Chapter 1

Chapter

One

Jarom Love eased open the door of his suite and sauntered in. His phone buzzed in his pocket, but he allowed himself to ignore it for the moment. It had been a basic night at a lackluster party with bodyguards surrounding him instead of enjoying his own friends. Playing the role of an endangered man had really cramped his style. He always ate up the flirtations of his crowd of adoring women, but being a target was wearing on him and the empty flirtations had been more of an annoyance than a distraction tonight. He’d wondered lately if his mother was right and he needed to find the ‘right woman’ who didn’t care about his ‘pretty boy’ face and billions of dollars.

As he traversed his suite, he imagined he felt an outside breeze of crisp autumn, pine, and falling leaf air. Though it was a beautiful October evening in Aspen, Colorado, his security wouldn’t allow an open window. They were too concerned about Benjamin Oliver plucking Jarom out from under their iron fists .

So the infamous scoundrel wanted him dead? He was over the drivel.

Jarom signed. He was the lackluster one, not the party or the ladies. Hiding from a criminal was exhausting. He’d rather face the man than hide from him. If the famed Aiden Porter was so high and mighty, why didn’t he capture Benjamin? All Jarom had done was a simple favor for his good friends Captain Eli and Livvy Grant, pretending to be engaged to Elizabeth Oliver for one evening to protect her from her father. Little had he known his moment of chivalrous bravery would throw his life into such upheaval.

“Low lights,” Jarom said, wrenching his tie off and unbuttoning his dress shirt on his way to his closet. He’d designed this shirt, his pants, and dozens of other men’s wear items. His team had worked out the details, manufactured, and marketed his creations. Love Designer Wear was all the rage and more expensive than Brioni.

He stopped short, eyes widening in surprise as he rumpled his Stefano Ricci tie in his hand.

An exquisitely gorgeous brunette lounged in an overstuffed chair by the unlit fireplace and open patio doors. That explained the fresh breeze but raised more urgent questions. How did those doors get opened and how did this woman get past his security?

He should hold down the buttons on his cell phone or call out to bring security in. He found himself frozen, staring in awe at the beauty smiling up at him.

She wore a black fitted T-shirt and tights, reclined with her legs crossed as if she were wearing a sultry evening dress and heels. Her face was smooth and naturally tanned, with high cheek bones, full pouty lips, and unique molten-gold eyes framed by thick lashes.

She arched a perfect eyebrow and said, “Jarom Love. I know it is with great pleasure that you cast your eyes on my unparalleled beauty.” She smiled. There was an angelic innocence about her face that may have been a front. That smile and the flash of humor in her eyes … she was mischievous, knew how to get what she wanted, and no one had better dare to stop her.

He’d never been so intrigued by a first glance.

“And who should I thank for the blessing of such a pleasure?” he asked. It was quite possible she was an assassin sent by Benjamin Oliver. Why, then, did he find himself enchanted by her golden eyes and doing nothing to save his own life?

“Are you certain it’s a blessing? Or do I come from the devil himself?” Her smile was sarcastic now. It was clear she enjoyed taunting him.

“Ah, love.” His smile matched hers. “You are far too beautiful to be created by purgatory.” His words were smooth as always, but he didn’t mean them. Beauty didn’t denote sweetness. He’d learned that lesson dating a wide variety of women.

“Beauty is very deceiving. Especially yours.”

Jarom wasn’t certain how to respond to that. He was a man and preferred handsome, but the entertainment news writers and social media influencers loved to spout about his ‘beautiful face and body’, naming him the world’s most eligible bachelor at different times and in various publications. ‘Prettiest Hot Man on Earth’ and ‘Most Handsome Pretty Boy’ were terms that had been thrown around quite often.

He stood with his chest out, shoulders straight, one hand casually in his pocket, leaning slightly forward, intent on his beautiful intruder. Noticing his posture, he realized he stood in the same position as the one that appeared in many of those very magazine and blog articles. A very James Bond type of look that came naturally to him.

His intruder stood. He should’ve backed up or yelled for help. One of his own security guards or the guards assigned to him by Aiden Porter would surely come running.

