I have clearly lost my damn mind.
Hamilton released a frustrated breath as he pushed away from the wall and stood upright, adjusting himself in the process. She had him so turned on, he was tempted to do something really stupid like strip out of his clothes and wait on the bed for her fine ass.
He ran his hand over his head and down to the back of his neck, struggling to recall any woman having this type of effect on him. Granted he hadn’t been officially hired to guard her, and the agency didn’t have a policy on sleeping with clients—yet—but still… He had his own rules about not sleeping with someone on his watch. Not only was it unprofessional, it could be dangerous. No personal security specialist wanted or needed that type of distraction when they needed to be alert at all times.
And Dakota was a distraction. A gorgeous, sexy, intoxicating distraction.
What had he been thinking? Why the hell had he kissed her? The moment their lips touched, Hamilton knew he had screwed up. But damned if he hadn’t wanted to get her naked. If the way she stomped off was any indication, she wanted that, too.
He glanced at the closed bathroom door. Once the shower came on, he had to force himself to move because all he could think about was her luscious body without clothes on.
Yep. I have lost my damn mind.
The moment he stepped out of the bedroom and into the hallway, his cell phone vibrated. He welcomed the intrusion.
“Yeah,” he said, recognizing Mason’s number on the screen. Hamilton dropped down on the oversized sofa and stretched his legs out in front of him, crossing them at the ankle.
“You okay? Egypt told me about the shooting.”
“Yeah, I’m fine.”
“What about Dakota? How’s she holding up?”
Had Mason asked a half an hour ago, Hamilton would have said not too good. But considering how she had kissed him moments ago, said otherwise. The way she’d handled herself tonight impressed the hell out of him. Except for the dream she’d had on the drive to the house and the few tears that slipped through, she had held up well. It was the strong chemistry between them that had him worried.
“She’s all right, I guess.” Hamilton gave him the short version of what took place and how they ended up at the safe house.
After a slight hesitation, Mason said, “I know how you feel about her father. If you being there is going to be a problem, I can send Kenton to relieve you within the next half an hour. Just say the word.”
Hamilton dropped his head back on the sofa and closed his eyes. He had extra clothes in his truck to get him through a few days, and he already arranged for his parents to look after Dominic. The smart part of him wanted to say ‘yes, get Kenton over here.’ Dakota was already testing his willpower. But a larger part of Hamilton, the part of him that feared she might be in danger, couldn’t abandon her.
He opened his eyes and lifted his head, only to look right at Dakota. She had changed into an oversize T-shirt and a pair of leggings. Her short hair, which was now curly, was brushed and held back with a headband, and her face had been freshly scrubbed. Hamilton had already thought her beautiful, but her natural beauty was on full display.
“Ham? You still there?” Mason asked on the other end of the phone.
“Yeah, I’m here.”
Hamilton’s gaze connected with Dakota’s. The spark of desire in her eyes ignited a need within him that he wasn’t sure how long he’d be able to fight. But then she narrowed her eyes as if to say ‘Why are you looking at me like that?’ He couldn’t stop the smile from slowly spreading across his mouth.
Yep. Definitely a sexy distraction.
“Mase, I’m good. I’ll be in touch.”
“All right, then. Well, as my pops often says, be good. And if you can’t be good, be careful.”
“Right,” Hamilton said absently, his attention still on Dakota. He ignored Mason who was chuckling on the other end before disconnecting.
“Was that about me?” Dakota asked, her hands on her hips. The T-shirt she wore was a little big, but it did nothing to hide the fact that she wasn’t wearing a bra and her nipples were standing at attention.
This woman and her lush body were going to be the death of him. But that didn’t stop his gaze from going lower to her toned thighs and shapely legs. He continued his perusal until he reached her pretty bare feet where her toenails were painted a hot pink.
She was a vision from head to toe and somehow, he had to figure out how to rein in his libido. He could easily go with Mason’s idea and get one of their other guards to hang out with her until Laz and his team found answers. However, the possessive side of Hamilton couldn’t let that happen. He didn’t want anyone having her back but him.
His gaze traveled back up her body, stopping at her full breasts. She was definitely more than a handful.
“Hey!” Dakota snapped her fingers, snagging his attention. “Eyes up here, Romeo,” she said, pointing at her face.
Hamilton couldn’t help but laugh. Her father might be an asshole, but Hamilton was enamored with his daughter. He didn’t know her well, but in the short time they’d spent together, he knew she was tough, had a mean right hook, and had a good sense of humor. He liked her. A lot.
“I asked you if that call was about me.”
“Sort of. It was Mason checking on us.”
“Was he making sure that you hadn’t buried me under the house for my father’s sins?” she asked and headed to the kitchen.
Again, Hamilton smiled. He had a feeling the time hidden away with her wasn’t going to be boring.
He stood, yawned and stretched as Dakota roamed around the kitchen, checking the contents of the cabinets and the pantry. She lifted out a box of cereal but returned it to the shelf. Then she grabbed a bag of potato chips but placed them back in the pantry.
