‘Of course. And your company?’
Unreadable eyes held hers. ‘We provide confidential advice on complex matters to a range of clients.’
She raised her eyebrows. He made it sound like a state secret. Or did he think she was too dim-witted to understand whatever technicalities were involved?
Before she could ask anything else, the car halted and she became aware of the crowd thronging the pavement. At least he’d distracted her for a short time from the ordeal to come.
And, because of him, she wouldn’t be walking into the gala with a full complement of security agents hemming her in and making her into even more of a spectacle.
Without thinking, she gave him a quick smile as he opened his door. ‘Thank you for doing this for Leon.’
Minutes later they stood together on the red carpet, surrounded by camera flashes and demanding voices.
Her arm was through his, her hand resting on his forearm, the fine weave of his jacket soft beneath her fingertips. He was so solid, so steady that for the first time she wondered what it would be like to attend such events with a real partner. Not a stranger protecting her for commercial benefit, but someone who cared abouther.
She thrust the idea aside and smiled for their audience.
It was an exclusive event, full of VIPs, but there were others here, hoping to catch a glimpse of the attendees. Many waved photos and some called her name.
They were about to climb the stairs into the imposing building when Rosamund halted. ‘I’ll be back soon.’
She moved to slip her arm free but he stopped her. ‘Where you go, I go.’
It was a statement of fact. He was being paid to keep her safe, yet his words resonated powerfully.
She jerked her head up to meet that ocean-bright stare and felt a longing so powerful, so unexpected that for a second she forgot all about the crowd and the photographers.
Something had changed. It had started with that smile in the car. The one that transformed her face from haughty composure to something…genuine.
If you can believe that.
But despite his ingrained doubt, Fotis had seen a different woman in that smile. Someone impulsive and generous rather than arrogant and selfish. Princess Rosamund didn’t want him around but it seemed she appreciated him for her brother’s sake. As if the favour he did benefited the king rather than her. And she wanted her brother to be happy.
The shock of it had eddied through Fotis as he took his place at her door, standing between her and the crowd. He’d just regained his equilibrium when she’d slipped her arm through his, creating a quake of longing deep in his belly.
He’d been a paratrooper operating in difficult situations, then spent years carving out his business. Yet in that moment it felt as if nothing had tested his control as much as remaining aloof and alert while Rosamund of Cardona snuggled up to him.
Despite his hormonal rush, he could tell she wasn’t trying to tease him. Her touch was light and impersonal.
A pity his body didn’t think so. He’d never been so close to full, unwanted arousal in public since his teens. It should be impossible. But this woman turned everything upside down, even his instincts.
He made himself focus on the crowd, assessing body language, alert to sudden movements. But it was Rosamund’s abrupt move that surprised him as she tried to slip away. ‘I’ll be back soon.’
His reaction was instantaneous, his grip tightening. ‘Where you go, I go.’
She turned, bright eyes locking on his, and something behind his ribs tightened. Then she nodded and drew him towards the crowd on the side of the carpet away from the cameras.
It was only then that he realised some of the people calling her name weren’t press, but members of the public. Instead of waving and making her way indoors, she approached with a smile on her face.
Instinct kicking in, he held her close and pulled her to a stop as he scanned the crowd. ‘No. This isn’t a good idea.’
She sent him a sideways look under her lashes that did ridiculous things to his hormones, especially when she leaned closer and he caught that delicious spice and warm woman scent that made him forget all the reasons she was poison. ‘A few minutes. That’s all.’
He was weaker than he’d thought, nodding even as he cursed his weakness.
He released her, keeping both hands free in case something went wrong. Anyone watching would guess he was hired muscle, but it didn’t matter. He mightn’t like her but he was damned if he’d let anyone get to her on his watch.
There were smiles all around and lots of excitement as she chatted with fans. She was good with the crowd. She made total strangers feel they were seen and appreciated.
