Page 6 of Body of Trust

I lick my lips and take a breath, almost shy as I ask, “What is the one thing about yourself you’ve always known to be true?”

The light in Jesse’s eyes darken.

His shoulders drop, as does the tightness in his jaw. I watch as his lips part and his head tilts. His eyes search mine, as if they’re looking for the answer to his question. I hold his stare, entranced by the calming blue in a raging dark sea of hidden intention.

I never saw it before, but there’s a secret inside Jesse.

It’s dark, yet it’s not scary. It’s guarded, and still, I feel like he’s screaming it at me, if only I were listening carefully.

He inhales quickly, and my breath hitches. I hold his gaze, awaiting the answer, knowing what he reveals will not be a lie.

“I’m a protector,” he breathes. “My entire life, I have known I would do anything to protect the ones I love.”

My smile lets out a nervous laugh. I lay a hand over my neck and feel my pulse racing beneath my skin. His eyes travel to where my fingertips caress the flesh and then trail down to my collarbone.

His gaze meets mine again, and I let my hand drop to my lap, gripping the skirt of my dress to keep myself from doing something inappropriate, like kissing him.

I stare at his lips. They’re perfectly pink and smooth.

I want to kiss him so bad.

It’s wrong. The timing, the place … the man. And yet, in this moment, I feel a connection more blistering and hotter than anything I’ve ever known. I don’t even know where he’s from, but I know he’d do anything to keep me safe. That alone is the sexiest quality a man can possess.

The air is electrified with stilled intensity.

His tongue darts out and skims his lip.

My heart races.

His chest rises, and his Adam’s apple bobs with an intense swallow. He’s as unsure as I am, and yet he isn’t moving away.

He inches his hand closer to mine. The warmth of his skin as his fingers brush against my own sends a jolt racing through my body, down to my toes.

His eyes turn darker, making my skin prickle with excitement. I lean in. We’re inches away, so close that I can practically taste him.

And then the room ignites with a blast!

Chapter Two

Bang! Bang! Bang!

A crescendo of violence and screams erupts from the foyer of Villa Russo.

Jesse leaps over the bar and pulls me down to the floor. I’m crouched on my knees with my hands on my head as he covers my body with his own, like a human shield.

The doors to the main dining room are rolled shut with the loud sound of a lock being bolted.

“What’s happening?” I scream.

Jesse places his lips to my head and shushes me. “It’s okay, Amelia. Stay with me.”

He lifts a gun. I have no idea where it came from. It’s silver and shiny, and it looks light in his hand.

“You have a gun,” I observe with an exasperated breath.

“Lucky for us.” He aims the weapon and shoots it toward someone entering the room.

I squeak and burrow into his side. My long, black hair is a veil, shielding me from watching as he lets out a series of shots.