Cat Got Your Tongue? by Rae Rivers

her.
    Alex nodded and tucked a lock of black curls behind her ear. “Vera’s a bit of a handful.”
    “Has she attacked you before?”
    “Yes. It’s become more frequent since she’s figured out that I stand between her and Max. I suppose it’s all part of the job though.”
    “Are you working with any other clients at the moment?”
    “My partners are. I only take on one client at a time for full protection. Max doesn’t need the same security he needed before, so I’m spending less time with him on a business level.”
    And a social level?
    “Thanks for dinner,” Alex said and tucked her bag under her arm.
    Before Cole could answer, three adolescent boys appeared and surrounded them. No one needed to spell out their intentions.
    “So, rich guy,” a pimply-faced teenager with a cocky attitude said, “you got some money under those designer clothes?”
    “Back off, guys,” Cole warned and slipped a hand against Alex’s lower back.
    The other two boys snickered.
    “Hey, asshole,” the same boy chirped. “Show us your wallet and we won’t hurt you, you rich fuck.”
    Judging by their enlarged pupils and unsteady feet, either alcohol or drugs were involved.
    “Yeah, show us your wallet,” the second boy urged.
    “And your tits,” the third boy added, looking at Alex.
    Anger soaring, Cole stepped forward but Alex placed a hand on his arm. He met her gaze and understood what she wanted. Although he didn’t like it, curiosity got the better of him so he backed down.
    “You want to see my tits?” she asked them in a soft, even tone. All three teenagers laughed and jeered. Alex moved closer to the adolescent who’d made the suggestion. He puffed out his chest and straightened his shoulders. “I don’t blame you,” she said, moving even closer, “ʼcause I have great tits.”
    The other two boys started to laugh, but he remained quiet, uncomfortable with having her in his face.
    Alex closed the gap between them, her face right up against his. “Yes, they’re firm and round and perfectly designed to fit in a man’s hand.” Her mood had become seductive and quiet, and all three teenagers fell silent, mesmerized by her. “Yes, I have great tits,” she murmured, her fingers toying with his collar before trailing down his chest to his belt. “Think you’re man enough to touch them?”
    Cole almost laughed at the boy’s expression, his arousal obvious.
    Alex slid her hand onto his crotch and all three boys gasped. “Yeah, you’re hard for me, aren’t you?”
    Surprising them all, Alex tightened her grip on his bulge and squeezed. He yelped and tried to back away but Alex reacted by squeezing harder. He got the message and froze, holding his hands up in surrender.
    “You sick little worm,” she said through clenched teeth, disgust and anger replacing her seductive mood. “Didn’t your mother teach you it’s bad manners to rob someone?” She gave a hard jerk against his crotch and he cried out. “And didn’t she tell you it’s even worse to talk like that to a lady?”
    “We were just fooling around,” he wheezed.
    “How’s that working for you?” She released him with a final jerk and pushed him away. “Get out of here before I call the cops.”
    All three teenagers stared at her for a stunned moment before whirling around and running away.
    When she turned to look at Cole, he couldn’t keep his silly grin in.
    “Element of surprise,” she said with a sly smile. “Works every time.”
    “And you’re definitely hired.”

Chapter Seven
    Tuesday evening
    Cole shrugged out of his jacket and studied Alex in silence. She was staring at the priceless Rodin statue that rested in all its glory in the foyer of his townhouse, her appreciation for the piece apparent in her eyes. Her hair hung in a spray of curls around her shoulders and down her back. She’d removed her jacket and the pink blouse she wore softened her features and hinted at the feminine woman that lurked