Weslee was certain she heard Logan’s teeth grinding together as Trenton Williams, the CEO of Total Works Gym and Spa, made another not-so-subtle innuendo toward her. The female agent assigned to accompany her at the spa had been delayed, leaving Logan to take on the role as her assistant. She wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or not. This deal with Total Works was important, and a grumpy bodyguard might alter the outcome of this meeting. At least he was posing as her assistant and not a possessive boyfriend. Trenton was fit and worked out regularly, but she doubted he was much of a match for a former Navy SEAL.

She appreciated Logan’s protection, but this wasn’t the first time Weslee had experienced one form or another of sexual harassment in her line of work. Men came onto her all the time, making her very selective about where and when she met for private meetings like this one-on-one meeting with Trenton. Still, it was kind of nice having someone watch out for her. Daddy had always protected her. She’d thought Dax would take over that role but instead of protecting her, he’d stabbed her in the back with his betrayal.

“I think we could be really good together.” Trenton’s eyes made a slow perusal of her, lingering on her chest. “Have dinner with me tonight, and we can explore all the possibilities.” He didn’t phrase it as a question. He looked at her directly, leaving no doubt in Weslee’s mind that the possibilities he wanted to explore had nothing to do with business.

Before she could decline the offer, Logan did it for her. “Miss Campbell isn’t available tonight,” he said in an even voice.

Trenton flicked Logan a dismissive glance. His attention focused back on Weslee, one corner of his mouth edging up into a crooked smile. “Is that right?” he asked as if Logan wasn’t in the room.

“Thank you for the offer, but I do have a previous engagement that I can’t miss.” Weslee hoped her refusal didn’t change Trenton’s mind about doing business with Ground Zero. Having their products available in the Total Gym franchise was a big deal and would give them exposure across the west coast.

“Perhaps another night?” Trenton asked.

“I’m afraid that won’t be possible,” Weslee said. “Immediately after the charity event ends I’m flying back to North Carolina.”

The man sat back, that crooked smile still on his face. He was movie-star handsome and probably at least twice her age. She could tell he wasn’t used to women rejecting him, but the gleam in his dark eyes suggested he was amused by her refusal. Like she was a challenge he intended to conquer. “Are you talking about the Children’s Charity Ball?”

“Yes,” Weslee said, wondering if he planned on attending tonight’s event. She would never peg Trenton as a philanthropist. A philanderer? Yes, but not one to give away money. “My parents were huge supporters, and I wanted to continue the tradition in honor of their memory.”

“Then I look forward to seeing you there,” Trenton said. “Total Gym is committed to giving back to the community. Perhaps you can save a dance or two for me?”

She heard Logan shift beside her and hoped he wasn’t going to speak for her again. She wasn’t sure if she liked his interference or not. He was her bodyguard, but that was it. Despite the crazy attraction she felt for him, she knew a relationship with him was a bad idea. Not only did they live on opposite sides of the country, but she also wasn’t ready to get involved with another man. She clearly wasn’t as mentally healthy as she’d believed. It had only taken one email from her ex-fiancé to set her off.

Thinking of Dax reminded her that she’d felt an instant attraction for him too. Clearly, she needed a relationship that wasn’t all fireworks. When the fireworks fizzled out there was nothing left but smoke.

“I’m happy to hear that Total Gym is involved in humanitarian aid,” Weslee said as she scooted back from the table. “I look forward to seeing you this evening,” she added, hoping the man wasn’t going to pin her down to a commitment. “I’m sure my dance card won’t be full.”

He got to his feet, a gleam of challenge darkening his eyes. “Good to know,” he said, coming around the table to shake her hand. However, when she placed her palm against his, he lifted her hand and pressed a lingering kiss on the back. “Like I said before…I think we could be good together.” He kept a hold of her hand, giving her fingers a little squeeze. “Outdoor Energy is eager to get their products into Total Works. I only have room for one line of products, and I’d like it to be Ground Zero.”

