Never Kiss Your Bodyguard - Christine Kersey Page 0,1

is exactly why you shouldn’t be answering your door.”

Fury building, Chloe struggled to contain her rapidly rising temper. With gritted teeth, she said, “Move.” When he didn’t, she opened the door wider, then shoved him in the chest with all of her might, but it was like shoving a brick wall—hard and immovable. Kind of stunned—and becoming alarmed—she took a step back. What was she supposed to do now?

Maybe she could reason with him. “What do you want?”

“You’re Chloe Ross.” He said it matter-of-factly, like he recognized her but wasn’t the least bit impressed.

Was he a crazed fan? Was he going to do her harm? Her alarm began to morph into panic. Should she scream for help? But who would come? She was home all alone and her neighbors’ houses weren’t that close—if they were even around. Knowing how vulnerable she was didn’t frighten her. Instead, it made her livid. “Get off of my property before I call the police.”

At her words, a broad smile curved his lips. That smile completely transformed his face.

Taken aback not only by his lack of concern over her threat, but also by how incredibly good-looking he was, Chloe found herself speechless. Not something that happened often.

“Let’s start over,” the man said as he stuck out his hand. “I’m Jake Mitchell, your bodyguard.”

Bodyguard? What bodyguard? Chloe knew nothing about a bodyguard. Then she noticed that he’d taken his foot out of the door. Not wasting a moment, she slammed the door in his face and turned the deadbolt.

Jake stood on the porch staring at the huge wooden door, his hand still outstretched. Then he laughed. He couldn’t help himself. This hadn’t gone anything like he’d pictured. Of course, he was totally new at this bodyguard thing so he had no basis for comparison. Still, he hadn’t expected to be greeted by such a petite spitfire.

He dropped his arm to his side as his laughter died down. He pictured the range of emotions that had skidded across Chloe’s face—annoyance, disbelief, and then fear. That last one hit him hardest. What if he’d been some psycho-stalker come to harm her? She would have been easy prey.

That’s why you’re here, he reminded himself. To protect her. To keep her safe.

Only one problem—she obviously had no idea that a bodyguard would be coming. Who had hired his employer, Titan Security? Her manager? Her record label? Why hadn’t they clued her in?

Then it hit him. Whoever it was had wanted to spring it on her because she’d been resistant. So typical of a pop star who thought the world revolved around her but had zero clue to the actual dangers that surrounded her.

Shaking his head as he sighed, Jake stepped off of the porch and strode to his Jeep, climbing behind the wheel and making himself comfortable. He was at the job he’d been assigned to and he wasn’t about to leave. Now it was up to her people to get her on board.

Chapter Two

Chloe was having trouble concentrating. After she’d slammed the door in the face of the creep who’d knocked on her front door, she’d gone straight to her music room with every intention of picking up where she’d left off. But it was not to be. Try as she might, the notes refused to come.

Clenching her jaw as she thought about the interaction with the man on her front porch, she shoved down the urge to toss her guitar onto the table, instead gently setting it aside. She loved that guitar. She wouldn’t let some random idiot wind her up. But it was too late. She was already wound up.

The front door opened and closed.

Beth.

Exhaling in relief that she could vent to someone she trusted, Chloe felt herself lighten, just a bit.

“Who’s the hot guy sitting in the Jeep outside?” Beth asked as she waltzed into the music room, her wavy brown hair bouncing on her shoulders with each step.

The man was still there? Slightly freaked out at the notion, Chloe leapt to her feet and raced to one of the windows in the front room to peer outside. Sure enough. It was him. Sitting in a black Jeep in her driveway. Like he belonged there.

She spun around and frowned at Beth, who had followed her. “I don’t have any idea who he is.” That wasn’t strictly true. After all, he’d claimed he was her bodyguard, but since she hadn’t hired a bodyguard, technically she didn’t know who he was. Right?

Beth nudged her aside and peered out