Wyatt’s eyebrows dipped and then smoothed. “I’ll be looking for weaknesses.” His lips tilted upward on the corners. “And you?”

A shiver of excitement rippled across her. She had to swallow hard to loosen her vocal cords. “I’ll be circulating through the meet-and-greet and then through the convention center the next day. Some of the delegates have a known propensity for drama. I want to curtail any scenes before the press gets wind of it.”

“You can’t be everywhere at once,” Joe said.

Fiona nodded. “Precisely. That’s why Maddie will be assisting me in circulating. Each one of us will be equipped with a radio headset. If anything happens, we’ll be able to call on each other immediately.” She smiled at Joe. “I’m not certain you’ll be there throughout, but if you are, you will be rigged with radio communications as well.”

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” Joe grinned at Wyatt. “It’ll be like on active duty, only our teammates will be dressed to the nines, not covered in sand and smelling like last week’s sweat socks.”

Maddie turned to Joe. “What branch of service, Joe?”

“Army Special Forces.” His chest puffed out. “Three tours to the sandbox, and I was lucky enough to live to tell about it.”

Wyatt’s jaw tightened as his gaze rested on his friend.

“What about you, Preston?” Fiona turned her attention to the man beside her. “I understand you are prior service.”

Preston’s gaze narrowed. “Yeah.”

“What branch?” she pressed.

“Marine Corps,” he answered, his voice clipped, a frown settling between his brows. The man obviously didn’t want to talk about it.

Fiona smiled. “My stepfather was in the Marines for twenty-six years. He always said it was the toughest job you’ll ever love.”

Preston sat in stony silence.

“Wyatt?” Maddie piped in. “What’s your background?”

Yeah, Wyatt? What makes you so intense and sexual? Fiona wanted to ask, but she remained quiet, awaiting the man’s response.

Wyatt seemed to be working through his answer in his head. “Army,” he finally spit out.

Joe chuckled. “Don’t let him kid you. He’s one of the most decorated soldiers you’ll ever meet. He saved my butt a time or two.”

Wyatt shrugged. “So, I assume you’ll want to meet at the hotel when the dogs have made their sweep?”

Fiona recognized the diversionary tactic and let Wyatt have it. “I’m spending my morning at the convention center and from noon on, I’ll be at the hotel managing the details for the evening’s event. Find me when you get there. I’d like to hear what you think are the soft spots for security.”

The food arrived, thus ending the business portion of the meeting.

After the waiter removed the plates, Fiona ordered a frozen margarita and sat back to enjoy the music and the soft-scented breeze.

The band struck up a song with a lively beat.

Maddie leaped to her feet. “Come on, Wyatt, the music is moving me.”

Wyatt shook his head. “I’m too full.”

She planted her hands on her hips. “In my neck of the woods, you don’t turn down a lady’s offer to dance.”

“You’re right.” Wyatt pushed to his feet with a smile. “Forgive my rudeness.”

Maddie batted her eyes and hooked her arm through his. “Forgiven. Now show me how well you move those sexy hips.” She danced him to the center of the floor and spun to face him, holding out her arms. He spun her into his embrace and moved around the floor like he was built to dance.

“Magnus was always good on the dance floor.” Joe stood. “If you don’t mind your toes being stepped on, I’d be honored if you’d join me.”

Fiona hesitated, not liking to leave a man alone at their table.

Preston settled it by standing as well. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to brief my staff one more time and then hit the rack. I’ll be up before dawn and would like to be rested.”

Shaking his hand, Fiona bid Preston goodnight and took Joe’s hand, allowing him to lead her onto the small dance floor. She hadn’t danced since college. Busy getting her business up and running, she’d forgone the young social scene.

It felt good to sway to the music. For what Joe lacked in rhythm, he made up for with enthusiasm. By the time the song ended, Fiona was breathless and smiling. If her eyes drifted over to where Wyatt and Maddie were dancing, she didn’t let it spoil her fun.

The band shifted to a soft and sensuous salsa. Joe tried a few steps with Fiona leading, but he laughed and gave up.

“Trade ya,” Maddie said, appearing beside Fiona with Wyatt on her arm. “I think I can teach Joe a few tricks.”

Wyatt held out his hand.

With a sense of excitement mixed with dread, Fiona placed her hand in his palm and let him draw her into his arms.

They fit together all too well, his hips rocking her hips in time to the music. Joe had been right, Wyatt could dance. A man who was strong, ruggedly good looking and could dance was a triple threat to Fiona. He reminded her just how much she loved to dance and made her wonder why she’d given it up for the sake of her career.

At the same time, being so close to Wyatt only made her infinitely more aware of his hard muscles, thick thighs and massive arms. How would it feel to be naked, her soft breasts pressed against his rock-hard muscles again? For a moment she melted against him, ready to feel the next best thing. When she realized just how close she was, she stiffened and tried to draw away.

His hand on the small of her back held her in place. “Loosen up,” Wyatt whispered into her ear. “Feel the music and let me show you how to move.”

“I know how to dance,” she retorted, though her voice sounded weak.

“Then show me.” He spun her around, his thigh pushing between hers, his hand creeping lower down her back, pressing her against the solid ridge beneath his fly.

Angry that he thought she couldn’t hold her own on the dance floor and even angrier at herself for caring, she closed her eyes and gave herself up to the music. As far as she was concerned, she could be with any man and still dance the same.

He twirled her away then back into his arms, his body rubbing hers from his chin to his calves, inciting a riot with her nervous system.

Holy hell, her body was on fire, raging with need to be with him…in bed…alone, not surrounded by a crowd of vacationing tourists.

Nearing the end of the passion-filled song, Wyatt swept her up against him and bent her backwards, exposing her throat.

When the music ended, he held her still, bent over her, his lips so close she could feel the warmth of his breath. Just a half-inch would close the distance.

“Uh, Fiona, dear,” Maddie said beside her. “The music stopped.”

Fiona stared up into Wyatt’s eyes and blinked, the moment gone.

Wyatt set her on her feet. “Thank you for the dance.”

Brushing her hands down the length of the dress, she pushed her hair back from her face. “Well, I should call it a ni—”

A loud crash from the direction of the kitchen made everyone jump.

Wyatt grabbed her around the middle, shoved her to the floor and threw himself on top of her.

Crushed to the sticky tiles, Fiona could barely breathe, much less move beneath the weight and strength of the man above her.

“Magnus,” Joe spoke, as if from a distance. “It’s okay. The bus boy dropped a tub of dishes. It’s okay.” He grabbed Wyatt’s elbow and dragged him to his feet.

Unfettered by Wyatt’s big body, Fiona rolled to her feet and studied the man.

His face was pale, his brows dipped into a fierce frown, his hands bunched into fists. “Have to go.”

“Magnus. It’s okay,” Joe repeated. “The reflex will fade. You just have to give it time.”

Wyatt turned to Fiona, his gaze sweeping over her rumpled, stained dress, his jaw twitching on the side. “I’m sorry.” He tossed some bills on the table, pushed through the throng of people staring at him and left the restaurant.