A cold feeling of dread settled like a stone in the bottom of Weslee’s stomach. Dax was always one step behind her. She didn’t know how he did it. Unless there was a mole inside the company or he’d hired a PI to follow her around. It was tempting to ask Mr. Williams how recently Outdoor Energy had contacted him. Instead, she offered him a bright smile. “I’d like that too.” She pulled her hand away. “Thank you for your time. And thank you for the complimentary gift certificate. I’m looking forward to soaking my feet in the mineral footbaths.”

“I hope you’ll do more than just a pedicure.” His eyes traveled the length of her. “We have top masseuses employed here. Ask for the full body massage. I promise you won’t regret it.”

Weslee kept her smile in place, although she wanted to bolt out of the room. The man had just undressed her with his eyes. She almost wanted to cross her arms over her chest like a shield. “I’ll keep that in mind,” she said. “Thank you.”

She quickly made her way to the exit. Logan held the door open, his face looking fearsome and thunderous. Once she passed through the threshold, he pulled the door closed, placed his hand on her elbow and propelled her forward. “You are not dancing with that slime ball tonight,” he said, still seething at the obvious proposition. “And I’m ordering a thorough background on him. He could be your stalker.”

“You don’t really believe that, do you?” She glanced over her shoulder, grateful that Trenton’s door was still closed. “And I don’t need you telling me who I can or can’t dance with, Mr. Steele.”

They rounded a corner, and Logan came to an abrupt stop. “You’re wrong about that, Miss Campbell.” His eyes flashed with irritation. “It’s my job to protect you, so, yes, I will tell you who you can and can’t dance with.”

For some reason, his declaration made her frustrated. She felt trapped again. “I can fire you, you know,” she said with equal irritation.

“Mr. Curtis hired me, not you.” Logan’s eyes narrowed. “As your boyfriend, I might add.”

“Maybe I don’t want a boyfriend.” Need. She had meant to say she didn’t need a boyfriend, not want. Before she could launch another argument, the hard lines in his face softened. “Weslee, I’m only trying to protect you. Trenton Williams is a player. The intel I have on him indicates he’s had multiple affairs with women of all ages, regardless of their marital status. Aside from his shady morals, my gut instinct says you need to steer clear of him.”

Weslee couldn’t argue with that. Her instincts were screaming the same thing, but now that Outdoor Energy was vying for the same contract, she couldn’t turn her back just because some man had made advances toward her.

“I’m not stupid or naïve,” she said, toning down the annoyance in her voice. “Regardless of someone’s reputation, I make it a practice to never go to a meeting without bringing Jon or one of my assistants with me.”

His blue eyes studied her with an intensity that went straight through her. Finally, he nodded his head. “Good.”

Good? That’s all he had to say? It was silly to want more from him. Sillier still that she looked forward to him playing the role of her boyfriend.

He’s only here to protect you. She needed to remember that this evening. Dancing with him was going to be torture. She already knew how it felt to be in those impressive arms of his.

He pulled his phone from his pocket and stared at the screen. “Your security agent is here.” He kept his head bent and typed in a quick reply. “She’s meeting us at the front desk.” He placed his hand on her elbow again to nudge her forward. His touch sparked a heated awareness as if he had a direct line to every womanly cell in her body. She pulled her arm away just to think straight again.

They reached the front desk, and Weslee was introduced to her new security agent, Kate Bradley. She was far too cute to be a bodyguard. How could someone so petite actually protect her?

“I know what you’re thinking,” Kate said with a wide smile. “How can she protect me, right?”

“I’m sorry,” Weslee said. “I know what it’s like to be stereotyped.”

“No worries.” Kate winked at her. “I’m a black belt in Jiu-Jitsu. Just last night I took down a three-hundred-pound guy.” She rubbed the back of her neck. “I’m stoked about this assignment. I could really use a massage.”

Weslee laughed, liking her new bodyguard. “Let’s go get pampered.”

“Have Miss Campbell back at the house by 1730,” Logan said. “I have a feeling traffic is going to be backed up.”

“Traffic is always backed up,” Kate said with an easy smile. “I’ll have her back in plenty of time, Steele.”

