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Three

The hotel was fancy, for a woman who was just an investigative journalist. Tyler didn’t think that they made enough money to be able to afford place like this.

Except Raina McNamara was living off her brother-in-law, Larry. Larry Amberson was a third-generation doctor, carrying on the family legacy with a prestigious private practice and the kind of reputation that opened doors most people didn’t even know existed.

But he didn’t care, he was here to meet the woman, talk to her and determine whether or not this was still worth his time. For all he knew, she was just trying to gain attention, he had encountered a lot of women like that to know. Walking into the hotel, he walked straight to the elevator.

Larry had already told him all he needed to know, so he didn’t have to wait around asking where to go. At the door of the hotel room a couple of minutes later, he knocked softly and waited to hear movement from behind the door.

He stood close to the peephole so that he would see who it was at her door, but before he could say anything or hear any question, the door swung open, and he frowned, but he soon understood why.

Larry stood there with a smile. “Come in, Ty. We’ve been expecting you.” He said.

Larry was here? Tyler thought as he smiled back. “Hello, Larry. It’s been ages.” He walked into the room and waited for Larry to close the door before walking together into the sitting area.

A woman sat on the couch, but Tyler wasn’t sure who that was. He was unable to attend Larry’s wedding. He had been out of the country on a business trip so he couldn’t tell who the woman was. For all he knew, it was his wife, or his wife’s sister.

The woman on the couch glanced up, and Tyler found himself pausing briefly. She was stunning… dark, wavy hair that cascaded over her shoulders. He could see that she was beautiful. She had flawless skin with a warm, sun-kissed glow, and striking hazel eyes framed by thick lashes.

Nice! He thought.

Larry gave a small chuckle, noticing Tyler’s lingering gaze. “This is my wife, Dena.” He said.

Dena smiled warmly, her eyes assessing Tyler, the way only a woman like her could manage, a woman bold enough to manage a man like Larry. Tyler gave her a polite nod, his businesslike demeanor slipping back into place.

“It’s nice to meet you, Dena,” he said, smiling as her as he offered her his hand. He would have loved to jump into the business at hand, but he also didn’t want to be rude.

“Oh, it’s nice to meet you, too. I’ve heard a lot about you. You’re all Larry ever talk about when he ever remembers to call.” He said.

“And where’s the woman I need to work with?” Tyler asked, cutting to the chase. He hadn’t come here to socialize, and the sooner he met Raina McNamara, the sooner he could figure out what he had gotten himself into.

At that moment, the bedroom door clicked open and Tyler turned toward the sound, and every thought in his mind froze.

A woman stepped into the room with the kind of natural confidence that made the world tilt slightly off its axis. She was petite but carried herself in a way that made her presence feel much larger. Her dark brown hair tumbled in loose waves down her back, and the curve of her hips was visible beneath her fitted jeans. A sleeveless top exposed toned arms and smooth, sun-kissed skin.

But what really held Tyler captive were her legs.

Damn! They were long, shapely legs that seemed to go on forever despite the fact that, by his quick estimation, she was no more than five-foot-seven. She moved with grace, her footsteps soft against the plush hotel carpet, as though she owned every inch of space she occupied.

And those eyes; amber colored and almond-shaped, framed by thick lashes, and gleaming with a subtle mixture of curiosity and defiance. She was staring at him as if she was assessing him.

He wouldn’t blame her though, he was doing the same thing to him after all.

Larry cleared his throat, breaking the silence in the room. “Ty, meet Raina McNamara.” He said, looking from Raina to Tyler.

Raina offered a polite smile, though there was a flicker of something unreadable in her gaze as she looked him over. “So, you’re the one they sent.” She said. This was the first time she spoke, and her voice sent a rush of something down his body.

This was trouble, really.

He stood frozen for a moment, the sharp-witted professional in him momentarily lost as a strange, undeniable attraction crackled in the air between them. He wasn’t the type to be easily swayed by appearances, but there was something about her; something wild and unapologetic… that drew him in.

She had one of those raspy voice that made one feel pulled to her, and making her words sound more intimate than they actually were.

He blinked, forcing himself to recover. “I’m Tyler Paxton.” He took the remaining step to bridge the gap that was between them. “It seems I’ll be working with you for the time being.” His voice came out steadier than he felt, though he was still acutely aware of her every movement.

Raina gave him a once-over, her gaze lingering just long enough to send his pulse racing. “Well, I hope you’re as good as Larry says. I would rather not end up dead.” She said.

Tyler’s lips quirked into a half-smile, appreciating her bluntness. “I’ll do my best to make sure that doesn’t happen.” He said.

Dena rose from the couch, smoothing her hands over her skirt. “We’ll leave you two to get acquainted. Larry and I need to head out, but we’ll be close by if you need anything.” She said, the last part meant for her sister.

“Not while I’m here, she won’t need anything from you both.” He thought.

Larry clapped Tyler on the shoulder. “Take good care of her, Ty.” He said, and Tyler nodded, though his gaze never left Raina. “I will.” She said.

After that, Larry and Dena walked out and the door clicked shut behind them, causing silence to settle over the room. Tyler studied Raina, who stood with one hand on her hip, radiating a cool confidence that only added to her allure.

“So,” Raina said, breaking the silence, “what’s the plan, bodyguard?” She asked.

“Oh hell, no!” He thought as he looked at her. This was a client he had to keep safe, which meant that she was forbidden, no matter what his body was saying to him.

Tyler leaned against the wall, arms folded across his chest. “I try my best to keep you alive. That’s the plan.” He said simply.

Raina arched an eyebrow, the corner of her mouth curving into a subtle, teasing smile. “Sounds simple enough. I hope you’re ready for the complications.”

“And I hope you’re ready to do all I say?” He asked as well.

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