forever, she might as well see what Karis would say.

“I love my graphic art. Photoshop, Sketch, and Pixelmator all thrill me. I find an odd peace whenever I take my laptop to a quiet, pretty spot, turn on some good music, and just . . . be. Not everything I create is fantastic. But it’s my art. My truth.”

A subtle jab. Jolie enjoyed sketching but was a bottom-line woman. A childhood with too much responsibility had started her down that path. Her entrepreneurial spirit had honed it. For Karis, life wasn’t about the destination but the journey. Her sister knew what made her happy and Jolie envied that. Success was fantastic . . . but she was beginning to wonder if life was about more.

“We all have ways of expressing our individuality. It’s about being true to ourselves, right?”

Karis chewed on that, then grinned. “What you’re saying is that you make choices that I wouldn’t and I should back off preaching to you about how you should be relaxing.”

Her younger sister was proving to be deeply insightful and more mature than she’d thought.

Jolie nodded. “Just like I should stop lecturing you about ambition, I guess. But this thing with Heath . . . I never meant to hurt you.”

“You did at first; I won’t lie. But he wasn’t going to choose me. We both know that. I think I was upset you didn’t consider my feelings more than I was that he didn’t want me.”

“I should have been more sensitive. I got lost in the moment with him and . . .” She flushed.

“This talking?” Karis sipped her tea. “It’s good.”

“Yeah. I’ve been trying to look out for you and guide you like I’ve always done.”

“I appreciate it but I don’t need you to be my second mom anymore.”

“Point taken.”

“So, what are you going to do about Heath? Take him to bed again?” Karis asked with a devilish smile, then her mouth gaped open. “Oh, maybe not. I just remembered . . . He has a strict no-repeat policy. According to him, he’s Mr. Hit-It-and-Quit-It.”

Disappointment spooled through Jolie. Yeah, he might have merely been telling Karis that to discourage her but it fit Heath’s pattern. For the last seven years, he’d never stayed in any one place for long. He’d never stayed with any one person, either. Except Mystery Mullins. She’d been his employer and his constant—until she’d agreed to marry another man. But if Heath had never touched Mystery, maybe—despite ruthlessly rushing to her defense—he’d never loved her.

That possibility made her happier than it should have.

“We didn’t make each other any promises, and I have too much to do to pine over a guy, especially now. I’ll write him off as a hot memory and move on.” Jolie hoped it was that easy.

“Don’t you want a family?”

“I’ve got one,” she reminded. “You, Mom, and Austin keep me more than occupied.”

“I don’t mean parents and siblings. A husband and children. Don’t you think about that?”

Sometimes. When she let herself, which wasn’t often. “I’ll just stand beside you at your wedding, hold your hand while you’re giving birth, and spoil your kids rotten.”

“You’d better.” Karis squeezed her fingers for a sweet second. “But I’m hoping you’ll let me return the favor. I’m not sure the path you’re on will lead to the kind of happiness that lasts.”

With that sobering observation, the waiter returned to collect their plates. After Jolie paid the bill, they headed back to the office. The clock on her dash told her she had only a handful of minutes before one thirty. “I’m glad we took the time for a sister lunch. We should do it more often.”

Karis smiled as if she’d like that. “Yeah.”

As Jolie parked the car, she grabbed her purse and jumped out. “I’ve got to run before I’m late for my meeting with Heath.”

“Don’t want to be late for that.” Karis winked.

“I never want to be late for any meeting,” she clarified. But no denying that she really anticipated this one. Just being near him made her blood pump, her skin tingle with life, even if she had no idea what she’d say to him once they were alone again.

“Right . . .”

As soon as they entered the suite, Jolie looked across the open space and spotted a box wrapped in brown paper with a floppy lace bow on her sister’s cluttered desk. “What’s that?

“I don’t know. It’s the right size for See’s Candy.” Karis looked hopeful.

“Do you see a card?” Jolie pointed to the little white square. “What does it say?”

She’d expected the note to read You’re pretty or Go out with me. A romantic come-on of some sort.

What she saw seemed far more menacing.

“It says ‘No one, not even your sister, will stop me from enjoying your sweetness.’” Jolie frowned at the obliquely ominous note.

Karis was too busy tearing into the packaging. “It is See’s Candy!”

“Do you know who that’s from?”

