Page 12 of ELITE Justice
He thought she was smart? Well, yes, she was. Her brain had just disengaged for a minute, or three.
“Gwen, it’s just a meal.” His smile wasn’t helping her word formation one bit.
She forced her glance away long enough to say, “Yes.” She’d regained enough composure to complete the sentence, so she looked into the depths of his blue-green eyes and said, “I’d like to go out with you.”
“I’m off tomorrow night. I’ll pick you up at seven.” Jonathan stood.
“Next door down.” She pointed. “I live upstairs.”
CHAPTER6
Jonathan was seton seduction as he exited Guardian’s Hummer limousine. Gwen was such a mystery to him and he was determined to find out more about the woman who heated his blood. She’d been in the Army yet had what he considered outlined plans for a terrorist attack. He’d been so concerned he’d had a long discussion with his boss over the situation.
Quin couldn’t believe Gwen was involved in homegrown terrorism either, but Jonathan had seen the proof right there on her computer. Together, they’d called company owner and managing partner, Alex Wolf. Jonathan knew the man was connected at the highest levels of government and could make things happen if necessary.
As Jonathan reached for the door to what he expected was her apartment, it opened.
“Let me go change.” Gwen ran both hands down her dress slacks, forcing his gaze to her flat stomach and curvy hips. “I had no idea we were going to someplace fancy.” Her eyes never left the waiting limo.
He smiled. In Miami, their fleet of limousines and personal protection crew were busy most nights. Riding in a stretch was a common occurrence for him.
“No place elegant, just the Brazilian Steakhouse.” He glanced over his shoulder at the waiting vehicle. “The Hummer was available, and I thought you’d get a kick out of being driven around.” It was partially true. Limos were one of the perks of being an assistant manager and it sure beat Uber since his car was still in Florida.
Her eyes darted between the large vehicle idling at the curb and her clothes. “You think I’m dressed okay?” she nervously asked.
He lifted her chin until her eyes met his. “You look beautiful.” He wasn’t lying. The red blouse was cut low enough to show just a hint of rounded breasts that he hoped to kiss later before he took her peaked nipples into his mouth and sucked hard.
Down boy, he warned his growing erection.
Concentrating on her bourbon-colored eyes that seemed larger in the dimming light, she looked younger than her thirty-one years. He almost felt guilty about the in-depth research Alex insisted they run on her. He knew more facts about the woman in front of him than any first date should. Her stellar military record was at complete odds with the idea that she might be planning an attack on the people of the United States. He had to play this right so that she’d invite him into her apartment, and hopefully her bed before the night ended. His intent was to satisfy her to the point she fell asleep. He needed to get his hands on her computer.
“I want so much to kiss you right now, show you how gorgeous you are, but I’m afraid we’d never make it to dinner, and we have reservations.” He forced himself to step back, sliding his hand from her face, over her shoulder, and down her arm to capture her hand. “Let’s go.” If they didn’t get into that vehicle right then, he would take her mouth with his and show her how much he wanted her.
As he helped her into the Hummer, admiring her perfect heart-shaped ass, Jonathan realized that he wanted Gwen as a woman, not just the mission. He settled himself in the soft leather seat right beside her, even though the limo could fit ten comfortably. He wanted to be close to her.
“You never did tell me where you went to college.” It was a good place to start his interrogation. He’d use his research to catch any lies.
“I got my BSN,” she clarified, “Bachelors of Science in Nursing, from University of Saint Mary in Kansas City.”
Jonathan already knew that. She’d left out that she was in the top five in her class. “Is that where you grew up?”
“Close. Leavenworth, a few miles outside the city.” She twisted in the seat. “My turn to ask a question.” She watched her hands as she refolded them in her lap. “I know you work for Guardian Security, but is there more to them than what it says on their website?” She held his stare as though his answer was important.
“I haven’t looked lately,” Jonathan confessed, “but we primarily do corporate remote surveillance, residential security, and personal protection. We’re quickly building a cyber-security team, though that’s out of our D.C. center. We don’t provide security guards, at all, but refer clients to companies we’ve deeply vetted. Our men have a specific skill set that is considerably above local law enforcement.”
Her gaze held his as she noted, “Some security businesses are fronts for private military companies. Especially corporations that employ a lot of special operations types, like it seems Guardian does. Are you involved in covert ops?”
Oh, shit!Jonathan had to tread lightly here. He’d been with Alex, and several other Guardian employees, a few months ago on a mission in Iraq. It sure felt like a military op, but he was there as a Guardian employee. His debrief focused more on maintaining the secrecy of the five women than on the overall mission.
If Gwen was part of a homegrown terrorist cell, what if he told her that Guardian did, at least once, operate in a military-style capacity outside the USA? Would it shut her down completely? Would this date be over? He’d been there and voted yes to Guardian men helping to save Nita from an Islamic State leader. And he’d do it all over again if Alex asked.
“We don’t have any government contracts as far as I know if that’s what you’re asking.” That was the truth. “We do personal protection, but I’ve never been part of any detail protecting anyone from the government. We do a lot of CEO-types.” Then he remembered one incident. “I did work security at a presidential candidate’s rally in Miami last year.” He shrugged as casually as he could. “Maybe they do more of that out of the D.C. office. I’ve only worked in Miami and now here.”
“I see.” Disappointment crossed her face.
Dodged that bullet. Then Jonathan worried that he’d let her down somehow. “Is there a problem with your security system at the diner or your apartment?” His mind shot in another direction and anger rose. “Has someone been hassling you? I can talk to the fucker for you and make him leave you alone.”
She laid a hand on his chest and reassured him. “No. No one is bothering me or harassing me.” She smiled. “But it was sweet of you to jump to my rescue.”
