Eric lowered into the chair and raised one finger. “You want someone who is former military.”
Yes, because she’d been looking for the clean-cut, true-blue—
Another finger. “Someone who is skilled at undercover operations.”
Again, yes, because she wanted this guy to blend in her life, and big, bad Gideon hardly looked like—
Another finger. “Someone with a track record of success regarding investigation cases.”
“Great success,” Gideon cut in to say with a roll of one shoulder. “Though, you know, I don’t like to brag.”
“Since when?” Ben muttered.
Gideon winked at him.
Ben laughed.
Wonderful. So they were all friends. Good for them. But she wasn’t looking for a friend or a buddy or—or someone who made her stomach do weird twists. She was looking for a man who could help save her ass and keep her secrets.
But, apparently, Eric wasn’t done lifting his fingers because now he had a fourth finger up in the air. “You wanted someone who could move to your home and stay there for an indefinite period of time.”
Gideon’s eyes were on hers. “I think a beach trip sounds great.”
She would not growl at him.
A fifth finger was up in the air. Eric might as well be waving at her. “You also wanted someone who was not afraid to get his hands dirty.”
“I like being dirty,” came from Gideon.
She swallowed. “I just bet you do.”
He flashed that angelic grin, and she blushed. Blushed. What in the hell?
“Were there other criteria that I missed?” Eric wanted to know. “Because if so…”
“He has to play my lover,” she said with her spine as straight as could be and her chin still up. “He has to be comfortable acting like we’re romantically involved. Other people have to buy that we are together. I can’t have anyone in my life back home knowing what is happening.” Because then there would be too many questions. Questions that she could not—would not—answer.
“Don’t worry.” Gideon stalked toward her. “I know the drill.” Closer. Closer. His scent—crisp, masculine, and oddly compelling—wrapped around her. “Not my first time at bat.”
Fabulous to know.
He stopped right in front of her. His green gaze seemed to burn. “I’ve done this gig before.”
Good for him. Why was it so hot in there?
“I play your boyfriend. I stare at you like you’re the only person in the world.”
Um, his stare was pretty intense.
“I get pissy as hell when other men get close because I’m possessive, and I want everyone to know you’re mine.”
Okay…
“I stay close to you because I can’t stand the idea of you being separated from me.”
His voice had gone all growly and…hot. And she had to admit… “Fine,” Aspen snapped. “You can act like you want me. Got it.” Someone give this man a cookie.
His long lashes—why were his lashes so thick, damn him—lowered. “Right. I can act like I want you.” He backed up a step.
She sucked in a breath. “It’s just...” Find a way to explain this! “My associates know the type of man I am usually with. It’s not—”
“Me?” he finished. His lips quirked, and Gideon jerked a thumb toward Ben. “Let me guess…you’re usually with someone like him. Fancy suit.”
“Thanks for noticing it,” Ben replied with a pleased smile. “I bought it last week.”
“Perfectly styled hair. Pretty boy face.”
“Hey!” Now Ben was annoyed. “I like the phrase ‘classically handsome’ if you don’t mind.”
Gideon grunted. She took that to mean he did mind. Or maybe he just didn’t give a fuck. Fair enough. He continued, “I can be anyone. Not an issue. You want me in a suit, I’ll wear a suit. You want me to cut my hair. I’ll cut the hair. Doesn’t matter how I look, though, what matters is that I do the job.” His gaze still held hers. Still burned. “And trust me, anyone who sees us together will believe that I want you more than anything else. I will sell that we’re lovers, and then I’ll do the important part of my job.” His eyes narrowed. “I’ll protect you. I’ll make sure you can sleep well at night. And I’ll find whoever the hell it is that has you running to Wilde because you’re so scared.” A brief pause. “Even though you do a damn good job at hiding your fear.”
“You have a very good sales pitch,” Aspen allowed as she smoothed her hands over the front of her black pants.
“Thanks for noticing.”
She knew he’d deliberately thrown out the same words Ben had used. Her breath rushed out. “Are you really good or are you just being cocky?”
“I’m not good. I’m fucking fantastic.”
Her heart surged in her chest, and Aspen slanted a glance toward Eric.
He’d lowered his hand. Eric’s expression was serious as he inclined his head. “I was lucky to have Gideon join my team. He’s former Delta Force, and one of the toughest badasses I know.”
“Now you’re just flattering me.”
When she glanced back at Gideon, she found his eyes were still on her.
“He’s got a case closure rate that can’t be beat, and I can give you a list of his previous clients who will all vouch for him. He’s protected rock stars, tech CEOs, and several heads of state. If you want low profile, he can give you that. If you want safety, he will provide it. I trust him completely or I would not be recommending him to someone I consider a friend.” A pause. “You’re important, Aspen. Ben and I aren’t screwing around with your safety.”
“Damn straight,” Ben chimed in to say.
Aw, they were so sweet to her. She blinked quickly. Didn’t cry. Never cried. But Ben and Eric had no idea just how rattled she really was. Mostly because they didn’t know her, not down deep where she kept all of her dark secrets. “Thank you.” Okay, time for a reevaluation. She did trust Eric. His reputation was first-class, and he’d always been wonderful to her. If he said Gideon was the agent for her then… Aspen held out her hand. “I’m Aspen Gray, and I guess I’m now your girlfriend.”
His hand swallowed hers. She could feel the calluses on his fingertips, but his hold was surprisingly gentle. “I’m Gideon Ranier, and I’m the man who’ll walk through hell for you.”
She licked her lower lip. “Hopefully, that won’t be necessary.”
His gaze was on her mouth. “You never know…”
***
“Kid gloves,” Eric Wilde announced flatly.
Gideon watched as the door closed behind his new client. Ben had just taken her out for coffee. An unnecessary move—coffee could have been brought into the boss’s office, but Eric had been the one to suggest that Aspen be taken down to the break room…which had been code for…I want to talk with Gideon alone.
“You understand me, Gideon?”
He could still smell her. He could have sworn she actually smelled like candy apples. Crazy, right? But at Eric’s question, Gideon’s head turned, and he met the boss’s stare. “I understand. I’ll be sure to give her the deluxe treatment.”