I stuffed my hands in my pockets as I rocked back on my heels. I didn’t want to talk to Maverick or anyone here. While yes, I was technically Bec’s date to this whole shindig, I was still working. My number one priority was Bec’s safety, and a room like this was far from secure.
Many of the world’s most affluent individuals were crowded around a dessert table or discussing business near the open bar. The museum had countless points of entry, windows with sufficient vantage points from the surrounding buildings, and I wasn’t pleased with how easy it was to gain access to the building.
Take any outside threats out of the equation, and there were still numerous threats from within the building. The wait staff may not have been properly vetted. Museum staff was still allowed in the building, and even these guests could cause trouble—especially the douchey blonde man who was walking towards Bec.
I took off, leaving a bewildered Maverick behind, and closed the distance between Bec and me quickly.
She looked up to me, startled, “Rome?”
I placed my hand on her lower back and motioned for her to continue her conversation. I wasn’t here to interrupt or cause any issues; I was simply here to keep her safe.
Alexandra stifled a chuckle, but continued her conversation with Bec. They were discussing something to do with investment firms, and it all went over my head.
Truthfully, most of my conversations with Bec flew high over my head. She held a law degree, an accounting degree, and was the CEO of a massive corporation. I had a high school education and spent my early adulthood in the Army. I knew how to disarm a bomb, sew up bullet holes, and infiltrate enemy bases… but stocks and bonds were completely foreign.
I loved it when Bec discussed her business dealings with me. Did any of it make sense? Hell no. Was she really fucking hot when she showed off how smart she was? Hell yeah.
“Bec, it’s been ages since I’ve seen you,” the douchey blonde interrupted, paying no mind that the two women were in the middle of a conversation.
Like I said… douchey.
I could feel Bec tense ever so slightly under my fingertips. “Brody, how are you?”
His gaze flicked to me just for a moment before training back to Bec. There was a heat in his gaze that was entirely unwelcome. “Just wrapped up a film. It should be released next year. Are you going to introduce me to your friend here?” he motioned to me.
“Brody, this is Rome, my…” she gulped, unsure of what to call me.
“Boyfriend, sugar baby, bodyguard, arm candy,” I extended my hand to him in greeting, “whatever you prefer.”
Alexandra snorted, and Bec rolled her eyes, but I could see the humor simmering as she held back a smile.
Brody took my hand and probably tried to give me a solid shake, but his hands were oddly soft and concerningly weak.“Rome?” He turned back to Bec, “Why didn’t I know you were seeing someone?”
“You know Bec,” Alexandra answered, “she’s always so private.” She looped her arm through Brody’s and started pulling him away, “Come, Maverick has been dying to speak to you.” She turned and threw us a wink as she pulled an unwilling Brody along with her.
“Arm candy?” Bec asked with a raised eyebrow.
I shrugged, “If the shoe fits. I mean, look at me,” I motioned down the suit, “there is no denying I’m hot as sin tonight.”
Bec rolled her eyes at me again… but I also noted that she didn’t disagree. Her rolling of her eyes, while I smirked in response, was becoming our own version of a secret handshake. She always claimed my jokes were immature or obnoxious, but I could see the smile she held back, still reflected in her eyes.
“How do you know him?” I nodded my head to where Brody was now standing and talking with Maverick, who seemed just as happy to see Brody as I was.
”He runs in Alexandra’s circles and has been trying to get in my panties for years.” She looked around the room before looping her arm in the crook of my elbow and pulling me towards the couples swaying in the middle of the room. “One dance to show off this new relationship of ours, and then let’s get out of here.”
”Gladly.”
I smiled as every head turned towards Bec, and I took her in my arms while we softly swayed to the live orchestral classical music that was flowing through the room. I held back a smirk as my hand splayed across her bare back.
“Nice dress.”
She smiled mischievously, “It’s designer. I would name which, but I have a sneaking suspicion you wouldn’t know Prada from Tom Ford.”
”It’s Ralph Lauren, spring collection.”
Her blue eyes grew wide. ”How in the world did you know that?”
I smiled and pulled her a touch closer, our chests now nearly touching, and her breath warm against my neck as I looked down at her, “I have five sisters, one of whom is obsessed with fashion week. I took her to the Ralph Lauren show.”
