“Oomph!” I grunt, rubbing my sore nose.
“Easy.”
The deep male voice sends goosebumps racing over my arms, and a shiver tingles down my spine.
“I’m so sorry,” I apologize as I look up into the face of the most handsome man I’ve ever seen.
My mouth drops open as I stare up at him. He towers over my curvy frame. For the first time in my life, I feel… dainty. His green eyes look so soft, but he has an intensity I can’t ignore. His dark hair is cropped short on the sides, but longer strands fall across his forehead.
“Sorry,” I say again when I realize I’ve been standing there staring at him and blocking the elevator.
My face heats with a blush as I sidestep him and practically sprint to the exit.
TWO
Jackson
It’scrazy how things can change so quickly. I’m only here at this hotel because I owe my friend a favor.
Calder “Cal” Hayes was my buddy when we were both in the SEALs. He left after a bad op and settled back here in Tidehaven. He started his own security firm and has been growing it ever since.
I’d just retired from the SEALs and was figuring out my next move when Cal called asking for help with security for an event. I agreed without a second thought. Sure, spending the next week at this posh hotel, guarding a bunch of spoiled, rich assholes doesn’t sound like my idea of a good time, but I owe Cal.
He assured me that it would be an easy, boring job with no real threat against the couple or any of their guests. They just wanted to feel like big shots and have security around. Seems like a dumb waste of money, but that’s their prerogative.
I was dreading the week… until the curvy blonde ran into me. Now, I’m so damn grateful I agreed to take this job.
The woman darts around me and heads for the door. I’m on her heels in a flash. I don’t know what it is about her. I’ve never had this kind of reaction to anyone before, but as soon as she looked up at me with those big blue eyes, something settled inside me.
Now I know what I want to do next with my life—whatever the hell this bombshell wants me to do.
I catch up with her in the parking lot, grabbing her elbow and stopping her in her tracks. She turns to look up at me, and my hand tightens on the straps of my duffle bag.
Fuck, I want her.
“What’s your name?” I croak, wincing at how rusty my voice sounds.
She blinks, seeming to decide if she wants to tell me.
I keep my hold on her elbow in case she decides to run again.
“Fern,” she says finally.
Her voice is sweet and melodic. It’s like every part of her was designed to draw me in. Her curves, her kind blue eyes, her voice. All of her was made for me.
“Where are you going, Fern?” I ask, stepping to the side as a family walks up the sidewalk toward us.
“Um, to get something to eat. I won’t be able to later, what with all the wedding planning.”
I relax when I realize she’s part of the wedding. That means I’ll get to see a lot of her. I’ll have a reason to seek her out and spend more time with her.
I should ask her out to dinner now. It can be our first date.
“Why don’t you let me take you?—”
I’m cut off when her phone rings. A flash of dread covers Fern’s face, and my protective instincts go on high alert.
“Sorry, I have to get this,” she says as she takes the call. “Hello?”
