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  Shutting down her imagination, Erica refocused on the assignment. While she appreciated Caitlyn for trusting her to protect her “friend,” the last thing Erica wanted was to be saddled with babysitting duty. Not when something much more interesting and more fun could pop up at any moment.

  “Wouldn’t a junior agent be better suited?”

  “I need someone with your performance background. You’re going in as the new addition to his show.”

  “I can’t sing or dance or anything like that. What could I possibly do in his concerts?”

  “Swim.” Caitlyn set a stack of CDs on the deck. “I’ll be back this afternoon to see what you’ve come up with. You’re in the field tomorrow.” With that last statement, Caitlyn turned on her sensible pump and strode away. Erica hoisted herself from the pool even while hope dared to blossom in her chest, and she picked up the pile of Trevor Cole music that had been left for her.

  “I can’t choreograph all this by the afternoon.” But Erica’s protest fell on no ears at all. Caitlyn was already gone.

  Back at her homey condo with two CDs down, Erica shocked herself to admit she enjoyed the quirky sense of humor that came through in Trevor’s irreverent lyrics. Some brief Internet research told her he was indeed the songwriter, and it was as if she’d already begun to know him. But Erica wasn’t about to rely on that. Besides, Caitlyn would provide a more in depth package later.

  It took a little getting used to with its screaming guitar riffs and pounding bass, but once she made herself pay attention to the tracks, she started to appreciate his genius. She had never been all that into music. She’d heard a lot of songs because she’d enjoyed choreographing the routines to swim with her partner and became a master at picking the tunes that best suited them. Otherwise, Erica wasn’t a sit and listen kind of girl. For the most part, she enjoyed silence.

  She found the song that suited her to a T in the middle of the third CD. It started out with a pounding beat, slowed to a sultry country ballad in the middle and then jammed its way out. And, unlike its predecessors, it would be a snap to count. Erica repeated the song and experimented with some land drills. The choreography came to her with surprising ease. A couple more times through and she had a workable routine.

  Despite what Caitlyn had implied, Erica knew her boss didn’t expect her to make up routines to every song. Erica looked at the clock on her otherwise bare wall. She’d had enough time to grab a quick bite and get back to the pool where she could fine tune the routine. Erica converted the song to an MP3 and loaded it on her SwiMP3 player. Even though the pool was state of the art at her job, she was pretty sure it wasn’t equipped with underwater speakers.

  Erica stretched her lithe body while she considered costumes. It would be a hoot to give her boss the full synchro treatment. Before the notion could take root, Erica dismissed it. She should keep things simple. Besides, she hadn’t even opened her trunk of costumes since she’d returned to the States. Intending to let the matter drop, Erica tried to turn away. Her feet had other plans. It was just a bunch of old swimsuits. What harm could there be in looking?

  Almost without further contemplation, Erica slunk into her spare bedroom and slid the closet door open. She shook her head at the silliness of creeping around her own place. When she knelt by the trunk, it was like she was about to open Pandora ’s Box. Once she had, Erica wasn’t sure how she’d ever be able to close it again.

  Yet, she forged ahead. Erica lifted the heavy mahogany lid and waited for old ghosts to assail her. She blew out the breath she’d inadvertently held when they never came. She plunged a hand inside her past. A smile blossomed on her face when she sifted through old CDs and routines written and sealed in plastic bags.

  She pushed it aside and pulled a garment bag free. Erica eased the zipper down to peer at the shiny, black costume she knew would be on top. Her smile slid away as she remembered the last time she’d worn the suit. Now that she’d let her guard down, the ghosts attacked.

  Erica could never go back. Not after what she did. She’d even heard through her one remaining connection that her old duet partner had done a great job of keeping her on everyone’s blacklist. Not that she could blame the woman.

  Erica shook her memories away. She wasn’t going to let the ghosts win. Not when she had the opportunity to swim again. And if she had to babysit a spoiled rock star who had some nervous nelly on his staff, then so be it.

