Accidental Bodyguard Read Free Page A

the Collins Island dock and beyond where attendants sprayed water over arriving vehicles to wash off salt residue.
    No one should have her in their sights from that direction. Was she too far from the mainland for a clean shot? She glanced back across the channel. Maybe not.
    As vehicles circumvented her and drove away, she moved to the front of her car, seeking the protection of the open hood.
    Julie, accompanied by two male attendants, hustled toward her. Claudia flinched when one of the males slammed the hood with a loud bang.
    â€œWe’re going to push you,” Julie said. “Put the transmission in Neutral and steer off the ramp.”
    When her vehicle’s wheels rolled off the ferry and onto Collins Island, Claudia offered a silent prayer and tried her ignition again. Please, please. Still just a sad click. She pounded on the dash.
    Wishing she could make herself invisible—hey, if she could arrange for superpowers, why not just fly to Mr. Santaluce’s villa—Claudia climbed out of her car just as a tall, ruggedly handsome man in a blue blazer arrived.
    She looked up into piercing green eyes, noticed sun-streaked light brown hair and for a moment forgot where she was.
    She tried to speak, to say hello and explain, ask for help, but had to swallow to moisten her throat.
    She’d had this instant, gut-churning reaction to a male once before in her life, but those eyes had been an unfathomable, brooding brown, not a lively green. She’d been foolish enough to marry that man, and he’d nearly destroyed her.
    And he might still.

CHAPTER TWO
    J ACK EVALUATED THE stranded woman with the rusted heap of a car and arranged his expression into a mask of professional concern. This fresh-faced young woman without a speck of makeup around sky-blue eyes was a rich man’s mistress? Pretty, yes, no question, but more wholesome than seductive.
    She’d pulled back her long dark hair in a casual ponytail. Hardly glamorous. She wore loose-fitting shorts and a short-sleeve blouse that revealed no cleavage from her generous breasts. No flashy jewelry; just tiny gold ear hoops.
    Louise Clark was not what he’d expected.
    â€œMs. Clark?” he asked.
    Frowning, the woman stared at him, as if confused. Didn’t she know her own name? Was she a druggie? She didn’t look like one. In fact, Ms. Clark appeared to be exactly the type of woman he was normally all over.
    He extended his arm to shake her hand. “I’m Jackson Richards, Security Director. Aren’t you Louise Clark?”
    Her expression cleared, and Ms. Clark clasped his hand with both of hers as if she was drowning and he was her lifeline. “Yes, yes. I’m Louise Clark.”
    She offered a killer smile which transformed her face from pretty into stunning, which explained Mr. Santaluce’s interest. Jack felt an unexpected stab of envy.
    â€œPlease forgive me, Mr. Richards,” Ms. Clark continued. “I’m embarrassed by the trouble, but my demon car chose this awkward moment to quit working.”
    â€œNo trouble at all, ma’am. Mr. Santaluce requested we make certain you get settled in your new home.”
    â€œOh, that was kind of him,” Ms. Clark said.
    Kind of him? Jack reevaluated the scenario before him. His gaze swept over the rattletrap vehicle, noting a backseat heaped with plastic bags from a local grocery. Apparently Ms. Clark wasn’t planning on expensive dinners out with her lover. Hell, maybe she was a gourmet cook and that was what had attracted the man. A looker and a cooker? If so, a far better reason for jealousy.
    â€œWill a jump start help?” Jack asked. “I’ve called our maintenance department for an assist.”
    She shrugged. “I don’t know. This is the first time it hasn’t started. Usually it won’t stop running.”
    â€œMaybe it’s time for a new car.”
    â€œWouldn’t that be nice. Maybe when I win the