Watching Joselyn work was quickly becoming one of River's favorite things to do. She was well organized, calm and knew exactly what she was doing, even in the frantic bustle of forty authors setting up booths for the Atlanta Fangasm. Placing the last box of books on the floor under the table, he stepped back and took in the tangible excitement of a successful author's world.

She stacked the books carefully on the table, removed several mugs, pens, bookmarks and assorted other swag from their boxes and placed them to the side. Arranging them carefully, she looked over her table, stepped in and arranged them again. After the fourth time, she muttered something under her breath which sounded like, "off balance" before starting again.

River was hyper aware of every person who took a step toward their little area in the corner. When they had first arrived, he took one look at her booth location and had balked. It was bad enough she insisted on coming after everything she had been through but the original booth locale was not going to cut muster. She had been placed front and center of the massive room with access on all sides. What followed had been extremely stressful. She stomped her foot and glared at him as he insisted on loading her back into his truck and turning right around for New Orleans if she couldn't see reason. The heated discussion drew several looks until they moved into a back hallway out of view. He explained to her there was absolutely no way he would ever be able to relax with the present setup. Finally understanding his position, she relented and called the event organizers. Once she explained the situation to them, they were happy to exchange her location with another author - one who was overjoyed to be placed in the more desirous location. Joselyn wasn't as happy in the back corner since she had specifically requested the more visible location at registration. "If it keeps that glowering look off your face, it's worth it," she had told him. "Women want their hunky models to be sexy, not snarling. Well, unless he's a shifter but I don't write in that genre."

Her attempt at humor had fallen flat. He simply was not happy and wished he could take her back home where he could control the situation better. He knew there would be precious little sleep for him over the next few days.

A cold bottle of water was thrust in his hand. "Relax. I think you are more uptight about this thing than I am. You just have to stand there and look all smoldering hot. I have to talk to these people and play nice."

"Alright. I'll try to behave," he agreed. "Is it okay if I only growl at the men?"

She tapped her lip with one finger. "Only if they get fresh. Otherwise, they will think I'm taken."

He arched an eyebrow at her as if to say, "Aren't you?"

She swallowed at the heated stare and fiddled with the array of permanent pens on the table. Glancing at her watch she took a deep breath. "Almost time," she muttered as she sat.

Kneeling beside her, he opened a small box and pulled out a little crystal bowl. He placed it beside her hand. "There, now it's perfect."

She opened the top and the smile she flashed him could rival the sun. "Oh, Maddox, how thoughtful!" Inside were her favorite green apple candies in their little individual wrappers.

"There's a whole bag under here. I thought it would be a nice way to share a little bit of yourself with your readers." He placed a kiss on her cheek. Plucking one out he unwrapped it. "And it has nothing at all to do with my own addiction." He popped it into his mouth with a wink. "Good luck," he told her as he stood again, taking a step back against the wall beside her banner. Crossing his arms over his chest, he adopted the persona Joselyn had nicknamed, "Frost Giant". She could call it whatever she liked, as long as nobody got too close.

Over the course of the next four hours, Joselyn signed autographs, distributed books, took photos and spent time with her fans. It was nerve-wracking for him and he tensed every time a man moved toward her but he knew he couldn't suffocate her. So he manned up, kept a close vigilance and remained silent.

"Jos, Jos, Jos!"

A vivacious woman of approximately five-foot-three with bright red curls piled on top of her head and sparkling green eyes behind a pair of black horn-rimmed glasses jogged over and dropped her bag beside the table. As Joselyn stood, the new woman threw her arms around her and hugged hard. Plopping into the empty chair she let out a huff and fanned herself with a paperback copy of Mayhem and Mixed Nuts, Deidre Files Book Two from the table.

"What are you doing shoved back in this corner? I know you had booth nine reserved yet here you are clear down in the nether regions of the thirties. What gives?"

Joselyn rolled her eyes and nodded toward River. "Security."

The woman's jaw dropped. "Oh my stars, is this the infamous River I've heard so much about? Well of course it is." She stood and shoved her hand at him. "Annabeth Switcher. I'm Jos's agent."

River took her hand and shook it. "Nice to meet you Annabeth. I have heard quite a bit about you as well."

"Lies, every bit of it," Annabeth joked as she retrieved the book to fan herself again. "Gracious, it's hotter than a turkey's butt in November. Doesn't the air work in here?" She eyed River and pursed her lips. "You are one seriously good looking man. I don't normally handle models but I would make an exception for you. I bet we could have you on the cover of a dozen books by Christmas." She dug into her bag and pulled out a card. "Here, you call me and I'll get it set up."

