[4 Seasons 01] Seducing Summer Read Online Free PDF Page A

insulting to him that anyone would think
otherwise.
    “I hope so,” Neve continued, ignoring his
glare. “Because you can’t tell her that you’re actually her bodyguard, and that
means lying to her, and she won’t take it well when she finds out—because she
will, eventually. She’s too smart not to. Life’s thrown a lot at her, including
a cheating boyfriend, a mother who’s determined to control her, and a father
who’s an arrogant ass but absolutely adores her, so much so that she can’t see
his bad points. I don’t know how much more she can take.” She frowned. “I don’t
understand why Phoebe didn’t ask for a female bodyguard. Why did she insist on
you?”
    “We go back a long way,” he said. He didn’t
elaborate, even though Neve’s expression glimmered with curiosity.
    “You’re one for secrets, aren’t you?” She
shrugged. “Whatever. I just want you to know that when you say you’re out to
protect her, that means all of her, heart included. Do you swear?”
    “Want to find me a Bible?”
    “Look at my face. Do I look like I’m
laughing?”
    His lips finally curved up. “I’m glad you
care for her so much. Please don’t worry. I’ll make sure she stays safe, in every
way.”
    “Okay.” She gave a heavy sigh. “We might as
well get started, then. Open your notebook.”
    Gene did so, trying not to look up at the
Sword of Damocles he was sure was hanging over his head.
    Come on, dude , he scolded himself. He only had to do this until the NZ Special
Tactics Group had tracked down the man sending the death threats, which would
hopefully be only days, a week at most, and should definitely be well before
Becky came back from her maternity leave in May. Gene liked sex as much as the
next guy, and it was true that he hadn’t had any for a while, but in spite of Neve’s
predictions, he’d never been a man to give in to his desires. He was sure he
could remain aloof, even if it took three months to catch the bastard.
    Ninety days of being practically glued to the
curvy blonde’s side. He stifled a groan, gave himself a mental image of
stapling her blouse shut, and concentrated on his notepad.
     

Chapter Three
    “Coffee,” Gene said, placing the cup on her
table. “Small amount of milk, quarter of a teaspoon of sugar. Stirred
anticlockwise.”
    It was mid-afternoon. He’d already brought
her lunch to her desk and had also managed then to give her a look that implied
her tastes were particular, just because she liked her salad from a certain
place with a particular dressing. She normally bought it herself—she had no
idea why Neve had sent him out for it.
    “I don’t know how you manage to make me
sound fussy,” she complained. “It’s not a word I’d ever call myself.”
    “Becky left detailed instructions on par with
planning D-Day.” He stood in front of her desk, hands behind his back as usual.
    She reached for the cup. “I suppose we all
have our quirks. And at ease, soldier.”
    “I like standing like this. It’s not cool
for a man to put his hands in the pockets of his suit trousers.” His eyes held
enough steel to warn her that she wasn’t going to be able to boss him around.
    “Fair enough.” She leaned back in her chair
and sipped her coffee. She still hadn’t made up her mind about him yet. He’d
been right in that a good PA’s job was to anticipate her—or his—boss’s needs
before she knew them herself, and Becky had been very good at doing that,
without the additional judgmental looks and rolls of the eyes. He was hardly
perfect PA material. And yet he fascinated her.
    “Do I get a biscuit?” she asked. “Becky
normally puts a chocolate Hobnob on the side of the saucer. Was that not on the
list?”
    He raised an eyebrow as if to say, Seriously? She sipped her coffee. He pursed his lips, turned, and walked out, then came
back a minute later with a Hobnob on a plate, which he placed in front of her.
    “Thank you.” She took a bite of the