“No. I guess it’s from whoever sent me the tulips?” She sounded unsure. “It’s kind of cool that I have a secret admirer or something. I really hope he’s more Henry Cavill than Dexter.”

Jolie hoped so, too. But she refused to assume anything. Unfortunately, when she looked around, no one else sat at their desk. Gerard took notoriously long lunches, which promoted “maximum creativity.” Rohan often attended get-rich-quick seminars. Wisteria and her on-again, off-again boyfriend were apparently speaking today, so she’d probably met him for lunch. Arthur got together with a group of gamers to discuss the latest cheats, hacks, and strategies every Thursday around noon. In other words, no one had been here to see anything.

“Would you mind if I shared this with Heath?” Jolie pointed at the card.

“Yeah. Sure.” Karis handed it to her, then lifted the lid on the candy, inhaling the scent with a sigh of bliss. “Do you think it’s safe to eat?”

Her sister’s hopeful pout would have made Jolie laugh if the situation weren’t possibly dangerous. “Taking food from a stranger? I don’t think that’s wise.”

“It’s like grown-up Halloween.”

“It could also end up being Real Stories of the ER.”

Karis shoved the lid back on the confections. “They’re nuts and chews, too. I hate it when you’re practical. And right. Ugh. Show the card to Heath. Maybe he can solve this so we can figure out if someone sane gave these to me and I can have an awesome dessert tonight.”

Jolie had to laugh at her sister’s slightly goofy side, especially since her own genetic makeup hadn’t included anything like it. “I’ll keep you posted. If not, I’m sure you can drown your sorrows in some merlot.”

“Good call.” She winked.

Jolie hugged her. “I’m glad we talked. Now I’m heading to find Heath. I’ll let you know what he says.”

“See you soon, sis.” Karis kissed her cheek. “Have fun . . .”

Three minutes later, Jolie had gathered her stuff and headed into the conference room. When she opened the door, she found Heath inside, waiting. A barely banked fire lit his eyes when she walked in. He stood, watched her, his whole body tense.

“You’re here. Good.” He’d used that low, gruff voice on her last night and it had shredded her common sense. “Now close the door.”

***

JUST like last night, Jolie complied almost instantly, naturally. As soon as Heath heard the click of the knob sliding home, he relished the thought that they were alone.

For having almost no sleep and fifteen minutes to get ready for work, the woman should not look that scrumptious. A dozen different ways he could take her on this table flashed through his head then. He’d love to spread her out, push inside her, and stroke her deep until ecstasy claimed them both.

Unfortunately, he couldn’t touch her now. She seemed determined to keep the office strictly professional . . . but his thoughts refused to behave.

Sex with Anna had been like coddling a lamb. He’d held her and stroked her, reassured her of his love. She’d often indulged his desire for bondage and impact play but only if he served them up with gentle words and tender aftercare. Taking Jolie to bed had been like wrestling with a feral tiger. He had the scratch marks all over his back to prove it. Oh, she’d finally let him be the alpha—but only because it brought her pleasure. Orgasms certainly hadn’t made her more docile. Heath wasn’t sure anything would.

Surprisingly, he liked that about her.

In fact, he’d been inside Jolie last night for hours, taking her repeatedly with a hunger he’d been unable to slake. He’d had no chance to touch her since. Heath hadn’t expected the craving to return today at all, much less with such a vengeance. Now he felt itchy and restless, like an addict desperate for another fix.

Her uneasy expression yanked him from his thoughts. “I’ve got something to show you.”

He went on instant alert. “What’s wrong?”

She hesitated, frowned, and gripped something in her hands. “Maybe nothing. But . . . well, yesterday someone left Karis tulips. Remember, she thought it was you? It wasn’t, and we never really got back to talking about who might have left the flowers on her desk. Today when we returned from lunch, someone had left her a box of her favorite candy, along with this.” She handed the card to him.

He scanned it. And froze. “Any idea what this means?”

“I have no idea. Neither does Karis. If he means it as a romantic gesture, why does he sound slightly like a rapist making a threat? And why is someone dragging me into this?”

“Good questions.” They’d already covered the bases in Jolie’s life around industrial spies, disgruntled former employees, and jilted lovers. She was too sharp to simply overlook or forget someone who might turn dangerous or deadly. “Besides me, you haven’t warned anyone away from her lately?”

“I’m not her keeper. She’s always been free-spirited, going where the wind takes her, romantically speaking. I keep hoping she’ll learn from her mistakes and be more grounded.”

