Page 39 of Thirsty Bodyguard Summer

In twenty minutes, Cassidy would tell Sloane the truth, and Sloane would decide whether she stayed on my detail.

I slid my hand over Cassidy’s back. Her muscles shifted beneath my palm before her green eyes opened.

“You’re thinking too loudly,” she murmured.

“I’m lying perfectly still.”

“That’s how I know something’s wrong.”

I smiled. “Maybe I’m appreciating the view.”

“You’ve been appreciating it for at least five minutes.”

“You were asleep.”

“I was resting with professional awareness.”

“That sounds much sexier than sleeping.”

Cassidy rolled onto her side and pulled the sheet over her breasts. The movement did nothing useful for my concentration.

She checked the clock. “I need to get dressed.”

I caught her hand before she could leave the bed. “I know you do.”

She studied my face. “You’re not going to ask me to wait?”

“No, I’m not.”

“Or leave out the part where you stayed?”

“I won’t ask you to do that either.” I lifted her knuckles to my mouth. “You told me hiding this could cost you more than telling the truth. I listened.”

She loosened her grip on the sheet.

I kissed her fingers. “I just don’t want telling the truth to cost me you.”

Cassidy’s expression softened.

“It might change how we work,” she said. “It won’t change what happened.”

“That wasn’t what I asked.”

“I know what you asked.”

She leaned forward and kissed me. Her mouth was warm and slow against mine, and for one dangerous second, I considered offering several compelling reasons to miss the seven o’clock call.

Then Cassidy pulled back.

“That’s all you get until I talk to Sloane.”

“You’re using affection as leverage.”

“I’m establishing a schedule.”

“You’re extremely attractive when you pretend those are different things.”

She slid out of bed before I could catch her again.