CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Caine stared at the little brunette standing primly in his office, and he just couldn’t stop himself from breaking into a wide, delirious grin.
She was right here. That enigmatic, elusive woman from last night, the female of his dreams!
Caine drank in the sight of her greedily. Her brown hair was pulled back into a sleek ponytail and there wasn’t a trace of makeup on her face. Her black jacket and pants fitted her petite frame snugly, and she was wearing sensible, low-heeled shoes. She looked sharp and professional, and so incredibly sexy.
Tia was the bodyguard from Chase Security Inc.
He owed Nathan big time for assigning Tia this job. Nathan could have sent over any one of his staff, but it was Tia he chose for this job.
Caine knew Nathan Chase through a mutual business associate, and he had great respect for the guy. He’d picked up the phone and called Nathan about two weeks ago, asking if he could send one of his female bodyguards over. He’d specified his requirements and told Nathan that he understood that what he was requesting wasn’t within the normal job scope for a bodyguard so he was willing to pay more. To his surprise, Nathan actually seemed delighted at his request and immediately assured him that he had just the person for the job.
Caine realized he was still grinning like an idiot when Tia cleared her throat sharply.
“Mr Taylor,” she repeated with a polite nod.
All traces of surprise and embarrassment had vanished from her face. Tia’s breathing was now calm and even, and her expression unreadable and shuttered.
Her bright gray eyes did a quick sweep of his room and returned to his face. She regarded him coolly, unflinchingly, waiting for his instructions.
Caine was highly impressed. Tia was a great bodyguard. She had been unable to hide her initial shock and mortification when she first saw him in the office, but she had tamped down her surprise and discomfort swiftly and regained her focus and composure.
She didn’t let her emotions interfere with her job. Instead, she snapped into her role quickly and focused on her responsibilities. She surveyed the surroundings, looking out for potential threats to her client.
“Please, call me Caine,” he said. His body hardened at the memory of her crying out his name in ecstasy last night.
“Yes, sir.” Tia inhaled and gave a sharp nod. “Caine.”
Caine smirked and approached her slowly, relishing her sweet, familiar scent. He wanted to pull her into his arms and feel her soft body against his. But from the way Tia was holding herself, he knew that she would resist him vigorously.
She was determined to remain detached and professional, and she didn’t seem to want to talk about what happened between them last night. Was she regretting it?
Caine bit down a growl.
He wanted to grab her and press her to him. He wanted to brand her with his kiss, take her and mark her to let the whole world know that this beautiful female was his.
But looking at the hard, resolute, almost angry expression on her face right now, he knew that she wouldn’t appreciate being kissed in his office. It was clear she wanted to keep things professional between them.
She wanted to keep her private and professional lives completely separate.
Her professionalism and work ethic only made him want her more. Tia was indeed a woman after his own heart.
Indeed, Tia was the first woman who seemed not to want anything more than a one night stand. She had slipped out of his arms and left without even saying goodbye last night.
Well, if he had his way, Tia would not be disappearing from him ever again.
And he always got his way.
Caine smiled. “Shall we?” he asked as he strolled towards the door.
Tia raised her brows. “Where are we going?”
“To meet your clients.”