He probably shouldn’t veer into this territory when they had a potentially dangerous situation to deal with and he’d uncovered some troubling facts, but Heath couldn’t turn his back on Jolie’s concern. “Her mistakes?”

“The first was the wrestling captain in high school who thought it would be fun to see if he could get his personal number to one hundred before graduation. Karis was eighty-four. Apparently after plowing his way through most of the senior and junior girls, he started on the sophomores.” And Jolie sounded as if she’d still like to throttle the prick. “Then came the guy who claimed to be a singer/songwriter. Baggy pants, plaid shirts, scraggly beard, unwashed hair—the whole bit. He also apparently didn’t grasp that if he decided to move to Denver to start a marijuana farm with a new squeeze, he should break up with his current girlfriend first.”

Heath tried not to smile. It wasn’t funny, strictly speaking. But Jolie had a tart way of putting things that amused him.

“Most recently she gravitated to a guy she met at an anime convention,” Jolie went on. “Turns out, Ben was really a hacker who did a lot of questionably legal things. Thankfully, the government recruited him and he moved to D.C.”

“So Karis has made terrible decisions in the past, but no one you’ve tried to command out of her life in the past week except me?”

“Oh, I’ve scowled at a twerpy waiter and raised a brow at a leering UPS driver, but nothing serious. Maybe I missed something. I’ve been so busy.”

Heath paced. He always thought better when he was moving. “You have no idea where the candy came from, then?”

“No. Someone hand-delivered it to her desk. Did you see anything while we were gone for lunch?”

He cleared his throat. “I popped back to my place for a quick shower since we ran out of time this morning.”

Right on cue, her cheeks blushed a sweet pink. She pretended to stare down at the crisp, typewritten card with the oddly veiled threat. “What should we do?”

The whole situation gave Heath more than a little disquiet. Why would anyone send a gift to Karis but include a note threatening Jolie? The situation didn’t look inherently dangerous but he especially knew better than to assume anything.

“Keep the office safe going forward. I have enough security card readers in my stash to install them at the front door, your office, and the hallway to the building’s rear facilities—”

“You mean the restroom?”

“Do you really rest in that room?” he challenged.

“Fine. The toilet, as you Brits prefer.” She rolled her eyes. “Are you saying that everyone will need an electronic badge just to go?”

“Yes. I plan to equip everyone with a lanyard. They should wear their badge on their person at all times, so going to the loo will require no more extra effort than the swipe of a card. I’ll create the electronic access profiles today. I’ll need a picture of every employee so I can laminate each to its respective badge. Once the system is in operation, it will keep logs and generate reports of access in and out of the suite, so everyone must carry their own badge.”

“You’ll be keeping track of our movements?”

“Indeed.”

“So every time Rohan goes for a smoke or Gerard drinks too much water . . .” Jolie frowned. “I don’t know. Security is important but this seems like an infringement of privacy.”

“But if the system I’ve proposed had been in place this morning, Karis might not have received candy from a stranger. If she had, I’d already know precisely who had entered the suite and through which access point. I’d also have a log of when and where that person exited so I might be able to track him. As it stands now, we’ve no idea whether the culprit is someone working in one of the adjacent businesses, one of the cleaning crew, a random loon, the prowler from last night, or someone else entirely. These precautions will help keep us insulated from future incidents.”

Jolie crossed her arms, wearing one of her stubborn expressions. “I recognize that I hired you to secure the facility, and I truly wish we’d been more prepared for the recent rash of problems. But I wasn’t anticipating anything intrusive. Isn’t there another way?”

“Would video and audio recordings seem less pushy? They’re not much good for preventing a crime or stopping one in progress but are helpful in prosecuting after someone’s already been attacked or killed. Is that what you want?”

“No. I thought you’d put better locks on the doors, maybe recommend a few more lights in the parking lots and a better firewall around our computers. This . . .”

“Is my area of expertise. Should I review my qualifications with you again?”

She sighed. “No.”

“Fine, then. I’ve sent you a detailed e-mail with all the associated costs for the equipment I’ve recommended, as well as monthly maintenance fees. Let me know if you have any questions in the next hour. If not, I’ll spend this afternoon installing everything.”

“You can do that yourself?”

Why that surprised her, Heath wasn’t sure. “For the most part. I may call in an extra hand or two but I never use any equipment I can’t properly utilize. Too risky, otherwise.”

