Read Protected by a SEAL: Hot SEALs (Volume 5) for Free Online Page B

whole house.”
    Jon snorted. “Yeah, well it probably costs more a night than your mortgage every month so don’t be too jealous.”
    He hadn’t considered that but, of course, Jon was probably right about that. Diva was hella rich.
    No wonder she was so stuck up. She couldn’t help it.
    Rick allowed himself to digest that for just a second before work-mode took over. “So how is GAPS set up as far as surveillance-detection equipment goes?”
    “Oh, well let me just take a look at our latest equipment warehouse inventory.“ Jon paused, no doubt for dramatic effect to complement his sarcasm. “Rick, right now we’re buying equipment as we need it. I mean we got the essentials necessary for a QRF kit—weapons, ammo, vests and plates, but specialty stuff, like what you’re asking about, we’ll have to go buy.”
    “Oh. That’s okay. I guess I don’t need—“
    “Rick. No. That’s not what I meant. I don’t stockpile this stuff, but if you need it, I’ll happily get it.”
    “You sure? I can make do with a manual sweep.” Rick knew GAPS hadn’t scored a whole lot of work in its brief history. He felt bad asking Jon to spend any of their initial investment that could go toward more important needs, such as beefing up their Quick Reaction Force kits. Or buying those four-tube NVGs he’d been jonesing for Jon to get for the team.
    “The client is paying us a nice sum for this gig and we’ve got money in the bank. Besides, a bug detector is probably something we’ll get a lot of use out of. It’s all good. I’ll call around. If I can’t find any place open tonight, I’ll get it in the morning and run it over to you.”
    “That would be great. Thanks, Jon.”
    “No problem. I’d like to meet the client in person anyway.”
    “Yup. You probably should.” Rick tempered his reply and didn’t issue the warning that was on the tip of his tongue.
    He glanced across the room as Ms. Cox, with her chestnut hair piled up on top of her head.
    A fluffy white robe dwarfed her, its color a stark contrast to the heightened hue of her cheeks.
    Crap, she was looking too sexy for her to be a client. Why couldn’t he have gotten some old governmental dude to guard instead?
    This was his first big assignment for GAPS. He needed his head in the game, not on wondering what was under that robe.
    If he hadn’t taken the time to look her up online before coming over, the image of her in a bikini wouldn’t be flashing through his sex-deprived brain.
    That was sad recompense for doing his due diligence. He should have just driven over unprepared. He would have been better off blissfully ignorant to what Sierra Cox’s smooth lean limbs looked like, bronzed and oiled in that photo spread.  
    He had to stop thinking like that or he’d embarrass himself and probably get GAPS fired from what was a pretty primo job.
    Meanwhile, any fantasies on Rick’s part would remain just that. Fantasy.
    Mainly because he had to be professional but also because there was no way Sierra Cox wanted anything to do with him. Not professionally or personally.
    That was clear by the attitude radiating off her from across the room. She might be swaddled in fluff, but she sure as hell had a demeanor that was hard as nails.
    Sierra was like an overwhelming spitfire compressed in a deceivingly small and sweet-looking package. Kind of like that chocolate-covered fire ant he ate on a dare when they’d all been in HOA.  
    That had been the easiest fifty bucks he’d ever made. Unfortunately, Rick had a feeling conquering Sierra Cox would not be so easy.

CHAPTER 8
    For what had to be the dozenth time Sierra glanced at the clock.
    Sleep eluded her, and it wasn’t because of the potentially deadly, camera-wielding stalker, or the possibility of a bug being planted in her suite to monitor her every move. It was without a doubt the fact that even her unconscious brain was very aware of—not to mention disturbed by—the presence of the bruiser in her