The pampering was exactly what Weslee needed. Kate was a lot more talkative than Logan. It was like having a best friend with her. Something Weslee hadn’t had for a while now. In her grief, she’d shut out her friends until they stopped trying to contact her.

Weslee made it home within in minutes of Logan’s request. He was on the back deck talking on his phone and didn’t appear to be ready for the ball unless he planned on escorting her in track pants and a tight T-shirt, which he looked very good in. Before he turned and caught her eyeing him, she went up to her room to finish getting ready while Kate went outside to talk with Logan.

With her hair fixed in a fancy updo, Weslee felt like a princess when she slipped into the coral colored evening gown. The silky material wrapped around her body with a rounded neckline that showed only a hint of her curves. Sheer material created a cowl-back bodice that flowed into a straight-cut maxi skirt.

“My goodness, you’re beautiful,” Inez said, indicating for Weslee to turn around so she could make sure the backless bra wasn’t visible. “Mr. Logan is going to have a hard time keeping his eyes off you.” Inez made a tisking noise. “Maybe he isn’t the best choice for a bodyguard tonight.”

“I thought you said he was my destiny?” Weslee teased. She turned to look in the full-length mirror and caught her nanny’s eye. “Or have you changed your mind?”

“I have not changed my mind, Miss Smarty Pants. I still believe he’s meant for you.” She fanned herself with her hand. “Trust me, sugar. When you see him in his tux, I think you’ll agree with me.”

Weslee didn’t need to hear about how good Logan looked in a tux. She was already nervous enough. “By the way,” she said, opening a silver clutch to put a tube of lip gloss in it as well as her cell phone, “I found out that Kate is also attending the ball tonight so I’ll have double the protection.”

“Good,” Inez said with a grin. “Like I said, Mr. Logan isn’t going to take his eyes off you.”

“Good thing keeping watch over me is his job then,” Weslee said with a light laugh.

“I’ve known you your entire life, young lady,” Inez said, waggling a finger in front of her face. “And you only deflect when you don’t want to admit the truth.”

Inez did know her all too well so she didn’t bother disputing the claim. Still, regardless of her former nanny’s predisposition for romance, Weslee was determined not to let her imagination get caught up in romantic fantasies.

She kissed the older woman’s smooth cheek. “Thank you for helping me get ready.”

“You’re welcome.” Smiling affectionately, Inez turned Weslee around and gave her a little push out the door. “Go on now. And please try to have some fun.”

Logan waited for her at the bottom of the stairs, looking dangerous and devastatingly handsome in his tux. The cut of the dark suit molded to his body perfectly, enhancing his already impressive physique. His dark hair still looked a little damp from a recent shower, his clean-shaven jaw appealing to her more than it should. It wasn’t fair that he looked so good. Even with the serious expression on his face, he was, quite honestly, a beautiful man.

Those cobalt eyes tracked her as she carefully descended the stairs, making Weslee feel cold and hot all at the same time.

“You look very beautiful, Miss Campbell,” he said in a low voice.

“Thank you.” She smoothed a hand down the front of her skirt. “I haven’t dressed up in so long I almost feel like Cinderella going to the ball.”

“That would make you her prince charming,” Inez said to Logan. “Just don’t let her run away at midnight.”

A muscle worked in his cheek as he shifted his focus to Inez. “Yes, ma’am. I promise I won’t let that happen.”

Jon came forward and kissed Weslee on the forehead. “You look just like your mother,” he said, his voice cracking with emotion. “She and Marcus would be so proud of you.”

“That means a lot to me,” Weslee said in a shaky voice. “She was the most beautiful woman in the south so I appreciate the compliment.”

Jon turned to Logan. “I hope you’re prepared to play the role of her boyfriend and thwart off any unsavory men,” he said, sounding very much like a father. “Money doesn’t necessarily mean they have manners or morals.”

“I’m very aware of that, sir.” A hint of amusement touched Logan’s mouth as he directed his attention back on her. “Miss Campbell and I have already discussed this. She’s promised to only dance with those men that I approve of.”

