Wild for Him

his mouth go dry and his groin tighten with an unequivocal heated awareness.

He immediately sat up straight before his reaction to her became obvious.

If that teal, off-the-shoulder sweater molding to her breasts and outlining the enticing curve of her waist and hips wasn't enough to make a man do a double take, then those black suede knee-high boots with a four-inch heel and that thigh-skimming miniskirt would render a guy brainless.

He knew this because he suddenly couldn't speak or think beyond imagining her strolling over to him, straddling his lap, and living up to the bad girl image that outfit of hers portrayed.

Good God, he was certain he was going to have to beat back half of the male population at Envy tonight, because somewhere along the way Christine had transformed from a wholesome girl-next-door into a sultry vixen.

As the silence stretched between them, she tipped her head to the side and regarded him with a good amount of amusement. 'I take it you like the outfit?'

He shrugged his stiff shoulders and attempted a nonchalant facade, unwilling to admit just how much her ensemble affected him. 'It's okay.'

A half-smile lifted the corner of those glossy pink lips that made him think of sweet cotton candy. 'You're such a liar.'

'And you're looking for trouble in a short skirt like that,' he retorted bluntly. Not to mention those fuck-me boots you're wearing.

She looked momentarily taken aback by his reply, and he was grateful that he'd kept the latter part of his comment to himself.

'Trust me, it's not that short compared to what some of the women wear to Envy,' she said, her hands on her hips and her stance full of sass and attitude. 'Besides, that's what I've got you for, to protect me from trouble.'

Knowing just how unruly guys could be when it came to a woman who looked as hot as Christine did tonight, he narrowed his gaze. 'You're not making my job very easy on me, now are you?'

'We're going to a night club, Ben,' she said with a long-suffering sigh. 'This outfit is completely and totally appropriate.'

'And sexy as hell,' he said gruffly, realizing too late that he'd spoken his thoughts out loud.

A confident, Cheshire cat grin curved her too kissable mouth and her eyes lit up with silent mirth. 'Ahhh, so you do like it, then.'

'That was just an impartial observation on my part.'

Her light laughter was infused with delight and too much satisfaction. 'Sure it was.'

He didn't say a word, figuring it was his smartest, safest bet in keeping the rest of his dignity intact.

She set her small purse down on a nearby chair. 'Look, before we go, I have a huge favor to ask.'

Grateful for the change in topic, he gave her his undivided attention. 'Sure. What do you need?'

She started pacing in front of the coffee table, distracting him all over again with the provocative sway of her hips as she walked. 'I know having you by my side for the next three weeks isn't an option,' she began, giving him a smile that didn't quite erase the nervousness that had suddenly crept into her voice. 'If my father hadn't hired you as my bodyguard, it would have been some other security agent in your place.'

'True enough.' He was beyond curious as to what she was getting at. 'What's the favor, Christine?'

Her pacing came to a halt and she met his gaze. She bit her lower lip anxiously. 'Do you think that maybe, possibly, when we're out in public together I can introduce you as the guy I'm dating?'

He blinked at her, not sure what to make of her unusual request. 'You mean, as your boyfriend?'

She nodded, looking relieved that he hadn't outright refused her. 'Sure, that works for me.'

He settled back against the couch cushions, trying to analyze her proposal, but unable to figure out her motive for making such a suggestion. 'And just why does that work for you, Christine?' he prompted. 'Why the charade?'

Again, she started that restless back and forth walk in front of him. 'Two reasons, actually. First. I hate having the typical, obvious security agent walking three feet behind me and looking like a bodyguard.'

A grin twitched the corners of his mouth. 'Cramps your style, huh?'

'That's not how I meant it.' A small frown marred her delicate brows and she shook her head. 'I honestly hate the fact that everyone knows that I have a bodyguard, because in the scheme of things I'm just not all that important. The whole setup just seems so… pretentious, and I don't like bringing that kind of attention to myself.'

So far, he was finding her explanation pretty darn convincing, and he truly believed that flaunting a bodyguard was so not her style. She might have always lived a privileged life, but she'd never given him the impression that she was a spoiled, pampered princess.

She slanted him a quick glance to gauge his reaction so far, and when he said nothing, she went on. 'If I could introduce you as my boyfriend, everything would be much more casual and relaxed when we're together, instead of so awkward, stiff, and formal with you lurking in the background.'

He didn't disagree with her rationale, but he wasn't ready to concede to her plan just yet. 'And the second reason?'

'I have to admit that this one is a bit more self-serving.' Her cheeks turned pink at that admission and she went back to nibbling on her bottom lip again. 'The owner of Envy, Craig Crosby, has a thing for me, but I'm just not interested in him in a romantic way. He's forty-one, and no matter how many times I've gently turned him down for a date, or dinner and drinks, he knows I'm single and he keeps asking me out in hopes that I'll change my mind, which I won't.' She sighed in frustration.

The name Craig Crosby sounded very familiar, and Ben mulled it over in his head until he realized where he'd heard it before now. 'Is Craig Crosby related to the developer Jonathan Crosby in any way?'

Surprise lit her features as her pacing came to an abrupt stop. 'How do you know Jonathan Crosby?'

'I don't know him personally. I just know of him from what's been written in the papers recently about the gentrification issue surrounding the upcoming election.' Jonathan Crosby was a big-time developer, and it was no secret that he was also a huge supporter of Charles Lambert, Nathan's opponent in the race for governor. 'In fact, it's been hinted at that Crosby is tucked firmly into Lambert's pocket and is guaranteed to head up the new construction on the lower west side if Lambert wins.'

Christine nodded, causing her silky soft waves to brush her bare shoulders. 'Unfortunately, that's all true.'

'So, is Craig Crosby related to Jonathan in any way?' Ben asked again.

'Actually, Craig is his son.'

He lifted a brow. 'So, you're socializing with the enemy?'

'He's not the enemy,' she said with a wave of her hand. 'At least, we're not enemies, despite our fathers' differing political views. Believe it or not, it's never been an issue between Craig and I. I do know that Craig doesn't have the greatest relationship with his father because he opted to open a night club instead of going into the development business like his dad, but I'm sure he supports his father, just as I support mine. People can be friends but not be on the same side of the fence politically.'

True enough, but it still made for an odd situation, especially if Craig wanted to date Christine. 'Isn't Craig kind of old for you, anyway?'

She rolled her eyes. 'Okay, yeah, he's almost fifteen years older than me, but his age aside, he's actually a very nice, decent guy.'

He sat forward and clasped his hands between his widespread legs, his gaze on hers. 'You just don't want to go out with him.'

'Exactly,' she said, her tone exasperated. 'I've tried to be nice about telling him I'm not interested, but he's very persistent.'

Ben's jaw clenched. He hadn't even met the guy yet and already he didn't like him. Then again, maybe his annoyance had more to do with his own attraction toward Christine. 'So why not try the direct approach and just flat out tell him thanks, but no thanks, and make your feelings clear so he doesn't ask again?'

She winced. 'You're such a typical guy and that's such a harsh way of handling things. Besides, men don't take that kind of blatant, in-your-face rejection lightly.'

'So?' Ben didn't see what the big issue was in that. 'He'll get over it. We all do.'