Page 2 of My Reluctant Valentine

Everything about her screamed innocence—the way she’d blushed, how she couldn’t quite meet my eyes, the nervous way she tucked her hair behind her ear. Jake was going to fucking murder me for the thoughts I was having about his baby sister.

She moved forward pulling a red suitcase with a large black bag on top. The bag slipped, and I caught it before it could hit the ground. Our fingers brushed, and the touch shot straight to my groin. Her hand was small, delicate compared to mine, and soft in a way that made me want to feel it everywhere.

And I did mean everywhere.

She jerked back, losing her balance on the icy concrete. I reacted instinctively, wrapping my free hand around her waist to steady her. She felt perfect. Right.

Down, soldier, I warned myself.

“I’ve got you.” I couldn’t stop the growl of possession even though she was Jake’s sister. My client. Something about her made every protective instinct I possessed roar to life.

“I don’t usually fall into strange men’s arms within thirty seconds of meeting them,” she squeaked, then clapped a hand over her mouth, mortified. “Though statistically speaking, airports do see a higher incidence of slip-and-fall accidents due to rushed travelers and—” The blush that hadn’t left her face since seeing me deepened. “I mean... that came out wrong. Very wrong. Can we pretend I said something professional instead?”

A laugh escaped before I could stop it. She was adorable when she was flustered. “Strange men, huh? Your brother vouched for me, didn’t he?”

Her eyes narrowed. “Is that supposed to reassure me? He thought it was hilarious when he put green dye in my shampoo before my med school graduation. His judgment is questionable.”

My shoulders relaxed slightly at her sass. Good. I could handle sass better than the way my body was reacting to her proximity. I released her waist, immediately missing the contact, and took both her bags.

“And yet here you are, trusting his judgment about me driving you around Hope Peak.” I noted how she tensed at the mention of driving. “Jake mentioned an accident.”

“Did he tell you everything?” Her voice was small now, vulnerable. She stopped, wrapping her arms around herself.

“No. He just said you needed a driver while you’re here.” I gentled my voice. “The car’s this way.”

She fell into step beside me, her shorter legs working to match my stride. I slowed down, matching her smaller steps. The top of her head barely reached my shoulder. Something primitive in me loved that, wanted to curl around her protectively. Possess her completely. Mark her as mine so every other man knew to back off.

She’s not yours, Sutton. She’s a job. A client. Jake’s sister.

“I really do appreciate you doing this,” she said quietly as we approached my SUV. “I know driving doctors around probably isn’t your usual security work.”

“You’d be surprised. Elite handles all kinds of transport contracts.” The SUV was specially equipped for mountain conditions and security situations. Her eyes widened at the obvious armoring and professional setup. “Your safety is my priority, Dr. Hawkins.”

“Ella,” she corrected automatically, then bit her lower lip. The gesture drew my attention to her mouth, and heat coiled in my gut. I wanted to capture that lip between my teeth, soothingthe sting with my tongue until she moaned. “And I know this is just a job for you, but... it means a lot. Being able to trust someone else behind the wheel.”

The vulnerability in her voice made my chest ache and now I wished I’d demanded more information about her accident. Looking at her now, I could see the shadow of trauma in her eyes.

I secured her bags in the back, then opened her door. She moved to step up, but her boot slipped on another patch of ice. I caught her again, this time with both hands on her waist. She gasped, hands flying to brace against my chest. Through the layers of winter clothing, I could feel her heart racing. Her breasts pressed against me and it took every ounce of military discipline not to back her against the car and show her exactly what she was doing to me.

“Careful, little doctor.” My voice was pure gravel now. “I’ve got you.”

Her fingers curled slightly against my vest. “You keep having to catch me.”

“Maybe I like catching you.”

Shit.That was definitely not professional. But when she looked up at me through her lashes, those wide eyes full of desire even if she didn’t know it, my iron control started to slip. She licked her lips nervously, and I had to bite back a groan.

“I...” She swallowed hard and I watched the delicate movement of her throat. “I should probably get in the car before I fall again.”

“Probably,” I agreed roughly, but neither of us moved. The air between us felt charged, like right before a lightning strike. Everything in me screamed to pull her closer, to taste those soft lips, to—

A car horn blared nearby, making her jump and the moment was shattered. I helped her safely inside, closing her door firmlybefore walking around to the driver’s side. My hands were shaking slightly as I gripped the steering wheel and I had to take a deep breath, to get my body under control.

One look. It had taken one look at Ella Hawkins to completely destroy my carefully ordered world. One touch to make me want to break every professional rule I had.

Jake was so going to fucking kill me.

CHAPTER TWO

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