Free Bondage Celebration by Tori Carson Page B

should have had a say . No one needed to know Greg had her worried or that the hairs on the back of her neck stood up when she thought about the guy. He was bad news.
    Maybe she would prefer to have a bodyguard for a few days until the dust settled. That didn ’ t mean she planned to take orders from anyone — except Nick and that was only pertaining to sexual matters.
    She watched them shake hands before Evan took his place in the driver ’ s seat. Without speaking, he put the car into gear and headed toward the freeway.
    At the first stop light, her bodyguard tried to establish the pecking order. “Mrs Branson, I understand you don ’ t want a security detail and I can respect that. Lots of clients think it ’ s unnecessary until the first attempt on their life occurs. Occasionally, said attempt is successful because the client chooses to disobey or subvert a precaution their bodyguard had instigated for their safety.”
    Laura started to speak. Evan raised his hand, his index finger extended, “Please let me finish.” After Laura nodded, he continued. “You ’ re a very powerful business woman. I ’ m sure you don ’ t take orders from someone you deem unworthy. Well ma ’ am, I ’ m risking my life to insure yours. I don ’ t do that lightly. I make damn sure the person I agree to step in front of in a hostile situation is worthy. Mr Branson is a man I deeply respect. He asked me to take this job.
    “You might not like me. You might not think a bodyguard is necessary and personally I hope you’re right. However, I need to know if I give you an order you will follow it — because, ma ’ am, it might very well mean the difference between life and death. Specifically, your life or your death.”
    Laura let silence ride between them while they drove through the busy mid-morning traffic. “That was quite the speech. Well delivered. Perfect matter-of-fact tone. Even though I was looking for it, I didn ’ t detect any condescension.”
    She watched the vein on the side of his brow throb. Why was she pushing his buttons? Oh yeah, because he expected her to follow his orders and his reasoning made sense. And that pissed her off. And went against her grain.
    “Mr Evan, I respect the position you ’ re in. However, I don ’ t take orders, I give them.” Now it was her turn to shake her finger and stop him from interrupting.
    “Obviously Mr Branson has faith in your abilities, therefore I will assume you are more knowledgeable in matters of security than I am. That being said, I expect to be included in the decision making process as much as possible.”
    They drove another block in silence. “Okay, Mrs Branson, as often as possible, I will discuss the options and explain the foreseeable outcome for each option. Forgive me in advance if I deem it necessary to shove you to the ground to avoid a bullet or knife without first discussing it with you.”
    “Point taken, Mr Evan.”
    “Glad to hear it, Mrs Branson. In the future, I request you ride in the backseat. If we ’ re followed, or if another car takes an aggressive action, I ’ ll need you to lay flat against the seat. If said assailant can ’ t see you, it makes it slightly more difficult for them to shoot you. In the front seat, if such a need arises, your face will be up close and personal with my crotch. I ’ ve found it difficult to concentrate on work when women have their mouths in that area and would prefer to not have my attention divided.”
    Laura chuckled. She could see why Nick liked him. He was funny. She still intended to give him hell, but she would follow his advice. “I ’ m so glad you know your limitations, Mr Evan. I will be happy to ride in the backseat from now on.”

Chapter Four
    Nick’s mind kept straying from the task at hand. Updates on their active cases and rundowns of perspective clients weren’t in the same ballpark as the scene he’d shared last night with Laura. He’d never seen her sexier. His cock was