Authors: Joanne Wadsworth
Bodyguard Pursuit (18 page)
Overhead, the chopper’s whirring blades signaled its coming arrival. The white and blue aircraft flew in over the bush line, swept out over the bay then came back in. It hovered over the beach and bumped gently down.
A white-shirted Dr. Hika bounded out and raced over with his medical gear in hand. “Ben, I see you got your man.”
“Right over there, Doc. Sorry to keep you so busy lately.”
“Yes, and right when you stole my new nurse. You’re forgiven though.” He clapped him on the back then lowered to his knees and examined Hyena’s wounds. “I’ll prepare him for removal to the mainland,” he informed Kupita.
“He’ll require a secured hospital room for lockdown. Can you arrange that?” Kupita, with his buzz cut of springy black hair, hunkered down and bagged Hyena’s weapons.
“That won’t be a problem,” the doctor answered.
Tyler nodded at Ben. “It doesn’t look like we’re needed. I’ll run back to the inflatable and return with the boat. Has she said yes yet?”
“Soon. Very soon.”
“Nice.” Tyler grinned. “Congrats on the baby too. You’ll make a great dad.”
“With Saria there to guide me, I should be able to stay on track. Go and get the boat.”
“You got it.” Tyler disappeared into the trees.
How had he got so lucky to find the friends he had? Tyler and Brigs had never left his side, not in all these years.
And soon, he’d have a family of his own, and not of his father’s line, but his and the woman’s he loved. This baby would be theirs alone. How had he not seen the possibilities of what life could bring him before now?
His heart soared.
He’d never be alone again.
Saria walked ahead of Ben into their stateroom below-stairs. He closed the door, flicked the lock and turned his smoldering blue gaze on her. He was hers, and she never wanted to be parted from him again. “Let’s strike that new deal.”
“Which I believe you requested in a certain way.” He stripped off his shirt, kicked his shoes and black cargo shorts off then prowled toward her. Slowly, he tugged her white and blue striped tank top over her head and slid her short white skirt to the floor. “I intend to get my yes, buried deep inside you.”
“I can’t wait.” With her back arched, she unclasped her bra and released the pink silk. Her breasts bobbed free and Ben’s gaze dropped to her chest.
“Perfect.” He knelt at her feet, hooked his fingers around the waistband of her panties and tugged them down. With his hands on her hips, he kissed her belly then rubbed his cheek against her skin. “Little one, I promise to protect you just as I’ve promised to protect your mother, and I’ll be the best father I can be, not that I’ve any idea how.”
Her heart wrenched at his heartfelt words. She caught his face and lifted his gaze to hers. “You’ll know exactly how to be a father when the time comes. I can’t wait any longer. I need you inside me. We’ll do play time later.”
“One agreement coming up.” He scooped her into his arms and laid her on the bed. With one finger, he caressed her slick heat already pooling between her thighs, spread her legs and thrust inside. Rocking deep within, he murmured, “I love you, Saria. There’s no one I want to be with other than you. I want you as my wife, in the most binding of relationships. Will you do me the great honor of marrying me?”
“Yes.” Her heart soared. “I love you too. You’re my bodyguard, and I promise you forever, Ben.”
“Then let’s seal the deal, the way we know best.” He kissed her, until the heat in her blood turned to a raging fire.
Every inch of her throbbed and burned for more, and with her lips against his ear, she told him exactly how much she wanted him.
With breathtaking speed, he sent them both flying. Their love transcended any agreement they could ever forge, had brought them together when all the odds had been stacked against them.
Oh yes, she couldn’t wait to see what their future held.
It would be a treasure she’d never let go of, just like the man who’d always been hers.
* * * *
Later that day, Saria stirred and curled into the heat of Ben’s body as the afternoon sunshine beamed into their room.
“Thanks, Gilchrist. I’ll let the others know.” Ben hung up and slid his cell phone onto the bedside table. “Sorry, did I wake you?”
“What’s happened?” She stroked his chest then licked his flat nipple. Her breasts still tingled from the recent attention he’d given them and she intended to repay the favor.
“Gilchrist and his team have finished a search of Boyd Hyena’s Wellington home. They found conclusive evidence Mia Taita not only instructed him to make the hit here, but paid him off. Once Hyena’s released from hospital he’ll be extradited to New Zealand, and neither he nor Taita will get out of jail for a very long time.”
“I can’t believe it.”
“Believe it. Justice is finally coming Mia Taita’s way.” He tipped her onto her back and rubbed his body over hers. “That means you’re now free to live with me, take my last name and look after my dog.”
She chuckled. “What are you saying exactly?”
“We’ll skip the goldfish. Every child should have an animal to play with, or at least I’m certain that’s the case.” He kissed her neck, nibbled along her jaw. “Tomorrow, we’ll also head to the mainland and organize our marriage license.”
“You want our agreement fast-tracked?”
“I have it on very good authority we can be wed within three days.”
“And where will this wedding take place?”
“The beach where we made love that first night after you learned of my past.”
“Oh, what a perfect spot. You’ve got a deal.” She’d never give him any other answer. “And how do you intend to sign and seal this one?”
“With my body, and some strip poker. Do you feel up for some more playtime?”
“Yes, please.”
And play he did, as she got to play with him.
Another deal sealed, and in the most perfect of ways.
I love reading romance, but even more, I love to write it. My characters hound me, demanding their stories are told. I’m happy to oblige, giving them the romance they’re after, provided they can accept a little angst and adventure along the way.
In beautiful New Zealand, I live with my hubby and four energetic children, and adore using the stunning countries of the South Pacific as backdrops in many of my books. One day I hope to travel further afield, to visit the Scottish Highlands, America, and everywhere between.
Currently I have three series underway.
