“Look, are you gonna tip or what?” His tone is sharp.
“Oh! Gosh, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize I was supposed to.” I pull out five hundred-dollar bills. “Is this enough?”
His eyebrows fly up and the irritation in his voice vanishes. “Yup, that works.”
“OK, thanks again.”
“Sure thing.” He nods as he climbs back into his car, then throws it into reverse and pulls away.
The security building is modern. Everything looks expensive and polished, with tinted glass walls lining the exterior. There’s a gym off to the right as I step inside, and three extremely fit men are using the machines.
My eyes settle on the one closest to me. He’s incredibly handsome—tall and muscular. His face is clean-shaven, and he’s got dark, close-cropped hair and broad shoulders. His eyes are clear and focused, his muscles bulging with every rep. Sweat drips down his forehead, and I feel the heat creeping up between my thighs just looking at him.
Uh-huh. This is what I’m talking about.
Another man with dirty-blond hair leans in to say something to him, and it must have been funny, because Mr. Sexy Chest Press laughs, his whole face breaking into a wide grin and his cheeks dimpling.
That smile is warm and sincere. Familiar, almost. I wonder if I knew him growing up.
But he doesn’t skip a beat—just keeps a steady pace with his reps, and as his eyes grow serious again it gives me goose bumps.
Mmm. I know which one I want.
He turns toward me suddenly, and my nipples tingle in response to his gaze. I turn away for a moment, then look back to shoot him a flirty grin, but he just stares back at me, his mouth slightly ajar.
Oh, shit. This disguise! It’s cramping my style. I duck away, adjusting my wig as I step down the hall.
I find the front desk and take a seat in one of the chairs until a woman with a serious expression comes around the corner. “May I help you?” She eyes me quizzically.
I stand. “Yes, I’m here to pick up my bodyguard.”
“Uhh.” Her brow furrows as she studies my face, and her eyes settle on the false birthmark I painted on my chin last night—for added security. I read somewhere that wearing attention-getting clothes or accessories can actually make youlessmemorable, because people focus on those items instead of your face. “Can I get your name?”
I step closer, then whisper, “I’m Harper Slade.”
“Oh my gosh.” She jumps back, covering her heart with her hand for a moment, and her eyes go wide. “I’m sorry, I didn’t recognize you. That’s quite the disguise.” She shakes her head as though she still can’t believe it’s me. “Right this way, please.”
Wow. She was expecting me, and shestilldidn’t know who I was. This disguise is totally working.
I follow her down a long corridor to a darkened office with a large, gleaming desk in the center. “Have a seat here, and Mr. Rhodes will be with you in a moment.”
I nod before pulling up a chair and taking off my coat. I sit for a few minutes until I realize I ought to pull out my makeup case to check myself before I meet my new bodyguard, and…
It’s not good.
I could try taking the wig off. I don’t even need it in here. But my hair’s probably matted from being pinned under this thing for hours.
Turns out it’s a moot point anyway, because the door swings open.
“Harper.” A stern man steps into the office and startles, visibly surprised by my appearance. “Umm.” He lurches forward, shaking my hand, his eyes darting from my wig to the fake birthmark, then finally settling on my one unpatched eye.“I’m pleased to meet you. I want to assure you you’ll be safe here in our care during your visit. You’ll find our men are highly skilled, professional, and discreet. No one needs to know you’re here in town unless you want them to know.”
“Perfect.”
I like him. He’s direct and professional. There’s something confident and reassuring in his tone that sets me at ease.
“I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your arranging this on such short notice,” I say. “And to be clear: I’m not looking for someone with a million rules who wants to order me around. I just need to ensure my safety while I’m here.”
“Of course. I understand your concerns, and our men are here to serve you. Your needs are our top priority, but we take our responsibility seriously.”
