She nibbled at the edge and tried to avoid the caper and olive salsa and then set it on her plate. She started to speak when she caught sight of someone from the corner of her eye.

  That someone was tall, muscular and entered the Lucky Strike wearing mirrored sunglasses.

  Modeen saw her and stopped. She couldn’t see his eyes, but she just knew she was being judged. He pulled off his glasses, looked from her to Thomas, and then turned to the bar and nailed down a stool.

  He was a little out of his jurisdiction, wasn’t he? Had he showed up here to eavesdrop on this meeting? After all, he did know the place and time.

  Ugh, he probably did follow her. She wouldn’t put it past one of her big brothers to set him on her as a bodyguard. Even though she was trained herself.

  The bartender placed a beer in front of him. He wrapped his long fingers around the glass and threw a look at Corrine over his shoulder.

  She widened her eyes to tell him to mind his business and then turned her entire focus on the handsome and charming doctor.

  * * * * *

  Michael faced forward again and curled his fingers tighter around his beer. Corrine looked tired. Beautiful—but tired.

  Under each vivid hazel eye was a dark smudge, and she was paler than usual. He hoped she wasn’t getting sick. If not for the glare she’d just sent his way, he’d go ask her.

  He focused on a photo of the Lucky Strike’s owners on the wall in front of him. In the glass, he could make out Corrine’s profile. He stared at the tiny, slightly blurry image of her for a moment before a growl rumbled up his throat.

  She reamed him out every chance she got, while she was all smiles and charm for the new client.

  Unable to stop himself, he twisted to look at her. As he did, she glanced his way, and their gazes connected.

  Thomas said something that brought her attention back to him. Then the man stood up and headed to the door, phone in hand.

  Michael took that as his cue. He hopped off the stool. Corrine’s audible groan reached him a few steps from her table.

  “Our client stepped out to make a phone call. Don’t sit—”

  He plopped into the abandoned seat opposite Corrine.

  “Down,” she finished on a heavy sigh.

  Without permission, he picked up a slice of toast with salsa on it and stuffed it into his mouth. She watched him as he chewed, a scowl of disgust on her face.

  “You’re dropping crumbs everywhere! You also left a bunch of pretzel crumbs on my keyboard. I didn’t appreciate the state of my workstation this morning.” Folding her arms across her ample bust, she sat back in her chair as if trying to get as far away from him as possible.

  “Sorry about that. You gonna eat any more of these?” He reached for another.

  “No, and neither are you. You’re going back to your barstool and let me guess—chicken wings?”

  He sailed a look toward the bar, where the wing basket was resting by his beer and nodded. “I only came to ask about your horse.”

  “My—” She stopped mid-rant as she realized what he asked.

  He took another big bite of the toast and nodded.

  “How did you know about my horse having colic last night?”

  “Ran into Casey this mornin’ in town. He mentioned you two were up all night tending the horse.”

  “Yes. It was very touch-and-go there for a bit. I was really worried about Gypsy Moonlight. I’m taking her to auction very soon, and I want her to be her very best so I can settle her with a top barrel racer and make my name.”

  He stuffed the rest of the toast into his mouth. After swallowing, he said, “I’m impressed. But I always knew you’d make a name with your horses, Corrine. You work harder than anyone I’ve ever met.”

  “Excuse me.”

  He swung his head to see Downing standing beside him.

  Downing cocked a brow at Michael. “You’re in my seat.”

  “I was just leavin’.” He stood, but before he took a step, he remembered something and turned back to Corrine. “Are you going to the party tonight?”

  Her striking hazel eyes blanked for a second, and then understanding dawned. “The party. Celebrating WEST Protection being named one of the top security companies in the country. Yes, of course I’ll be there. I just lost track of the days.”

  Michael slid his stare to Downing. “It’s employees only.”

  “Michael! Go back to your food now!” Corrine snapped at him.

  He sidled away from the table, passing their server, who was delivering a tray of weird-looking food to them. When he settled in with his wings and beer, he couldn’t help but steal more peeks at Corrine’s reflection in the glass of that picture frame.

