“I can’t remember.”
It almost broke Nick to see her holding herself as though she was the only person she’d ever been able to depend on. It was enough to propel him forward and hold her.
She was shaking. Maybe they both were, and he boosted her up onto the waist-high counter and let her cling. Let himself soothe.
Three days ago, Dr. Genie Watson had been nothing more than a woman whose reputation for utter brilliance and cool standoffishness was hard to deny.
Now, in just seventy-two short hours, Genie Watson had become so much more to Nick. And he couldn’t seem to stop himself from touching her. Wanting her.
He couldn’t, shouldn’t, wouldn’t take advantage of her. She was scared, vulnerable. And he was her protector.
“Nick,” she whispered, breaking in to his thoughts, “I know that this will be over soon, that they’ll find this guy and things will go back to the way they were before. So will you do me a favor and kiss me? Just once, so I know what it’s like?”
“Genie, I—” Shouldn’t. Couldn’t. Wouldn’t.
Will.
Dear Harlequin Intrigue Reader,
Beginning this October, Harlequin Intrigue has expanded its lineup to six books! Publishing two more titles each month enables us to bring you an extraordinary selection of breathtaking stories of romantic suspense filled with exciting editorial variety—and we encourage you to try all that we have to offer.
Stock up on catnip! Caroline Burnes brings back your favorite feline sleuth to beckon you into a new mystery in the popular series FEAR FAMILIAR. This four-legged detective sticks his whiskers into the mix to help clear a stunning stuntwoman’s name in Familiar Double. Up next is Dani Sinclair’s new HEARTSKEEP trilogy starting with The Firstborn—a darkly sensual gothic romance that revolves around a sinister suspense plot. To lighten things up, bestselling Harlequin American Romance author Judy Christenberry crosses her beloved BRIDES FOR BROTHERS series into Harlequin Intrigue with Randall Renegade—a riveting reunion romance that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Keeping Baby Safe by Debra Webb could either passionately reunite a duty-bound COLBY AGENCY operative and his onetime lover—or tear them apart forever. Don’t miss the continuation of this action-packed series. Then Amy J. Fetzer launches our BACHELORS AT LARGE promotion featuring fearless men in blue with Under His Protection. Finally, watch for Dr. Bodyguard by debut author Jessica Andersen. Will a hunky doctor help penetrate the emotional walls around a lady genius before a madman closes in?
Pick up all six for a complete reading experience you won’t forget!
Enjoy,
Denise O’Sullivan
Senior Editor Harlequin Intrigue
Dr. Bodyguard
Jessica Andersen
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Though she’s tried out professions ranging from cleaning sea lion cages to cloning glaucoma genes, from patent law to training horses, Jessica is happiest when she’s combining all these interests with her first love—writing. These days she’s delighted to be writing full-time on a farm in rural Connecticut that she shares will a small menagerie of animals and a hero named Brian. She loves to hear from readers. You can write to her at P.O. Box 204, Voluntown, CT 06384.
CAST OF CHARACTERS
Genie Watson—When the brilliant scientist is brutally attacked and several “accidents” occur in her DNA lab, Genie must turn to co-worker Nick Wellington for protection, even though he’s just the type of man she has vowed to avoid.
Nick Wellington—Caught between an ingrained need to protect and a learned distrust of smart, opinionated women who hog lab equipment, Nick fights to save Genie even as he struggles against his growing desires.
George Dixon—He and Genie had once shared a relationship. Now they share a restraining order. How far will he go to get her back?
Richard Fenton Sr.—The aging tycoon is putting financial pressure on Genie to disclose confidential genetic information. Could he be putting another kind of pressure on her, as well?
Richard Fenton Jr.—Heir apparent to his father’s fortune, he will do anything to insure his future.
Stephanie Alberts—Genie’s clinical coordinator has had terrible luck with men, but she thinks she’s found a keeper this time. Or is he just using her?
Roger Strait—Is the salesman from Petrie Pharmaceuticals really Steph’s dream come true?
Leo Gabney—One of the top administrators at Boston General Hospital, Leo will do anything to keep the hospital on track. Anything.
For Brian,
who only winced a little when I announced I was quitting the lab to write romance novels.
Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Epilogue
Chapter One
“Wellington? Darn it, Wellington, are you in here?”
Genie shoved at the revolving door and squinted into the research lab’s darkroom, trying to pick out her irritating co-worker’s broad-shouldered silhouette. She stepped inside, fumbled for a switch and heard the ultrasonic whine of warming red lights over the rumble of machinery. “Because if you’re hogging the developer again when my name is clearly written on the sign-up sheet, I’ll—”
A blur of motion swept across the faintly red darkness. “Dr. Watson?”
“Wellington, I—” But it hadn’t been her floormate’s voice. “Who—”
The stranger’s hand clamped over her mouth. His hard, hot arm latched on to her ribs and crushed her back against his body. She opened her mouth to scream and tasted the powdered latex of a lab glove. Only a muffled whimper emerged.
“Shut up.” His voice was uneven, his breath sour and his silhouette black against the bloody red lights. “Just shut up, slut-doctor-whore. Ruin a man’s life and think nothing of it, will you?”
Genie screamed against the glove, thrashed and tried to elbow her captor in the ribs. He cursed and shoved her against the waist-high counter that circled the room. A starburst of pain sang as her hip smacked against something square and solid and red-black.
His heartbeat pounded against her shoulder, quick and scared—or was that hers?—and he thrust against her backside and growled over the clanking hum of the X-ray developer. She tried to wrench away and he pressed harder, pushing her against the counter as she flailed her hands against the warm, red-black air.
She