It was crazy how drastically Corbin’s life had changed in a matter of a few hours. When he realized who his first assignment was, Corbin was shocked beyond words. Interesting that in a crowded room, he’d been drawn to Delaney. Of course, she’d noticed him first. Then she acted so cold at the bar. He wished they’d not met each other the way they had. It was making everything awkward.

They drove in silence to Delaney’s condo. All the while, Corbin’s brain raced to come up with witty comments, but he couldn’t seem to make his tongue speak the words. When they arrived, Corbin shifted his focus from this tension with Delaney to the logistics of how to keep her safe. He couldn’t let her mess with his mind and keep him from doing his job.

From what he could tell, her high-rise building had top-notch security … a doorman, guard at the front desk, cameras, and most likely a few guards manning the parking garage. Plus, Delaney had hired a service that provided bodyguard protection around the clock. In fact, the same guy who’d fought with Corbin at the bar followed them back to Delaney’s apartment. The big man’s jaw had dropped to the floor when he realized the very guy he’d had an altercation with would be Delaney’s primary protection detail.

All in all, Anton seemed like a decent guy. Now that Corbin understood the situation, he could see why Anton acted the way he did. Anton held up his hands in a gesture of truce. “Hey man, I had no idea who you were. Sorry about what happened earlier. I just saw someone harassing Miss Mitchell and reacted.” His eyes widened. “I mean, I saw what I thought was harassment,” he corrected, his face going red.

Corbin could tell Anton was sincere. Also, the poor guy looked haggard with a ripped shirt, black eye and swollen lip; whereas Corbin’s jaw was a little sore and the tux stained, but that was it. One of those situations where, If you think I look bad, you should see the other guy applied.

“We’re cool,” he’d told Anton, and he meant it. Corbin couldn’t blame the guy for doing his job. And it couldn’t hurt to have someone parked outside Delaney’s door. Of course, Tuck Allen had blown right past the high-rise security and bodyguard. Corbin had no doubt that Hugh could also break past security and get to Delaney if he so desired. His jaw hardened. What Hugh wouldn’t be counting on, however, was him.

During his briefing session, Sutton had shown Corbin video footage of the night Tuck broke into Delaney’s condo. He and his female accomplice slipped through the back during a furniture delivery. Then the woman changed into a revealing dress and pretended to be a tipsy party-goer who’d gotten locked out of her room, a few doors down from Delaney’s. She flirted with the bodyguard and offered him the doughnuts pumped with a strong sedative. When the gullible man was passed out cold, Tuck used his key to enter the apartment.

Tuck’s plan had been relatively simple, yet spot-on effective. Sutton promised to keep Corbin informed about Tuck’s condition, as the threat seemingly hinged on that. Corbin didn’t like being put in a vulnerable position, waiting for Hugh to attack. He asked Sutton why they didn’t attack Hugh first. But Sutton explained that Hugh Allen was elusive with many protective layers around him. “It’s better to let him come to you, then cut off the head of the snake. Otherwise, there would be too much risk and collateral damage.”

“You can sleep here.” Delaney opened the door to the guest room which was a couple doors down from the master bedroom. “Sorry about the mess.” She went to the bed and grabbed an armful of clothes. “I use this room as storage,” she explained. “I’ll just put these in my bedroom.”

“Okay, thanks.” The room was nice—much cleaner than his bedroom on a good day. Delaney’s high-rise condo was classy, the large windows offering a spectacular view of the city. Unfortunately, that wouldn’t work for the situation. The first thing Corbin made Delaney do when they got inside the condo was close the blinds. Even though she was high up, there were other buildings close enough for someone with a high-powered telescope to have a bird’s-eye view.

Delaney came back into the room. Her pinched expression said it all. She was uneasy around him. Now that Corbin realized what had happened with her ex-husband, he understood why she’d given him the brush-off earlier. He felt a little guilty for pressing her. It was probably good that she wasn’t interested in him. They needed to keep this professional. More than anything, Corbin wanted to prove to Sutton that he could keep Delaney safe at all costs. To do that, he couldn’t let himself get distracted by the vulnerable look on Delaney’s delicate, heart-shaped face or the gentle sway of her hips as she glided in her sleek heels. The way her glorious hair bounced on her shoulders. He coughed, wondering if he should clear the air tonight or wait until the morning.

“I’m sorry you don’t have any of your things.” Her voice trailed off.

He could wing it tonight, no big deal.

She pointed at the adjoining bathroom. “You’ll find a toothpaste and toothbrush in the top, right-hand drawer of the vanity.”

“Thanks.” He shoved his hands in his pockets and rocked forward on the balls of his feet.

“Well, I think I’ll turn in for the night. Do you need anything?”

