Page 22 of How To Tempt A Bodyguard

A man who's been noticing things he shouldn't notice. A man who spent last night listening to you breathe and hating himself for it. A man who's finding it harder than it should be to maintain professional distance.

"Someone you're paying to keep you safe," he said. "That's all."

"That's all?"

"It has to be."

She was quiet for a moment. Then, softly: "Why?"

Her question startled him, but he tried not to show it. "Because you're the job." He made himself hold her gaze. "Because I can't protect you properly if I'm distracted. Because men who mix business with... other things... make mistakes. People get hurt."

"Is that what I am? A distraction?"

Yes. More than you know.

"You're a client," he said firmly. "Nothing more."

She studied him. He couldn't tell what she was thinking.

"You're a very disciplined man, Mr Collins," she said finally.

"It's kept me alive."

"I'm sure it has." She leaned back against the seat, her eyes still on his face. "It must be exhausting, though. All that control. All that restraint."

"I manage."

"Do you?"

The question hung in the air between them. Loaded. Waiting.

Matthew didn't answer. He turned to look out the window, watching the fields pass, feeling her gaze on the side of his face.

"I'm not going to make this easy for you," she said quietly.

He glanced back at her. "Make what easy?"

"The distance you're trying to keep." No smile, but her gaze held heat. The dangerous kind. "I've seen how you look at me when you think I won't notice. I know what it means."

"It doesn't mean anything."

"Doesn't it?"

"No."

She tilted her head, considering him. "You're a terrible liar, Mr Collins. Has anyone ever told you that?"

He held her gaze. Let a beat pass.

"You watched me this morning," he said. "At the washstand. Didn't look away for a long time."

A look of surprise, then quickly recovered. "I was startled. You have... a lot of scars."

"That's what you were counting? Scars?"

She didn't answer. A faint flush crept up her neck, visible even in the dim carriage light.

Matthew turned back to the window. "Seems like neither of us is as disciplined as we'd like to be."