Instead he stared, his jaw slack. Jarom had met thousands of appealing ladies and dated hundreds. He was no stranger to an angelic face. Still, he was mesmerized by the confidence this woman radiated. Her dark clothing outlined a fit body and curves that any man would appreciate, but it was the way she held herself that enthralled him. She would and could triumph over anyone and would take delight in the victory. Whether that was only mental superiority or physical as well remained to be seen.

The media assumed he only had ‘pretty boy’ muscles and ‘billionaire bravado’, but Eli had been working with him for over a year now to teach him how to defend himself. This woman was half his size. He didn’t know if any of his skills would work against her and wasn’t certain he wanted to find out. Especially because he wanted to be putty in her hands.

He reminded himself to hold his erect posture. He couldn’t let down his guard.

“Why have I been honored with this visit?” he asked, watching for her to throw a hidden knife through his heart or spring at him and attempt to break his neck. Eli always praised his lightning-fast reaction time when they sparred, but could he save his own life tonight if he needed to? He could feel the danger lingering in the air and his heartbeat was off the charts. He might be in mortal peril. It was the most excitement he’d had since Benjamin Oliver’s men had tried to kill him a few months ago and he’d been placed on security arrest. No fun activities, and anything he did he had a plethora of ‘wingmen’ who didn’t understand the meaning of the word and didn’t blend in well at a party.

She smiled sweetly. “We’ll get there.”

“How did you get in, love?” He had to know. “I’m under Aiden Porter’s protection from the nefarious Benjamin Oliver. Do you work for that cad?”

“Which one?” She laughed at her own joke.

Anticipation of how things would shake out if she attacked him had his entire body tense. He prepared himself for defense, even as he couldn’t bring himself to be afraid of her. There was something mesmerizing about those golden eyes and her innocent-looking face. She put him under a spell, and he was happy to be there. That should concern him more than anything. It didn’t. He’d rather live life than hide behind his bodyguards. Especially if he could live life flirting with this woman.

“I threw a grappling hook over the patio railing and climbed up.” She tilted her head to the open doors to the right and didn’t answer his second question.

Slowly approaching him, a tiger on the prowl, she had a secretive smile that made his pulse race and his palms sweaty. He should be apprehensive about his own safety. Instead, he wondered who this fabulous lady was. Jarom was loved by many women and returned their ardor, but he’d been searching for a challenge and his mom was constantly praying for the right angel for him. He’d never seen the likes of this would-be assassin. She was clearly a challenge, but he doubted she was an answer to his mother’s prayers.

“Thankfully no cameras in the bedroom.” She pumped her eyebrows. “Couldn’t have your security knowing I’ve come for a visit now, could we?”

“What do you want from me, love?” he asked, still not backing away, pushing the buttons on his phone, or hollering for help like Aiden would want him to. He couldn’t see any bulges of weapons under her clothing, only a cell phone sized bump on her thigh. Guaranteed she had weapons hidden somewhere. In a fantasy world, she’d snuck in to steal a kiss from him. In reality, he needed to prepare for the attack that was surely coming. She was like a siren who knocked down a man’s defenses before she went for the kill.

“I want you,” she said in a honeyed tone, the smile still playing at her lips, her eyes filled with warmth and longing.

His stomach hopped. Jarom was a billionaire, a designer, a businessman, a charmer, and a peacemaker. He had thousands of acquaintances, hundreds of friends, and was highly sought after by a variety of women. But this golden-eyed vixen saying she wanted him made his entire body feel warm and light. He’d been waiting for her to come for him his entire life.

“You haven’t been sent to try to kill me then?” he asked, keeping his voice even, confident, suave. He really should sound an alarm. Captain Eli kept reiterating his self-defense training was only for extreme circumstances. His guards should protect him and would do a better job than he could.

They’d failed at keeping this fascinating lady out and he couldn’t claim he was upset about it.

The mysterious woman reached him and placed her hands on his chest. “If I wanted to kill you …”

He sucked in a breath. Death might be coming soon. No fear filled him, only exhilarating warmth from her touch and the challenge of an upcoming battle. The magic of her palms and fingers seeped through his silk dress shirt. Those hands weren’t big, but they had the power to change his life. For good or bad remained to be seen.