  Chapter Three

  “Stop puckering your eyebrows. You’re creasing the makeup powder I just applied.”

  Corrine snapped back to the present and stared at her friend who was applying her makeup for tonight’s event. Windi was practically family, and Corrine would trust no one else with her appearance. The beautiful woman was a socialite who’d spent years in the spotlight and knew how to look good.

  She was also the fiancée of the S in WEST Protection—Silas Shanie.

  Windi looked over her baby bump distending the gorgeous royal blue dress she wore and sighed. “Can you shift your knees the other direction so I can get at your lips from this angle?”

  Corrine swept her knees to the opposite side so Windi could move closer. Then she saw the entire bump move.

  She gasped. “What is happening! Is the baby moving that much?”

  Windi chuckled, lip liner poised in her manicured fingers. “All. The. Time. This boy is huge and heavy and strapping. If I can get him out of my body next month, it will be my biggest achievement.”

  “I suppose all the work you and Silas do in Mexico getting clean water to all those small towns is nothing. And let’s be honest, I know you spoil every child you encounter down there rotten.”

  “Hold still.” Windi concentrated for a moment on outlining Corrine’s lips. “It’s Silas I have to hold back from showering those kids with gifts. I try to give them practical things like toothbrushes and socks. He wants to bring them toys and games. Last time we traveled to Estrella, we had to dump half of what Silas brought because of weight restrictions on the small plane.”

  When Windi stepped back to examine her lips, Corrine smiled. “That’s the Silas I know and love. Always generous to a fault. But you’ll have to watch that he doesn’t spoil little Si Jr. here.” Corrine nodded toward the bump that was shuddering with activity.

  Setting aside the lip pencil, Windi selected a lipstick and a gloss. She came at Corrine again, filling in her lips and adding a slick sheen across only the bottom center of her mouth.

  “Now roll your lips together like this.” Windi demonstrated.

  Corrine did as she asked, and the center of her top lip also had a light sheen.

  “There—it looks like you’ve just been kissed,” Windi said.

  “Last person I kissed wasn’t worth the time. My brothers were right about that jerk. And the one before him.”

  Windi’s eyes danced. “I had my share of jerks in my past too. Then I met Silas. He couldn’t be more different from me, but in the end, we found out we’re so much alike.”

  Corrine reached out to rest her hand on her baby bump. Underneath her fingers, she felt a tiny thump. “You two are made for each other. I don’t think there’s a man on the planet who will put up with me staying up all night with a sick horse.”

  Moving to Corrine’s hair, Windi said, “There are plenty of men who would. What about that ranch hand—Casey? You spend a lot of time with him.”

  “A lot of time working. Casey’s cute and all, but I don’t really view him as more than a friend and someone who works on the ranch.” In the mirror, she threw a look at Windi standing behind her, artfully arranging the waves of her brown hair.

  Usually stuffed under a cowgirl hat, the thick locks often went neglected. But in Windi’s hands, her hair looked like she’d just stepped out of a salon. Artful waves framed her face and a few tendrils were pinned here and there with tiny rhinestone-tipped pins.

  For the first time ever, she felt elevated, worthy of someone who wasn’t wearing flannel and had shit on their boots.

  Someone like Thomas.

  “There is someone I might be interested in. We had lunch today.”

  “Oooh, tell me about him.”

  “His name is Thomas Downing. Dr. Thomas Downing.”

  “Wow.”

  “He’s in Montana working on an archaeological dig. Some dinosaur bones were found on a local ranch. Have you heard anything about it?”

  Windi shook her head.

  “He came to WEST Protection wanting to hire security for the site. So our lunch meeting involved a lot of talk about security. But…”

  Windi eyed her in the mirror. “Girl, out with it.”

  “He’s charming and handsome and sophisticated…and there was some flirting happening.”

  After Modeen left them alone, that was. She frowned again and then remembered her powder.