River looked at the card she had thrust into his hand. "I don't think..."

"It's okay honey, you don't have to think. Just flex those muscles and look smoldering. The photographers will do the rest." She poked at River's bicep and squealed. "Delicious." She hesitated for a moment as a frown creased her brow. "Where was I? Oh yes, Jos, are you planning on going to the party tonight?"

River chuckled to himself. Joselyn's agent was a handful, no doubt. However, she had a certain enduring quality as well. He studied her as she sat talking to Joselyn between fan visits. Shorter than Joselyn but a few more curves, she reminded him of his sister, Marla, and shook his head. Watching the two together, he could see them hitting it off as well.

"Oh, you have to come to the party. It's only going to be an hour. Margaret, Bethany, and Delilah are all going to be there. I know you don't want to miss it. Remember St. Louis last fall?" She wiggled her eyebrows suggestively.

Joselyn looked at him. "I don't know. Maddox wants to keep my outings as few as possible."

Annabeth winked at him. "You'll bring her and I'm sure she'll be safe with all those muscles at her side. Knowing the women who will be there tonight, you will be in more danger then she will. It's mostly romance writers. Their minds stay in the gutter, bless their little hearts."

Maybe it was the grin on Annabeth's face reminding him of Marla or maybe it was the hopeful plea on Joselyn's but he nodded. "Okay. We can go for a little bit. I'd hate to disrupt your fun. You have to listen to whatever I say, though."

Annabeth stood and pushed against his arm. "Nothing is going to happen. It's a private party with the authors and other literary professionals. Oh which reminds me, I saw Tia in the lobby. She was rushing off for something or another but I knew you two haven't met yet. She's going to be there, too. Seeing as you two drive each other up a wall, it's high time you met, don't you think?"

"Tia? That's wonderful. I'd love to finally meet the woman who reigns in my words."

"Good, good." She glanced down at her cell. "I need to take care of a few things before the party. See you at six in ballroom two."

She started to walk off, stopped and returned. With a sheepish grin, she dropped the book she had been using as a fan on the table. "I'd forget my head if it weren't glued on tight. See you tonight," she called out and disappeared into the crowd.

"So, that was Annabeth?" River asked with a chuckle.

"Yep, that was Annabeth."

"She's what my father calls, 'tiny but mighty'. Reminds me a bit of my aunt and my sister." He lifted his chin toward the table. "Alright, Ms. Author, you have a line forming. It's only forty-five minutes left, so get busy."

She smiled at him one of those breathtaking smiles of hers. "Aye, aye Sir," she said as she snapped a salute.

He shook his head and resumed scanning the room. Less than an hour to go and he could finally relax in their suite for a bit before the party. As much as he wished he could shield her, he knew he couldn't deny letting her go when she spent so much time alone. The outing would do her good. However, he would feel a lot better when he could hide her away in her house where nobody could get to her except him.

The thought of touching her made his breath catch. Since the night she rebuked him, he had been careful to avoid a similar circumstance again. It was hard, no pun intended, to keep his hands to himself. Even now, he wanted to reach out and stroke her hair, to nuzzle her neck and hear her make those little sighs of happiness whenever they spent time alone. Forcing his mind back to the crowded room before him, he pushed those thoughts away. Joselyn's safety demanded his attention just as his heart was fast becoming as demanding for the woman herself. He would be glad when this was all over because he was going to do whatever he could to bind her to him. Earlier today, when she commented about being taken, he wanted to tell her she most definitely was taken but it wasn't the time nor the place to have that discussion. They would soon because he had made up his mind. She will be his, no doubts about it.

* * *

At exactly six o'clock, River stood outside of ballroom two with Joselyn on his arm. After the day's signing session had ended at five, they had packed her table contents into the boxes underneath. River wanted to bring everything to her room but she assured him the doors would be locked and nobody would be allowed inside; everything was safe. However, as they started to leave, he grabbed the bag of candies. The incident with the strawberries reminded him to keep anything she may be consuming close by.

"Okay," she murmured turning to him. "This shouldn't take long. Think of it like a cocktail party. People will be mingling, talking and usually, drinking. Don't be nervous."

He chuckled. "Are you talking to yourself or me? Honey, I've been to many balls and formal gatherings while I was in the service." His eyes wandered over her. "You look stunning, by the way."

