Because a Husband Is Forever by Marie Ferrarella Page B

bodyguard is very serious business.”
    His eyes had turned a very interesting shade of gray, she thought. Almost like dusk settling in over the horizon. Just what she needed getting in her way, a dour man. He had to lighten up. “I don’t have a stalker,” she asserted.
    Ian’s expression never changed. “That you know of.”
    â€œThanks for that cheerful thought.”
    â€œThat’s the only effective way for a bodyguard to operate. As if each client had someone out there who could harm them at any given moment. I’m supposed to keep you safe.”
    Dakota suddenly grinned at him and was determinedto have a little fun. Sidling up to Ian, she left enough room between their bodies for a flea to get through. A flea that had successfully completed a crash diet. “And what’s to keep you safe?”
    She was trying to shake him up. But knowing didn’t prevent the flare of heat from igniting inside of him. The earlier image of her body, almost completely visible and highly inviting, flashed across his mind. Ian banked down it and his reaction.
    â€œI’m packing a gun,” he informed her evenly, answering her question.
    Releasing the breath she was holding, Dakota laughed as she stepped back. “That’ll do it.”
    Moving out of the room, she nearly tripped over the suitcase she hadn’t noticed before. Off balance, she had no time to steady herself. In a heartbeat, strong hands were on either side of her shoulders, keeping her body from ignobly meeting the rug.
    As she looked up at him, she found that she had somehow managed to lose the air from her lungs. It took her a second to recover and covertly attempt to draw in air.
    She hoped she could cover the moment with a smile. “You do take this protecting thing very seriously, don’t you?”
    He released her, aware that he’d held her a beat too long and that the sensation of having her so close was more pleasant than it should have been. He was going to have to watch that, he told himself.
    â€œThe studio opted for the whole package,” he reminded her.
    And what a package it was, she caught herself thinking. Trying to get her bearings, she looked down at the culprit that had caused her to trip. She didn’t believe in clutter. Consequently she knew where everything was within her apartment and could easily maneuver around it in the dark. This hadn’t been there earlier.
    â€œA suitcase?”
    He nodded as he pushed it to the side with his foot. “For my clothes.”
    It took a second for his words to sink in. “You agreed to stay here?” She would have bet anything he would have vetoed that part of it.
    â€œI do for the more intense assignments.”
    She could feel the space around her shrinking by the second. “And I’m an intense assignment?”
    He shrugged, obviously far less troubled by his choice of words than she was. “Like I said, the studio wanted the whole package.”
    She sighed, shaking her head. She and Alan Curtis were going to have a very long talk when she came in today. Saying yes to the producer’s proposal didn’t mean she’d given him carte blanche with her life.
    But for now she was going to have to make the best of it. Her father had taught her that making the best of it was how one survived. “C’mon, I’ll show you to your room.”
    Ian made no move to pick up his suitcase and followher. “I thought this would do.” He nodded toward the sofa. “I could sack out there.”
    â€œThis is my office.” It was going to be hard enough to share her apartment with him. She wasn’t about to share her work space as well. “I have a spare bedroom.” Her tone made things final.
    With another half shrug, Ian picked up his suitcase. “You’re the boss.”
    She smiled as she led the way out. “I think I could get used to the sound of that.”
    He realized he