  “That’s exciting. So you’ll be working with him more.”

  Corrine nodded.

  Windi dropped her hands from her hair and stepped back. “Voila! All finished. And I must say…” She kissed her fingers in a chef’s kiss. “Perfection. You look beautiful, Corrine.”

  She stood from the chair. Her dress was a deep berry color that swished to the floor. Running her hands over her hips, she had to admit she looked hot.

  Not that she had anybody to look hot for at a family-owned company party. She only wanted to feel her best tonight in celebration of all WEST Protection had achieved.

  “Somehow you made me look so much more grown-up, Windi. Too bad there aren’t any guys around to appreciate it. They’re all either related to me or taken.” She smiled at her friend. At one time her brother asked if she and Silas might have something going, but they were never more than friends. And now Corrine had the best “sister” friend in Windi.

  The woman gave her a side-eye. “There’s always Michael Modeen.”

  She spun to face Windi. “You’ve gotta be kidding me—Modeen?”

  “You must be blind if you don’t see how hot that man is. Marine? Muscle? Brains? And you have to admit he looks hot as hell in those sunglasses he wears.”

  She shook her head. “I don’t see it.”

  “C’mon, Corrine. He’s totally hot and a nice guy. He helped me carry grocery bags in the house the other day.”

  “That’s a common courtesy any pregnant woman is owed.”

  “If I weren’t taken, I’d be tempted by him. I’m surprised you’re not. He’s young, single and smart.”

  “He’s a rude slob who takes any chance he can get to rile me up.”

  Windi cocked a perfect brow. She opened her mouth to say more, but Corrine threw up a hand.

  “Enough about that man. I’m not interested, and believe me, he isn’t either. We don’t even like each other.”

  She was surprised by Windi’s view of Modeen. All Corrine saw in him was a good pilot, but a mess otherwise.

  “Now, if Dr. Thomas Downing was attending tonight’s party, I’m sure he’d show appreciation for your handiwork.” Corrine smoothed her hands over her ribs to her waist. The dress snatched her in so tight that she looked like she was wearing a corset. All thanks to the boning on the bodice and a strong zipper that managed to hold when Windi zipped her into the thing.

  Corrine walked up to Windi and hugged her, the baby rockin’ and rollin’ between them. “I think we’re ready. Let’s go find the others.”

  * * * * *

  Michael hadn’t attended a dress-up affair for a while, and before this, he always wore his dress blues.

  Being out of them felt odd as hell, but old habits died hard, so he donned a blue striped dress shirt with a navy blue suit.

  A lot of things were still surprising him about civilian life. Such as eating what he wanted when he wanted—something he wouldn’t complain about—and waking up when his body told him to. Unfortunately, after years of drills at 0600 hours or early morning chores on his family’s ranch back in Texas, his body was trained to snap to attention the minute a ray of light split the sky.

  He glanced around the fancy venue that WEST Protection had rented for their shindig. The wide-open space was segmented into a bar, a long table to accommodate the entire WEST team and their plus-ones and a small area for dancing.

  With these guys, he could imagine some fun was about to take place.

  Josiah Wynton sidled up next to him. “Nice place, huh?”

  “Yeah. Beats the firehall.”

  He grunted. “Plenty of Wyntons have held wedding receptions in the Stone Pass Fire Hall. But the ladies think this place is more suitable nowadays.”

  “You’re moving up the food chain.”

  “You could say that.” Josiah grinned, eyes gleaming under the brim of the white Stetson not one of them had left behind tonight. “Where’s your plus-one?”

  “Didn’t bring one,” Michael said.

  “Say what? There are at least a dozen women in this town who’d be happy to come with you. I bet you’ve got a few of those billionaires’ daughters after your tail too.”

  Michael shuddered. “The last thing I want is a date like that. They’re far more trouble than they’re worth. Snobs spending Daddy’s money. But they pay my bills, so I can’t complain too much. Plus, I get to do what I love, which is flyin’.”

  Josiah bobbed his head. “Met my share of women like that.”