And she did. She had put her hair up into a fancy arrangement with little ringlets framing her beautiful face. The makeup she wore was light, a bit of dark gold on her eyes and a little more underneath making the whiskey colored depths pop. It didn't look like she had put anything on her cheeks and her lips were pink and glossy. The dress was what his sisters referred to as 'the little black dress every woman needs'. It hugged her body from the Mandarin collar to just above her knees with three quarter length sleeves and made of some shimmery fabric. He lost his ability to speak when she turned around. It was open with soft folds framing the creamy expanse of her back ending with a gentle swoop of gathered fabric resting above her rear. She'd finished the outfit with a pair of black heels, a tiny wristlet to keep her cell and some simple stud earrings.

The smile she gave him was dazzling. "Thank you, Maddox. You look pretty awesome yourself and thanks for not refusing to wear a suit." She smoothed the lapels of the dark blue jacket and fidgeted with the two-tone gray tie. "Handsome."

Lifting her hand, he pressed his lips to her fingers. "I love hearing you say my name. Do it again."

Her cheeks flushed and a seductive little smile graced her lips. She pulled her bottom lip into her teeth and breathed, "Maddox."

He groaned and closed his eyes. "Woman, what you do to me." Pulling her into his arms, he lowered his face and took her lips in his. He kissed her in a gentle, sweet brush and nipped the bottom. Letting her go he pulled back slightly. "Green apple lip gloss?"

She nodded.

He leaned in and licked her lips again before sucking the bottom into his mouth. "MMM. There's no doubt about it, it's my favorite flavor." He whispered huskily. "Come on, let's go before I forget I'm a gentleman and whisk you off somewhere quiet and secluded and do things to make us both blush."

"I sincerely doubt much would make you blush, Maddox," she whispered.

"Minx," he groaned again, closing his eyes and steeling himself. Taking her hand he tucked it into the crook of his arm and opened the door to the ballroom.

As they walked in, the sudden hush turned into a loud yell of "Surprise!"

He almost lost it when several people jumped toward them. Immediately, he yanked her behind him and reached for his gun only to realize he had left it locked in the safe in their suite. He swore. She had begged him to leave it behind for the party citing it was secluded and safe. He wouldn't be doing it again.

"Relax big guy," Annabeth laughed bouncing over with something pink and tropical in her hand. "It's a little birthday party for Joselyn. Happy birthday, honey."

He blinked. Was it her birthday? Crap! How did he not know it? "It's your birthday?"

She dropped her chin. "Yeah."

"Mother..." he stopped at the glare she gave him. "Trucker," he finished lamely. "I didn't know. I feel like such a jerk."

"How could you know?" The color of her face turned an even darker shade of red. "I haven't exactly advertised it."

"If I had known, I would have gotten you something."

She pressed her hand against his chest. "You did. I have a big bag of green apple candy waiting for me in my room. Honestly, it was so thoughtful of you. Thank you again."

They looked at each other for several heartbeats until Annabeth pushed them gently toward a table in the middle of the room. The cake upon it was a beautiful pink and mint with fuchsia stargazer lilies framing the center. He read the white icing letters therein.

Happy 28th Birthday, Joselyn

Wait. Was she twenty-eight? That meant he was ten, almost eleven years older than her. A muttered curse slipped through his lips and he took a step back. It never occurred to him she would be so much younger. It wasn't as if she looked older but the way she carried herself, he had assumed she would be about thirty or thirty-two at the most. An eight-year gap he could handle. But no, she was twenty freaking eight years old! That made him a dirty old man, a creeper, a cradle robber. He pushed his fingers through his hair. He was falling in love with a girl who was still in elementary school when he had graduated high school and joined the military. Cripes.

He took in several deep breaths. He needed to think. No, he needed to do his damn job and keep Joselyn, keep his client, safe. He can figure out everything else later.

"Maddox?"

He gave Joselyn a nod and clasped his hands behind his back. "Yes?"

Her eyes clouded. "What's wrong? The Frost Giant is back."

"Just doing my job. Enjoy yourself, I'll keep an eye on everything."

Her bottom lip trembled but she drew herself together. "Alright." She turned away to join her author friends and acquaintances. Looking over her shoulder, he could see the hurt swimming in her gaze. The look, along with the hesitant way she had spoken almost made him go to his knees but he made himself stand strong. He had to put some space between them before somebody got hurt. He knew age difference didn't matter to other people but she wasn't 'other people'. She was Joselyn, a woman who had already been through too much in her short, twenty-eight-year lifespan. She did not need to be saddled with an old man like him. He couldn't do that to her. He had to take a step back before it was too late.

The problem was, it was already too late.