Sheâs always been the bossânow sheâs the target
As the newest member of Orion Security, Jackson Fields had a lot to prove. But he never expected his first assignment would force him to break every rule in the employee handbook. Nikki Waters has always put her clientsâ protection first...until a nightmare from her past resurfaces. Now Jackson must protect his boss to keep her lifeâs work from crumbling. Sheâd headhunted Jackson for his raw talent, and is counting on his determination to make sure she lives another day. He has every intention of keeping her safeâespecially when his protective detail turns from professional to personal in the blink of an eye
She didnât ask for or want protection from the new recruit.
Heck, she didnât want it from even the most seasoned of agents. If the head of Orion couldnât even protect herself... Her anger quickly turned to embarrassment. Sheâd frozen when she should have fought. If Jackson hadnât shown up... Then all Nikki could feel was gratitude and admiration for the man standing in a puddle of spilled red wine.
And then Nikki felt anger again.
âIâm going to call the cops and then weâre going to talk about what the word privacy means,â she said. If Jackson felt underappreciated or shortchanged, he didnât show it. Instead, he nodded, as if resigned to her future wrath.
Nikki turned and finally left the bathroom.
They both pretended not to hear how much her voice broke as she spoke. Or the way her legs still shook as she walked away.
TYLER ANNE SNELL genuinely loves all genres of the written word. However, sheâs realized that she loves books filled with sexual tension and mysteries a little more than the rest. Her stories have a good dose of both. Tyler lives in Florida with her same-named husband and their mini âlions.â When she isnât reading or writing, sheâs playing video games and working on her blog, Almost There. To follow her shenanigans, visit www.tylerannesnell.com.
CAST OF CHARACTERS
Nikki WatersâConstantly trying to make up for a tragic mistake years ago, this founder and owner of the Orion Security Group works hard, and often, to ensure anyone who comes asking for safety receives it. But when the tables are turned and she finds herself in need of a bodyguard, can the boss overcome her need to be in complete control? Can she learn to trust the sexy-as-hell man trying to protect her?
Jackson FieldsâTrying to forget a past that still haunts him, this newly recruited bodyguard is treating his job as a second chance at life. A task that becomes much harder when his first client ends up being his boss and their attraction is anything but professional. Can he avoid blurring the lines that separate boss and employee? And will his experience and skill be enough to keep a madman from getting his way?
Andrew MillerâNikkiâs old boss is in town and ready to get revenge, but how far is he willing to go?
Jonathan CarmichaelâOne of Nikkiâs best Orion employees, this trainer sees a potential in Jackson that most people overlook.
Mark and Kelli TrantonâClose friends of Nikki, these Orion employees never shy away from letting their boss know theyâre worried about her.
Oliver QuinnâAlong with Jonathan and Mark, this former bodyguard wonât stop until he knows the threat against Nikki, and Orion, is put to rest. Even if it means revisiting their shared past.
Calvin CooperâLongtime friend of Nikki, this Dallas detective is on the case when someone is obviously prepared to do her great harm.
This book is for everyone who has encouraged my dream of writing! From Allison, Denise and Jill to every single one of my readers, thank you! Youâll never know how much your support means to me!
Chapter One
âYouâve got to be kidding me.â
Nikki Waters turned away from the image on her computer screen and shook her head at the man standing across from her.
âWhen you said this one was a little rough around the edges, I thought you were warning me aboutâI donât knowâabout his lack of tact or maybe his hair was a little too shaggy.â She motioned to the screen. âNot a rap sheet that was so long I had to scroll to read it all.â
The man in the doorway chuckled. He shrugged. âDoes it help that his hair is a little too shaggy?â
Jonathan Carmichael was trying to be cute, trying to be funny, but Nikki didnât have time for his playful mood. Not tonight.
Tonight she, for once, had plans.
âA few drunken fights when he was young and stupid,â he said. âNothing to write home to Mom about.â