Hard Justice(2)

"You were looking for Rocky Balboa? The one in the later movies, not the first? He did get slick in the last few, huh? That's not me, though. Never will be."

Such an outpouring left her father stymied for a moment. "Well, my wife and Ms. Silver did suggest that you'd be able to blend in."

Fallon remained on the last step-and still Justice towered over her. She smiled up at him. "That was my stipulation. That you be able to blend, I mean. I didn't want a bodyguard to be super conspicuous. But seeing you now, I can't imagine you blending in too easily."

He crooked a brow. "Why not?"

"You're rather large to blend."

"Depends on where we go, right?" He took her elbow and very unnecessarily helped her down the last step. "Bar, club, steakhouse-no one will pay much attention to me. In this house?" He looked around as if a little put off by the grandeur. "Or a fancy party?" He rasped a big hand over his beard stubble. "I can shave, spiff up a little and force myself into a suit, but that still might not do the trick."

Fallon couldn't help but laugh; she found this bodyguard completely delightful. "Well, we're lucky that there aren't any parties scheduled."

"Fallon," her mother said, her expression curious and expectant. "Are you absolutely certain-"

"Yes and yes," Fallon replied with enthusiasm, hoping to stem their concerns. Spinning around, she embraced her mother in a tight hug. "I'm very certain, Mother." Next, she embraced her father. "Please don't worry, Dad. It's absolutely fine. I promise you."

"What time will you be home?"

She smiled as she rolled her eyes. "I don't know, Dad. I'm twenty-four, so I might just stay out all night."

Appalled, her father again looked at the man. Her mother lifted her brows.

Wincing inwardly, Fallon glanced back and said, "That is, unless you have a-"

"I'm yours for the night. Keep me as late as you want."

Everything he said sounded somehow more personal, even intimate. Or maybe that was just her male-deprived brain doing some wishful thinking.

Her smile quavered, but this was too important to turn chicken now. "Perfect. Then if you're ready?"

The corner of his mouth quirked up. "Was born ready." He swept a hand toward the door in a ridiculously gallant gesture. "Ladies first."

Charmed, Fallon hitched her purse strap over her shoulder and started out. Normally she'd wear a coat, too, but late May in Ohio was unseasonably mild this year, even with the frequent rain.

And tonight she wanted to be different. Free.

Eventually, she wanted to be a woman, whole.



AFTER A QUICK glance at Mr. Wade, who remained stiff and horrified by the sight of him, and Mrs. Wade, who looked like she was waiting for him to perform tricks, Justice went out and pulled the door closed behind him. Whew. Glad to have some fresh air, he inhaled deeply and rolled his neck to relieve the vibrating tension.         

     



 

The freaking mansion had intimidated him. Who the hell needed a house that big? A few times there, he'd thought for sure his voice would echo back at him.

The obvious wealth had intimidated him, too. The ornate staircase alone probably cost more than what he got paid in a year. The rock on Mrs. Wade's finger had all but blinded him. He'd been half-afraid to move for fear he'd bump into some pricey shit and break it.

As if all that weren't enough, Fallon Wade's father had tried-unsuccessfully-to cow him. The man had a cold stare that probably made lackeys buckle. But behind that act, Justice had seen the real concern.

The man loved his daughter, spoiled as she might be.

Thinking of her...little Fallon was quite the surprise. He'd expected a princess, a snooty brat used to snapping her fingers and having her every wish granted. Instead, he'd looked up that sprawling staircase and found a curious mouse peeking through the rails... Then he'd caught her wicked grin and bursting enthusiasm and knew that looks were deceiving.

He watched now as Fallon Wade practically danced down the wide tiled steps to the circular drive where he'd parked. The printed scarf draping her neck blew out to the sides from an increasing wind.

Brown hair, parted on the side with wispy bangs over her forehead, skimmed just below her shoulders, bouncing with her every step. That hair looked silky enough to be liquid.

When he'd first seen her, he'd noticed the smooth, flushed cheeks, a small straight nose and rounded chin... Really nice mouth, too.

But it was her eyes that got him.

