Witness Pursuit (Bodyguards #1)

She turned as her name echoed up the stairwell. “Oh no. Tyler’s here.”


He pounded up the stairs and into the moonlight. “Dylan said you wanted to speak to Ben. To check in with him. Why the check in if you’re not a client?”

“Because…ah.”

“Let me speak to Ben.” He snatched the sat phone from her. “Ben, you need to be honest with me. If Lydia’s a client, I need to know.”

Nooo. Why had she told Dylan she had to check in with Ben? Checking in was the wrong phrase. She strained to hear Ben’s answer, almost toppling into Tyler.

Would Ben tell him she was a client?

He better not.

She caught Ben’s answer. “There’s no danger to her in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.”

Crap.

Tyler’s gaze darkened as he turned it on her. “So, she is a client?”

“I can’t lie to you. Yes.”

She dropped her head into her palms. Of course Ben couldn’t lie to him, and she should never have allowed the two of them to talk.

“I want the full story.”

“I can’t speak of it, but consider my placement of Lydia into your hands as my favored choice. No one on my staff will care for her the way you can. Take from that what you will.”

“Hell.” He snagged her wrist. “How bad is it?”

“Her case has top level authorization,” Ben stated frankly, dumping her in so deep she’d never talk her way out of it. “Tell her I’m sorry. I simply can’t withhold from you. If you wish, give her a kiss from me.” Ben hung up without another word. The traitor.

Tyler pocketed the sat phone, his stare drilling her to the spot. “You lied to me. I can’t get physical with a client, and with you being here via Ben, it makes you mine by default.”

“We’ve already gotten physical, and I’m not your client.” She spun around and left. Humph, stupid bodyguards. She couldn’t live with them, and she couldn’t live without them.



Every fiber of Tyler’s being revolted at Lydia leaving, and even though he should let her go, he followed her to their rooms.

She raced, glaring over her shoulder at him. “Ben also said if you wish to give me a kiss, then to do so.”

“He didn’t mean it that way.” He chased her along the lit passageway and heaved her to a stop outside his room. Then he lifted her off her feet and swung her inside. “We both know this can’t go any further.”

She let out a squeak. “What are you doing? You know I lied.”

He shut the door behind him. “Take a seat. We need to talk.”

“About…” She eyed him.

“Foremost I’d like to think we can be friends.” It physically grated on him to say that. “Which means there are issues we need to bring into the light between us. Please, I want you to sit.”

She stalked past him and plunked onto the couch. “I’m not sorry I lied, Tyler, just that I got caught. That’s still a nice bed, by the way. A shame I won’t be using it.”

He tapped his legs. “We need to discuss why Ben placed you with me. He may not be willing to give me the details since it’s top level, but you can.”

“No, I can’t. It’ll never happen. Nooo.”

“Ben’s placed you with me, so who am I protecting you from?”

“I don’t need any protection on board this ship. Didn’t you catch that from what Ben said?” She shoved to her feet, hands on her hips. “You said what happens here, stays here. You’re going back on your word. I want you, and you’re being an old stick-in-the-mud. So what if I’m Ben’s client? I don’t need guarding from you, not in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.”

“Sit. We’re still talking.” He had to lay out his position, and she was not getting away from him until he knew it all.

“No.”

He snagged her hand and dragged her onto his lap. “Right, take a moment if it’s necessary, and when you’re ready, start loosening those lips and report to me exactly what I need to hear.” He gritted his teeth. “And I’m not an old stick-in-the-mud.”

“Trust me. You are a huge Mr. Stick-in-the-mud.” She jutted out her chin, which looked far too cute for his liking.

“I want an answer.”

“You’re never getting one.”

“Then you’re not leaving.” He stood then carried her to his bed and dropped her on it. “I don’t care how long this night is, you’re going to speak before the end of it.”

“I thought the bed was out of bounds. What are you doing?”

He kicked off his shoes. “Getting comfortable.”

A mischievous glint lit her eyes and she tipped off her heels and scurried under the covers. “That was a bad move dropping me here after I said how much I wanted in.” She pummeled the thick white pillows at the headboard and laid back. “Get undressed if you like.”

“Are you trying to turn the tables on me?”

“There’s no trying about it.”

She wasn’t supposed to get in. This was about him taking charge and nothing more. Why hadn’t he seen this coming? “You can’t sleep in my bed.”