  Erica contemplated the costume still clenched in her fist. It was perfect for the assignment. The shiny leather-like polyester and the crystals her duet partner had placed inside the black netting with such care gave it a Dangerous Beauty kind of look Erica knew would complement the Trevor Cole song she’d chosen. Since she wasn’t known for her imperfection, Erica had to wear it. With any luck, the ghosts would drown.

  After lunch, Erica raced back to the pool to put the finishing touches on the choreography. She was thankful that her job required her to stay in shape. Otherwise, she’d have never made it through the routine that she had loaded with hybrids, spins and boosts, and had no choice but be impressive. Concerned with a section of the music where she was having trouble remembering the sequence, Erica climbed out of the water to lay on the sunny deck and land drill it.

  She’d only gotten through it once and had screwed it up even more when a shadow fell over her.

  “Cute suit.”

  Erica opened her eyes to see Caitlyn standing there. Erica smiled and stood so her boss could also see the crystals running down the back of the suit. She wasn’t expecting the whistles and catcalls from some of her coworkers who’d just joined them on the roof. Erica rolled her eyes at Jason who was still known as the office ladies’ man even though his recent marriage had clipped his wings a bit.

  “If I had known you’d fill out a suit like that, I’d have been first in line for your swim lessons.”

  Erica chuckled. When she’d joined the firm, she’d been surprised at how many of the agents couldn’t swim. She’d taken it upon herself to give lessons twice a week. Even while on nearby assignments she had tried to make it in for the weekly lessons.

  “I’m sure Katie would love that.”

  “Hey, I’m married. Not dead. She lets me admire every now and again,” Jason said with a wolfish grin. A balled up jacket smacked him in the face. Erica laughed when Katie joined them on the pool deck with a couple of other smirking coworkers.

  “Put your eyes back in your head, Markley,” Katie teased while she slid an arm around his waist. Jason pulled her jacket off his face and gave her an innocent look.

  “What? I was just sizing it up for you.”

  Katie laughed. “Whatever.” She eyed Erica herself. “Although, I may change my mind. Girl, that is one gorgeous suit.” Katie was a pixie compared to Erica’s solid height. The suit would slide right off the poor woman.

  “Thank you. It was made for me. I’m surprised it still fits.”

  “It fits,” Jason remarked, but his eyes were locked on Katie.

  Erica looked around the deck where no less than ten more of her colleagues had arrived. She shot a questioning look at Caitlyn.

  “I thought you could use an audience.”

  “It’ll be a little difficult to enjoy without the music.” Erica shrugged. “I don’t have a system.”

  Caitlyn’s lips quirked in what would pass for a smile. “I do.” She motioned for Erica to follow and strode over to the pump room. Erica was surprised to see a built-in sound system. “We added it once we were sure you were going to come aboard. I like to be prepared to fully use our agents’ skills.”

  “In that case, give me three minutes and I’ll give you the full show.” Caitlyn nodded, and Erica handed over the CD she was going to use before scampering off to get her bag.

  True to her word, in three minutes, Erica slammed the restroom door open and strutted out to the pool deck. Since she’d gelled her hair at her condo, all that had been left to do was to add heavy black eyeliner and mascara over
a dark bronze shadow. A little color on her honey colored cheeks and caked on shiny bronze lipstick completed the character Erica had donned for the performance. She was pleased to note her coworkers’ surprised expressions at her in-your-face appearance. Once she was positioned at the end of the pool, she nailed Caitlyn with a look and nodded for her to begin

  the music. Her boss’ normally expressionless face was also tinged with a little shock, but she turned on the CD. Erica smiled to herself and settled into her pose.

  The music began.

  Erica improvised her deck work and dove in the pool on the proper count. Her legs surfaced first while she executed a fast paced hybrid timed to perfection with the pounding beats. Lungs burning, she spun until her toes were under and tucked out of the vertical. Erica exploded out of the water in a boost that opened a powerful section of the music.

