Wild for Him

deteriorating lower west side to make way for a chic and trendy locale that would bring in a substantial income for all involved.

But Lambert's way would also destroy the inner city and those who lived there. Long-time residents would be evicted and displaced in lieu of modern, state-of-the-art buildings and upscale businesses. And unfortunately for Nathan. Charles had the support and financial backing of major developers and many of the cities wealthy residents.

The three of them finished the delicious main course, and Maggie followed that up with a heavenly-looking bread pudding drenched in a rich, decadent apricot sauce.

Christine took a bite of the dessert, then closed her eyes, a soft, appreciative moan escaping her lips as she savored the delectable taste. Ben wholeheartedly agreed that the confection was as close to ambrosia as he'd ever enjoyed, but it wasn't the dessert that captivated his attention. No, it was Christine's sensuous response that ensnared him and kept him riveted to the sated expression on her face. When she finally let her lashes drift back open, met his gaze, then oh-so-slowly swiped her bottom lip with her tongue, he felt his blood pump hard and fast in his veins.

She blinked at him, then smiled sweetly.

He dropped his gaze to his own dish and released a deep breath. Lord, she was brazen. Or maybe it was his overactive imagination putting a sexual slant to her enjoyment of the dessert, because her father seemed oblivious to his daughter's wanton display.

'There is absolutely nothing that compares to Maggie's bread pudding.' She sighed, and ate another spoonful, and Ben was eternally grateful when she didn't launch into another moaning, groaning, orgasmic like response again.

'I have to agree,' Nathan said in between bites. 'I think she outdid herself this time, if that's even possible.'

'Absolutely.' Christine wiped away a bit of sauce from the corner of her mouth. 'By the way, Ben, since you've officially been hired as my bodyguard, I wanted to let you know ahead of time that I have plans tonight.'

Ben swallowed hard, trying not to choke on the bread pudding he'd just eaten. 'A date?' Jeesuz, was he about to be a tagalong chaperone while Christine went out with some guy? How awkward was that? He hadn't even considered that possibility, and for some odd reason the thought of her being with another man as he stood close by and watched made his stomach churn with something too close to jealousy.

And he was so not the jealous type.

'A date, an engagement, whatever you want to call it,' she clarified with a wave of her hand, which sent off another melodious sound from her gold bracelets. 'I'm meeting up with some friends at Envy. It's a nightclub in the city. Have you been there before?'

He shook his head. 'No. I've heard of it, though.' Envy was so not his type of place to hang out. It was like comparing sophisticated cosmopolitans and caviar to the cheap beer and pretzels he preferred. But it didn't matter what he liked, because he was being paid to remain by Christine's side, no matter what she did or where she went.

'As far as I'm concerned, Envy is a hedonistic place, and you don't belong there,' a pretentious female voice interjected, the chastisement in her tone glaringly evident.

Ben immediately recognized the voice. It seemed that Audrey Delacroix had deigned to grace them with her presence.

Christine rolled her eyes at her mother's derogatory comment. Then, with a smile in place, she glanced toward where Audrey had just entered the dining room, dressed in a brown silk blouse and matching slacks. Her blond hair was pulled back into a complicated twist, and though her makeup had been impeccably applied, there was no mistaking the dark circles beneath both of her eyes.

'Hello, Mother,' Christine said amicably.

Ben automatically stood up, not daring to look at Christine this time. His manners were ingrained, and he figured greeting Audrey formally might earn him a few points in his favor. 'Good afternoon, Mrs. Delacroix.'

Audrey spared him a brief, dismissive look that made him feel like pond scum and said nothing in reply. Ben sat back down. Clearly, she didn't appreciate him, the hired help, eating lunch in her fancy- schmancy dining room with her husband and daughter.

Nathan nodded toward his wife, his acknowledgment stiff and forced. 'Audrey.'

'Nathan.' She gave him an insincere smile in return.

Oh, boy. The strain and tension in the room was suddenly thick enough to cut with a knife, and Ben decided his best course of action was to keep his mouth shut, finish his dessert, and try to blend in with the damask wallpaper behind him.

Audrey slid gracefully into the chair at the farthest end of the table, keeping herself separated from the three of them. She gave her daughter a pointed look, her blue eyes brimming with disapproval. 'I don't understand why you feel the need to go to a place like Envy.'

Christine straightened in her seat and didn't back down from her mother's criticism. 'It's a night club, Mother. It's fun, I enjoy being with friends, and I've hosted events and parties there. I go for business as well as for pleasure.'

Audrey opened her napkin and smoothed it onto her lap. 'Then maybe you ought to reconsider your so-called job, as well as the people you choose to hang out with.'

Christine stared at her mother, a glimmer of hurt passing over her features before firm conviction took its place. She opened her mouth to say something, but her father was much quicker.

'Leave her alone, Audrey,' Nathan cut in brusquely. 'She's not doing anything wrong or something that's going to sully the Delacroix name.'

Audrey pursed her pink lips and glared at her husband, but remained quiet.

Maggie came out of the kitchen, and Audrey asked the other woman to bring her some dry toast and fresh fruit. Once she was gone, Nathan spoke.

'Just so you know, I've hired Ben here as security for Christine,' he told his wife, 'and Dominic has been assigned to you for the next few weeks.'

Audrey appeared totally put out and annoyed. 'I'll be glad when the election is over. The last thing I need is a bodyguard dogging my every move.'

'I'm sorry it's such an inconvenience,' Nathan replied, his apology genuine.

Instead of softening, Audrey's gaze darkened with resentment. 'It's for the greater good, now isn't it?'

Ben nearly winced at the sarcasm in the woman's tone.

Nathan sighed heavily, almost with defeat. Placing his napkin on the table, he pushed back his chair and stood. 'You'll have to excuse me. I have an appointment with my advisors at the office.'

Audrey lifted an incredulous brow. 'On a Sunday?'

'Yes, on a Sunday.' Nathan met his wife's gaze, and Ben watched as something passed between the two, a battle of wills that had Audrey bristling. 'I don't know how late I'll be home, so feel free to make other plans for the evening.'

Before Audrey had a chance to respond, Nathan glanced at his daughter, his smile affectionate and warm. 'As always, it was wonderful seeing you, sweetheart.'

'You too, Daddy,' she said softly.

Nathan turned toward Ben. 'Make sure you take care of my girl,' he said, his gaze speaking volumes.

Nodding, Ben shook the other man's hand, sealing the deal they'd made back in his study. 'I will, sir,' he promised.

And that meant keeping his eyes and ears open for trouble, and his hands off his client.

Chapter Two

CHRISTINE had never been so grateful to leave her parents' house, not to mention escape her mother's constant criticism of how she lived her life now that she was no longer engaged and living at home. And, as her