Now, Lyle looks over at Riley, who’s sharing the sofa with me, albeit on the other section. His long, muscled legs are stretched out in front of him, and he’s leaning back, as if he’s completely at home. It’s not until Lyle speaks that I remember just how well he and Riley know each other. “Didn’t you leave the FBI for the private sector after the take-down of a human trafficking ring in East LA went south?” Lyle asks.

Riley nods.

To his credit, Lyle doesn’t look at me. But he’s a smart man; he knows there’s history between me and Riley—and more than the basic fact that Riley and my father worked together. Lyle doesn’t know the details, though. And he doesn’t ask.

Just one more reason to sing my boss’s praises.

As for him expecting Blade to babysit me…

I shift on the sofa, my head tilted so that my eyes are fixed on Riley. “I don’t need you to stay.”

“No?”

“No,” I assure him, then turn to Lyle. “Really. No.”

Riley sits up and leans forward, his elbows on his knees. “Dammit, Natasha, you know I’m good at what I do—and with all the work I’ve been doing with McKay-Taggart, I’m even better at the bodyguard gig than I was before. I can keep you safe. Don’t be an idiot and turn down my offer.”

He aims those dark eyes at me, and I swallow. With that piercing gaze and his sexy swath of five-o’clock shadow over a strong, rugged jaw, the man really does ooze sensuality. More than that, though, he gives the impression of strength. Of solidity.

Of safety, pure and simple.

And, yeah, some part of me wants to know that he has my back.

I’m going to cave—I know it. I’m not stupid, and now that I’ve seen Riley again, up close and personal, I don’t want Lyle to give in and hire me a rent-a-cop.

I want Riley. I just don’t want Riley.

But I’m damn sure not going to admit it just yet. Do that, and I’ll never manage to erase his smug expression.

He says he wants the job? Fine. He can work to convince me. At least then we’ll be on somewhat even footing.

Not that I’ve ever felt like I’m on even ground around Riley. I’m far too attracted to the man, and always have been.

I’ll let Riley watch over me. But that’s as far as things will go between us. I’ll tell him the same thing I told him when he consulted with Lyle. No passes. No flirting. Business only, or else I’ll shut it down and find my own damn bodyguard.