Hamilton strolled over to the long breakfast bar and sat in one of the four high-backed bar stools that separated the kitchen from the small dining area. With the home’s open floor plan, he could see the whole house, except the bedrooms and bathrooms, from where he sat.
When Dakota opened the refrigerator, she let out a long whistle. “When you said the house had been stocked with anything we could need, you weren’t kidding. I might have to hire the person who was responsible for the grocery shopping. They thought of everything.”
“That would be Egypt. She’s my and Mason’s executive assistant and queen of Supreme Security. She’s the most detailed and organized person I’ve ever met. It probably doesn’t hurt that she’s also a little OCD.”
Dakota nodded. “I met her. Now I know why I liked her instantly. She’s everything I’m not,” she cracked.
Hamilton studied her. The shower had done her good. She looked more like herself, confident and relaxed. This was how he wanted her to stay. He never wanted to see the fear and sadness he’d witnessed in her eyes earlier.
“I’m starving. I think I’m going to bake some cookies.”
“Cookies?”
“Yeah, cookies.” Dakota started pulling ingredients from the refrigerator and pantry. “When I have nervous energy, I bake. Besides, I’m not that great of a cook, but I can bake. My specialty is homemade cinnamon rolls.”
“So, when you say you’re not that great of a cook, does that mean you can’t cook?”
“It means what I said—I’m not that great. That means I do all right.”
“Definitely code for can’t.” Hamilton pushed away from the counter and rinsed his hands in the sink. It was after ten, and though he was hungry, cookies were the last thing he wanted.
“What do you think you’re doing? This kitchen isn’t big enough for both of us,” Dakota said.
“I’m making us something to eat, and the kitchen is big enough as long as you stay out of my way.” Hamilton took the eggs from her and grabbed milk and a pack of bacon out of the refrigerator. “Are you allergic to anything or is there anything you don’t eat?”
“You’re going to cook for me?” She sidled up to him, standing next to the stove. “This whole sequestering thing might not be that bad. I get to stay in a cute house, have a cook, and a gorgeous hunk watching my six. What more could a girl ask for?”
“Watching your six? What do you know about that?” Hamilton pulled pancake mix from the pantry. Breakfast for dinner, or anytime, was always a favorite growing up and right now, he could go for a few flapjacks.
“I know it means you’ll be watching my back.”
Hamilton just hoped that he could keep his attention on just her back. Right now, her closeness was wreaking havoc on him. The fresh scent surrounding her was a mixture of soap and vanilla. He wanted nothing more than to press his nose to her neck and inhale, but that wouldn’t be enough. Besides, he needed to keep his mind on what he was supposed to be doing. Watching her back. Not her backside.
“Since I have your undivided attention, let’s discuss a few rules.”
She stepped away and grabbed an apple out of the refrigerator. “I know you don’t know me well, but I’m not really good with rules.”
“The safe room for you is the bathroom in your bedroom,” he continued as if she hadn’t spoken. “If something goes down, like me sensing danger of any sort, go to that bathroom and lock the door. You are to stay in there until I come and get you.”
“Hamilton, I—”
“If someone rings the doorbell for any reason, I want you in that bathroom with the door locked. If there’s a breach of the house, of any kind, I want—”
“Me in the bathroom. I got it, Ham,” she said, exasperation dripping from her words. “Dang, bossy much?”
“How many pancakes do you want?”
“Five.”
He glanced at her with raised brows.
“What? I said I was starving. And I’d like three strips of bacon, two egg whites and a glass of orange juice.”
Hamilton chuckled and shook his head. This woman was going to keep him on his toes.
While he prepared their meal, they chatted about her work, upcoming projects, coworkers, and she even told him about the pain-in-the-ass director who was over the current project. That reminded Hamilton of the conversation he’d had with his brother that day on the set.
“Why do you think the director is giving you a hard time?” Hamilton brought their plates and serving dishes to the round dining table. Dakota, who was slow to respond, brought over the drinks before sitting at the table.
With the threats her father was getting and now the shooting, Hamilton wanted to know as much about her and her life as possible. He wanted to believe she wasn’t the target for the hit at her place, but until they knew for sure, he wasn’t taking any chances.
“I’m not sure. I hadn’t really cared until the other day.”
“What happened the other day?”
Dakota explained how she was forced to do a stunt over and over for no good reason, and how she had gotten into the man’s face.
“I think he’s had run-ins with my father in the past.”
“What does that have to do with you?”
She looked at him pointedly, her left brow lifted as if surprised he even had to ask.
“Typically, those in the entertainment who have issues with my father automatically turn those issues onto me.”
Hamilton could maybe see that happening, though he didn’t like it. She didn’t sound bitter by that observation, just stating a fact. He happened to have been one of those people lumping her in the same category as her father. He might not know her well, but he knew enough to know she was nothing like Wesley Bradford.
“I probably should’ve said this sooner, but I’m sorry for my behavior and the way I walked out at the agency the other day. Seeing your father brought up some old feelings I thought I had dealt with years ago. There is still some underlying tension between us.”
“He tends to have that impact on people. So, why do you hate my father’s guts?”