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“Great idea,” Cam said. “I love the idea of having our own set of spies.”

“Yeah. We’ll make sure none of them say anything to anyone. I’ll tell them to act dumb but keep their eyes and ears open,” Jo said.

Cam studied her for a long moment. How had he ever let Jo get away? Why hadn’t he made a move on her when they were still in high school? Biggest mistake of his life. Finally he said, “Having you show up in Ogden? It’s the best thing that’s happened for me in a very long time.”

Jo gave him a slow, heated smile. “Me, too, Cam. Me, too.”

Chapter 19

They left shortly before noon to get lunch and stop at a drug store. They were the only ones in the elevator, and Jo hooked her pinky finger with Cam’s on the way to the first floor.

He glanced at her, his face softening in a smile, and lifted their joined hands. Pressed a kiss against her palm, then twined their fingers together.

Jo swallowed, unsure whether she should pull away. Cam didn’t really want to be seen holding hands with her at work, did he? So when the doors began sliding open on the first floor, she untangled their hands and put some space between them.

Good thing, because Don was standing in front of the door, along with two men who looked like carpenters. Their hands were nicked and scraped, and they all greeted Cam. Nodded at her. Jo’s skin crawled as she felt eyes on her back as she and Cam headed for her car. It wasn’t because of the strangers, though. It was all Don.

She really needed to get over her fifteen-year-old memories of Don. Yeah, he’d been a bully in high school. Yeah, she’d always moved away whenever he got too close. But he’d been the one who’d stayed with Cam and tried to help him after he’d been beaten, while she’d run away from the group of guys who’d tried to drag her into the woods.

Fifteen years ago, her instincts had screamed for her torun. And she had, as fast and as hard as she could. She’d hated leaving Cam, but Don was with him, and she’d known exactly what would happen to her if she’d stayed to help Cam.

“My car insurance called today,” Cam said as they walked toward Jo’s car. “They’ve got a loaner for me until my truck is repaired. I need to pick it up at a rental car office in Geneva.”

“We can pick it up, but you’re not driving it,” she told him, glancing at him out of the corner of her eye. “I’ve been trained in defensive driving and collision avoidance, so I’m doing the driving for as long as I’m here.”

He narrowed his eyes at her. “Good thing I have the concussion as my excuse. Guys see me being driven around by a woman? They’d yank my man card faster than I could blink.”

She stared at him, appalled. “You’re worried about yourman cardwhen an intruder broke into your house last night? With two guns and two knives? You should be worried about watching your back. Making sure no one slides a shiv between your ribs.”

“I thought that was your job,” he said, his smile dissolving.

She kicked herself for reminding him of his reality, but she wasn’t about to sugar-coat the threat to him. And to Fiona, as well. Especially after last night.

“Itismy job, and I’m always watching. Always alert. Doesn’t mean you can stop paying attention,” Jo said, turning a corner and pulling into a chain drug store parking lot.

“I know, Jo,” he said, shoving his fingers through his hair. “I’m just…” He sighed. “Worried about Fiona. About my employees.” He drew a deep breath. “About myself.”’

She settled her hand on top of his, and he turned his hand so they were palm to palm. Fingers entwined. “It’s good that you’re worried,” she said after a long moment. “Because then you’ll pay attention to everything. Watch everyone. Two sets of eyes are better than one.”

He brought her hand to his mouth. Pressed a kiss against her skin as he inhaled her sweet, spicy scent. “I know that,” he said. “And maybe I’m overthinking this. But I don’t want to walk into any of the unfinished houses right now. Don’t want to meet any of my workmen at job sites. And those are things Ihaveto do. That’s my business. Myjob.”

“I get it, Cam,” she said, shifting so she could see his face. “I really do. Having a bodyguard is… limiting. A burden. You have to think before you make any move. It’s exhausting, and you’re still getting over that concussion.”

She ran her hand down his arm, felt his muscles quiver beneath his jacket. “And the concussion is the best excuse ever to explain why I’m driving you. Lingering effects of the accident. No driving. Doctor’s orders.”

“Yeah, I suppose that will work.” His smile was pained as he glanced at her. “No one’s gonna call my doctor and ask if those were his orders.”

In her tiny car, she was right on top of Cam. She could reach out and run her fingers over his face. His lips. That soft, tender skin beneath his ear that she’d kissed last night.

“Yeah,” she said softly. “No one’s going to question your doctor’s orders.” She swallowed. Just the thought of that accident still terrified her. Everything they’d shared last night wouldn’t have happened if Cam had been more seriously injured.

And thinking about last night brought back a flood of memories permanently burned into her brain. And her skin. Even fifty years from now, she’d remember the way he’d touched her. The way he’d responded when she’d touched him. The way the bristles of his beard had scraped over her skin.

She shivered, remembering everything they’d done together on the couch in Cam’s living room. The slide of his skin over hers. His mouth, giving her so much pleasure. The way he’d tasted, of sex and need andwant. And the need to do it all again. As soon as possible.

His eyes caressed her face, as if he was thinking the same thing. And the brush of his fingertips made her shiver. Made her yearn for him.

He reached out a hand and twined his fingers with hers. She brought their joined hands to her mouth and pressed a kiss to his wrist.