If Trevor Ross had sent the man, what was he doing skulking about in the garage? And how had he gotten inside? She needed some answers. So when she reached her floor, she pushed the button for the garage and the elevator slowly descended. When she got back to the garage, Rachel found him squatting against a pillar, his cheeks wet from tears, his head tipped back. Hed tossed his jacket aside and unbuttoned his shirt.
Who are you? she demanded, snatching up her pepper spray and aiming it at him again.
My name is Declan Quinn, he said, squinting up at her. I run Quinn Security and Investigations. Trevor Ross has our firm on retainer.
Why are you here?
Ive been called in to provide you with personal security. There was a death threat made last night during your radio show. Ross thought I might be able to convince you to accept round-the-clock security. Your security detail was supposed to call you and let you know Id be waiting here.
Her stomach roiled. Aa death threat. Why didnt someone tell me?
Thats why Im here, he replied.
Rachel wasnt sure what to do. The guy looked trustworthy. And he did seem to know the specifics of her situation. Let me see your badge, she demanded, her voice shaking.
I dont carry a badge. Im not a cop. He reached into his pants pocket and pulled out his cell phone. A tear trickled down his cheek and traced a path along his strong jawline. For a moment, Rachel couldnt take her eyes off of it. Here. Call Trevor Ross. His number is on my speed dial. Hell explain everything.
She hesitated. If he was working for her boss, then shed just made a very big mistake. Why did you come after me? she asked.
I was trying to introduce myself.
With a soft oath, Rachel tossed the pepper spray aside and stepped closer. She grabbed him by the arm and pulled him along toward the elevator, the fumes from the pepper spray burning at her own eyes. You shouldnt have startled me, she scolded. Im really jumpy lately. And you came out of the dark. What was I supposed to do?
You did the right thing, he admitted.
She stopped short. I did?
He nodded. Your first duty was to protect yourself. And you did.
They got inside the elevator and he leaned back against the wall and closed his eyes. Rachel pulled her jacket up over her mouth and nose and observed him silently, taking her first good look at the man. Her heart skipped a beat as she took in his handsome features, the dark hair casually mussed, the straight nose and strong jaw. Her gaze came to a stop at his mouth and a shiver skittered down her spine.
How could she have ever thought this guy was a stalker? A man as gorgeous as him would have to beat women off with a stick, not chase them around in the dark. She wondered what color his eyes were. It didnt really matter. Regardless of the color, theyd just make him more attractive. Im sorry, she murmured.
He glanced over at her, his eyes narrow slits, then shook his head. You hit me in the chest and the hands. I have to get these clothes off. And its burning my hands. But if youre going to count on pepper spray as a defense, well need to improve your aim.
When the door opened on her floor, Rachel stepped out and the man followed her down the hall, his hand resting on her shoulder. His fingers were warm and gentle and when they slipped down to rest at the small of her back, Rachel felt herself go weak in the knees.
Such a simple, innocent touch shouldnt have affected her so strongly. Perhaps it was all the adrenaline pumping through her body that heightened every sensation. Every nerve in her body tingled and she found herself fantasizing about all the other places he might touch her body.
Hed introduced himself, but for the life of her, she couldnt remember his name. In all the excitement, shed completely lost her ability to think clearly. Quinn. That was it! But was it his first name or his last?
When they got inside, he gave the apartment a cursory glance. Ive got to get out of these clothes, he murmured. Wheres the bathroom?
Rachel pointed to the hallway on the other side of the living room. Down that hall, last door on the left. She watched him retreat. She could count on two fingers the handsome men whod wandered into her life over the past couple of years. Not that shed been actively looking for a relationship, but she hadnt been not looking for a man. It wasnt supposed to be so difficult. If her talk show had taught her anything it was that there was a match out there for everyone. But then spraying a guy with pepper spray didnt exactly create a great first impression.
She hurried down the hall and stood outside the bathroom door. Is there anything I can do?
Do you have any cooking oil? he asked through the door.
I think so. Rachel frowned as she headed to the kitchen. If hed asked her for cottage cheese she would have felt obliged to provide it. After retrieving a bottle of canola oil, she returned to the bathroom and rapped on the door. When he didnt answer, she pushed the door open.
