Chapter 1 #2
“People keep telling me I should move on.” She laughed self-consciously then cleared her throat. “It’s not that easy.” Her lips trembled as she held his gaze.
Was she hitting on him?
Or did she recognize another bruised and battered soul?
She was beautiful, but he wasn’t interested—his last liaison had scarred him for life. But that wasn’t the real reason. The real reason was something he only acknowledged in the deep, dark, secret recesses of his dreams.
“Looks like you’re in a good place to figure it out.
” He raised his glass and indicated the nearby banquet room.
“Apparently, it’s the last night of some engineering conference.
I’m sure there are scores of guys in there who’d be interested in helping you…
enjoy your vacation, if that’s what you wanted. ”
Her brown eyes widened at the less than subtle brushoff, and he wasn’t proud of the flash of hurt that flickered in her gaze.
He was doing a lot of that lately. Hurting women.
Through the thick fronds of a large potted fern, he spotted the blonde flyaway curls of the petite scientist he was supposed to be guarding. Daisy exited the ballroom and headed around the corner toward the restrooms.
She wore a simple halter dress of cream satin which showed off her toned back and arms. She’d spent time in the sun over the past five days, and it showed in the warm glow of her skin.
His mouth went dry as he remembered what she looked like naked and wet. And pissed. Volcanically pissed.
If looks could kill, he’d already be laid out in a coffin.
“Are you here with someone?” The woman caught him staring after Daisy.
He turned to assess her again. Why was she so interested? Normal curiosity or something more? Or was he so cynical now he viewed everyone as a potential threat?
Everyone was a potential threat.
And he’d earned every cynical bone in his body.
“No.” His less-than-friendly tone didn’t invite further conversation.
He debated following Daisy. The problem was, aside from the restrooms and an outside exit, there was nowhere to hide in that corridor, and she’d easily spot him. No way did he want her to catch him. She’d likely punch him in the face and report him as a stalker.
He wouldn’t blame her.
Chances were, she’d be back in a couple of minutes.
He could pull up the hotel security cameras on his cell, but he didn’t want anyone in the bar catching sight of what he was looking at.
Working alone had its drawbacks. He hated the unknowns—the unmanaged variables, uncovered exits, lack of intel, backup, and support—but he had no reason to believe Daisy was actually in danger.
Except from this guy…
He ground his teeth as the professor who’d been chatting up Daisy at every opportunity headed out of the banquet hall, carrying a bottle of wine and two glasses. Francois Tremblay walked in the same direction as Daisy had taken.
Jordan narrowed his gaze.
Was he following Daisy? Had they arranged a rendezvous? Or was Francois simply hopeful his classic good looks might get him a little extra mileage in the networking department?
A bolt of something hot and ugly shot through Jordan. It shocked him. It definitely wasn’t jealousy, more protectiveness. For his best friend’s daughter. The way any decent human being would feel protective over someone who was being taken advantage of.
As the professor slipped around the corner Jordan hesitated. He wasn’t here to police Daisy’s love life. Only to protect her from harm.
His jaw fused.
Goddamn it.
Did he give her space or make certain she was safe?
No one could exist in a bubble, he knew that better than most. He had no desire to spy on her, especially if she hooked up with this guy.
His stomach churned.
He didn’t want to think about her hooking up with anyone.
He was still trying to get that stupid innocent kiss out of his brain. Not to mention the knowledge of what she looked like naked.
He silently cursed.
What if Francois Tremblay was a predator? What if he planned to get Daisy drunk and take advantage of her? He was in a position of power compared to a lowly grad student.
Jordan couldn’t sit here like a numb nut until he ascertained exactly what the situation was. Her father would never forgive him if something happened to her. He’d never forgive himself.
If she saw him, God help him, she’d go ape-shit. Rightfully so.
Jordan tossed back his drink, threw some cash on the bar, and climbed to his feet.
He had the horrible feeling whatever he decided to do in the next five minutes would be the wrong choice, but, as profound regret formed the backdrop of every thought, every movement, what difference would one more mistake make?
He paused beside the woman. “It takes bravery to go on after losing someone you love. I hope you find what you’re looking for.”
Her eyes crinkled as her mouth turned into a strained smile. “You, too.”
He held back a grim laugh. He wasn’t looking for anything except to be allowed to get on with his job.
At least he got to fly home tomorrow. He forced a smile and pulled on a black baseball cap he’d bought in the airport, headed off, hoping like hell he didn’t walk straight into the one woman he desperately needed to avoid.