Read Online Under Their Protection by J.A. Bailey - Free Book Online Page B

the entrance hall. It looked carefully put together and
Walker doubted Ebony had been the one to do it.
    A flash
of red hair and leather came running up to him and a hand thrust out. Walker’s
jaw dropped open. While photos of her had probably been photoshopped to
perfection, nothing prepared him for meeting Ebony in the flesh. And what
beautiful flesh it was…
    Snapping
his jaw shut and forcing his body to stay calm, he allowed his gaze to trail
down her. A tight leather skirt surrounded long, pale legs. An even tighter
T-shirt with some faded lettering on it carefully followed the lines of a pair
of amazing breasts and a small waist. But it was her face that really drew his
attention. Drew his cock’s attention, he thought wryly.
    Sparkling
blue eyes, cute as hell rosebud mouth, hair the colour of sin. While magazine
photos smoothed her to perfection, nothing could put across the pure vibrancy
of the woman. Something about her just screamed how amazing she’d be in bed.
The kind of face Marlowe spoke of. A face to launch a thousand ships.
    Now
he understood why Blake cared so much.
    “Hi,”
she said breathlessly, her husky voice curling around him. For the effect it
had on him, she may as well have curled a hand around his burgeoning erection.
“I’m Ebony. Thanks for coming.”
    Walker
took that hand, the softness of it conjuring images of it on his skin. He
risked a glance at Blake and noted the tightening of his jaw. His friend could
read him well. If he wasn’t careful, Ebony wasn’t going to be the only one in
danger.
    “Nice
to meet you, Ebony.” He grinned—his most charming smile. How far could he push
Blake? Walker just couldn’t help himself.
    Ebony
and Walker stared at each other, her hand still in his, and a flicker of
interest sparked in her eyes. He saw her breasts rising against the black
cotton and part of him hoped he was responsible for that.
    “I’ll
show you to your room,” Blake bit out suddenly and they broke apart. “Then I’ll
introduce you to the security staff and brief you.”
    “Sure.”
He tried not to smirk at Blake’s warning expression. “Ebony, I’ll see you in a
bit. I’d like to talk with you about this threat if that’s okay?”
    “Oh
yes, definitely.” She threw a peek at Blake and an adorable blush crept into
her cheeks. “I mean, of course. Whatever you need…to do…um…your job.”
    Christ,
the woman was definitely feeling some kind of attraction toward him. But if he
wasn’t much mistaken, she had a thing for Blake. Walker was an expert at
reading people. The way they stood close and shared looks spoke of a intimate
bond. Did Blake even realise that though? Knowing his hard-headed friend,
probably not.
    “Come
on then,” Blake bit out.
    “See
you in a bit, sweets.” Walker winked at Ebony, loving the way her cheeks
coloured further.
    Blake
was already storming up the stairs so Walker had to jog to catch up. He led him
to one of the end rooms and pushed open the cream door.
    Walker
whistled as he followed Blake in. Modern glass lamps, a large leather bed and a
plush cream carpet set off the—what colour what that? Duck egg?—blue walls.
    “Nice.
I can see why you’ve stuck around for so long.” He wandered over to the long
sash windows and gazed out over the rear gardens. Ebony now stood chatting with
a gardener. “View’s not bad either.” He turned to his glowering friend.
“Where’s Ebony sleeping?”
    “Room
next to me.”
    “Well,
that’s no good. I need to be closer.”
    “I
don’t think so.” Blake folded his arms across his chest and Walker smirked.
    While
Blake definitely outdid him height wise, Walker maintained his strength by
working in the field. He’d only just returned from an intense case in
Afghanistan. He was willing to bet the only action Blake had seen in a while
was the gym. And the gym was a sloppy substitute for being in the thick of it. Even
if Blake looked as strong as ever, Walker felt confident he could