She sighed and finally took a seat. “All right. When we’re done here, I’ll take a look and let you know whether to proceed. Let’s get down to the rest of our business. Do you have any other recommendations to make the building and all our intellectual property more secure?”

Heath spent the next thirty minutes outlining those suggestions. He also returned her computer to her with added security and a mechanism that attached the machine via a locked cable to a bolt he’d have anchored in the concrete slab beneath her desk. She followed along, asked insightful questions, and picked apart his answers, negotiating for protocols she believed would balance the need between the safety of Betti’s employees and their privacy. She frustrated the devil out of him because she’d argue with anyone about the color of the sky if she thought it would benefit her business, but she really was one of the brightest women he’d ever met.

Intelligence had never been a specific turn-on. Anna had been loving, joyful, and a bit reserved. She would rather have watched cute videos of puppies and babies and couples holding hands than anything about politics. She’d avoided discussing things like war, genocide, nuclear proliferation, the international economy, and terrorism. She hadn’t enjoyed the mental challenge of a good crossword. Not so Jolie.

And he couldn’t deny that he found his temporary boss a refreshing change from all the young party girls he’d spent his evenings with for the past six years.

Once they’d agreed in theory to his office security proposal, Heath sat back. Perhaps it would be more polite not to stare but he couldn’t seem to help himself. Negotiation made her eyes glitter a dazzling shade of green. And how interesting that, as silence fell, she looked everywhere but at him . . . Now that she’d experienced how incendiary they were together, was she having trouble walking away, too?

That really made him wonder about her reaction to his next recommendation.

“Once you’ve approved the proposal via e-mail, I’ll send everyone in the office the updated security protocols. In light of last night’s break-in and another potential breach today, I’m implementing all the measures effective immediately. I’ll be checking everyone’s access and, of course, be here to answer any questions. Most importantly, I will monitor all the entrances and exits around the building and investigate anything out of the ordinary.”

“There will be pushback,” she warned.

“As their boss, you can give them a bit of encouragement.”

“I’m paying for this, so you can bet I will.” She gave him a sharp nod. “But none of that changes who they are. Gerard can’t be bothered with anything practical. Rohan will be cranky with the extra two seconds it will take before he has his nicotine fix. Wisteria will lose her badge, guaranteed. Karis may make a sign protesting Big Brother—or in this case, Big Sister. Arthur will complain if we impede his access to that damn video game. I think he’s got an addiction.”

Jolie might not like to show that she valued their happiness. It probably didn’t fit with her tough businesswoman persona . . . but Heath saw.

He hid a smile. “In Arthur’s defense, the RPG he’s immersed in now is quite well done.”

“RPG? Never mind. I don’t think I want to know what that means. I didn’t know you’re a gamer.”

There was a lot she didn’t know about him. “A casual one. In most cases, I’d rather read or go for a run.”

Jolie wrinkled her nose. “Run? No thanks. If I’m going to sweat, I’d totally rather do yoga. Or Zumba. You like to dance?”

“The only time my feet have moved in any haphazard fashion, I was dodging bullets.”

She laughed, then seemed to remember they were supposed to be having a professional relationship. After clearing her throat, she stacked her papers, then studied him with a carefully blank face. “Is that everything?”

“Not precisely. How much do you know about Richard Gardner?”

“Good family. Old money. His sister is a lovely woman. He graduated from West Point. He’s worth nearly a billion dollars.” She’d done her homework. “Gardner can afford to put a big stake in Betti and it would still be a baby investment for him. He knows nothing about fashion, just making money. He’ll be a great silent partner.”

“You’ve met him?”

“Socially. We had a long conversation at a recent AIDS fundraiser, which is how we decided to explore Betti as an investment opportunity for him. He’s a big advocate for LGBT causes.”

“But he’s not gay.”

“I never said he was.” Her eyes widened. “Tell me you didn’t investigate him.”

“And lie to you? I won’t bother. So you know he’s a skirt chaser?”

“It’s ironic you should accuse him of that.” Jolie leveled a sharp glance at him. “But I doubt Richard’s first concern is what’s under my skirt.”

“Has he flirted with you?”

She shrugged. “He flirts with everyone, even his brother-in-law’s ninety-year-old grandmother and his great-niece who just learned to walk. He likes females and has the kind of charisma many respond to.”

