Page 11 of Croatia Collateral

“As will I,” Giva concurred. When she’d first agreed to help Jasmine and Ace Hammerson, she’d thought the mission a slam dunk, as the Americans would say.

Her gaze swept over her soon-to-be faux-lover, Dax Franklin, a knot of dread warring with a thrill of anticipation.

Giva had been prepared for the man’s appearance. She hadn’t been ready for his warm, sexy voice and full, insistent kiss. Even though it had been fake—a part of acting the part of Evan Maas—it had affected her.

More than she cared to admit.

Chapter 3

Fearghas Gordon, a Scotsman and former SAS, and Peter Atkins, another former SAS operative from England, accompanied Dax and Giva to the hotel as their bodyguards.

Dmytro drove the car, seeming to enjoy playing the part of chauffeur to the fake Evan Maas and Sasha Royce. He even wore a flat wool caddy hat to blend into the part.

Dax doubted flat caddy hats were popular anymore, making Dmytro’s cap seem appropriate for his age and personality.

Giva sat in the back seat of the vehicle with Fearghas on one side, Dax on the other and Peter riding shotgun.

At every right turn, her thigh leaned into Dax’s. At every left turn, his leaned into hers. Each time they touched, heat raced through Dax, pooling in his groin.

Why?

The woman was aggravating, condescending and full of herself. She had little respect for him and less desire than he had to spend time in each other’s company. How could they make their masquerade work if they couldn’t get along or even be civil to each other?

The kiss.

Dax had kissed her in front of the others to prove that he could play the part of an infatuated lover, even if he couldn’t stand the lady he was supposed to be in love with.

But that kiss...

The kiss had shaken him to his very core. His very hot, pulsing, suddenly needy core.

And she’d kissed him back.

Granted, she’d also tried to slap his face.

Dax’s lips twitched on the corners as he told himself that she wouldn’t have swung at him if she hadn’t been as affected by that kiss as he had been.

At least, he assumed that was the case.

Then again, maybe she hadn’t liked the kiss and had only responded the way she had to prove she could act the part despite her disdain for him.

He frowned.

If she hadn’t liked the kiss, he needed to up his game.

Challenge accepted.

The hotel wasn’t far from the Brotherhood Protectors Office building. Before Dax realized it, Dmytro pulled the long car up to the curb and waved for them to exit.

He moved quickly, hopping out of the vehicle before he embarrassed himself by laying a hand on that beautiful thigh peeking through the slit in the skirt of the red dress.

He admonished himself for being attracted to the woman who would be his partner in a very dangerous game. It wasn’t like Dax could ignore her. They’d have to be close and pretend to be in love...or at least in lust.

The lust part wouldn’t be a hardship. Giva was beautiful, with a body that didn’t quit.

Dax held open the back door for Giva.

Fearghas exited the other side.

---