It was only fair to reciprocate.

Dropping his two-thousand dollar tie on the ground, Jarom cupped the smooth curve of her waist with both hands.

Her eyes widened slightly and her luscious lips softened. When her voice came again, there was a timbre to it that hadn’t been there before. “If I wanted to kill the philanthropic, charming, ultra-handsome, sought-after billionaire bachelor of the year Jarom Love …” She arched an eyebrow, acting imperious, but he could tell his touch affected her just as hers had rattled him. “You would already be lying in a pool of your own blood, my friend.”

Jarom’s eyebrows lifted. He should call for help. Despite the training sessions and his bravery, he wasn’t a warrior to match this woman. Definitely a lover, not a fighter. With her hands on his chest and the warmth in her golden eyes, he didn’t experience a tingle of fear. He did register a plethora of desire. Did that mean she was from the devil himself sent to tempt him, or from heaven sent to be his missing piece? He prayed to see clearly when his vision was clouded by her enchanting face.

“If I call for help or push a button on my cell phone you’ll be in my guards’ custody, beautiful.”

She smirked at him. “Your guards are no match for me. In fact, I’ve thumped some of them before. But I am intrigued by your lack of self-preservation. Why haven’t you called them?”

Why indeed? Aiden Porter would be cussing him for falling prey to this enticing lady and not saving his own life.

“You want me ,” he reaffirmed, changing the subject from his imminent lying in a pool of his own blood. He gifted her with a smoldering look. “But I don’t even have the gift of knowing your name, my angelic attacker.”

“You’re a very desirable man,” she said, looking him over, her golden eyes flashing with heat as they trailed from his face, across his chest and shoulders, and back to his eyes. There was a flicker of admiration; she was impressed he wasn’t cringing or backing away. No matter if he couldn’t match her skills, he wasn’t about to back down. He could tell she was drawn to him. “Women the world over yearn for you; no need to act surprised that I want to join the flock.”

“You’re not the type to line up as one of my admirers, are you now?”

Had he met the woman who could capture him and enthrall him? A challenge that would morph into sweet heaven at her hands?

Doubtful. Jarom planned to settle down someday with a sweet Christian lady like his own benevolent mother. The woman making his heart race at the moment definitely wasn’t any kind of sweet. If she was an assassin, she also wasn’t the charitable Christian he’d been searching for.

She stared at him for half a beat, then yanked from his touch and backed up several steps. His pulse settled as he realized she most likely wouldn’t kill him and definitely wouldn’t kiss him. He’d crazily been hoping for the latter.

“You’re right,” she said softly. “Go change into a black T-shirt and comfortable pants. Not your ridiculously expensive original Love designs. We’re bugging out of here in the next five minutes. If all goes well, I should have you tucked in safe and sound, sleeping on your luxury mattress with your Egyptian cotton sheets, in a few hours. ”

“Pardon me?” His eyes narrowed. “Why would I go anywhere with you?”

Truthfully he’d follow her anywhere like a puppy on a leash, but he wouldn’t tell her that.

Her smile was placating. “Check your phone, Mr. Love. Aiden sent me to smuggle you out of here.”

He regarded her, not sure what to believe and afraid if he pulled his phone out she’d reach for a hidden dagger and throw it into his heart while he wasn’t looking. Yet she hadn’t hurt him when he’d been inches away. Could he trust this beautiful vixen?

“If you were sent by Aiden, my fascinating angel, why not simply walk out the front door together?”

She arched an eyebrow as she studied him. “Because we have reason to believe one of your guards has been bought by Benjamin Oliver. I’ll get you to safety while my cohorts watch the guard. If he attacks tonight, as we believe he will, we’ll have the proof to force him to reveal what he knows and hopefully end this nightmare you’ve been living in.”

He wanted to end his prison sentence, but he also longed to be near her. Relief that she wasn’t working for Benjamin Oliver filled him, but he was disappointed to end the verbal dance the two of them had been performing. He’d felt more alive in the past fifteen minutes than he had in months, maybe years.

“I would appreciate going back to normal life,” he admitted. Yet would he? He’d grown bored and unchallenged even before his bodyguard friends had smothered his social scene.

