Landmines. Part of Dallas’s police training had been an extensive exercise in demining an area. He’d volunteered for it as the guy who was always ready to take on the most dangerous challenges.

All around him had been buried devices that, if stepped on, could have killed him. And yet, as he looked down at the partially undressed woman sprawled across his messy bed, he felt light years more uneasy than he had that day. She’d stripped out of her dress last night before falling asleep in his bed and happily slid into the T-shirt he’d offered. Now as she lay there, he wondered if stopping last night had been the stupidest thing he’d ever done. But with the sun rising, he’d have to find a way around what they’d started.

Everyone knew there was a rule about getting involved with a client. But it was broken as often as it was enforced. Things happened. When adults were crammed together in dangerous situations, there was bound to be some fireworks. Dallas accepted that as a truth, but never dabbled in it himself. This moment, this trapped feeling, was exactly why.

Houdini himself would have been impressed by the disappearing acts Dallas had pulled on women over the years. He’d fly right out of the country and toss his burner cell phone in the closest trash can if things started to get serious with someone. The last girl he’d had ended in disaster six months ago.

The only rule more pressing than his get out while they’re still asleep was the one that said he couldn’t leave a client without protection. No exceptions. If he left now, Harlan would wake up in this less than desirable neighborhood with no way to get home. Even if he called a car service, it would still be an egregious dereliction on his duties. Unforgivable. And even more so if anything were to happen to her because he’d left.

“I can call a cab,” Harlan groaned without opening her eyes. “You don’t have to stand there looking at me wondering how to get out of this. I’ll give you the answer. The door. That’s how you get out.”

“I, uh, that’s not what I was doing,” he lied, stumbling over his shoes as he tried to busy himself. “I was thinking about where to get breakfast.”

“Right,” she laughed, rolling over, her long mop of dark hair fluttering to one side as she moved. The sheet was clutched tight to her, and he wished it would magically evaporate so he could see her luscious curves again.

“I’m looking for an exit strategy, if that helps. You obviously can’t be my bodyguard anymore after last night. It wouldn’t be prudent. So unfortunately, you’re fired. You can take off now, I’ll get dressed and get myself back to my car.”

“I’ll get you back there,” he said, searching around for her clothes. “Once you’re home you can make arrangements for a new security detail. Or your brothers can. But I won’t feel right unless I get you back safely.”

“It’s not necessary, but I’m too exhausted to argue.”

“Is that a first?”

“Pretty much,” she laughed. “You should be proud though. You lasted longer as my security detail than most the others.”

“I’m sorry I compromised the situation. I’m not sure how I’ll face Emmitt, knowing I can’t live up to my end of the deal. I still owe him.”

“I’ll make sure he knows you were the best of the bunch. Actually, I’ll take the heat on this one. You’ll look like a hero.”

“No, I won’t lie to Emmitt.”

“Oh, all right I’ll tell him I spent the night in your bed. That we sort of fooled around before thinking better of it, and rather than deal with the awkwardness we decided we should part ways. He’ll appreciate your honesty.”

“Good point,” Dallas conceded, tossing her the rest of her clothes and pretending to look at something interesting out the large bay window while she dressed. “If I took advantage of the situation last night . . .” he started, feeling like complete garbage about it.

“Don’t you dare,” she scolded as she pulled her dress back on and pointed at him. “I’m not some simple little girl who didn’t know what last night was about. The last thing I want is some long-term thing. I needed something, you needed something; that’s all this was. We both smartened up in time to change our minds. Don’t act as though I’m not mature enough to deal with it. Don’t act like you’re so intoxicating I’ll struggle to watch you walk away today.”

“You’re good for the ego,” Dallas chuckled, staring too long as Harlan spun her hair skillfully into a ponytail, exposing more of her beautiful face and soft neck.

“I do what I can,” she sighed, her perfume passing under his nose as she made her way to the door. “You’re on the clock another hour. Get me home, and you’re off the hook.”

The words almost slipped from his mouth. Maybe I don’t want to be off the hook. His hand almost reached for the drooping strap that was slipping off her shoulder.

“Yes ma’am,” he said as he buttoned his now wrinkled shirt and fought the urge to lay her back across the bed. She had places to be, and so did he.

“What time is the hearing today?” Harlan asked, slipping into her high heels. “Once I get the girls settled at my mom’s, I’d be happy to go with you.”

“I thought we were calling this the almost one-night stand,” he said, a thudding in his chest at the idea this could spiral into another encounter. It had been the distraction that pulled him through the night without all his focus being on the idea that Tim may never be released.

“It was,” she said, nodding adamantly. “That doesn’t mean I can’t still help you out.”

“Tim has a good lawyer, and you aren’t one anyway. What good would it do for you to be there?”

“I wasn’t offering legal counsel. I was offering support. Unless you have friends beating down your door to help.”

“Most think I’ve crossed the line,” Dallas admitted. “They think my tactics for trying to run down leads are questionable at best. Some have even turned their backs on Tim. I’m one of the few people who hasn’t left him in the lurch.”

“I’ll meet you at the courthouse then,” Harlan asserted. “The girls were already planning to spend the afternoon with my mother.”

“Why?”

“They enjoy her company,” Harlan answered with a smirk, clearly knowing that wasn’t what he meant.

“Why would you come to the courthouse?”

“Because last night started off as one of the worst nights of my life and you drove me away from it. I owe you.”

“If you don’t show,” Dallas said, pulling the door open and gesturing for her to pass, “I won’t hold it against you. Last night I was doing my job.”

“Was that all it was?” she asked, winking and nibbling at her lip. “If so, you deserve a raise.”

“Yes, it was,” he stammered, not remembering a time he’d been so knocked off his center of gravity by a woman.

“I’m kidding.” She laughed a sweet breathy chuckle. “I meant what I said about that being just one night. I’m not looking for anyone in my life right now. You’re not my bodyguard, and you’re not anything else to me.”

“You’re a very unique woman, Harlan,” Dallas said as they walked down the steps toward the street. “I’m not sure I’ve met anyone quite like you before.”

“Trust me you haven’t.”