Would she? The question disturbed Heath. “Do you want him to chase what’s under your skirt?”

Jolie tilted her chin and sent him a measuring glance. “Would it matter?”

It shouldn’t. Normally, it wouldn’t.

He tried to phrase his next words carefully so he didn’t sound like a possessive prick. “I think you need him as an investor far more than as a lover. I hope for your sake that he shares your priorities.”

Brilliant. That didn’t sound as if he might rip the man’s balls off and shove them down his throat if he made a pass at Jolie.

Heath swallowed. Normally, he wasn’t the jealous sort. Of course, he never stayed around long enough to care. Hell, he hadn’t been half this angry when Axel had swooped in and stolen Mystery away.

“But you’re not holding your breath?” she asked. “That’s what it sounds like.”

“Precisely.”

“As it happens, I’m not interested in mixing business with pleasure. I’d rather not muddy the waters or deal with more distractions. Besides, if I’m in his bed, I’ll be on his radar. I want a silent partner.”

Heath felt some tension bleed away. Hopefully, that meant he wouldn’t need to restrain an urge to commit murder tomorrow night.

“I’ll be watching your back to ensure everything goes smoothly,” he swore.

That put her on alert. She gave him a narrow-eyed glare. “At the restaurant? You can’t be there.”

“I will,” he shot back instantly. “And I won’t change my mind.”

“Last night does not give you the right to follow me to my dinner with Richard. It’s not a date; it’s business.”

“The purpose is irrelevant. I’m going.”

Her face closed up. “No. You’re not involved in my business, and I’m not discussing what happened between us last night.”

Normally, that would suit him. He hadn’t “repeated” once since he’d started hooking up about a year after Anna’s murder. Normally, slipping away from a one-night shag was simple because he never saw the woman again. He never thought of them or missed them. He was never tempted to seek any of those women out once more.

Jolie didn’t fall into that category. And he wasn’t willing to accept her brick-wall attitude.

“Until we have more answers, I’m not comfortable assuming that whoever broke into your office won’t return. I don’t like the veiled threat in the note delivered with Karis’s candy. So I’ll not only be your security specialist, I’ll be your bodyguard. As such, I’ll be your shadow at dinner.”

She shook her head. “But nothing violent has happened.”

“This is non-negotiable, Jolie. I won’t bend because you don’t like it. The only way you’ll be rid of me is if you sack me.” Even then he didn’t think he could merely leave. “And before you consider that notion, think about the safety of your other employees. Do you want them unprotected?”

“That’s manipulative.”

“But true. So if you pop out to the grocery store, I’ll be there. If you decide to attend a yoga class with Callie, I’ll tag along. If you hit a pub with the girls, if you shop for clothes, if you stand on your balcony, if you go on a date—”

“You can escort me from the office to my front door. I promise to go straight in and lock up for the night. Then you can go home, retrieve me the next morning, and take me to the office.”

She wasn’t comprehending, so Heath intended to make himself perfectly clear. “Break-ins happen. So do assaults, rapes, and murders. I’m now your bodyguard. End of discussion.”

She huffed out a little sigh. “You’re not spending the night again.”

“I am. I won’t touch you but I also won’t leave you unprotected.”

“How do I know this isn’t some ploy to seduce me?”

“If that’s all I wanted, I wouldn’t be talking to you across this table. I’d be kissing you and reminding you that I know exactly how to make you scream in pleasure. Wouldn’t that be more effective if all I wanted from you was sex?”

As if she didn’t have a good argument for his logic, she switched gears. “And my sister? I’m worried about her safety. No one has tried to reach me, just my computer. But she was here last night when someone broke in. She’s received gifts—”

“I’ve thought of that. I’ll be calling in a few favors and finding someone to watch over her when she leaves the office.”

“I don’t want a stranger staying in her apartment while she sleeps. Besides, you’ve seen how small it is. Where would she put anyone?”

He stood and drew in a steadying breath. Jolie had worked herself up. Too much stress with all the unexpected lately. The anxiety of her investor dinner tomorrow night was likely weighing on her. He needed to calm her down, get her out of her own head for a bit. He had a fabulous idea how to accomplish that, but since they both had reservations about tangling the sheets again, he’d have to think of another way.

“Leave it to me. I’ll make something work. You really don’t have to control everything.”

