Free Someone To Watch Over Me by Taylor Michaels

help but admire her while she
reviewed the plans. Morgan was in her element. Always pleasantly
clear in her instructions and the changes she requested, Morgan
demonstrated her knowledge and experience with this type of
project. When finished, she glanced over at him and smiled. She’s
relaxed, he thought.
    “Shawn, do you like Mexican food?” Morgan
asked.
    “Love it. Where do you want to go?”
    Ellen interjected, “Lupe’s is off the
swimming pool terrace and the food is wonderful. Please be our
guest.”
    Morgan grinned. “What do you think?”
    “I’m game if you are.”
    Morgan turned back to the hotel
representative. “I think we’ll take you up on your offer.”
    “Wonderful,” Ellen replied. “Please follow
me.”
    The event planner chatted briefly with Morgan
as she escorted them to the restaurant. Shawn scanned the dining
room when they arrived. The restaurant’s décor had a more
contemporary touch than the lobby. Leather chairs and Native
American sculptures complemented the earth tones and sleek copper
accents. As they settled into their chairs and surveyed the menus
he asked, “Dine here often?”
    “No,” Morgan replied. “I haven’t been here
for ages.”
    He grinned and shook his head. “Too bad, I’m
depending upon your recommendation on what to order.”
    Morgan grinned. “The food was wonderful the
last time I was here. Anything you choose will be great. Just be
warned, the portions are huge.”
    After they placed their orders, Morgan took a
sip from her iced tea. “How did you start with the security
business?”
    Shawn’s stomach gave a sharp twinge at her
question. He fiddled with his knife to collect his thoughts before
responding. He had to be careful. Certain topics he couldn’t
discuss and Morgan’s innocent questions could detour into forbidden
territory.
    “I started when I got off the LAPD about five
years ago. I first worked for an agency that specialized in
security work for the entertainment industry.”
    “Sounds interesting. Why did you come to
Arizona?”
    Shawn stopped fingering the knife and studied
her. Morgan had managed to get to the heart of what he couldn’t
discuss in two short questions. He set the knife down, reached for
his iced tea, and took a sip. Time to take a page from her
playbook. Tell her the truth, but not all of it. “I needed a
change and decided to leave the LA scene to start my own business.
So, I came here.”
    The waiter arrived with their meals and gave
Shawn a reprieve. They ate in silence for several minutes, but just
as Shawn began to believe he was out of the woods, Morgan asked,
“So where did you meet Matt?”
    Safe question, easy answer, he thought. “Matt
worked for the same agency I did. When I decided to start a new
agency in Phoenix, he wanted in on the ground floor and came
along.”
    “Does he work for you?”
    “No, he’s my partner. He has expertise in
electronic surveillance and security systems. In fact, he’s
assembled quite a team for the installation of security systems for
businesses.
    “Is he married?”
    Shawn, who had been ready to take a bite of
his burger, threw her a glance. She had a curious expression,
leaving no doubt she’d picked up on the mutual interest between
Matt and Stella. He suppressed a grin. If offering up his partner’s
love life would keep her out of his, he’d be happy to oblige.
    “No,” he replied. “Matt dates off and on. No
serious relationships, as far as I know.”
    Morgan smiled and took another bite of her
salad. “What did he recommend for my house?”
    “Matt doesn’t like the fact that the whole
property is open to the desert. Anyone could walk up to your house
with nothing to stop them. Would you consider building a
fence?”
    “Not unless I had no choice. I love the view
at sunset and the wildlife. I had a family of javelina travel
through my backyard a couple weeks back.” Morgan paused and her
expression darkened. “Do I have a choice?”
    “I’m not