Series: Body Armor (Book 3)
There’s no resisting a desire like this…
MMA fighter Miles Dartman’s casual arrangement with personal shopper Maxi Nevar would be many men’s fantasy. She seeks him out, they have mindblowing sex, she leaves. Rinse, repeat. Yet lately, Miles wants more. And when Maxi requests his services via the Body Armor security agency, he’s ready to finally break through her defenses -- and protect her day and night.
Receiving a large inheritance has brought chaos and uncertainty into Maxi’s life. Her ex has resurfaced, along with lots of former “friends,” and someone is making mysterious threats. Then there’s Miles, who doesn’t ask for anything…except her trust. Pleasure is easy. Now Maxi has to give her heart as well as her body…or risk losing a man who could be everything she needs.
Very good book. Miles was an MMA fighter at the top of his game when he gave it all up to become a bodyguard. He likes the variety of the work, his boss is great, and he enjoys working with his two friends, Leese (Under Pressure) and Justice (Hard Justice). The only downside is the woman he hasn't been able to forget or find again after their last encounter. That is, until the day she walked into Body Armor looking for his help.
Maxi's life is in an uproar. She recently lost both her mother and her grandmother. The need for distraction is what sent her to Rowdy's bar to start with, where she hooked up with Miles. It was supposed to be a "one and done" thing, but something about Miles kept drawing her back. When she inherited her grandmother's property, and the hassles that went with it, she didn't want to pull him into her troubles, so she pulled away. But when unexplainable things began happening, she knows that Miles is the only one she can trust to help her.
I was caught up in the story from the beginning, as Maxi woke up in a field with no idea how she got there. Her fear and determination were palpable, and I held my breath as she tried to get to safety. Her reunion with Miles was just as tension-filled. Miles was angry, hurt, and confused about the way that Maxi had left, and isn't quite sure how to take her story. He also can't deny that he still wants her. Maxi wants Miles just as much, but also believes that he doesn't need someone with her issues. I also thoroughly enjoyed the way that Sahara stirred the pot in getting both Miles and Maxi to do what she wanted.
I enjoyed the development of Maxi and Miles's relationship. Though initially suspicious of her story, Miles's protectiveness is unquestionable. I really liked how understanding he was of her fear of letting him out of her sight for the first few days. Though he really wanted to give in to the attraction that still burned between them, he also didn't want to take advantage of her while she was vulnerable. It was fun to see Maxi's frustration with his restraint and how she tried to demolish it. When they finally gave in, it was just as explosive as they remembered.
There were definitely communication problems between Miles and Maxi. Miles's feelings for Maxi continue to grow, but he doesn't tell her how he feels. He is unsure of her feelings and doesn't want to risk the rejection he felt when she disappeared without a word. However, he does try to show her how he feels, even though that tends to leave her confused. I liked that he was protective without being overbearing, and respected her enough to back off when possible. Maxi knows that her feelings for Miles have grown, but she doesn't tell him either. Instead, she worries that his actions are simply because of his job. She can't help being hopeful, but that is a roller coaster ride for her. I liked seeing her stand up to him when she needed to retain some of her hard-won independence. It was equally fun and frustrating to watch the two of them dance around each other, as the smallest things would give them hope or, just as likely, dash their dreams. It took surviving an attempt on their lives for them to cut through their fears and just say what they felt, with a little push from Sahara.
The suspense of the story was very well done. The trouble began after Maxi inherited her grandmother's property. Thanks to family issues, both Maxi's sister and brother have pressured her to sell the property and split the proceeds with them. There is motive on both their parts to get her to give up the property, putting them on the suspect list. There is also Maxi's ex-fiancé, who suddenly wants back in her life, and is forceful about pushing his agenda. The occasional segment from the viewpoint of the bad guy as he ramps up his attempts adds to the intensity of the danger. The final confrontation had me on the edge of my seat until it was all over. There were enough twists and turns throughout the story that I wasn't sure who was behind it until right before it was revealed. Even then, there were some surprises.
The secondary characters added an extra layer of depth and fun to the book. Sahara has been my favorite through the series. She is quite the dynamo and has no trouble going after what she wants. I love her pursuit of the various fighters she wants for the agency. I think she was the one who said, "It’s like an assortment of delicious man candy, isn’t it? One at a time is shocking, but all together, they steal a girl’s breath away." Both Leese and Justice, and their ladies, also make appearances. I love the depth of friendship among the men and how there is never any hesitation when help is needed. I also loved the work party when, in addition to Leese and Justice, Cannon, Armie, Denver, and Stack (Ultimate Fighter series) also came to lend a hand.
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