Jolie looked as if she wanted to argue. Instead, she crossed her arms over her chest. “What do you think is happening here? Are all these incidents related?”

He’d wondered when she would start asking the more difficult questions. Now that they’d settled most of the immediate issues, Heath figured she’d start digging for answers.

Pacing the length of the whiteboard, he chose his words carefully. “The timing is awfully coincidental. I have no proof . . . but with the facts we have now, I don’t see another possibility. Someone is playing a head game with you. I don’t know what they want yet. I also can’t promise that whoever is causing this mayhem isn’t violent. So I’ll do everything I can to keep you safe.”

“If he’s playing games with me, why involve Karis?”

“Perhaps he’s using her to get to you because he sees her as your weak spot.” Heath knew well how those could be exploited. “Maybe the gifts are intended to butter her up so she’ll influence you or lull her into a false sense of security so she’ll help him with something intended to take you down. Without more information, I can’t say. I only know I don’t like dodgy pricks who threaten women in any way.”

Jolie looked down pensively, as if she didn’t know what to say. “If he could use her to influence me, then he’d probably suspect he could use her to hurt me.”

“Precisely. Until I can assign someone to watch her, maybe it’s best if she stays at your place so I can protect you both.”

The suggestion clearly surprised her but she nodded in relief. “Thanks. I worry about Karis. Until we understand what’s going on, better to be safe than sorry.”

“That’s the attitude. I’ll need a list of all your appointments for the next week so I can be in sync with you. I suggest cancelling whatever you can, especially anything public. If you’re a target, being out in the open makes you easier to reach. I also want to know the moment you receive any contact that seems remotely threatening. You won’t leave my sight.”

Jolie gathered up her belongings and stood. “Try not to get in my way. And don’t think about seducing me again.”

Heath knew he should let it go but . . . “Who surprised whom naked and waiting last night?”

She flushed, then turned to open the door. “Go to hell. I’ll have your answer about the security equipment in an hour.”

***

AT four o’clock, Jolie found herself frustrated and exhausted. After reading Heath’s security bid and agreeing, he’d gone straight to work, barking at Wisteria to take everyone’s picture. Now the sounds of power tools distracted her, and knowing Heath loomed nearby was killing the rest of her concentration. She had a few more finishing touches to put on her proposal for Gardner, but she could complete them at home later, in peace, with a glass of wine. And hopefully, Heath would still be here, installing the card readers and whatever else.

Looking for a change of scenery, she ignored her untended inbox and texted Callie. I need to skip yoga. Meet me for coffee?

Less than a minute later, Callie answered. Since I’m too pregnant to do much more than waddle to the bathroom, yoga is out of the question for me. Love to!

As soon as they agreed on a location, Jolie tiptoed to her office door, peeking out. Everyone appeared hard at work for once. Gerard perched over a sketch pad as if inspiration had finally struck. He swooped his pencil over his pad feverishly, looking like his fingers were doing their best to keep up with his brain. Karis and Rohan murmured together in his cubicle about something on his screen. Arthur frowned as he balanced receipts against his records. Wisteria typed at a slow but steady pace on her e-mails, working around her long, canary yellow nails.

And Heath had shucked everything above the waist except a tight ribbed tank while he installed the security equipment. As he drove a screw into the wall with a power drill, his biceps bulged. His shoulders flexed. Every bit of his lean torso bunched in silent power.

Jolie swallowed her tongue.

Why did the only man she’d ever craved have to be the one who made her feel so vulnerable?

Yeah, some time away from the office—and him—would help her concentration. Heath would be pissed but she really didn’t need a bodyguard. The recent events had been admittedly unnerving, but no one had truly threatened her. Whoever had broken in seemed more like a desperate business rival hoping to steal secrets and use her sister’s soft heart to get to her than a hardened killer.

Grabbing her purse from her desk drawer, Jolie tucked it against her chest and crept out the door. With a sigh of relief, she drove away. She needed to clear her head before making the biggest pitch of her career. She wouldn’t get that if Heath was around.

Fifteen minutes later, Jolie pulled into an upscale coffeehouse in a well-established part of Dallas. Glass and chrome gleamed everywhere, accenting an open fire pit, dark wood, and sleek lines. Everyone here sipping coffee in the late afternoon looked incredibly busy, impeccably dressed, and reeked of money.

Jolie hadn’t grown up with two dimes to rub together but she definitely appreciated having money now.