Highlander Heat
, historical Highlander romances, feature strong heroines whose paths collide with their delicious Highland heroes.
Magio-Earth
, is a fast-paced YA fantasy romance line, where across worlds, soul-bound mates battle against both love and land. And in
Bodyguards
, each heart-pounding story will bring you a bodyguard and the woman he protects.
There is no greater feeling than seeing my characters come to life, so come and join me...where romance meets fantasy and adventure.
To learn more about Joanne and her works, visit:
Website and Blog
http://www.joannewadsworth.com
Facebook
http://facebook.com/joannewadsworthromanceauthor
Twitter
http://twitter.com/JoanneWadsworth
Goodreads
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6469428.Joanne_Wadsworth
http://www.kensingtonbooks.com/author.aspx/29510
Turn the page for a special excerpt of Joanne Wadsworth’s
One witness...one bodyguard...one life.
Twenty-one-year-old New Zealander Lydia Sands witnessed the hit-and-run of a powerful man’s son. Her bodyguard is shot when the killer returns to dispose of her and The Program puts her in hiding. A year later, the case remains unsolved and her handler needs to get her further from the killer’s reach. Lydia detests the thought of being close enough to endanger the man who nearly died protecting her, even if it’s aboard a super-yacht traveling the South Pacific.
Tyler Whitehall’s shooting stole weeks from his memory. Physically recovered, he oversees security for Whitehall Shipping. While on a family holiday, Tyler is suspicious of the woman accompanying them without notice or security clearance, as his nephew’s caregiver. Stronger than suspicion is his incomprehensible attraction to her, and his instinct to protect her.
Once sensitive information is leaked, Lydia undergoes re-identification to evade a killer and protect the man who’d die to save her. Her bodyguard has just begun his pursuit, and she may have underestimated his abilities.
“That is one massive super-yacht, and one I shouldn’t be on.” Lydia crossed her arms, eyeing the four levels of darkened glass and sleek white panels as the luxury ship sat proudly in its private berth at Auckland Marina’s gated wharf. And was that a-- Shoot. Yes, it was. A huge kidney shaped pool glistened from the center of the one-hundred and fifty foot yacht. All the comforts one could desire, except not her. She shouldn’t even be here.
“Ben.” She swung around, leveling a glare on her bodyguard.
“Don’t say it.” Ben scanned the marina. “You’re getting on that ship and working as a caregiver. No arguments.”
“Don’t you ‘no argument’ me. Tyler Whitehall will throw me off his ship, or he would if he remembered me. What happens if he does?”
“He’ll have to dive in to rescue you.” He smiled then quickly straightened his mouth. “Tyler’s one of the best bodyguards in the business, and I still need you somewhere safe, away from home shores. With your case unsolved, Tyler’s ship is my choice.”
Tyler had been assigned to guard her after she’d witnessed the hit-and-run of a wealthy businessman. Ten days later, he’d taken three bullets in the back to protect her and four-year-old Jay. She’d never forget his blood on her hands as it had pumped from his body.
“Tyler put his life on the line for me. I won’t allow that to happen again.”
“Now, he wouldn’t have wanted you or the boy to get hurt. That’s what we do, guard.”
She planted her hands on her hips. “Yes, you guard, but no, you shouldn’t get shot. Not for me.”
“You’re an eyewitness. If we don’t have you, we don’t have someone to identify Johnny Taita’s killer. That’s when we find him. Which we will.” His look was sharp, determined and inarguable. “You’ll have the cover you need once on board with Tyler, as well as a break from the safe-house. Surely you like the idea of a cruise to the Fijian islands?”
She frowned. “That’s a trick question. Being in The Program means remaining in seclusion. Not on board a luxury ship. Tyler’s wonderful brothers and nephew will be on board. This is their family holiday.”
“You’ll be in more danger from Nico than he ever will be from you. Four-year-olds, as adorable as they are, are tricky little things. Nico has endless energy.”
“Children aren’t things.”
“Same, same.” He shrugged. “All that matters is you’re one of the best caregivers I know. I told Nico’s father, and he’s all for your arrival.”
“But he won’t know who I am.” She wanted to hit him over the head. The man was far too obstinate, and deaf. He didn’t listen to a word she said. “Even Tyler won’t know.”
“That’s the whole point of you having name suppression.”
“This is impossible.”
“I knew you’d come around.”
What? She was not coming around, but he nudged her from behind then directed her through the arched gateway and along the slatted wooden walkway. He rolled her suitcase over the boards. Its clatter overpowered the water lapping and sloshing against the pilings.
“What I should have said was you’re impossible.” And a lunatic.
He chuckled. “We’ve lived with each other day in and day out for a year. The safe-house will ring with peace while you’re gone.”
“Peace my ass. I’ve asked Saria to ride your tail. Damn it, I can’t believe I’m doing this.” She yanked on his black shirtsleeve. “I mean it. I don’t want to do this.”
“Hey, you’ll be fine. I know you’re worried, but you don’t need to be, and your sister’s in good hands. Stop stressing, and enjoy this break. It’s only on offer once.”
“Tyler’s on board that ship. You know the guilt I feel. I can never forget what happened to him.”
“Tyler recalls nothing of his initial Program assignment with you.” He pressed a hand to her back and moved her forward. “Simply assume the role of Nico’s caregiver and relax. This is your chance for a little time out.”
Relax? She rolled her eyes. “I can’t believe I have to leave Saria behind. Do you realize twins shouldn’t be separated?”
“Brigs is guarding her, and you don’t have a choice.”
“I could help with her correspondence study. Her nursing finals are so close.”
“I’ll help her.” He increased his pace. “And I think by the age of twenty-one, we can safely separate you two for a month.”
