CHAPTER FOUR
CASSY
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My father has hired a mountain to protect me.
Josh Hawke.
I can tell through his shirt that he’s ripped as hell. He’s huge...everywhere. I don’t need to go hunting with my eyes to be sure, assuming all his proportions are the same.
Okay, fine, I’ve run my eyes over the length of him already as he sat in the chair, but now that he’s standing in front of me, my heart is pounding.
He’s sex on two legs.
“Dad, this is ridiculous.” I accept Josh’s handshake and marvel at how mine almost disappears inside his enormous paws.
Why is he standing so close?
Then I lose my train of thought as our skin connects and heat plows through me. I have to focus on finding a source of oxygen before I continue.
“He’s a SEAL. I don’t need an extraction from the Afghanistan mountain ranges.”
Josh’s lips quirk.
I glance away because I’m overwhelmed by the way he’s looking at me. And I think he might be the most gorgeous man I’ve ever seen. My panties are a hot mess and I’m not sure if I need him to leave or scoop me up and do whatever he wants to me.
Whatever. He. Wants.
Trixie and Scarlet will absolutely kill me if I don’t get a photo. Not happening, so guess I’m going to die.
“In case you do, I can help.” Josh smirks.
Oh lord, he’s cheeky with a dark and dangerous edge. I’m done for.
But none of that changes the fact I do not want a bunch of beefed-up military guys invading my life and business.
Or even one.
This seems like overkill. I meant what I just said. I’m sure Josh could and probably has saved people from extremely dangerous parts of the world. That’s what SEALs do. I just don’t understand why a man like him is here to be my personal security.
Not just because he’s a Navy SEAL.
Aside from being tall, broad, and extremely handsome, Josh is a wealthy man. I can tell by his expensive clothing and the Maserati SUV parked out front, which I’ve assumed is his.
And I didn’t miss the tattoos peeking out of his collar and the chunky gold ring on his finger, which I assume is symbolic.
He's a rough and powerful man.
Apparently, I was wrong all these years, thinking I liked groomed men in suits who worked behind a desk. Or maybe I just want to be fucked really well for once in my life by a man like Josh who has the eyes of a killer.
There is no doubt in my mind he’s killed. He’s seen death, and he’s not afraid of it. He might even like it.
Josh Hawke doesn’t need one of Scarlet’s kung fu t-shirts. And while my body wants him, I don’t.
“Let’s sit,” my father says.
Damn it.
I join Dad on the opposite end of the sofa, and when his housekeeper waves to me as she walks past, I order a glass of ice minted water.
“Be right back,” Anna says.
“Make that two,” Josh says.
“Mr. Cartwright?” Anna asks, but Dad lifts his whisky in answer.
I wish he would. Dad drinks way too much and I’m sure his liver is going to fail one day. Like most rock stars, he partied hard and did all the drugs and drank all the things back in the day.
Mom used to hassle him about being healthier. Sadly, she was the one to leave us early.
Fuck you, cancer.
It’s been two years since she died and every day I miss her. Life is not fair and while I know many people have much harder lives than me, she was my mom and I want her back.
Dad lost himself for six months after she died, and we were all really worried about him.
Then one day he stepped into the recording studio, which is at the other end of the house, and I knew he’d be okay.
What I didn’t expect was for him to get the band back together again and release another Sonic Rebel album.
It put the spotlight back on him after a long hiatus.
On both of us.
I wasn’t prepared for it. But I reminded myself Isaac was in prison, and it wasn’t the same as it was back then.
Until I got the call yesterday that he’d escaped.
So yes, I need protection so I can sleep at night and ride this out until the US Marshals catch him. But does it need to be a highly trained Navy SEAL or this particular man?
It’s likely Josh is the owner and has a team of people, so I relax and wait for him to share who will be protecting me.
Josh lowers himself back into the armchair and it’s almost comical how he takes up the whole damn thing.
Except it’s not funny, it’s hot.
I take in his enormous thighs as he rolls up his sleeves, revealing a heavy gold watch and sexy as hell tattoos on his forearms.
Jesus.
Anna returns with our drinks, and I cough while taking a big sip.
Surely this man knows how gorgeous he is.
He absolutely cannot be my security detail. There’s no way I can have this man in my salon. He’ll distract all my clients. Or draw women in who just sit and drool over him all day long. If I’d met him under any other circumstances, I might too.
Josh sips his water and rests it on his knee. “To put your mind at ease, if I do my job properly, you won’t notice me. Much.”
I stare between him and my father. He has to be kidding, right? I’d bet money most people would have trouble ignoring all of...everything he has going on.
“Don’t you have people?” I ask, highly aware he referred to himself.
He nods.
Purposely being evasive.
“Then perhaps a couple of female security would be more suitable,” I say helpfully.
A sexually charged—or it might just be me—smile spreads across Josh’s face. When he goes to speak, I interrupt.
“No way. If you think you’re going to spend all day in my salon and not stand out like a sore thumb, then you’re wrong.”
“Cassy, let Josh help. He’s the best at what he does, and we both know that’s important. I’m not taking any risks with your safety again.”
I glance away, feeling terrible. Dad felt so much guilt after what happened to me, and now he is just trying to help.
So, I lower my eyes and nod.
“I assure you, Cassy, my focus will be on protecting you. Other members of my team will assist both in the field and back at the office in the background,” Josh says.
Little girl, do you like the feel of me pressed against your body?
My hand clenches the cushion next to me as a dark memory sneaks in. I shove it away and swallow. When I glance up at the Navy SEAL, his eyes have darkened, and a shiver runs through me.
“Isaac Miller won’t get near you,” Josh rasps.
I’m sure he meant his words to reassure me. Instead they push away my memory and send a surprising shot of desire to my core.
Does this man know how hot he is?
He needs to not speak. I’m pretty sure that might be too much to ask, but as heat pools between my legs and I lick my lips, it just makes things worse.
Josh’s nostrils flare.
Oh god.
No girl should ever feel like this in front of her father.
I toss my water back, wishing I could pour it over my head. “Fine. What do you need me to do?”