He stood in front of the sink, bare-chested, his shirt wadded up in the corner. Rachels breath caught in her throat as she stared at his reflection in the mirror. He was slender, but quite muscular, broad-shouldered with a narrow waist and a flat belly. His trousers hung low on his waist, revealing a trail of hair that ran from his belly to beneath his waistband.
As he bent over the sink, she handed him the oil. He poured a bit onto his hands then rubbed it in. What are you doing? she asked.
Taking away the sting. After he removed most of the oil with a towel, he doused his hands in her facial astringent. Youre supposed to use alcohol, but I think this will do.
I have a bottle of vodka, Rachel offered cheerily.
Id prefer Scotch, he said. On the rocks. His voice was deep and rich, with a slightly cynical edge.
IIll just go get
He chuckled softly. Never mind. I dont drink on the job.
I could use a drink, she murmured.
Go ahead. Ill be out in a few minutes.
Rachel turned and walked back down the hall. When she reached the kitchen, she took a bottle of vodka from the freezer and poured a measure into a tumbler, then took a slow sip. This was not how she had expected the evening to end, with a half-naked man in her apartment.
After her show had finished at one a.m., shed looked forward to a long, hot bath, a good book, perhaps a movie to wind down, and then a decent nights sleep. In truth, thats the best she hoped for every night. But since the letters had started, she hadnt slept much at all. And now, a death threat. What was she supposed to do with that?
Rachel kicked off her shoes and sat down on the sofa, sinking into the down-filled cushions. She tucked her feet beneath her and sipped at the vodka, listening to the sounds of a real live man in her apartment. She closed her eyes and tried to pretend he was here for a different reasonfor a romantic reason, that hed emerge from the bathroom completely naked and aroused and ready to seduce her.
The fantasy was enough to distract her mind from her stalker, but then Rachel groaned and pressed her flushed face into a pillow. After what shed done, the last thing hed be interested in was getting cozy with her.
A few minutes later, he walked into the living room. His hair was wet and hed draped a towel around his neck. His eyes werent watering anymore and Rachel could see they were a deep shade of blue. She swallowed hard and tried to smile. Better? she asked.
A few minutes later, he walked into the living room. His hair was wet and hed draped a towel around his neck. His eyes werent watering anymore and Rachel could see they were a deep shade of blue. She swallowed hard and tried to smile. Better? she asked.
He nodded, then plucked at the towel. I hope you dont mind. My shirt is trashed for now. And I left my bags down in my car. Any chance you have a T-shirt I could borrow?
Bags. He obviously intended to stay, at least overnight. Who was she to object? Rachel shook her head. No. In truth, she probably did have something he could wear, but she preferred him half-naked. If you call the parking valet, hell get your bags and bring them up.
He sat down across from her and rubbed the towel over his damp head. How long have you been carrying pepper spray? he asked.
Rachel shrugged. She didnt want to talk about the stalker. For once, she just wanted to put it out of her mind and relax. She was safe for the time being and she wanted to enjoy it. What did you say your name was? she asked, running her finger around the rim of the tumbler.
Quinn. Declan Quinn.
And Trevor sent you?
He nodded. After the latest threat was called in to the
Rachel held up her hand to stop him. I dont need to hear about it.
Do you have any idea who might be doing this? Declan asked.
Her gaze flitted over his body, coming to rest on his hands. They were beautiful hands, well-formed with long fingers and neatly groomed nails. Are you sure you wouldnt like a drink? Rachel countered. I think I do have some scotch. She got up from the sofa and he quickly rose and grabbed her arm to stop her. His fingers were warm on her skin and she looked down at the spot where he touched her, suddenly unable to breathe. II guess not.
Sit, he insisted. Rachel did as she was told, only this time, Declan sat down next to her, stretching his arm out across the back of the sofa. Why dont you want to talk about this?
Id just like to stop thinking about it for a while. I dont know whos behind the letters. I dont know if hes serious or just out to scare me. Ive talked to a few thousand people over the past couple of years, so it could be anyone. The police cant seem to find this person and they dont take his letters very seriously.
They will now, Declan said. It is serious. He threatened to kill you.