  Michael followed Josiah’s gaze to a striking beauty standing near the bar, a glass of wine in hand, talking animatedly to one of the other guys’ wives.

  “You got lucky, man.” Michael clapped Josiah on the shoulder.

  “I hit the jackpot with Rayna.” His eyes twinkled for a moment as he stared at his better half. “Let’s grab a drink.”

  Michael crossed the room to the bar. The long wood surface gleamed under the ambient lighting in the space, and long black curtains hung behind it as a backdrop. On an easel on the bar top was a list of drinks on offer.

  “Tequila,” he told the bartender.

  The lady smiled at him, cutting her eyes down the buttons of his dress shirt as if visually undressing him.

  Josiah nudged him.

  He offered her a smile when she handed him the drink. “Thanks.”

  He and Josiah moved down the bar, and Michael leaned against it, sipping his drink. Ross and Boone Wynton came to join them.

  Michael craned his neck to look around the room. “Where’s the fourth brother? You leave him at home?”

  “Noah’s been detained on the West Coast. Dunno if he’s gonna make it in time. Maya Ray is at home waiting on him, but she told my wife that she’ll come for the food whether Noah makes it or not,” Ross announced.

  “Hard to get the entire crew together. People don’t stop needing bodyguards just because we’re having a fancy dinner.” Boone sipped his whiskey.

  “What about Corrine?”

  Michael’s question had all three brothers turning eagle eyes on him.

  Feeling the temperature simultaneously rising and dropping from those stares, he knocked back his tequila and then gave them a shrug. “Thought her horse might be colicky again.”

  “The horse is all right, far as I know,” Boone said. “She’ll be here.”

  “She’s coming with Windi and Silas.” Ross checked his phone, thumbing through what looked to be an email. When he looked up at Michael again, his eyes were cleared of any suspicion over Michael and his baby sister.

  Thing was, he couldn’t show interest in Corrine. Even if she liked him, he knew she was off-limits and wouldn’t overstep that boundary. He enjoyed working for WEST too much to jeopardize it by sleeping with the bosses’ little sister.

  Josiah slapped the phone in Ross’s hand. “Hey, no work tonight.”

  He looked up, still absorbed in whatever he’d read. “Sorry. Email just came in with details on the dinosaur dig site. Location, roads leading in. Hours the archaeology crew will be there. Contracts will be signed by morning, so we’ll be doling out duties soon.” He looked between Josiah and Michael.

  “Did you tell him?” Ross asked Josiah.

  “Thought Corrine told him.”

  Michael arched a brow. “Told me what?”

  “Corrine will be heading this new contract. But we want you working alongside her. And watching her back. Our little sister has training, but she’s never had to use any of it in real life. We wanna make sure she’s covered.” Ross’s dimple flashed with a grin when he saw Michael’s astonished expression.

  “Seriously, man?” Excitement rolled through Michael. He was trained for the position, but this would be his first. Even if it was guarding a bratty woman, he was eager for the experience.

  “We thought we’d break you in right with one of the most difficult wards you’ll ever have. But just so we’re clear—Corrine doesn’t know you’re looking out for her as well as the site.”

  Chuckling, Michael reached out and clasped Ross’s hand, pumping it once. “I appreciate you putting your trust in me. This seems like a pretty big deal.”

  “It is. Which is why I’m surprised Corrine didn’t tell you that you’re in on the contract.”

  It didn’t surprise Michael one bit—she was probably pissed that she had to work with him. Which made it all the funnier to Michael.

  “It was decided after her meeting with that city slicker doctor,” Ross said.

  At the mention of Downing, Michael’s good feelings fell flat. Again, he saw Corrine seated with the man, talking and laughing, no trace of sass or irritation with Downing at all, when that was all she had for Michael.

  “She must have been distracted,” he muttered.

  Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted a trio walking in. Silas and his very pregnant wife had everyone’s attention.

  But Michael only saw Corrine.

  It was like the lights only shone on her. The breath punched from his lungs.

 

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