Guarding His Heart. Synithia Williams

for you in what way?” she asked.

      “Is it increasing the likelihood I’ll be able to see you again?”

      She tilted her head to the side. “How is photographing you today supposed to make me want to see you again?”

      He shifted his weight and rubbed his hands together. The movement made the towel dip lower. Her gaze dipped before she could stop herself. When she met his eyes again, he lifted a brow.

       Yeah, you look good and yeah, I know it.

      “You were behind the camera,” Kevin said. “That’s very impersonal. I thought you’d want a more up close experience.”

      Seriously? Was that all it took for this man to get a woman in his bed? She didn’t doubt it. Hell, her body was responding, her nipples hardening and heat building in the apex of her thighs just from the promise in his eyes. The man was the embodiment of dangerous sex appeal with those dark eyes, tattoos, muscles and good looks. A combination that had caused women to make regrettable decisions since the beginning of time.

      “Oh, no need. My camera has a zoom lens, you see. I’ve already got an up close and personal view of everything I wanted to see.”

      His smile scattered her thoughts for a second. “And you’re not interested in seeing more?”

      She was definitely interested in seeing more. If she didn’t have plans for tonight, and she didn’t have to start packing to leave New York, and she had a little more time to feel him out and decide if he was worthy of getting in her bed, she would have said yes.

      Not going to bed with Kevin was good for other reasons. Guys like Kevin had the pesky potential to become more than just a fling if she wasn’t careful. Guys like him got in her blood, her head and before long, had her thinking she was in love right when he was ready to move on.

      “I’m sure it would be fun, Kevin, but I’m going have to say no, thank you.” She didn’t smile with her letdown but kept her voice casual. Kevin seemed flirty and laid-back, but she’d witnessed how volatile some guys could be when faced with rejection or how others would view an accompanying smile as an excuse to keep hounding.

      He raised a brow. “You sure?”

      She took a deep breath and gave him one last once-over. Yeah, Kevin would definitely be fun, but she didn’t have time for that kind of detour. “I’m sure.”

      He placed a hand over his heart and stepped back. “You break my heart, Jasmine, but I won’t push.”

      Score more points for him not behaving like an idiot. “I appreciate that.”

      “I’m in town for a few days. You change your mind, give me a call.”

      If only she were in town a few days. “I don’t have your number.”

      The man miraculously pulled a pen from his towel. The towel shifted dangerously low, so low she could see the dusting of hair below his waist. Magically it held in place.

      “You have an ink pen in your towel?”

      He chuckled and stepped close. “Always be ready.” He took her hand in his. His was large and warm but surprisingly gentle.

      Heat zipped up her arm and through her chest, right down to her toes. There was a hint of cologne combined with an underlying peppery spice that heated her even more. He turned her hand palm up, uncapped the pen with his mouth and wrote a number on her wrist.

      The movement of the pen tickled. The heat of his fingers branded her. Her pulse fluttered and her breathing stuttered in her chest.

      His eyes lifted to hers. Desire and a dare flickering in their depths. He lifted her arm higher, blew on the ink. Goose bumps rose all over her body. Her sex tingled and her nipples tightened.

      “You’ve got it now,” he said in a low voice she felt all the way in her toes. Kevin ran his thumb over the number, smiled at her, then dropped her hand. “Call me.”

      He turned and walked away. The towel dipped. Jasmine sucked in a breath. He caught it before it fell. Jasmine released a disappointed breath. Yeah, he was definitely a get-in-your-blood kind of guy. Thank goodness she was leaving New York in two weeks.

      Now, to keep from calling him before she left town.

       Chapter 2

      “Come on, Kevin, tell me. Are you retiring?”

      Kevin chuckled and took a sip of the red wine in his hand. He leaned against the balcony of photographer Rafael Sim’s penthouse overlooking uptown Manhattan. He stretched out his hands reflexively. The nearly constant ache didn’t subside. Pretty soon he wouldn’t be able to ignore it. He put down the glass of wine and looked up from his failing hands.

      “Rafael, when the decision is made, I’ll let you know.”

      “You really think you have one more season left in you?” Rafael asked. There was no judgment in his voice. If anything, there was a hint of admiration in his friend’s tone.

      A month ago, Kevin would have lived up to that admiration.

      “I’m not quite ready to be put out to pasture,” Kevin said. Carefully, he picked up the wineglass and took another sip. He didn’t admit defeat easily and he wasn’t ready to give up his place in the league.

      “Well, you know retiring will free up your time to pursue other things,” Rafael said. His curly dark hair was cut in a fashionable style that would have looked ridiculous on any other guy, but Rafael was able to pull it off, along with his white pants, flowered button-up shirt and dark-rimmed glasses. That was Rafael, fashionable to the core.

      “Things like what?”

      Rafael shrugged and leaned his forearms on the balcony next to Kevin. “Things like sponsoring the art exhibit of your good friend.”

      Kevin laughed at the blatant request. He’d met Rafael several years ago during New York Fashion Week. That was right after Kevin’s divorce, when he’d chosen to bury his heartbreak in the arms of a supermodel he’d met. She’d dragged him to a fashion show and instead of being bored out of his mind, he’d ended up sitting next to Rafael, talking about art. Kevin had agreed to sponsor Rafael’s next exhibit and they’d been friends ever since.

      “You know I got you,” Kevin said. “What are you showcasing this time?”

      “Chronicling life in my hometown in Texas. The place once thrived... Now the jobs are gone and it’s dying out. My family is still there, and they’re trying to hold on like everyone else.” Rafael’s voice was bittersweet. “The loss of jobs is sad, but the hope of the people still shines, ya know?”

      “I know.” Kevin’s own hometown in South Carolina had gone through the same thing. Loss of industry, people moving out and a stunted tax base had nearly killed the place his mom and grandmother still called home. He’d done what he could to help bring business back and the place was finally making a comeback. “I think that’s a good idea. Maybe it’ll help shine some light on your hometown.”

      Rafael nodded. “That’s what I’m hoping for.”

      The sound of conversation inside the penthouse increased. Kevin straightened and glanced toward the door. “Sounds like we’re missing your party,” he teased. There were other people on the balcony, too. Music played from the speakers and conversation and laughter flowed, but it definitely sounded like something had excited the people inside.

      “I know,” Rafael straightened and walked toward the balcony doors. “Let’s go see what’s going on.”

      Kevin followed. He glanced through the glass at the people still inside. He spotted a pair of beautiful brown eyes and a flash of blue-tipped hair. A slow smile spread over his face while pleasant surprise and the thrill