Free The Bodyguard and Ms. Jones by Susan Mallery Page A

You’ve got a very romantic profession, you’ve been shot. All the maternal types want to baby you, the single women want to marry you, the unfaithful wives want to sleep with you. You’re a hot commodity.”
    He almost asked what she wanted. But that would have been stupid. He was occasionally a jerk, but he rarely acted without thinking. “I feel like a minnow in a pool of piranhas.”
    â€œNot a bad analogy.” She picked up two packages of luncheon meat. “Roast beef or turkey?”
    â€œBeef.”
    â€œDon’t worry,” she told him. “Somehow I think you can take care of yourself.”
    â€œWe’re about to find out. I don’t even know the rules here.”
    â€œThey’re simple. I’ll explain them as I go. Rule number one—don’t wear a towel when you answer the door.”
    â€œSo it’s better to be naked?”
    She grinned. “It would certainly be memorable. Although you might want to wear clothes to the barbecue Saturday. After all, Beth is going to be there.”
    He shuddered. “I’m counting on you to protect me.”
    She tore off several pieces of lettuce and handed them to him. “Go wash these, please.”
    As he took them, their hands brushed. The electricity leaped between them again. Their gazes locked for a moment, then they both looked away. Cindy might be willing to protect him from Beth, but who was going to protect him from himself?
    * * *
    Cindy stood in the upstairs guest room and studied her outfit in the mirror. It was only eight-thirty on Saturday morning, but she was up, had showered and put on makeup and was now trying to decide what to wear. She hated herself for caring.
    â€œIt doesn’t matter,” she said out loud. “He’s not even going to get out of the car.”
    It wasn’t as if she wanted Nelson back. She wasn’t trying to impress him. It was just a matter of pride. She glanced at the clock and swore. She’d wasted the better part of an hour trying to look her best, when Nelson was simply going to honk the horn. She was a fool. Worse, she was pathetic.
    With that, Cindy stuck her tongue out at her reflection and left the room. She turned right and walked to the two bedrooms at the end of the hall. There was a bathroom between them. Both doors stood open.
    â€œAre you guys about ready?” she asked.
    Allison stepped out of her closet. “I’m packed, Mommy, but Shelby doesn’t want to go. She likes Mike and wants to stay with him.”
    â€œIt’s important for you to see your father,” Cindy said. “I’m sure Shelby would miss you if she stayed behind.”
    â€œShelby will come with me,” Allison said quickly, her green eyes widening. “She was just wondering if we could stay home this one time.”
    â€œSorry.” Cindy moved into the room and checked her daughter’s suitcase. “You have a toothbrush in there?”
    â€œI still have to brush my teeth.”
    â€œThen go do it.”
    Cindy moved through the bathroom, into the second bedroom. Allison’s room was all ruffles and lace with stuffed animals filling the corners. Jonathan’s room was spare by comparison. He kept most of his sports equipment in the garage. The built-in shelves in the closet kept his toys tidy. On his ninth birthday, Cindy had bought him a computer and several software programs. It sat on the desk in front of the window and that’s where he spent a lot of his time.
    â€œAre you packed?” she asked.
    Jonathan didn’t look up from the screen. “Uh-huh. I packed my toothbrush. You don’t have to ask.”
    â€œGood.” She bent down and kissed her son’s head. “You have a good time with your dad. Be polite to him and to Hilari.”
    Jonathan put down the joystick and looked up at her. Brown eyes, Nelson’s eyes, stared at her. “She’s just a dumb old girl,” he