I walk back toward the house, but movement in the shadows has me jumping, a small scream letting loose as Riku melts out of the shadows of the house. “Holy fuck, I didn’t see you there.” Now my heart is beating for an entirely different reason. I hold my hand over my chest like I can stop it from leaping out. “Were you eavesdropping? What were you doing standing there?”
“Ms. Summers, I’m still on duty, and I’m supposed to keep you in sight whenever you leave the house. Those are my instructions, unless you’re in the bathroom or in a building belonging to your family. I’m sorry I scared you. That was not my intention, and while I did hear your conversation, it’s none of my business.”
My heart rate slows, and my breathing starts to return to normal while I look this bodyguard up and down. He’s dressed in cargo pants and a black shirt that stretches across his chest, with Senshi Security printed on one defined pec. He’s wearing a gun holster, which I only notice because he discarded the jacket that was covering it earlier.
He’s got this calm way about him that projects an aura like nothing can bother him. He seems all disciplined and regimented, and it makes me feel like ruffling his feathers. What would he be like if someone got under his skin? Does he maintain this solemn warrior thing he’s got going, or is there something more explosive hidden deep?
“Tell me, Riku, when you were contracted to work for my family, were you told about my sister and brothers’ relationship?”
“Our company was briefed about the unique relationship, yes,” he replies as we start walking back to the house.
“And it doesn’t bother you that my sister is in a relationship with six other men or that my father is in a relationship with two different women? Because not many people are that open-minded. Sure, they may smile and say they are to your face, but they are really spreading malicious gossip behind our backs.”
“That’s a very jaded way to look at life, Ms. Summers. I think you’ll find that most people really don’t care about you and your family enough to have an opinion one way or another.”
I pat him on the shoulder as we climb the front steps. “You poor, naïve man. Just you wait! Most of us have been out of the spotlight for the last month, but the press is champing at the bit for the story. A press release is going out tomorrow, then you and Simon will really be earning your wages. Anyway, you didn’t answer my question. Does it bother you? Did you hear what those three men were proposing? Are you going to be able to protect me while knowing I may be in a relationship with three men? Or are your preconceived prejudices about monogamous relationships going to stop you from protecting me to your full capabilities?”
My hand is on the door handle, but he puts his own over it to stop me from turning it.
“Maybe it’s you who needs to adjust your preconceived notions about people. What’s to say that I don’t come from a less than traditional family myself?” He actually sounds a little annoyed, but I kind of like that despite feeling a little embarrassed by his accusation. No one ever stands up to me besides my family, so I like men with a little bark and bite.
I’m feeling bold and slightly turned on, so I decide to play with fire. I push Riku against the wall next to the door and crowd into his space.
“You are right, my apologies.” I run my finger down the center of his chest, feeling his sculpted body under the tight shirt. “So it won’t bother you to guard me while I’m visiting with them, knowing that I’m probably having sex with the three of them… at the same time?”
His Adam’s apple bobs as he swallows before he clears his throat and shakes his head. “Of course not, Ms. Summers. What you do in your personal life has no bearing on me or the way I conduct myself.”
“That’s good to know, Riku. I appreciate the fact that you don’t let your personal opinions cloud your professional life.” I push away from him and open the door, allowing him to grab it as he follows behind me. “So… Do you come from a less than traditional family?”
“No, I don’t, but we were raised to be open-minded and tolerant, which thankfully made it easier for my sister who came out as gay when we were teenagers. She and her wife just had a baby, and my parents adore their granddaughter and daughter-in-law.”
We pause in the foyer. “Oh, that must be nice. I can’t wait to be an aunt! And I guess a big sister too. All these babies coming into our family is exciting.” My mind is racing as Riku smiles and digs into his back pocket, pulling out his phone case. He opens it up and pulls out a business card, handing it to me.
“This is my sister’s business. She owns a baby boutique if you need to think about baby supplies and gifts for your loved ones.”
Taking it, I cock an eyebrow in surprise. “Well, that is handy. I want to outfit Harlow’s nursery, which is next on the list. Maybe I’ll check out her store to see what she has.” Then something occurs to me. “I wonder if Emma and Molly will be moving in now that they’re pregnant. I should ask Dad.”
I start to make my way down the corridor, but Riku snaps out a hand and grabs me by the elbow. “Why don’t you wait until you’ve got him alone? That’s not the kind of thing you want to bring up in front of a lot of people.”
I frown down at his hand before I recognize what he just said. “Yeah, okay, you’re right. I’ll ask him when I get him alone.” My skin prickles under Riku’s hand, which is warm against my skin. He releases me and steps back.
“Forgive me for putting my hands on you.” He bows his head. “I shouldn’t have done that.”
“It’s fine.” I wave off his apology and hide my disappointment. “You were right. I wouldn’t have stopped if you had just asked me to.”
“Are you going back to join the party?” he asks, and I think about it. I promised Hope that I would take her over to Harlow’s and give her a tour, but it’s too late now. We’ll have to do it another time.
“No, I think I’m just going to head to bed. I’m tired after last night, and I still want to go over the intern applications. It’s even more important now that we get the right one since both Emma and Molly will be taking time off in nine months. Tell everyone where I’ve gone, will you?” He inclines his head. “I’ll see you in the morning?” I ask.
“Yes, your father has arranged for both Neighpalm helicopters to be here in the morning so that security can come with you, Harlow, and Hope. Apparently, everyone is going in for the board meeting in the morning.”
“I still think it’s sexist that only us girls have security. The guys could be a target as much as we are.”
“They do. Each of them has a temporary bodyguard, but they only use them for public engagements, so they aren’t staying here at the house like us and Hope’s security.”
“But Harlow doesn’t have full-time security,” I complain, though I’m not trying too hard. Honestly, I see the benefit of having Riku and his partner.
“She does. They’re just staying over here, allowing your family their privacy at night. Your brothers insisted that they can take care of her when they’re all home, so her security only works during the day.”
