Surrender At Sea
Description
Experience has taught forty-year-old Jessica Summers how to manage and diffuse even the toughest situation, but when she’s assigned to protect a multi-millionaire game designer everything changes. The hot, young entrepreneur becomes the one thing Jess can’t control. Petite and sassy, Jess teases Sean McCloud’s sense of humor and ignites emotions he’s repressed for too long. He doesn’t see the twelve year age difference as an issue. His heart and body want her plain and simple. Sean just has to get past her hang ups, survive a pirate attack at sea, and convince his bodyguard to surrender. What could be easier?
Chapter 1
Feb 4, 2022
Chapter One
Wow, I hate tourists!
The Grand Mariner spit its passengers out to spend money and waste the day in the Florida sunshine. The port teemed with the pseudo wealthy, retired, and middleclass, all seeking the perfect escape. Retirees in Bermuda shorts and brightly colored polyester milled aimlessly as they waited for tour guides to tell them what to do next. Honeymooners sighed and snuggled planning their day in Miami, and intoxicated rich kids jeered at the “poor people” and staggered to their waiting limos. Jessica Summers repressed the urged to tell them all to get the fuck out of her way.
Irritated and hot she wove her way through the congestion of bodies until she reached the marina where the private yacht was scheduled to dock. Dodging the crowd in the heat aggravated her already pissy mood. Her egocentric boss had insisted she play nursemaid to some frickin’ big shot and the pompous ass didn’t have the courtesy to be on time. Checking her watch once more, she settled against a pillion with her arms and ankles crossed to wait.
Sweat ran in a tiny rivulet down her spine and soaked her underwear. Her linen suit coat and slacks, immaculately pressed when she’d left home, hung on her body in one giant frumpy wrinkle. No one, especially a forty-year-old woman who knew better, should have to wear a suit in ninety-eight degree weather, but she couldn’t walk down the pier with her holster and hunting knife in plain sight. She’d be arrested on the spot.
Three hours later, the private yacht finally docked. Mr. The World is All About Me stepped off the ship. Jess immediately wondered why in the hell he needed a bodyguard unless it was to keep the women at bay. Dale McCloud oozed money and charm as he turned to help a classy-looking, older lady down the gangplank. His sun-bleached hair blew across his forehead in the wind, and the smile he flashed the woman gleamed white and perfect in the afternoon sun. Everything about him bespoke a life of wealth and luxury. The perfect poster child for silver-spooners everywhere.
With a resigned sigh, Jess headed toward the couple. She flashed her best smile at the petite woman. “Hi, I’m Jessica Summers. Harold Donavan sent me.”
Turning to the good looking playboy she had obviously been sent to protect, she repressed a sarcastic remark as she extended her hand. “You must be Mr. McCloud.”
He accepted the handshake, and her fingers disappeared in his large palm. Big hand—bigger dick. Jess gave herself a mental kick and tried to focus on what the man was saying.
“…call me Sean.”
Shit, what’d I miss? “Excuse me? I was told you’re name is Dale. Was I misinformed?”
The woman laughed. “I’m Dale McCloud, like Dale Evans. Sean is my son.”
“Oh.” Of course the big guy didn’t need a bodyguard, at least not a female one. Though if he weren’t her daughter’s age, she might volunteer to take the night shift. Shaking off the misunderstanding, Jess smiled at the other woman. “I apologize, Mrs. McCloud. I am apparently here to assist you these next two weeks.”
“My mother doesn’t need a companion or an assistant. I hadn’t planned on coming along, but since I’m here, your services won’t be needed. Thank you.”
Jess assessed the arrogant man at a glance. He stood with his weight naturally shifted to his left leg and a relaxed no one-crosses-me attitude. It wouldn’t take more than a swift kick to bring the big guy to his knees. Add a shove and his ass would be in the water. The image brought a smile to her face.
“I’m to protect Mrs. McCloud, not entertain her. There have been some incidents recently in the open waters where you’re headed. Mr. Donavan felt it would be best if you had a professional on your boat who knows the area.”
Sean’s eyes wandered from the top of her head, over her less than stellar attire, to settle on her lightweight canvas shoes. Even Jess had to admit she didn’t look much like a bodyguard. That was half of her strength. No one expected a five-foot-four, hundred and twenty pound woman to pack a punch, let alone be an expert marksman and knife handler. However, the lack of respect in McCloud’s eyes made her want to demonstrate her skills.
“I really don’t think Mom needs you.” His voice came out as a pompous sneer mixed with a repressed laugh.
Jess started to tell him to get fucked, but his mother interrupted.
“Now, children. No need for bickering. Ms. Summers, was it?”
“Jess.”
The older woman nodded and smiled. “Jess, then. I will look forward to having you with us.” She turned to her son with a reassuring pat on his arm. “I asked for Harold’s help. As much as I love having you with me, I don’t feel comfortable on the open ocean without some sort of protection. “
“Mom, don’t be ridiculous.”
