“Is that him?” Sadie whisper-hisses. “Introduce me.”
I sigh and open the door. “I’m ready. Just talking to my friend, Sadie.”
Foster glances at the phone still propped up on the counter.
“Hi, Foster!” Sadie yells. “Raven, move the camera. I want to see him.”
I pick up my phone and direct the screen at Foster. “Sadie, this is Foster. Foster, Sadie.”
“Oh, man, you’re even hotter than she said.”
“Sadie!”
“What? He’s gotta know it’s true.” Sadie smirks at me. I know what she’s doing. And honestly? I sort of wouldn’t care if it worked. God knows I’d never make the first move.
Foster’s tan face turns pink with a blush—an actual blush. The big alpha with pink cheeks is the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. And I love that it only seems to happen around me.
“Thank you,” he mumbles.
My heart squeezes even tighter. This isn’t helping. The man is my bodyguard. I shouldn’t be swooning over him. Our relationship is supposed to be professional.
“Please kiss my best friend for me,” Sadie says before adding, “Byyyeeee.”
She hangs up, and her last request hangs in the air between us. His eyes drop to my lips. I hold my breath.
He clears his throat and steps back. “She’s lively.”
“Um… yeah.” I slide my phone into the pocket of my Team USA sweatshirt.
“Ana texted that she wants us to meet her at the rink.” A wry smile twists his lips. “Then she proceeded to blow up my phone with lists of reasons why we need to hurry.”
“Sounds about right.” I slide past him into the hall, heading toward the door, but he stops me by grabbing my hand. When I turn back around, he immediately lets go.
“Raven…” He looks more uncomfortable and uncertain than I’ve ever seen him. Our eyes meet, and he straightens his shoulders. “It’s not that I don’t want to kiss you. You’re a beautiful woman. And smart. And funny. Any man would be lucky to have your attention. But you're my client. And…”
“Don’t.” I hold up a hand. “It was just a misunderstanding. Sadie thinks I should kiss everyone. I don’t think of you like that.”
It’s a lie, and maybe he knows it, but it doesn’t matter. I’ve gotten good at protecting myself over the years. Men, especially alphas, haven’t proven themselves trustworthy in the past. A few days of enjoying this man’s company doesn’t mean I’m ready to open myself up to him—even if I’ve been daydreaming about him more than I’d like to admit.
His shoulders droop and his eyes close as he lets out a breath. I’m not sure how to take it. Is he relieved? I’m the one who rejected him, so why does it sting that he doesn’t think of me as more than a client? When his eyes open, it sure doesn’t look like relief swirling in those dark pools.
“Okay. Good.” He shoves his hands in his pockets. “Glad we cleared that up.”
He doesn’t look glad, and I feel sick to my stomach. I’m not sure why I care so much, but I don’t like lying toFoster. I force myself to look away, hurry down the hall, grab my purse, and quickly rush out the door, not looking back to see if he’s following me. I know he is.
15
VANN
“I’m going to hang out with the bobsledding team,” I yell as I open the door, trying to make a clean getaway. “Be back late.”
“Hold up,” Tanner says, jumping off the couch where he and Rhodes were talking strategy for our game tomorrow. Orion’s in the other room, napping after our early match this morning.
Shit, I was really hoping to get out of here without any of them questioning me. That’s why I waited until now to say anything. No such luck. I stop with my hand on the door knob and slowly turn around to look at my pack lead.
“You don’t know anyone on the bobsled team,” Tanner says, hands on his hips. He’s staring at me like a parent who’s positive their kid is lying. Fuck, I hate when he gives me this look. It’s both hot and terrifying.
“How do you know?” I adjust my bag, trying to tuck it behind me a little more. The movement has his eyes snapping to the strap on my shoulder.