“I think I’m good. I plan to do a check of the condo, make sure everything’s secure before I turn in for the night.” The relief that came over her face shot a pang through his heart. Sutton didn’t go into the details about Delaney’s former marriage, but if her ex-husband were anything like his brother, it must’ve been a harrowing experience. He wondered how a girl like Delaney could’ve gotten mixed up with Tuck Allen. Then again, everyone always said love was blind. He was itching to know how Delaney felt about Tuck being in the hospital. She’d shot her former husband, someone she once loved. That had to bite. There were so many questions he wanted to ask her … about her past, her climb to stardom, her hobbies, what she liked to eat. He laughed inwardly. Okay, he needed to take it down a notch. This was business, not a date.

She was to the door, about to step out of the room when he spoke. “Delaney?”

She turned. “Yes?”

“I’m sorry about what happened earlier … at the bar.”

Her jaw went slack as she fast-blinked a couple of times.

“If I’d realized the situation, I wouldn’t have been so forward.”

A polite smile fixed over her face. “Thanks.”

He could almost see the wall going up between them. She was determined to keep him at a distance. Disappointment settled heavily in his gut.

“I had no idea who you were, or I wouldn’t have been so cold.” Pink tinged her cheeks. “I thought you were trying to hit on me.”

A laugh rumbled in his throat. Should he tell her the truth? Or should he keep that to himself? He winked. “And here I thought that you were hitting on me, when you checked me out as I came into the party.” He relished the deep blush that colored her cheeks. She was gorgeous. He had the unreasonable urge to pull her into his arms and see if her lips tasted as good as they looked.

Her eyes narrowed as she straightened her shoulders. “I was not checking you out.”

Even though her voice was edged with outrage, Corbin couldn’t get over how lyrical her accent was—as smooth as Gram’s lemon chiffon pie with just the right amount of huskiness. A smile tugged at his lips. It was fun teasing her. “I guess we’ll have to agree to disagree.”

She lifted her chin, her eyes sparkling. “You can be a real jerk sometimes.”

The insult took him off guard as he laughed. Sparring with Delaney was much better than the awkward silence. He winked. “Only fifty percent of the time.”

Her hand went to her hip, but he could tell she was trying not to smile. “Oh? And what about the other fifty percent?”

“Charming … witty … a perfect gentleman.”

She grunted. “I doubt that.”

“It’s true,” he said with a straight face.

“You’re humble too,” she said sarcastically.

He took a step closer to her, his pulse pumping up a notch. “So, Delaney Mitchell … are you gonna sing me a bedtime song if I can’t get to sleep?” He cringed inwardly. Not the most appropriate comment, but he couldn’t seem to reel himself in around Delaney. He really liked her, wanted to get to know her.

She blushed again, her chocolate-colored eyes popping indignantly. “You wish.”

He laughed. “Can’t blame a guy for trying.” He made a mental note to use his phone to Google Delaney before he went to sleep. He wanted to know more about her career. Mostly, he wanted to hear how her sultry voice would sound when put to music.

“I think I’ll leave on that note,” she clipped. “You know where the kitchen is. Help yourself to whatever you need. I’ve got to leave for the recording studio at eight a.m. We’ll eat a quick breakfast and head out.”

“Sounds good.” His gaze locked with hers, and he felt again that same connection he’d experienced when he first arrived at the party. He could tell from the look in Delaney’s eyes that she was attracted to him too. But she was also scared of her feelings. It was crazy how he could be so in tune with a woman he’d only just met. But he felt her thoughts as if they were his own. Anger pulsed through his veins. It was probably a good thing Tuck Allen was in a coma. Otherwise, Corbin would’ve been tempted to beat the man to a pulp for hurting Delaney.

Suddenly, he wished he were sleeping in the same room with Delaney. Not necessarily because he was so attracted to her, but because he wanted to keep a close eye on her in case Hugh Allen tried anything. His mind did a risk assessment. It would be nearly impossible for Hugh to enter from the patio. He’d have to come through the door like Tuck had done. Or try to get to Delaney in transit or at the studio.

He sat down on the edge of the bed and removed his shoes. His shoulder blades were tight with tension. “What else do you have planned for tomorrow other than a trip to your recording studio?” If he knew the agenda, he could get prepared for any surprises. He loosened the bowtie and removed the tux jacket. He wasn’t sure what time in the morning Sutton’s guy was bringing his luggage, but it had better be early. He didn’t want to wear this getup any longer than he had to. He made a mental note to text Sutton before he went to bed.

“Tomorrow night, I’m singing at Senator Fleming’s birthday party.”

He winced. “What? Sutton didn’t mention anything about that.”

“Well, probably because he didn’t know,” Delaney retorted. “I met Sutton for the first time, shortly before he brought you into the study.”

