At the Billionaire's Beck and Call? by Rachel Bailey Page A

trusted to abide by the law.”
    â€œAnd you instructed them to escort me home at night.” Her voice was soft, almost musical. It soothed his aching head.
    â€œIt’s only next door.” It was his fault the vultures were following her. This was the least he could do.
    She reached for a shortbread and held it between two slender fingers. “And I suspect you’ve told them to create diversions when I’m ready to go home. There tend to be fewer photographers when I step out than when I check through my office window.”
    â€œAll part of the security firm’s service.” He lifted his legs onto the seat beside him and crossed them at the ankles.
    In two delicate bites, she’d finished the sweet biscuit. Ryder swallowed hard. Oblivious to her effect on him—or was she?—Macy retrieved her tea. “Tell me another thing.”
    Drawing his focus from her mouth back to her dark-fringed eyes, he nodded.
    â€œAre they the same firm supplying security to my apartment building?”
    Her tone was polite inquisitiveness, but he sighed. Knowing where this was going, he casually took a slug of coffee before replying. “Yes.”
    â€œAnd you’re paying for that service, as well.” She cocked her head to the side and again he was reminded of her feline quality.
    â€œYes.” Of course he’d made sure she was safe. What sort of reprobate would he be if he hadn’t?
    She picked up her mug again and held it in both hands as she sipped. “How did you convince the owner to let you do it? He apparently refused security once before because it would give the wrong image.”
    Ryder held back a smile. She missed nothing. In fact, he had the strongest feeling she saw far too much—she’d always keep him on his toes once they were married.
    â€œI bought the building.”
    Macy’s lightly glossed lips parted, as if to speak, then she closed them again. What emotion was she hiding behind her long lashes? Was she pleased he’d done it? Indifferent?
    She crossed her legs and the higher foot began tapping a beat in the air. “Even if you’d signed a contract of sale, you wouldn’t have ownership so soon.”
    â€œI overpaid for it and used cash to ensure immediate transfer of the deed.” He’d paid through the nose, but it’d been worth it to have control over the building’s security. To be able to safeguard Macy.
    Her eyes flashed fire. “Ryder, I’m not some damsel you have to save. I can look after myself. I don’t appreciate secret maneuverings in some misguided attempt to protect me.”
    He shrugged and threw back the rest of his coffeebefore plonking the mug on the table. “It was no trouble.” In truth, he’d been pleased to be able to do something for her.
    â€œNo trouble? You bought my building!” Seeing her exquisite mouth move with such passion was a pleasure to behold. He could have spent all day just watching it, just talking to her while she was fired up. But to be fair, he’d put her mind at ease.
    â€œMacy, you agree the paparazzi problem was of my creation?”
    Her eyes narrowed marginally and her answer was perfectly clear even before she replied. “Completely.”
    He arched a brow. “Then allow me to fix it.”
    She sucked in a lungful of air and held it for several beats. “On one condition.”
    â€œName it.”
    â€œNo more secret moves. If you do something for me or that affects me, then you tell me.”
    â€œDone.” He dropped his feet to the ground and leaned over to her, hand outstretched.
    She hesitated then shook on the deal. Her smooth skin against his sent a warm current of electricity rolling through his system. He didn’t want to release her fingers, to lose the connection, and noticed she didn’t let go, either. Her pupils slowly dilated. His senses became hyper-alert and his heart raced double-time.