As she looked around, she spotted a gorgeous brunette in a nautical-themed maternity dress waving. The navy color suited her fair skin and made her blue eyes gleam even from across the room. The pregnancy glow only added to her beauty.

At the table beside her, her husband, Sean Mackenzie, sat glancing through the newspaper. At the back of the shop, her devoted lover and Dom, Mitchell Thorpe, lazed against the wall, watching everything around him while he talked on the phone.

Disappointment wound through Jolie. She’d hoped Callie would come alone, but since she’d met the woman six months ago, neither man was ever far from her side, and with the baby coming any day, they hovered even more.

With a hug and a smile, Jolie slid into the empty chair across from Callie. “Hi. Wow, you look fantastic.”

She put her hands on her belly and laughed. “I look so pregnant. When I see myself naked now, I think that if I get any bigger, I’ll need my own zip code.”

“How much longer?”

“A few weeks. But the baby keeps trying to make an early appearance. I’m supposed to be on bed rest but I had to get out of the house before I lost my mind.” Flipping her gaze back to Thorpe, then over to Sean, she leaned in. “I thought they were overprotective before but now they’re downright exasperating.”

“I heard that, lovely,” Sean remarked without once looking up from his Dallas Morning News.

“And I’m sure Thorpe will know too as soon as he ends this call. You guys can let up a little. I’m not going to give birth the next time I stand up and accidentally drop the baby on its head.”

Sean frowned skeptically. “We promised you thirty minutes before we took you home to rest. If you want to gab with Jolie, I suggest you get started.”

How did Callie put up with any man taking so much of her control?

But the bubbly brunette didn’t let it ruffle her. Instead, Callie stuck out her tongue playfully. “Fine. I’ll get you later.”

Sean sent her a smoldering gaze. “I look forward to it.”

The other woman giggled, then handed her a chai iced tea before taking a sip from her water bottle. Her huge diamond wedding ring winked in the light. “How are you, doll? Rough day?”

Rough forty-eight hours, actually. “You could say that.”

“Is Heath helping you out?”

Jolie couldn’t seem to stop herself. Heat crawled up her face. “He’s fine.”

“Oh . . .” Callie raised a brow. “So he gave you more than recommendations to shore up your security, huh?”

She ignored that question.

“We had a break-in at the office last night.” Jolie filled her in on the details, along with a bit about Karis’s odd gifts. “So I’m not sure what to think or do. Now Heath seems determined to stick to me day and night. I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

“Because you like him despite knowing he doesn’t ever occupy the same bed twice? Or because he got under your skin?”

Jolie grimaced. Callie had always been perceptive. “Gee, don’t ask me hard questions or anything.”

Her face softened with apology. “Sorry. I don’t mean to overstep. I only want to help.”

With a sigh, she sipped her tea and whispered so Sean couldn’t overhear. “I know. The truth is, I’m not sure. And I’m even less sure I want to know the answer.”

Callie hesitated. “That’s new for you. If it makes you feel any better, he’s a good guy.”

“I didn’t really want a guy at all. I don’t need the distraction.”

“You never get to choose when love comes your way.” She and Sean shared a meaningful glance before she turned to Thorpe, who was still on the phone. As if he sensed her stare, the intimidating man in the perfectly cut suit gazed back with an adoring smile. Callie glowed with happiness. “I wasn’t looking for it a year ago. But it found me. Now look.” She caressed her belly. “Married. Happy. About to have a baby. I didn’t plan this, but I wouldn’t change it for anything.”

“I’m thrilled for you. I know you’ve been through a lot. But I’ve never been in love and I don’t plan to start now. I just needed some sanity.”

And some space Heath Powell didn’t inhabit.

Thankfully, Callie let the love thing drop. “What’s making you crazy?”

Jolie explained the installation of the security equipment and Heath’s insistence that he was now her bodyguard.

Suddenly, Callie’s eyes went wide. “So you didn’t tell Heath you were coming to meet me?”

“No. I don’t need a keeper. I’m sure these incidents have something to do with the business, and Heath will figure it out. But I won’t have that man breathing down my neck as if he owns me.”

Her eyes flared even wider. “Um . . .”

“Unless you’d like me to make a scene in this posh little coffeehouse, I suggest you come with me now.”

Jolie recognized that deep, clipped British voice. She froze.

Heath had tracked her down. And he didn’t sound pleased.