  Erica muscled her way from one end of the pool to the other. Sometimes right side up. Most of the time, upside down. During the ballad that had hooked her, Erica disappeared under the water then walked her legs straight up in a vertical. When she had her upper thighs out of the water, she danced with her legs while using her support scull to travel across the pool. Halfway through the section, she surfaced for an arm sequence and was gratified to see her colleagues cheering for her. While she emoted with her arms, she looked each of her audience members in the eye, drawing them in.

  The song changed to a forceful beat that would end the routine, and Erica’s movements followed suit. Everything she did sharpened and became more distinct. She piked into another hybrid and her leg positions were just as precise. The song pounded toward its conclusion and so did Erica. When she struck the ending pose, thunderous applause sounded from the pool deck. Letting go of the character, Erica was humbled to see that more agents had taken a break from their jobs to watch her swim.

  Erica spotted Caitlyn in the crowd and gave her a smile. “How’s that?” Savoring the delicious adrenaline rush that she so very much longed for, she whip kicked to the edge of the pool.

  Caitlyn clapped twice. High praise indeed. “I’ll let the client know you’re ready.” Erica grinned and hoisted herself out of the water only to be swarmed with congrats. How she had missed this! The thrill of a perfect swim. Sharing what she could do with an audience. She still loved it. Maybe this assignment would be perfect after all. If this Trevor Cole guy got on her nerves, all she had to do was go underwater.

  Once they were alone, Caitlyn picked up just like they’d never been interrupted. “It’ll be up to you to convince him to use you in the show.”

  Erica’s hand froze when she reached for her towel. “Wait a minute. I assumed that was already a done deal.” Erica pictured her perfect assignment slipping from her grasp.

  “Our contact is going to strongly suggest he add a new flavor to the show. You’ll have to audition.”

  “How in the world am I supposed to arrange that? I kinda need a lot of equipment.” Erica gestured at the pool and wrapped herself in the towel.

  “Mr. Cole is hosting a party on his yacht Saturday night. I’ve gotten you an invite. You’ll figure out how to audition there.”

  Erica fought to keep her face expressionless. A yacht pool couldn’t be more than four, five feet deep tops. No way could she do her more impressive elements in such shallow water. The soaring enthusiasm building around the assignment took a sharp nosedive.

  “What if I’m not what they’re looking for?”

  “You’ll have to be. Mr. Cole’s life depends on it.” With that pronouncement Caitlyn strode for the building. She opened the door and then turned to look at Erica. “Just a reminder. Don’t ever mention to Mr. Cole that you are his new bodyguard. And you’ve never heard of Trecam.”

  “I still don’t understand why not.” Erica snuggled into the towel to ward off the chill. She wasn’t sure if it came from the light afternoon breeze or if it was her instincts warning her off this case.

  “Let’s just say that he doesn’t believe our services are for him.” After that puzzling little announcement, Caitlyn went inside leaving Erica alone on the roof with her musings. They were so troubling that Erica didn’t even register that she had just seen her boss exit until a couple moments after the fact.

  Chapter Two

  Trevor was beginning to regret throwing this party. He looked around his yacht, bustling with partygoers, and didn’t see a single familiar face. He didn’t even see any interesting faces. His yacht was packed with big boobs, firm backsides and blank-faced bimbos. He’d stopped asking long ago how these random people always ended up at his parties and put it down to the nature of the beast.

  He summoned up an interested smile for the big-chested chick talking his ear off about all the plastic surgeons she adored and plucked her full champagne glass from her fingers.

  “Looks like you need a refill.”

  She giggled and simpered and brushed her impressive chest against him for what seemed like the millionth time. They didn’t get any softer. In his opinion, she should get her money back. While he ambled away, he wondered if she’d had to relearn to walk after she’d acquired those monstrosities. If nothing else, he was extremely impressed she could keep her balance for such long periods of time.