“I’m sure. Dating a different celebrity or influencer every night is so ‘normal’.” Her smile was tight. She waved a hand at him. “Hurry. We want you out of here before he makes his move.” Turning to his bed, she started pulling the covers down and stacking pillows, making it look as if he were sleeping.

Jarom wanted to stand right where he was and watch her move. Instead, he hurried into his closet, pulling out his phone and checking the message that had come in a few minutes earlier. The enigmatic Aiden Porter indeed. Aiden might best Jarom for charm and had stolen the title of most eligible billionaire bachelor several times over the years. Thankfully, the top security expert was married and off the market.

Autumn Cardon is going to spirit you off your patio. Wait for her in your suite. We have reason to believe one of your guards is now loyal to Benjamin Oliver and will make a move tonight.

Autumn Cardon. Jarom set his phone and wallet on a shelf and hurried to finish unbuttoning his cuffs and shirt buttons. He’d heard that name before. Yanking off his shirt, he dropped it in the hamper and unbuttoned his pants, sliding his Ferragamo dress shoes off.

How did he know her? He wouldn’t forget a teasing spice like hers. Those golden eyes and full lips were the stuff dreams were made of.

Then it clicked in his memory. She was the woman who had impersonated Lieutenant Hays West’s college-aged sister the night Jarom and Elizabeth had stood up to Benjamin. Hays was Elizabeth’s love and Benjamin had thought he could capture the sister and control Hays. Little did he know Aiden was a step ahead and he’d captured Aiden’s operative Autumn Cardon. Autumn had impressively taken out the guards who would’ve killed her. He’d seen it himself.

Hurrying to slip out of his dress pants and pull on some of his own black joggers, he slipped his phone and wallet back into his pocket and slid into some black Loro Piana boat shoes. He grabbed a black T-shirt he’d designed and turned. Autumn was in the doorway of the closet, studying him with longing in her golden gaze.

Snapping her mouth shut and looking away, she asked brusquely, “Finally ready? You preen more than a supermodel.”

He eased toward her with his shirt in hand, not ready to slide it on just yet. Now that he knew who she was, he was even more ready to flirt with and tease her. She was here to protect him, and an impressive female warrior. She wouldn’t hurt him. His interest in her grew by the moment.

“I’m ready for you to apologize for taunting me earlier and I would savor hearing you tell me your name from those luscious lips, my beauty.” He knew her name, but it was an enjoyable tease to continue.

Her golden eyes flashed, and she stared up at him. He was six-two; she couldn’t be more than five-four.

“I will never apologize to any man,” she snipped at him. “And I am not telling you my name.”

“Truly?” He spread his hands, clutching the soft shirt in one hand, his chest, shoulder, ab, and arm muscles engaging. “Then I guess I can’t go with you tonight. I have a strict policy never to sneak out of my bedroom with unknown women.”

She smiled, and he knew he was in trouble. Anticipation for what she’d say or do next made his skin tingle and his pulse race. Jarom Love may have finally met his match.

Darting at him, she grabbed his arm, hooked her heel around the back of his knees, and knocked him off balance.

He fell backwards, barely able to roll with the movement and not slam onto his back. He instinctively reached for her, grasping her arm and yanking her on top of him.

Lying on his back in his closet, the most enticing woman he’d ever met splayed on top of him, he didn’t care about freedom from his guards or Benjamin. He could spend a lifetime savoring the feel of her close and waiting with baited breath for the next teasing comment from her luscious lips. One look into her golden eyes and he could see … she was affected too.

But he saw something else that concerned him. A solid wall covered her emotions. This lady would flirt with him, but that was meaningless. He doubted she would ever let down her guard and let him into her heart. How to draw her out with his repertoire of charismatic lines?

“Well now, love,” he said huskily. “You went to all this trouble simply to cuddle with me? All you had to do was ask.”

Her eyes narrowed. She was going to demolish him verbally and possibly physically. Jarom grinned; he looked forward to it.

He might never penetrate the wall around her heart, but he’d have a lot of fun trying.

For the first time in his life, the goal seemed more important than the flirtations or the amusement. His heart raced and he was on pins and needles wondering where this would lead.