Page 4 of Wrecked (McIntyre Security Bodyguard #16)

My right ankle is killing me. So is my left wrist. But my future employer is watching me through a viewing window, so I have to perform at peak level if I want to get this job. And he’s not the only one watching me. Cooper is, too.

That man! Jeez! I’ve never been so attracted to someone before. He’s so everything—he’s handsome in a rugged way that makes me weak in the knees. His low, rough voice sends shivers down my spine. And I have a definite weakness for older men. What can I say? And right now, he’s watching me.

For a hot moment, at the shooting range, I thought there was a connection between us, and I was excited about the opportunity to get to know him better. And then he threw cold water on the idea when he abruptly stepped back, both figuratively and literally. From there on out, he was all business.

So, why did he offer to drive me here to the office? He said he had business here, but if that were true, why is he here observing my hand-to-hand assessment?

Liam McIntyre and I are circling each other on the mat, both of us looking for an opportunity. This guy is freakishly good at martial arts, but then that’s not surprising as he’s a world champion in Krav Maga. He has the focus and drive rarely seen at any level.

He’s taking it easy on me—I’m not stupid. He could wipe the floor with my face if he wanted to. Shane can’t possibly expect me to beat Liam. He just wants to know that I can hold my own in a typical hand-to-hand combat situation. I can.

Liam comes at me again, and as I duck, I sweep my right leg, catching him off balance.

He hits the mat and rolls to his feet, coming at me again without missing a beat.

He manages to get me in a choke hold, and I turn the tables on him and toss him over my shoulder.

When he jumps up on his feet, he winks at me.

Yeah, he let me get away with that.

I ignore the pain I’m feeling in my legs and keep soldiering on. That’s part of the test, I’m sure. They’re testing my persistence and resilience.

I have both, or I wouldn’t be standing here today.

Finally, Liam calls it. He steps forward and offers me his hand. “Good job, Sam.”

“Did I pass?”

Liam nods. “Yes, you passed. Now, go get changed.”

I head to the locker room, which is currently empty, and grab a quick shower. That was a strenuous workout, and I’m soaked through. As I leave the locker room, I don’t see Liam or Shane anywhere, but Cooper is standing beside the mat.

My heart slams into my ribs at the sight of him.

He nods toward the door, not quite meeting my eyes. “Shane asked me to give you a ride back to your hotel. He said he’ll contact you about the job later this afternoon.”

I don’t know what I did to make this guy throw up a wall between us. His easy-going manner has transformed completely, and now he’s all business. Cold, even.

“That’s all right,” I say as I sling my duffle over my shoulder. His sudden change in demeanor stings. “I’ll walk.”

“Don’t be an idiot,” Cooper says, his voice even rougher. “You just had a grueling workout, and I saw how you were limping when you walked out of the locker room. It’s a mile to the hotel. Let me drive you.”

I finally force myself to make eye contact with him, and this time he doesn’t look away. It quickly becomes a staring contest. “Okay, fine. Did you finish your business here?”

Cooper nods. “Yeah, I did. Let’s go.”

I follow Cooper out of the martial arts studio. We step into an elevator and stand side by side as it descends, both of us facing forward.

And neither one of us says a word.

The tension is back again, and I don’t understand why. It’s like he’s mad at me.

It’s a quick trip down to the parking garage. When the elevator doors open, I follow him to the Escalade.

We climb inside.

“Hyatt Regency, right?” he asks. “On Upper Whacker?”

“That’s the one.”

And that’s the last time either one of us says a word until Cooper pulls up to the hotel entrance.

I open my door. “Thanks for the ride.” I stare straight ahead, not even bothering to look at him.

He’s doing the same.

“No problem, kid.”

Kid? Okay then.

As I start to step out of the vehicle, he says, “You did good today. Shane’s impressed.”

“I’m glad to hear it.”

“If he offers you the job, are you going to take it?”

I’m tempted to give him some bullshit answer, but if we’re going to be working for the same company, I need to get over my hurt and be professional. “Yes. I need the job. Thanks for the ride, Cooper.”

Cooper finally looks at me then, and I swear his expression softens.

Those steely blue eyes say a lot, and suddenly I don’t think he’s as indifferent as he seems. The corner of his mouth quirks up in a slight grin as if he likes hearing me say his name.

“You’re welcome.” And just as I’m closing the door, he adds, “Sam.”

As I walk away, I find myself wondering what just happened. One minute he’s hot, the next he’s cold. And now, just as I’m leaving, he starts to warm up again. I have whiplash.

The doorman greets me as I approach the revolving doors. It’s a nice hotel. Better than I’m used to. I guess only the best will do for McIntyre Security job candidates.

Once I’m up in my room, I grab a bottle of water from the minifridge and use it to swallow a couple of Tylenols. My leg and ankle are still killing me, and I’d be in a lot worse shape if Cooper hadn’t given me a ride back to the hotel.

I still don’t understand his behavior. I thought we connected at the shooting range. And when he asked me if I’d kissed a man, I could have sworn he was hitting on me. Until he wasn’t.

I lounge on the bed, leaning against the headboard and finishing off the bottle of water when my phone chimes with an incoming call from Shane McIntyre. “Shane, hi.”

“Hello, Sam. I’ve e-mailed an offer of employment to you. If you would, please read it over, and if you agree to the terms, please text me back and let me know if it’s an affirmative or not. If you have any questions or concerns, just call me so we can discuss.”

