Sarah’s breath caught.She’d seen him grin before, of course, but this was the first time his lips had curled in such tender emotion.Fine lines at the corners of his eyes crinkled.With his index finger, he touched the child’s velvety cheek.With his face only inches from hers, he lifted his gaze to hers, and she could not look away.
“You’ll make a wonderful mother,” he said.
Sarah swallowed.Hard.She felt as though she was melting inside.A deep, sensual pull enveloped her.
Yet somehow, in a way she couldn’t yet define, she found his intelligence, and yes, tenderness, even more erotic.
“Wow.”The soft utterance came from the young mother, still nursing her child.Becca’s eyes were round as salad plates, her mouth slightly open, as her gaze swung from Ben to Sarah and back again.“I’ve just delivered two basketballs, so in no way am I feeling sexy right now.Although the heat generated between you two could melt steel.”She fanned her face.“Phew.”
Rio came into the room to sit beside his wife.“Sooner or later, I knew that would happen,” he said, peering under the concealing blanket at his baby.“Just a matter of time.”
Sarah focused on the child in her arms.“Don’t be silly,” she muttered, embarrassed.
Still pressed close to her side, Ben denied nothing.
Becca smiled at her husband.“I’ve never asked you this, but what is the origin of your name?Why’d your dad decide on something as unusual as Rio?”
Rio and Sarah exchanged smiles.He said, “Dad says he saw a TV special on Rio de Janeiro.It showed beautiful beaches and unusually shaped mountains.He’s always wanted to go there.”
“Yet he knows he never will,” Sarah filled in.“So, he named his son, Rio.”
“Cool,” Becca said.“Mystery solved.”
****
Late in the morning, they arrived at Paxton Security to find fifteen military-aged males already there.Some were wearing camouflage, some street clothing.A number of them were clearly packing.They stood around the office while Marge and the others tried to restore order.Everyone was talking.The office was pandemonium.Two dogs, held on leashes, sat obediently, panting.
Taking it all in, Ben stood in the open doorway, his feet spread wide, his arms hanging loosely at his sides.
Sensing that something was about to happen, Sarah eased past him and went to linger in his private office where she could view the proceedings but be out of the way.As she moved through the crowd, every male watched her progress.She refused to meet anyone’s eyes and quietly took a chair.
“Welcome,” Ben said in a deep, loud voice, gaining the group’s attention.He remained in the doorway, silhouetted against the morning sun.Putting his hands on his hips, he said, “I’m Ben Paxton.We’ve been preparing for your arrival, and I’m looking forward to getting to know each of you well.”
A few of the men murmured hellos.A couple crossed their arms, taking Ben’s measure.
Through the open door, Sarah observed them.Obviously, they were all cut from the same alpha male cloth, yet each with his own particular ideas and opinions.She could see that it was going to take a strong leader to corral them.
“Now,” Ben told them, his voice ringing with authority, “we’re going to process you one at a time.Marge has forms for you to fill out.Sunny and Linda will give you training schedules.”He indicated the frazzled women.“Tulip will put you on the payroll.”
“Question!”One slender man in chinos raised a finger in the air.
Ben leveled a direct gaze on him.“Your name?”
“Stevens, Sir.My question.”His gaze slid to where Sarah was peeking out from Ben’s office.“Is that Sarah Lang?”
“Sarah,” Ben said in clipped tones, “is under my personal protection and the protection of this firm.She’s been threatened by a dangerous member of the public, and law enforcement has yet to locate or identify him.At this point, none of you need concern yourself with that.From now on, you’ll be too busy to wonder about her, think about her, or even cast a glance in her direction.”His gaze turned into a glare.“Is that understood, Stevens?”
Stevens dropped his eyes and nodded.“Sir.”
“Do you have some area of expertise?”
“Communications, Sir,” Stevens replied promptly.“If it has a signal, I can operate it.”
“Good.We can use your skills.”Ben allowed his gaze to fall, in turn, on each man.“Respect for and between employees of this firm is of paramount importance.That goes from you to each other, to the office staff, and to me.In turn, it will also go from me to you.”
A few of the men glanced at each other and seemed to approve.
“We do work collaboratively here,” he went on, “but first and foremost, you’ll answer to me.This isn’t a big firm.Yet.We’re growing and you are now an important part of that growth.You’ll be expected to conform to our standards, and they may well be higher than other places you’ve worked.”
