Page 36 of The Guardian

Maya nodded.

“How do you even know if these men are legitimate? Like they could be dodgy.”

Shrugging, she replied, “I don’t have any way to check on their credentials as a rescue team, willing to go to the jungle and fight Skinwalkers to rescue my family, Henry.”

“Yeah, I suppose not. I do not know of a We Are Badass dot com.”

She grinned at me and replied, “If so, then you and Mr. Rain would be on the front page.”

I smiled and shook my head. I was just glad to see her cheer up a bit. I stepped back a step, struck a pose with my fists up and mocked an infomercial, “Call us, we kick ass. No refunds. Deposit required.”

She laughed.

I grinned at her as I pulled her close to me. “Someday, I will see this smile and hear your beautiful laugh all the time.”

Her cheeks went rosy. “That isn’t your job, Henry.”

“But I want it to be my job. I protect people for a living. I’ve secured buildings, limos, penthouses and taken care of snotty-good for nothing fat cats as they call them. All for the money.” I paused then admitted, “And yes, for the excitement as I ceased to need the money a couple of years back. But I want to protect you because…”

She looked up at me, waiting for me to finish.

“It has been years since I...” I sighed. “…wanted to be with just one woman for keeps.” I shook my head. “Bloody hell, I’m messing this up badly.”

She smiled at me. “So, you are saying that you like me?”

I stared at her then laughed. “I think I am past like and I am up to liking you a lot. Where I come from, we might say I fancy you.” I tugged her close. “Maybe I can show you? God knows, I am not being my usual articulate self.” I lowered my head and covered her mouth with mine. I went gentle at first, not knowing what reaction I might get. A slap or…

Placing her arms around my neck, she deepened the kiss.

…a good reaction. I wrapped her in my arms and we went into a real tailspin of a kiss. Warm and wonderful while heading to hot and heavy. Or in my case, hot and hard. It was nearing wild and pushing at scorching, so finally, I pulled back.

Her eyes were closed as she licked her lower lip.

Holy hell, that made me even harder. I had to take a full step back.

Maya seemed to stumble as she wobbled a bit.

I reached out and steadied her. “I’m sorry I just—”

Her eyes popped open. “—kissed me until I was dizzy,” she interjected with a smile.

I nodded. “And I got hard all over.”

There went her cheeks to pink again.

I paused as I stared at her sparkling eyes and her pinkening cheeks. “I am going to ask a couple of questions here.”

She gave me a silent nod.

“Have you been kissed a lot?” I got a distinct feeling that she had very little experience with the opposite sex.

She paused and replied, “Sure.”

I took a deep breath and released it. “Have you like…have you been with a man before? Intimately I mean.”

“Once.”

I blinked at her and asked, “Once?”