And thats why youre here? To protect me?
He reached out to take her hand, and the moment he touched her, she felt a current run through her body. Rachel held her breath, fighting the urge to curl up against his body and fall asleep. Im tired. She glanced up at him. Youre going to sleep here tonight?
If thats all right with you. I can sleep on the sofa.
Theres a guest room, she offered. You might find something to wear in there. Mr. Ross keeps this apartment for out-of-town business associates, so maybe someone left something behind. And Ill call downstairs and have them bring your bags up as soon as they can.
She slowly rose, but he held on to her hand, his fingers weaving through hers. Are you sure youre all right? he asked.
Rachel nodded, touched by his concern. I should be the one asking you that.
Hey, Declan kidded. Im tough. Itll take a lot more than a little pepper spray to stop me.
There was something so perfect about his face, she mused. Handsome, yet boyish, but so focused. Her cheeks warmed with another blush. This was silly. She was treating him like some hero come to rescue her. He was an employee, a bodyguard whose only purpose was to make sure she was safe. As much as she wanted to imagine him as her very own sex slave, it wasnt going to happen.
Good night, she murmured. With that, Rachel turned and walked to her room. She closed the door behind her and slowly began to undress, dropping her clothes across an overstuffed chair in the corner.
But she couldnt drag her thoughts away from the man shed left in her living room. Sure, Declan Quinn was handsome and powerfully attractive. He was everything she might want in a lover. The only problem was, Rachel hadnt had a lover in her bed in more than a year and had begun to wonder if shed ever find another man willing to slip between her sheets.
Intellectually, she knew women could live without sex indefinitely, but the physical ache she felt at times was getting almost overwhelming. She wanted to touch a mans skin, to inhale his scent and feel the weight of his body on top of hers.
Men felt a much greater imperative to enjoy the pleasures of the flesh on at least a weekly or monthly basis. But a year-long drought was bordering on pathetic. Declan Quinn had probably had sex at least once or twice in the last week, maybe even with two different women.
She could write off her drought as a result of a busy work schedule or a lack of suitable prospects. There had been a few men who seemed like good candidates, but once they found out what she did for a living, they were less than enthusiastic about spending a night in her bed.
Rachel had tried to explain that she wouldnt be judgmental or critical, that even though she was an expert in sex, her persona was more a title the media had given her than an indication of her sexual prowess. In truth, her book learning far surpassed her actual practical knowledge. She knew exactly what caused a female orgasm, the physiological process that a womans body went through, but shed enjoyed precious few orgasms herself.
She had Declan Quinn at her beck and call for at least the near future. So, if she wanted to explore her options, now would be a good time. Rachel was well aware of what it took to seduce a manin most cases, not much. Men were much more vulnerable to seduction, able to become aroused with just the thought of sex.
Rachel slipped a thin cotton nightgown over her head, then crawled into bed, pulling the sheets up to her nose. She could walk out into the living room right now, stark naked, and chances were good that Declan wouldnt be able to resist a willing female.
With a low groan, she sat up and punched her pillow. For now, shed get some badly needed sleep. Her sex life could stay the way it was, at least for the next eight hours. Tomorrow morning, shed reconsider her options. He could be married, she murmured, trying to rationalize her reluctance. Or seriously involved.
The last thing she needed to deal with now, on top of everything else, was rejection. Especially at the hands of a man as sexy as Declan Quinn.
2
DECLAN SWITCHED OFF the light in the guest room. He carried the pillow and the blanket down the hall, then tossed them both on the sofa in the living room. He could choose to sleep in the comfort and relative privacy of the guest room, but he wasnt a guest. He had a job to do and didnt intend to let any bothersome sexual attraction get in the way.
He flopped down on the sofa, then kicked off his shoes. His hands and chest still stung from the pepper spray, but the effects had nearly worn off and he could see again. His mind flashed with an image of Rachel Merrill and he remembered his reaction when hed first been able to see her clearly.
Hed known a lot of beautiful women but theyd all been beautiful in a conventional way. Thinking back, theyd all shared the same qualitieslong, sexy hair, trainer-toned and tanned bodies, and a wardrobe that seemed designed to reveal as much cleavage as possible.