The Bodyguard's Baby (Billionaire Bodyguard Series) by Kristi Avalon Page B

“Come on, you can do this. A little faith goes a long way.”
    She faced front. “Here goes nothing.”
    Following his directions, she dug the toe of her left blade into the ice and coasted on the right a good five feet all on her own. He never had a doubt.
    “Oh, my God, I did it!” Her excited squeal rang across the rink.
    He grinned proudly. “Try it again. I’m right behind you.”
    More than succeeding, she actually switched from skate to skate, gliding along like a champ, her arms spread eagle. “Check me out!”
    “Oh, I am,” he said low, his eyes glued to her juicy backside.
    “Are you even watching me?” she demanded.
    “Can’t look away,” he assured.
    Then he saw her wobble. He quickly skated forward and held out his arms just as her right skate slid out from under her.
    “Shoot. I almost had it.”
    “You did have it. Nice job.”
    “Oh, please,” she scoffed. “Stephen Hawking could ice skate better than me.”
    He snorted. “I wouldn’t go that far, but you did make progress.”
    “True.” She sighed and wiped her forehead. “A little progress, I guess. Hey, want to go get ice cream at the concession stand?”
    He chuckled at her roundabout way of saying she was done. “Sure. Want to try skating back to the exit on your own?”
    “ No. ” She clamped her hands down on his, ensuring he didn’t let go.
    He muffled a laugh. “Okay, we’ll take it slow and steady.”
    “I like it better that way.”
    Though he knew he shouldn’t, he dipped his head and his lips brushed her ear. “Then I’ll do it however you want me to.”
    Shock sizzled through him when she laced her fingers through his. But her sultry tone stunned him even more. “Are you always this considerate of a woman’s needs?”
    Strategically he skimmed his lips along her jaw. “Try me and find out.”
    She sucked in a breath, letting him draw her back against him, so she understood the full arousing impact of her words. “You’re very convincing,” she whispered.
    “I’m just getting started,” he said in a low growl of promise.
    Her chest rose and fell rapidly against his forearms. “Oh, wow.”
    Two teenage boys whizzed past them. One called out, “Get a room.”
    Slone grinned and released her. Then he guided her toward the rink’s exit.
    As she hobbled toward a bench to remove her ice skates, she looked a little dazed, her eyes glassy, her lips parted. She landed hard on the wooden plank. He knelt and untied her laces, his gaze fixed on her face, enjoying that he’d pierced her awareness so profoundly.
    Then she blushed. “Umm…did we really just say those things to each other?”
    “Yes,” he replied evenly. “Is that a problem.”
    “No…yes. I should say yes. Right?”
    “Not if you don’t mean it.” He removed her left skate and started untying the right. “And I kind of hope you meant it.”
    Her blush deepened, reaching the honey-blonde roots of her hair. “You do?”
    “Hell yes, I do.” He abandoned her laces, abandoned his pride, and cupped her face in his hands. “Because I want you, too.”
    Lowering his mouth, he sealed his lips over hers.

 
     
     
     
     

Chapter 5
     
    With Slone’s lips pressed to hers, Lindsey’s lashes drifted shut and she savored the moment. God, she’d wanted—no, needed—this.
    As if her hormones had achieved their goal, her edginess relaxed away.
    While he cupped her chin, his other palm traced up and down her spine, warm and soothing. This felt so right, so easy. Their mouths caressed each other’s as though his lips had always belonged to her.
    Languid sensation spilled through her veins. A gentle urgency pushed her closer to him. His lips parted and their tongues met in a slow glide of exploration. He captured her upper lip, then her lower lip. The tip of his tongue flicked the plump flesh before he drew back, staring at her through heavy lids.
    A grin of satisfaction tugged at the corners of his mouth.
    Soft warmth spread through her, and