The Safe Bet (Hidden Truths #1)(42)

Connor stepped out a moment later, wearing faded blue jeans and a dark green T-shirt. He’d clearly stopped shaving, Michael noted when assessing his scruffy beard. Michael felt strangely uneasy as he watched Kate’s eyes wander over Connor’s body, before adjusting to meet his green eyes.

A muscular arm extended toward Kate. Her dimples were exposed as she smiled back at Connor. “Hi, I’m Kate.”

“I wish I were meeting you under different circumstances, but it’s nice to meet you. I’m Connor.” He flashed her a bright smile.

“Thank you for coming,” Michael said and looked back at Kate. “Connor was with me in the Marines—he joined the year I did. He’s been out of the military for about as long as me.” Michael motioned them into the living room.

Connor studied Kate’s long legs as he followed behind her, which Michael observed with pained annoyance. “How do you know each other?” Connor asked before taking a seat on the suede sofa next to Kate.

Michael stood by the fireplace and trained his attention on Connor. Now that he noticed how captivated Connor seemed to be with Kate, Michael was beginning to question his choice of bodyguard. Connor was thirty-two, single, and a handsome guy. He’d have to be blind not to notice Kate.

God, what is wrong with me? He shouldn’t care if his friend checked out Kate—she wasn’t his.

“I planned the ball for Michael. I didn’t see you there the other night, did I?”

Connor shook his head. “No, I just got back from London yesterday. I was working on a special assignment so I couldn’t make it.”

“Do you, um, keep people safe for a living?” she asked, her eyes widening with curiosity.

Connor smirked. “When it pays well,” he joked. “Michael explained to me the situation. I’m glad to be at your beck and call until he finds the bastard who is following you.”

“I don’t think we’ll need you today,” Michael found himself saying, deciding he could protect Kate today and skip his meetings. “I’m not needed at the office today.” So maybe he’d piss off about ten different people by not showing, but at the moment, he didn’t give a damn.

He had another meeting with the DoD tomorrow, though. He’d have to go in for that one. “If you could be here by eight tomorrow morning that would be great.”

Connor nodded. “I’m staying at the hotel across the street, so I’ll be close by.”

“Thank you. I think this is all a little extreme, but Michael insists, so I guess I have no choice.” She smiled at Connor and rose to her feet when he stood.

“We’ll keep you safe. Don’t worry.”

“Let’s talk for a minute,” Michael said. He motioned for Connor to follow him into his office.

“It’s good to see you, man.” Connor patted Michael on the shoulder.

“You, too. How’s your brother? Mason on his last tour of duty?” Michael folded his arms and stood in front of his desk.

“He signed up for another one, and then I think he’s done. My dad wants to groom him for the family business.” Connor rubbed a hand down the side of his head before he swept it to the back of his neck.

“When are you going to stop running around—risking your neck?” Michael chided gently. “You could work at your dad’s place, too, you know.”

Connor shook his head. “Fuck no.”

Michael didn’t press. Instead, he filled Connor in with all the details.

“And Jake managed to get time off to come help tomorrow?” Connor asked as they made their way back to Kate a few minutes later.

“Yeah, fortunately.”

“Good. Well, see you guys in the morning.” Connor smiled and said goodbye after they chatted for a few more minutes.

“So, what do you think of him?” Michael asked after the elevator doors closed.

“I like him,” she said.

Michael’s jaw clamped shut for a brief moment. “Good.” He looked down at his watch. “We have a few hours before Jake gets here. I was thinking that maybe you could try and sketch a picture of what the guy looked like—the one you saw watching you at the club, restaurant, and ball.”

Kate released a small laugh. “Me? I can try, but I doubt it will do us much good. Drawing is not exactly my forte.”

He gave her a slight nod. “Come on, I’ll let you use my office.” After providing her with paper and a pencil, he left without saying another word. He didn’t want to be alone with her. He couldn’t breathe around her right now. She smelled too good—looked too good.

And he had promised to keep her safe.

*


“You’re gorgeous.” Those were the first words that Jake uttered to Kate. Not “hi,” “how are you,” or “nice to meet you.” He opened with, “You’re gorgeous.”

Michael pushed his fingertips against his right temple. “Jake,” he muttered in a low voice.

“So, some asshole has been following you, huh?” Jake released her hand and smiled.

Kate decided that swear words sounded sexy with a Texas drawl. “Unfortunately.”

“Perhaps we could sit and get acquainted and discuss what you already know,” Jake replied before heading toward the living room.