Bodyguard Pursuit Read Free

to worry. You should’ve rung her and touched base by now. Girls need that,” Tyler advised.
    “Living together, yes, but I kept a professional distance even when I slept beside her.”
    “And therein lies your problem. You allowed Saria to become dependent on you, and far more than I’ve ever seen you allow with another client before.”
    “Her physical and emotional welfare were my responsibility, and I did whatever it took to ease her fears. She’s more than a client. She’s a friend. Put her on. Let me speak to her.” He couldn’t have her suffering. His gut would be in turmoil and eat him up.
    “Almost there. I was poolside, and she’s two flights down. Saria, the phone’s for you.”
    “Is it Ben?” Saria’s voice rolled over him, soothing him. “Ben, is everything okay? Are you all right?”
    “I’m fine, Saria. How are you feeling?”
    “I’ll feel better if you keep talking. I need to hear your voice.”
    “I’m outside the house now and have the last of your things in the boot of my car. What do you want me to do with them?”
    “Just keep a hold of what’s there for me until I can grab it off you. Did you hear Tyler and Lydia are getting married? He asked her the day we set sail.” An edge of expectation laced her tone and he sensed her next question before she asked it. “Lydia said Tyler wanted you and Brigs to come for the wedding.”
    At least he could allay that fear.
    “We are.” He propped his butt on the hood of his car and stroked the shiny silver paintwork. “Brigs and I are flying out tonight. We’ll be there by dawn tomorrow.”
    “Then you have to ring me, before you takeoff and again when you land. Sorry, stupid fears, but you have to.”
    “It’s no problem.” He’d do whatever it took to ensure she remained at ease. “I’d have called before now if I’d known what you were going through. You want to talk about it?”
    “I’m still not sleeping well at night. It’s difficult when you’re not beside me.”
    “You’ve got your sister.”
    “I miss you too.”
    “You’re not permitted to miss your bodyguard.”
    “I knew you’d say that.” She clicked her tongue as if telling him off. “Will your office run smoothly with you gone?”
    “My office assistant is beyond organized.” His specialist team of bodyguards worked all over the country and Gladys ensured everything ticked along. He accepted jobs from government officials right through to local law enforcement. Long or short term. He never turned anything of value down.
    “Saria, get back here now. Dylan’s cheating and I need your help.” The deep male voice rang in Ben’s ears.
    “Is that Luke?” he asked, clenching his fist.
    “Yes, and we’re playing poker. I’m finally getting a good grasp on the game.”
    “How’s that?” He’d tried to teach her, but gotten nowhere.
    “Well, I have to remove a piece of clothing every time I get an ace in the hand.”
    “What?” He jolted upright. “Are you telling me you’re playing strip poker?” Damn Luke. He’d told Tyler’s brothers they had to watch out for her, not take advantage of her. “I’ll kill him.”
    “Calm down. I get to put that clothing back on if I win that hand. Luke insists it’s to help me concentrate on the good card I just got dealt. It’s a little bit of reverse psychology, and it’s working. I’m incredibly focused on not ending up naked.”
    “You have to watch Luke.” Luke was the youngest, and at twenty-three, a terrible flirt. His short nails bit into his palm. No one was permitted to see Saria naked, not even him. One morning he’d actually caught her coming out of her bathroom after she’d showered. She’d been wrapped in a fleecy white towel that barely covered her breasts and bottom. That image would be forever seared into his mind. He’d certainly struggled to turn around and walk back out again when all he’d wanted to do was strip her bare, toss her onto the bed and touch her as he’d