They talked like she was a little girl, not a grown, independent woman. “I didn’t exactly promise—” Both men looked at her sharply, cutting her off mid-sentence. She rubbed her lips together. “Of course, I’ll take his advice into consideration, but he does not need to act like he’s my boyfriend.”

The last threads of humor disappeared from Logan’s face, making him look downright dangerous. “I’ll play whatever role needed to make sure you’re safe.” He turned and addressed Jon. “If I believe she’s in any danger at any time, sir, then we’ll leave immediately.”

Weslee felt it was wise not to argue any further. Like Cinderella, she didn’t want to miss the ball because she was locked in her room. Waving goodbye, she and Logan exited through the front door.

Logan’s brooding demeanor reminded Weslee this wasn’t a real date as he helped her into his SUV. For safety, he insisted on driving his own car. At least they wouldn’t be stuck in the back of a limo, staring at one another in silence.

They drove for a few miles without speaking to one another. It wasn’t a comfortable silence like the kind couples experience. Instead, each passing second made the tension grow tighter and tighter until she was sure something would snap.

Once they were on the Coronado Bridge, Logan finally spoke. “You were just messing with me in there, right?”

“I wasn’t messing with you,” she said, knowing there was a difference between rebellion and independence. “I promise I’ll take your advice into consideration, but I don’t want to appear anti-social. This event was important to my parents. People knew them well and loved them. I want to carry on their legacy, and refusing to dance with someone could have negative effects on potential donors.”

Lips pressed firmly together, Logan focused on the road. Traffic was heavy, and when they were barely crawling along, he glanced her way. “I’ll try to keep your feelings in mind, but like I told Mr. Curtis…I’ll do whatever it takes to ensure your safety.”

“Thank you.” She wanted to tell him that she would cooperate with him. Both he and Kate took their job of protecting her seriously. She didn’t want anything to happen to them, knowing they would put their lives on the line to keep her safe.

They finally arrived at the Hotel del Coronado. The beautiful wooden structure was like a beacon in the night, glowing with activity. Men and women, dressed like they were on the red carpet for a Hollywood premiere, lined the walkway to the entrance.

A parking attendant waved them over to a waiting valet. Logan left the car idling before he climbed out and accepted the claim ticket. Looking like a movie star, Logan slowly scanned their surroundings before coming around to open the door for her.

“Thank you,” she said, placing her hand in his. A zing of heat spiraled from the contact spot and traveled through her body like an electric current. The intensity took her by surprise, making her want to snatch her hand back. Without looking directly at Logan, she climbed out of the car. She didn’t need him to see how the simple touch of his hand affected her.

A group of photographers were on one side of the walkway, kept back by a temporary barrier and some fierce looking guards. Logan placed his hand on her lower back and urged her forward, making her feel both flustered and safe.

As they slowly made their way toward the entrance, Weslee regretted her earlier behavior. She’d acted like a spoiled brat when all he was trying to do was keep her out of harm’s way. Her mother had raised her to be a lady, and she needed to make an apology.

She tipped her face up to look at him and realized now was not the time to apologize. Focused and stern looking, Logan honed in on the crowd around them. With his attention riveted on their surroundings, it gave her a moment to really study him. His appearance was a little deceiving. The clean-cut look gave him a hot-boy-next-door kind of vibe. Dressed in the expensive tux, he looked more like a sexy British spy than a soldier. It was his piercing blue eyes that gave him an edge, making him look cool, calm, and dangerous.

As if he knew she was checking him out, his eyes flashed to hers. Glimmering like chips of ice, they held very little warmth and were deadly serious. Still, despite his cool assessment, she felt that magnetic pull toward him. Instead of shrinking away, no doubt what he intended her to do, she held his gaze and gave him a soft smile.

Then she saw it. A fiery attraction flickered behind his eyes just before he shuttered it and looked away. That brief second of intense heat wrapped around her like a warm blanket right out of the dryer. What if Inez was right? What if meeting Logan was her destiny?