Chapter 2

ETHAN

My eyes followed her every move on the dance floor. I had watched her throw down the drinks in quick succession before moving to the floor. I must have underestimated her theatrics. Why wasn’t she happy that her father had sent her a bodyguard? Or was she trying to play hard to get, just to confuse me?

She kissed you, remember, a voice in my head chided as I ran a calloused finger over my lips. The kiss was short, but it made an impression. I watched her grind against a stranger in leather pants and swore aloud.

“Spoiled brat,” I seethed. Claire Johnson was exactly the woman I thought she was—reckless, fatally attractive, and vain. I grabbed my keys and stood up in one fluid motion. It was time to leave the smoky din. I made my way to her and yanked her away from the overly eager youngster.

“I think you’ve had enough fun, Miss Johnson. Let’s go.”

The young man glared at me. He looked about twenty, with short dark hair that fell over his eyes and brown puppy-like eyes. “Who are you, old man?” The insult stung. I was forty-five, but I didn’t look a day past thirty—or so I thought.

“I’m her bodyguard, kid.”

“Bodyguard?” he screeched. “This isn’t a fucking action movie. She’s old enough to make her own decisions.”

I turned my attention to the woman staggering behind me. “Not tonight, kid. I’m calling the shots now.”

Claire flipped her hair off her face and belched loudly. “Hey, babysitter, why don’t you hide in the shadows like a good bodyguard?”

A jolt of rage shot down my spine. I leaned in close, rasping, “Stop acting like a spoiled brat. We need to get out of here now.”

She looped an arm around my neck and brought her face close to mine. “Are you attracted to me, Mr. Babysitter?” Her voice was mocking.

“Sorry, sweetheart. You’re not my type,” I lied. Claire was every man’s dream, but I wasn’t about to let her know that.

A strange look flickered in her green eyes before disappearing.

“Oops. I should be grateful, then. I don’t ever want to be with a guy like you,” she retorted, dropping her hands.

I ignored her cutting remark and wrapped an arm around her, guiding her through the crowd. Three years ago, I had been the most dedicated cop in Chicago, saving the world and dodging bullets—until I couldn’t take it anymore. I’d walked away from my job and settled for a quieter life in my condo. Then Edward Johnson called.

The job was simple: shadow his spoiled daughter in Harbor Springs and keep her safe. Three hundred thousand dollars in cash and a sleek Mercedes-Benz made the offer hard to resist. Edward had been thorough in his description of her, but he’d failed to explain just how dangerously beautiful his twenty-eight-year-old daughter was.

“You’re cold,” I said, looking down at her shivering beside me. We were outside the hotel now. She swayed a little in my arms, her high heels tipping dangerously.

“Can you walk?”

She gave a little laugh that sounded like music to my ears. “Aren’t you the perfect babysitter?”

“You’re drunk.” Her pretty red car was parked some distance away.

“I’m perfectly fine,” she said, shaking off my hold and taking a step forward. She tittered and nearly fell. I reached for her before she hit the ground and held her in my arms.

“You’re too drunk to walk,” I sighed, lifting her. I’d have to drive her home and return later for my car.

“Put me down this minute,” she protested.

“Maybe next time, you’ll stick to drinking water.”

I moved cautiously, my cop instincts on high alert. A man doesn’t get paid this much just to babysit. Something was off, though I had no proof.

Gary, my best friend and former partner, had shared my unease when we discussed the job over a drink.

“You’re going to be Claire Johnson’s bodyguard?” he scoffed, throwing back his beer.

I slid the cash, brief, and Polaroid photo across the table. His jaw dropped as he studied them.

“This is serious, man. What’s her story?”

“Nothing much. Just a spoiled brat smart enough to get her father worried. She’s probably waiting for Daddy to send someone over.”

Gary whistled, holding up her photo. “She’s stunning. I wish I could trade places with you. Watching over someone this pretty is definitely on my bucket list.”

“Shelly would kill you,” I said, laughing.

At her car, I set her down gently. “Key?”

She fumbled in her purse, finally holding it up in semi-darkness. As I bent over to unlock the door, a flash of light appeared overhead and disappeared in a heartbeat.

“Shit.” In the darkness, I saw a shadowy figure scurrying away, a camera hanging around his neck. I opened the door and helped Claire into the passenger seat before climbing in myself.

Her car smelled like her—a mix of mint and vanilla. It drove me crazy. I gripped the wheel and started the engine, only for her to place a hand on mine.

“Thank you, Ethan,” she said softly.

I stilled. Claire Johnson was like no woman I’d ever met.

Her apartment was neat, apart from the clutter of shoes and clothes scattered across the floor. I placed her on the couch and turned toward her bedroom. The bed was a disaster—dresses piled high, pillows thrown around like a storm had swept through.

I started tidying up the space, clearing a spot where she could rest comfortably. As I smoothed the sheets, cold fingers brushed the back of my neck.

Instinctively, I spun around, my reflexes sharper than my logic, and delivered a light blow. Claire stumbled and fell against me, groaning from the force.

“Are you trying to get yourself killed?” I shouted, my voice more gruff than I intended.

She smiled lazily, her green eyes hazy with alcohol. “Aren’t you cute when you’re mad?”

Her words threw me off, and I stilled, unsure whether to laugh or scream.

“You should go to bed,” I said, helping her up.

“Undress me,” she murmured, her voice low but playful.

“What?” I asked, stunned.

“You’re my babysitter, aren’t you?” She laughed softly, mocking me. “Save the day, Mr. Hayes. I’m drunk and helpless.”

I gritted my teeth. “That’s enough, Claire.”

“You’re no fun.” She pouted, stepping closer. “You’re supposed to do as I say.”

“I don’t think so.”

She crossed her arms over her chest, leaning against the wall like she was prepared to wait me out.

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. There was no reasoning with her in this state. My frustration boiled over, and before I could think better of it, I reached for the hem of her dress and pulled it over her head.

She stood before me in black lace lingerie, her long blonde hair cascading down her back like a golden river.

“Like what you see?” she teased, a sly smile tugging at her lips.

“You’re not my type,” I muttered, my fists clenched.

“Oh, please,” she said, stepping closer. “You think I don’t notice the way you look at me? You’re still stuck on that kiss.”

Her words hit harder than I cared to admit.

“You’re spoiled, reckless, and entitled,” I snapped. “I’m not here to be your toy, Claire. I’m here to keep you safe.”

“Safe from what?” she shot back, her tone dripping with sarcasm. “From my own choices? Or from you?”

The accusation stung, but I held my ground. “Go to bed,” I said firmly.

She stared at me for a moment, then smirked. “You’re scared of me, aren’t you?”

I said nothing, refusing to rise to her bait.

“Fine,” she said, finally backing off. “But don’t think this is over.”

I left the room, needing air, needing distance. The kitchen was my sanctuary, and I grabbed the first bottle of wine I found, pouring myself a glass. My pulse was still racing, my thoughts a chaotic mess.

What the hell was I doing here?

This wasn’t just a job anymore. This was a storm waiting to swallow me whole, and I wasn’t sure I could stay afloat.

My phone buzzed on the counter, pulling me from my thoughts. I snatched it up and dialed a number I knew by heart.

“Gary, it’s me,” I said when he picked up. “I need a favor.”

“What’s going on?”

“I need everything you can find on Claire Johnson,” I said, my voice low.

Gary was silent for a moment before responding. “That bad, huh?”

“Just do it, Gary.”

I hung up and leaned against the counter, staring at the wine in my glass. This was more than a job, more than I’d bargained for.

But no matter what, I couldn’t let my guard down. Not around Claire Johnson.