For an otherwise unremarkable face, her eyes were amazing, dark like a doe's, framed by long, thick lashes and gently arched brows.

The innocence and curiosity in her face was enough for a second look, but the body...

She wore a plain pink crewneck top tucked into a long black skirt, a darker pink cardigan sweater and that fancy scarf.

For a petite girl with slim legs and arms and a narrow waist, she still had curves. Hard to tell much about those curves in that particular outfit, but he had a feeling she'd be pretty sweet all over.

Following her down the steps to the SUV, Justice noticed she had some nice padding around back. There'd be no hiding that heart-shaped ass.

As she headed for his ride with a happy, brisk walk, her black skirt hugged her hips but swished around her knees.

Her face looked young, her body looked ripe and she behaved like a puppy just let off the leash.

Her parents treated her like she was ten instead of twenty-four. Overprotective much? Hell, it had smothered him to see the way they tried to harness her.

Somehow, Justice thought, he had to get a handle on the situation. He'd expected this to be an easy assignment, but so far, nothing added up.

In an effort to understand, Justice drew out his phone and pulled up the internet.

He was aware of Fallon Wade watching him before she asked, "Do you need privacy for your call?"

So even now she wouldn't complain about his lack of deference? He should be focusing solely on her, but first... "I'm just looking up a word."

She tipped her head. "What word?"

"Avuncular."

The wind carried her laugh until it surrounded him.

Smiling, Justice asked, "You think that's funny?"

Mirth danced in her dark eyes. "And a little embarrassing."

"Because I don't know the word?" It finally popped up on the screen.

"No, of course not." She looked wrecked by his conclusion. "I was in no way judging you."

That only made his smile widen. He didn't come off as the most professional person and he knew it. "Then why?"

She faced him from a good distance away. "Because my father felt the silly warning was necessary."

Avuncular: of or pertaining to an uncle, especially in kindness and manner. "Ah." Now he got it. "So your dad was warning me against making any moves?"

"It wasn't personal. Dad feels compelled to make similar warnings to everyone, even though it's never been an issue." She wrinkled her nose. "I'd hardly need to hire you if I had a string of big, strong guys taking me out, right?"

"Oh, I dunno." By the minute, she somehow got sexier. Justice didn't understand it, but maybe it was that quirky smile or those subtle curves she tried to downplay. She definitely didn't seem spoiled, and in fact was downright modest. "I think if you wanted it, you'd have plenty of guys hoping for a shot."         

     



 

Her brows went up. "A shot?"

Justice gave her a long, heated look. "You know my meaning."

Her dark eyes widened. "Oh." Surprise, then embarrassment, had her ducking her face.

Damn it, why the hell was he flirting with her? "Sorry. I shouldn't have..." He shook his head. "Ignore me."

Appearing both amused and confused by his attitude, she started to speak, and instead lifted her arms out to her sides and turned her face up to the sky. "It's a beautiful night, isn't it?"

Dark clouds rolled over one another and humidity hung thick in the air. He liked storms.

They made him horny.

Though this time, he wasn't sure if it was the storm or the girl. "Sure." Lengthening his stride, more than ready to get the show on the road, Justice opened the door to the backseat of the SUV. "You want to tell me where we're going?"

"You mentioned a bar." She bit her lip. A nice full lip, he couldn't help but notice. "Is there one you'd recommend?"

Justice couldn't figure her out. Was she a practiced flirt? Too naive to know how she affected him? For sure, she made him forget himself. He kept focusing on her mouth-plump lips and that shiny gloss... She waited for an answer, but he'd forgotten the topic. "One what?"

"A bar?" She grinned, putting dimples into those pink cheeks. "I've never been before."

Justice took a step back. Naive then, and damn it, since when was that a turn-on? "You've never been to a bar?"

"No." She leaned closer in a conspiratorial way, her face turned up to his, her tone teasing. "Is it fun?"

Could be, depending on her idea of fun. But if she'd never been before, why pick now, tonight, with him of all people?

Suspicion got the better of him. "What are you hoping to do at this bar?"

"Drink a little." Her nose wrinkled again. "That'd be a first, too."

Justice folded his arms over his chest. "You've never had a drink?"