Black leather pants laced up one side and down the other. The sleeveless leather top was just as tight, and the loose curls that fell to her waist did more to conceal her figure than her clothes did. She had drawn every eye in the room just by stepping through the door, and she knew it.

It didn't take her long to spot Merrick. He was holding up the wall by the stairs, danger written into every line despite his relaxed posture. She didn't wonder how he pulled it off--he'd been her bodyguard for more than two years. He knew the look.

Blue eyes met brown across the noisy crowd, and she would have sworn it took him a moment to recognize her. There was a catcall from the direction of the bar. Someone at a nearby table offered her a drink. She could feel the stares weighing on her, but she didn't look away from Merrick and the dawning expression of horror on his face.

There was a presence by her side, and he was on his way almost before she had noticed it. "Well, little lady," the voice at her shoulder drawled. "Are you free tonight, or is it gonna cost me?"

She turned automatically, but before she could say anything she heard Merrick growl, "Back off, Sammy."

"Why don't you let the lady make that decision?" Sammy suggested with a leer.

"She has," Merrick said curtly. "Want to take this up outside?"

Sammy held up his hands quickly, taking a step back. No matter his state of mind, he obviously didn't take Merrick's threat lightly. "You coulda just said she was your girl and saved a guy some trouble," he grumbled, but he sounded a little nervous.

Merrick paid no attention to him, his gaze fixed on her again. Her smile faded a little as she waited for the lecture on what was "proper" and not. She had expected to have to do some convincing, and she was prepared to shut him up--one way or another.

He opened his mouth, but no sound came out. Finally he hung his head and just stared at her through silver bangs. "If you leave my sight, I'm going to come looking for you," he warned in a low voice. "Don't take drinks from anyone except me or Willie. And if there's any way you could look *less* like a temptress…"

He lowered his gaze again and just shook his head. "Never mind," he said with a sigh.





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