Corbin was surprised by that. Then again, he shouldn’t have been. From what he could tell, Sutton tended to act swiftly with very little explanation. It would be a challenge to protect Delaney in a large group, especially when she was performing. He’d have to ask Sutton to send over a team of bodyguards. He rubbed a hand over his jaw. This was getting more complicated by the minute. Then again, you didn’t get paid the kind of money he was getting for easy. The SEAL motto flitted through his mind. The only easy day was yesterday.

Delaney leaned against the doorframe, her hands going into the air. “I can’t just put my life on hold because of this threat. I have commitments … obligations. My career is just now taking off. To stop now would be career suicide.” Delaney’s forehead creased, her eyes heavy with exhaustion, shoulders sagging. She removed her stilettos, holding them both in one hand.

“I understand where you’re coming from, but to knowingly put yourself in a risky situation could also be suicide ... literally.”

Her face paled, making her look vulnerable and lost. He was taken back by the fierce protectiveness that welled in his chest. Again, he wanted to gather her in his arms, soothe the worry lines from her beautiful face. She gave him a pleading look. “What other choice do I have? I have to sing tomorrow night.”

It only took him a second to reach a decision. He’d never been able to stand by idly when there was a woman in need. Of course, he’d lost count of the number of times that philosophy had gotten him in fights, many of which landed him in jail. But that was beside the point. “Okay, we’ll go with it. Tomorrow morning, before we head out, we need to sit down and go over your schedule. That way, I’ll know what’s coming.”

“Agreed.”

He pressed his fingers into his eye sockets, then rubbed them over his forehead, and back through his hair. He needed a good night’s sleep so he could look at the situation through fresh eyes. Because right now, all he could think was that he was alone in a condo with the most intoxicating woman he’d ever met. He was supposed to keep her safe from a very dangerous and immediate threat. And all he could think about was kissing her until neither of them could think straight. He realized she was studying him, an enigmatic expression on her face. “What?”

A slight smile touched her lips. “I know we didn’t get off to the greatest start, but thanks for being here.” She hesitated. “It’s nice to know someone has my back …” she shuddered, her voice losing sound, “in case.”

This was serious … the threat large … Delaney’s life on the line. He had to remain sharp, push aside the attraction he felt for her. Something as indefinable as a whisper yet stronger than steel wafted over him as his eyes met Delaney’s. This thing between them was real … more than physical. He felt her pain, knew in some indescribable way that even though they’d only just met, he’d go to the end of the earth and back for this woman if necessary. “You need to know that I’ll do everything in my power to keep you safe … whatever it takes.”

Her eyes teared up. “Somehow, I know that,” she uttered, then looked surprised that she’d said it. “Good night,” she quipped, then quickly left the room.

“Good night,” Corbin repeated softly. He was starting to recognize a pattern. Every time something sparked between them, Delaney retreated. It’s probably for the best, his mind argued, even though his heart didn’t believe it.

* * *

She was standing in a field of clover, the one where she used to play as a child … wiling away many a lazy summer afternoon making long flower chains that she’d wind around her head as a crown. A chill ran over her flesh as she looked around, noticing that the world had gone dark. She looked up, trying to see the sun, but an ominous cloud was in the way. Delaney ran full speed, trying to escape the shadow of the cloud, but no matter where she went, the cloud seemed to follow.

She looked in the distance and saw him coming toward her. Her first thought was to get away, but she was transfixed by the splendor of this man. Tall with lean sinewy muscles, he walked with purpose, a warrior strength in his jaw. Before she realized, he was standing in front of her.

“I shouldn’t be here. I can’t be attracted to you.” She pointed up at the cloud, fright knotting her insides. “I have to get away.”

Corbin only smiled in amusement, sending her pulse racing. She stared into his mesmerizing eyes … greener than a grove of trees with specks of gold. In the tenderness of his gaze, she caught the faint notes of a ballad that only her heart could understand. Her defenses crumbled like a broken suit of armor at her feet.

Her stomach tingled as his arm encircled her waist and pulled her to him in a crushing embrace. “I can’t,” she uttered before his lips came down on hers. Gently his lips moved against hers, stoking the growing fire until it became an inferno of splendid emotion. Her hands moved across his back and up through his hair as she pulled him closer. Never had she felt such utter and complete bliss as she drank in his nearness.

The scene shifted. It wasn’t Corbin but Tuck who held her in his arms. His blue eyes were balls of ice, his mouth twisted in a cruel smile as he squeezed her to the point where she couldn’t breathe. As her eyes bulged, he laughed. His mocking laughter grew louder and more terrible until it shook the very ground. A voiceless scream sounded in her throat, darkness overtaking her.

Then she was running …