Free Love's Protector: A Maverick's Shield Novel by Charisma Chloe Page A

you could stay here with me or I can stay with you if that makes you feel more comfortable. If they did manage to find you I’d rather be with you.”
    The distress she felt slowly began to subside at the thought of Jason spending the night with her. Taking a quick glance over his muscular six-foot-three-inch frame gave her a sudden sense of security along with other feelings that also sparked her sudden arousal, which was quite odd at a time like this. Her body abruptly went from being cold to being flushed and warm. She quickly brushed it off as just being because of the fear and anxiety she was feeling. Sure that made little sense, but it was the best explanation she could come with at the moment.
    “Amour?” Jason said as his eyebrows rose.
    “Yes…um…that’s fine.” Her mouth suddenly became dry.
    “Great, let me grab a few things and we’ll be on our way.”

CHAPTER 7
     
     
     
    Amour’s suite was large and plush and the coolness of the air conditioner greeted them as they entered the living room area. To the inexperienced eye, it was an impressive place to stay but it wasn’t anything Jason hadn’t seen before while guarding wealthy clients. He entered the small second bedroom Amour had pointed him in the direction of and sat his large duffle bag on the queen size bed. He then headed to the second bathroom next to the room to wash off some of the sweat that covered his face from the ninety degree heat outside. Walking out of the bathroom into the small hallway, he could hear Amour’s soft voice as he stepped back into the living area.
    “Hi, I would like to order a large pepperoni pizza and a pint of chocolate ice cream please.” Realizing he was there, she looked up at him. “Do you want anything in particular from the restaurant downstairs?”
    He shook his head and she finished up the order with the person on the phone. “Hungry now?” he asked sitting on the couch next to her.
    “Yeah, a little bit.”
    “You must be feeling better.”
    She rubbed her temples again. “Still a little freaked out, but I guess I’ll live.”
    His lips curved into a smile. “You’ll be fine. I’ll make sure of it.”
    She nodded her head in agreement. “My head still hurts.”
    “I have pain killers in my bag if you want some.”
    “Aspirin?”
    “No, Norco’s.”
    She looked up at him and her eyes grew wider. “Isn’t that a narcotic?”
    “Yes.”
    “No, that’s ok. I’ll get some aspirin. They sell it in the gift shop.”
    “I know it’s illegal to take my medication but come on, who’s going to tell on you? This will work much better trust me.”
    She stood abruptly and headed to the door. “I said no! Please, just walk me downstairs to the gift shop!”
    What was up with her? That phone call must’ve really freaked her out. All that
    attitude over pain pills? “Alright, calm down. I’ll walk you down.”
    “Thank you,” she said dryly, and then headed out the door.
    By the time they’d filled up on the pizza she’d ordered and watched a couple of action movies on Pay-Per-View, the sun was starting to set. Jason took a glance behind him out of the large window at the nice view and it occurred to him that maybe a quick swim and the ocean would relieve at least some of her tension. He was about five seconds from suggesting that very thing to her when she’d walked up behind him and spoke before he could do so.
    “Beautiful view isn’t it?”
    “Yes it is.” He smiled as her words offered the perfect segue to his plan. “Why don’t we go and see it up close?”
    “What do you mean?”
    “Let’s go for a swim.”
    She looked at him as if he were crazy. “A swim?”
    “Yeah, you do know how to swim don’t you?”
    “I can swim.”
    “Then let’s go. It’ll be fun.”
    “I don’t have a bathing suit,” she said.
    “They had some in the gift shop.” He flashed a provocative smile in hopes of persuading her.
    She took in a deep breath, looked away for a second and