  He set their glasses down and glanced at the dock and was relieved to see Cam arrive with his wife, Marcy, both casual in jeans and T-shirts. His relief turned to surprise when he noticed that a pudgy woman seemed to be accompanying them. He took one look at her plaid flannel skirt with a high necked blouse and had to give her credit for being ballsy. Either she was deranged or she was so comfortable in her own skin that the silicon babes populating the party wouldn’t bother her. Judging by her surprised reaction when a scantily clad chick flitted by, just avoiding the grasp of a muscle-bound surfer dude, Trevor didn’t think it was the latter. While he studied her, he began to think that deranged might be a jump to a conclusion. She could just be a woman on a mission. Trevor grimaced at the kind of mission the woman was on if she wasn’t deranged.

  Marcy couldn’t expect the two of them to hit it off, could she? The woman had “Marry Me” written all over her. Right next to “wallflower.” Having witnessed his parents’ marriage firsthand, Trevor knew what he wanted in a wife. And wallflower was without a doubt not it. After his career took off, Trevor realized that a wallflower wouldn’t stand for his lifestyle. Since he kinda liked the way things were with only a couple of exceptions, he wasn’t about to get involved with someone who’d insist he’d change.

  Before he could come up with more reasons to turn Marcy’s friend down, Trevor’s eyes caught on a woman walking down the dock behind his friends. He wasn’t sure what caught his attention, but she was in no way a wallflower. She oozed confidence with every step. Trevor frowned in curiosity when he took note of what she was wearing.

  The thigh-length, bulky tan coat showed off long, well-formed legs to perfection, but her feet were encased in matching mid-calf boots. Trevor glanced up at the sun. Why in the world would anybody wear boots on a gorgeous day like today? And her head. She had something black and shiny attached to her chestnut colored hair. Both appeared to be plastered to her scalp. It glinted and sparkled in the bright sun with every move she made, but he couldn’t figure out what it was.

  In his peripheral vision, he saw his friends’ wave at him. He was thankful his dark glasses kept them from knowing he never in actuality tore his gaze away from the woman behind them while he

  returned the wave. When the woman looked up to see who the trio greeted, Trevor fought the impulse to duck out of sight. From the safety of those glasses, he met her stare head on and held it.

  Silly as it was, Trevor wanted to smirk at the small thrill of victory when she was the first to look away. Convinced he was in control, he stepped away from the rail. He’d check her out in detail when she came aboard. The realization that she could be heading to another berth almost sent him back to the rail to confirm her progress. Trevor forced himself to get a grip
and changed course which took him back into the thick of things.

  Erica knew when she was being watched. She’d had that instinct to some extent ever since she could remember. After joining the firm, she’d worked to hone it until it became yet another reliable asset in her ever growing arsenal. It was because of that instinct that she knew the moment Trevor Cole first laid eyes on her. She hadn’t realized it was him until she’d looked up and caught him staring over the railing at her. He couldn’t have realized it, but the sun, being generous with its light, not so much its heat, hit him perfectly from her position on the dock. She could see his eyes through the glasses and confirm his stare. Though Erica had seen pictures of the man, she wasn’t prepared for the sheer magnetism he exuded. She’d have to be careful she didn’t get sucked in. Thank God for his golden blond hair. Blond men were not her type.

  Still, she couldn’t help but prefer that his first glimpse of her hadn’t been when she was wearing a bulky coat and boots. A cool breeze danced across the dock reminding her why she was dressed the way she was. In her brain, she understood her reaction to seeing him for the first time. Over the past day and a half, Erica had immersed herself in everything Trevor Cole. Both the public reports from newspapers and other publications and the private ones that she could only access through Trecam. On a personal level, she liked that he was a decent guy. On a professional one, it sucked.

  Because of his boring background, Erica recommended that Caitlyn assign a team. One person on the front lines gathering evidence and protecting Trevor, while the other person ran down the leads. Hoping to avoid the whole audition thing, Erica volunteered for background duty. Her boss took the recommendations under advisement and amended assignment as needed. All except the part where Erica wouldn’t have to deal with Trevor in person. Hence Erica’s reluctant appearance on the dock. Caitlyn assigned the lead tracking to Jason.