Close Protection

While Close Protection has the familiar plot line of the bodyguard hooking up with the one they're protecting, it's very well done with unique, well-developed characters and a mystery to make things more interesting. I liked the slow build-up to Ryder and Luca's relationship because it made it all the more satisfying when it finally happened. The sexual dynamics were not what you'd typically expect, with Luca being a manipulative power bottom and Ryder a brawny submissive top. They are perfect for each other, and Luca is fucking hot in bed, though I wish Ryder hadn't started calling him Baby; pet names, particularly “baby,” almost always seem unnatural to me, especially with m/m. IMO, the only one who pulled off “baby” was Jake in the Adrien English series simply because of Adrien's physical fragility. It just didn't fit Luca AT ALL. Anyway, other than that, I really liked the book!