Guarding His Heart. Synithia Williams

without the support of a great set of writer friends. Whether for virtual hugs, words of encouragement or listening to me rant, the Divas are always there. You ladies are much appreciated.

      Contents

       Cover

       Back Cover Text

       About the Author

       Booklist

       Title Page

       Copyright

       Introduction

       Dear Reader

       Dedication

       Acknowledgments

       Chapter 1

       Chapter 2

       Chapter 3

       Chapter 4

       Chapter 5

       Chapter 6

       Chapter 7

       Chapter 8

       Chapter 9

       Chapter 10

       Chapter 11

       Chapter 12

       Chapter 13

       Chapter 14

       Chapter 15

       Chapter 16

       Chapter 17

       Chapter 18

       Chapter 19

       Chapter 20

       Chapter 21

       Chapter 22

       Chapter 23

       Extract

       About the Publisher

       Chapter 1

      Kevin Koucky had no problem getting naked.

      Getting naked in a cold studio, in front of a crowd of mostly strangers, as part of the photo shoot for Sports Fitness magazine was an entirely different situation. He glanced at his publicist across the studio. Rod gave Kevin two thumbs-up while his always enthusiastic grin covered his thin face.

      Kevin answered with a half smile. Rod had been raving about this photo shoot ever since the magazine had called with the offer. Kevin’s naked body was about to grace the cover of a magazine hitting every magazine rack in the country. The “Bodies in Motion” issue, which paid homage to the various fitness levels of professional athletes, was the magazine’s most popular of the year. The cover spot was given to someone considered to be at the top of their game. Kevin had played professional basketball since he was eighteen and was proud of being considered an elite athlete chosen for the cover. Even if nature was slowly siphoning away his abilities.

      The representative for Sports Fitness walked over to him. The petite brunette had a friendly face underlaid with a fierce focus toward ensuring he was comfortable as they prepared for the shoot.

      “Okay, Kevin,” she said. “Jasmine is here, and she’s ready.”

      Kevin looked at his wrist to check the time. Realized a second later it wasn’t there because he was butt naked in a cold studio. They’d been waiting fifteen minutes for the diva photographer to make her way uptown and complete the shoot. He’d never meet Jasmine Hook before, but she was already getting on his nerves. He wasn’t in the mood to deal with an artist who had a self-importance complex and believed coming to a photo shoot late somehow increased her demand.

      “Oh, she finally decided to show up,” Kevin said, not bothering to hide his annoyance.

      The representative’s grin tightened. “Well, she had another appointment before this that ran long and then got caught in traffic.”

      Kevin looked skyward. “Yeah, I’m sure her time photographing models and actors provides her with plenty of perfect excuses for being fashionably late.” He’d heard enough about Jasmine to know she was the most sought-after fashion photographer in the nation. Why she was chosen for this shoot probably had more to do with her name than anything. He wouldn’t be surprised to find she was just as self-absorbed and obsessed with fashion as the people she photographed.

      “You’d be surprised how much I’ve learned photographing models and athletes,” an amused female voice replied. “Especially the naked ones with an attitude.”

      Kevin tightened the towel wrapped around his hips and turned in the direction of the voice. The smart retort died in this throat. The woman who’d spoken snatched his voice with just the sparkle in her eye.

      She was tall. He’d guess five-ten or -eleven. At six foot four, he was a sucker for a tall