With a soft chuckle, his mother continued. “However, in the interest of peace, we’ll have Jess join us for dinner this evening so you can get to know her.”
Jess laughed as Sean’s snooty look wilted away. “Sounds great. Where are we going?”
“I’m not sure. Harold said he’d pick us up. Somewhere fancy I’m sure. He likes that sort of thing.”
Jess’s cell vibrated, and a quick glance told her it was her boss. “Excuse me. This is Harold now.”
“May I talk to him?”
“Sure.” Jess handed the phone to Dale and stepped away to give her some privacy. She didn’t expect Sean to follow.
“Come with me.” He grabbed her arm and hauled her down the dock toward the yacht. “We’ll be on the boat, Mom.”
Jessica gritted her teeth against the urge to knock him flat on his back. She went along nicely until they reached the main cabin, out of his mother’s line of view, then she jerked away. She remained silent, automatically assessing the room for exits and weapons while she kept one eye on Sean.
He stepped close in an obvious attempt to intimidate her. She shifted her focus to his face. His eyes were the coolest color she had ever seen, grey, blue, green all at once, sort of stormy water and grass combined. Fascinated by them, she almost missed his command.
“Whatever Harold is up to, tell him it won’t work.”
Jess could have laid him out, but she wasn’t willing to give away the element of surprise yet. She held her ground with a smile. The man stood no more than six feet and weighed about a buck-eighty, but he appeared to be all lean muscle. The large hands she had noticed earlier were perfect—neither too slender nor too broad—with fingers designed to play either a piano or a woman with equal skill. Her hormones stood up and did the happy dance. Maybe she should give the guy a chance. Her daughter, Melanie, would love the look of him.
Which means you need to get your head off his body and focus on why he’s so anxious to get rid of you.
****
Sean waited without comment on her silence. Bright, clear, green eyes sparkled behind killer dark lashes. Full lips, devoid of artificial color, gave her an innocent look despite the fact that she had to be almost ten years his senior. Her dark brown ponytail, though limp in the afternoon humidity, revealed a slender neck made for kissing. The petite beauty couldn’t pass as a babysitter let alone a bodyguard. Whatever the hell Harold Donavan had planned wouldn’t work no matter how many distractions he threw out.
She stared him down then patted his arm and smiled. “Listen, Sean. I understand you’re a big tough guy and protective of your mommy, but Harold sent me to do a job. Until my boss says otherwise, I’ll be doing just that. Now go play in your room like a good boy and leave the grown-up stuff to me.”
Smug little spitfire. Sean stepped closer, forcing her back against the bar as he leaned down. Her eyes widened and he couldn’t resist tracing the gentle curve of her cheek with a single finger. Her lips parted in delicious welcome. Kissing her wasn’t a good idea, but he thought about it as her subtle perfume drew him closer. She worked for a man he didn’t like, and her cool attitude demanded he force some sort of reaction out of her. “You think you’re funny, don’t you, Grandma?”
He green eyes flashed fire, and she stood straighter forcing him to move back a step. “Oh, you didn’t say that, you brat.”
He bit back a laugh. God, she was cute and so damned easy to goad. Maybe he should try for a kiss after all. It would probably be worth the face slapping. “Should I apologize for insulting my elders?”
Jess glared but didn’t respond to his dig as his mother entered the lounge.
“All right, we’ll see you tonight, then.” She handed Jess’s phone back with a smile. “Harold’s sending a car at seven. That gives us two hours. I think I’ll lie down for a while if you two don’t mind.”
“Of course not, Mom.” He kissed her on the cheek. “Rest well.”
As soon as his mother walked out of earshot, he turned on Jess. Intriguing or not, she worked for a man he wouldn’t trust with a pet rat despite Harold’s long time association with his mother. “You need to go and don’t bother to come to the restaurant tonight. I have enough to do keeping an eye on Harold.”
She straightened from leaning on the bar. “Dale should be safe here in the city, but I will be there tonight. And when you leave for the open ocean, I’ll be on this boat.” She trailed a finger down his chest before she smiled seductively. “Get used to the idea, Seany baby.”
Her condescending manner stretched his patience thin. No one had ever angered or aroused him so easily. She moved toward the door, but he caught her arm once more.
Jess looked at him with a raised eyebrow. “You shouldn’t make a habit of grabbing me. You won’t like the consequences.”
He laughed. She stood at least a foot shorter than he did, and he could circle her tiny waist with his hands. “Have you looked in the mirror lately? You couldn’t handle a flyswatter let alone a full grown man.”
“Next time I see a man, I’ll have to demonstrate for you, won’t I?”
Jess walked off before he could respond to her insult. Her body language screamed sarcasm. He followed her onto the deck.
She walked backward a few steps and flipped him the bird and a smart-assed grin before she hurried up the dock. He had to chuckle despite himself. Disregarding the wrinkled mess that disguised her body, she intrigued him.
You’ve been too long without a good lay if that one gets you going, Seany baby. The patronizing nickname made him laugh. Maybe it won’t be so bad to have her around.
Surrender At Sea
14 Chapters
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