“I will. Thanks.”

After we hang up, I pull out my laptop and boot it up.

Sure enough, there’s an e-mail from Shane in my inbox.

I skim the offer. The compensation is generous—salary plus overtime if needed, medical insurance, matching 401k, vacation time, sick leave.

The real icing on the cake is free rent in his Gold Coast apartment building.

Included are some color photos of the apartment I’d be getting, newly renovated according to the caption, and fully furnished.

I know enough about Chicago to know the Gold Coast is a swanky part of town.

It beats sleeping in my mother’s basement in Dayton.

There’s nothing to think about. I pick up my phone and text him.

Me: I accept. Thanks.

Shane: Good. Welcome aboard. You start Monday. I’ll send more details this weekend.

I call my sister, but I’m not surprised when I get her voicemail.

She works long shifts in Labor and Delivery at the local hospital.

“Hey, Rachel. Guess what. I got the job. I start Monday. No more couch surfing in Mom’s basement.

Please pass the good news on to her. And call me when you get a chance, ’k? Love you, sis. Bye.”

And to celebrate, I order a burger, fries, and a bottle of a local brew from room service and turn on Netflix.

* * *

After I’ve eaten and the Tylenol has kicked in, I head out to walk around downtown Chicago. This is the first time I’ve been to Chicago, so I want to get a feel for the place.

I walk down N. Michigan Avenue, which appears to be the main thoroughfare of the city.

I stop at the bridge and watch the sightseeing cruise boats and groups of people in kayaks.

Then I stroll across the bridge and continue walking east to check out all the restaurants and high-end shopping centers.

I come across two men holding hands in public. Wow. I’m not in Dayton anymore. Apparently, the big city is a bit more open minded than what I’m used to.

When I first met Cooper this morning, I really didn’t take him as being gay. At least my so-called gaydar didn’t flag him as such. It wasn’t until he whispered in my ear that I caught on. But he sure changed his tune fast enough.

Shaking thoughts of him out of my mind, I continue walking until I come across an impressive bookstore called Clancy’s Bookshop.

I go inside and browse for a while. The building is an impressive piece of real estate in a swanky area of town.

It’s not the tallest building, by far, but it’s got class.

There are two stories of merchandise joined by a fancy curved staircase with wrought-iron railings.

This is definitely the biggest bookstore I’ve ever seen. The magazine department alone is mind blowing. I grab a Motocross magazine to take back to my hotel room.

After visiting the bookstore, I walk all the way to Lake Shore Drive, cross over to the public beach, and stroll south along Lake Michigan until I reach Navy Pier. While I’m there, I grab a Nathan’s hotdog and a Coke and sit and watch the tourist cruise ships coming and going.

My legs are starting to ache again, so I decide I’d better head back to my hotel while I still can. I am determined to make it back on my own steam rather than flagging down a cab.

Once I’m back in my hotel room, I call my mom to tell her about my new job.

“So, it’s official now,” I tell her. “I’m a bodyguard. The job comes with a lot of perks, including a furnished apartment in a fancy, secured building.”

“Oh, honey, I’m so happy for you,” she says. “I knew you’d get it. You can do anything you set your mind to.”

“Is Rachel there?”

“Sorry, no. The hospital was short-staffed this evening, so she picked up an extra shift. But I’ll be sure to tell her you called.”

We chat for a while longer about how things are going for her at work and my new job. She promises to come visit me as soon as she can. Rachel, too, if they can manage to get time off the same week. They work at the same hospital in Dayton.

After we end the call, I watch TV for a while, and then I get ready for bed.

As I’m lying naked in the middle of a huge-ass king-size bed, with the lights off and the curtains open just enough to let in the ambient city night lights, I close my eyes and remember what Cooper asked me in that deep, gruff voice.

Have you ever kissed a man?

Did you like it?

I grab the bottle of lube I brought with me and slick up my palm. I’ve been in a state of low-level arousal all day, ever since meeting Cooper. My mind carries me away with fantasies of being with Cooper. Of being at the center of all the intensity I glimpsed in him before he pushed it aside.

As I grasp myself firmly, I hear his voice in my head. I can picture his hands—those rough, masculine hands—on me, doing delicious things to me. He’d be a demanding lover. And the fact that he’s probably close to twice my age is a sheer turn-on.

I stroke myself, slowly at first, groaning at how good it feels.

Then I speed things up, my fist rising and falling, from crown to base, squeezing.

My thumb brushes over the tip, catching my pre-cum and spreading it around.

My eyes are closed, my breath fast and heavy.

I picture his hands on me. His mouth on me, making me writhe and moan.

He’d put me on my hands and knees, or maybe make me lie face down, or bend me over the table.

He’d prepare me with his long fingers, stretching and teasing me.

He’d lube himself up, and then he’d be inside me, pressing in, demanding, making me gasp at first, and then pant and groan and maybe even whimper at the size of him, because I bet he’s big.

My balls tighten as heat runs down my spine. When I come, hot and furiously, a thick rope of creamy cum paints my belly. I haven’t come so hard in a long time. I haven’t been with anyone since my accident.

My hand slows as I milk my cock to eke out every drop. My heart pounds, and my chest rises and falls like I’ve just completed the Ironman Triathlon.

After cleaning up, I crash in bed. My last thought before sleep pulls me under is, When am I going to see that silver fox again?