Jake shook his head. “You know, you’re treading on dangerous ground here.”
“I am?”
“She wouldn’t take kindly to someone suggesting she couldn’t do her job. She might even shoot you herself.”
“So you won’t do it?”
Jake lifted one casual shoulder. “Not for me to do. You’ll have to take it up with Jess. She’s in charge for the next couple of weeks.”
“Bastard.” He knew Jake could take her off the case if he wanted to. So why didn’t he? He’d wanted Zach to keep away—this could be the perfect opportunity to ensure that happened. So why wasn’t he jumping at the chance?
Across the room, Dani spoke a few words to the other two and headed off, presumably to the bathroom.
“Come on,” Jake said. “I want my wife back, and I’ll introduce you to Jess.”
Zach gave him a sour look. “Aren’t you afraid I’ll try and seduce her?”
Jake laughed. “She’d eat you alive.”
Kim turned around as they approached, her eyes lighting up at the sight of Jake. She moved into his arms and the two kissed.
“Aw, isn’t that sweet,” the blonde said.
They eventually pulled apart. “Zach, this is Jess, my second in command. Jess, this is Zach.”
A smile curved the blonde’s lips, and she studied him comprehensively, though he saw no feminine interest in her expression. “The asshole playboy,” she murmured with a wicked smile.
“Are you sure you’ll have any clients left after two weeks?” Zach said to Jake. “I think perhaps she could do with a little training in diplomacy and how to keep your clients happy.”
“Actually, Dani likes your books, and she reckons you’re not a playboy after all.”
“Just an asshole?” he asked.
“Zach has a request,” Jake said.
For a second, he hesitated. Maybe this wasn’t a good idea after all. Then he remembered the fear. “I want Dani off my security detail.”
Her gaze sharpened. “Why? You’ve slept with her and now you want her out of the way?”
Jesus. How the hell did she know that? Did everyone know? “No. I…” He ran a hand through his hair, glanced up, and saw the amusement in Jake’s eyes.
“Do you have a formal complaint to make?” Jess asked.
“No.”
“Then no can do.” She glanced behind him. “And here she comes. Perhaps you can take it up with Dani herself.”
“Not at my wedding, you can’t,” Jake said. “No fighting allowed.”
They all turned to watch as Dani approached.
“She looks miles better,” Jess murmured. “She’s not even limping after two hours in heels and she looks…happy.” She glanced back at Zach. “Whatever you’ve been doing—go right on. Just don’t hurt her or you’ll deal with me.” She emphasized her last words with a poke in his chest. Why the hell did everyone think he was going to hurt her? Wasn’t that what he was trying to avoid?
“That’s what I’m aiming to stop,” he said. “I don’t want her taking a bullet for me.”
Jess’s eyes widened. “That’s why you want her off the detail? Well, that does change things, but I’m still not taking her off. It’s her decision. Her life. And if she has her way, she’ll be heading back to a war zone soon, so get used to it.”
That didn’t seem real, though. And she still had the physical to pass. Maybe she would fail.
Dani came to a halt beside their little group and glanced around, her brows furrowing as she settled on Zach.
“We’re going to start saying our good-byes,” Jake said and tugged Kim away.
“And I’m going to…” Jess shrugged. “Leave you two to…do whatever you like.” She wandered off in the direction of the buffet table.
“So did you all have a nice little chat?” Dani said.
“We did—all about you.”
“So I guessed.” She eyed him suspiciously. “I am grown up, you know. I don’t need protecting. I bet Jake and Jess both told you to keep away, didn’t they?”
Zach smiled. “Actually, I think I just got their blessing to do whatever I like with you.”
“You did?”
“Oh, yeah. Apparently whatever I’m doing is having a good effect.”
“It is?”
“You’re glowing, and I’m supposed to keep doing it.”
Her gaze wandered down over his body. Did it linger at his groin? The idea made his cock jerk in his pants. Was she thinking what he was thinking? Like how soon could they get away? “That’s nice.”
“Though I’m not allowed to hurt you.”
“Well, that’s hardly likely to happen. It’s not as though I’m expecting you to marry me or anything. In fact, you’re my perfect guy—you’ll never want anything from me but sex, and afterward we can go on with our lives.”
“Of course we can.” But her words caused a little nag of irritation. She was so sure she knew him. Yeah, he didn’t have a good reputation as far as commitment was concerned. That didn’t mean he wasn’t capable of it, just that he’d never wanted it. He shrugged off the feeling.
“So what next?” she asked.
“I have a few things in mind, and they all involve getting up close and personal.”
“Like dancing?”
“That would be a start.”
Chapter Eleven
Zach’s hands splayed across the bare skin of her back, pulling her against the hard length of him. She was hardly aware of the music, only that it was something slow and romantic.
So why had Jake changed his attitude? Was she really glowing? And was that down to Zach and his lovemaking? Maybe Jake had just accepted that she could look after herself at last.
The hands slid down her back, sending shivers through her. They came to rest on the curve of her ass, and he squeezed gently, sending warmth flooding to her sex.
He lowered his head and nuzzled the side of her neck, his hot breath feathering her skin. “Did I mention that your breasts look fabulous in that dress?” he whispered into her ear.
“No.”
“They do. They make me want to slowly strip you, kiss them, lick your nipples. They’re waiting for me to do just that.”
She glanced down between them and yes, she could see the hard little peaks poking at the front of her dress. They ached with need. How much longer did they have to stay here? She looked longingly at the huge staircase that led to the bedrooms.