It's the crack of ass, too. I've been up for like thirty whole minutes at this point, and I'm not sure if I'm emotionally ready to deal with him right now.
After a moment or two, Evans escorts the guy back to the kitchen, where I'm sitting with my drink, still wearing my pajamas with a robe slung over them.
I can feel his presence looming just a foot or so away from the breakfast table, but I refuse to look up.
"Ms. Lila, Mr. Griffin has arrived per your father's instructions. Should either of you require anything, please don't hesitate to ring me."
The sounds of Evans' footsteps let me know he's left, and I fight against the urge to glance at the man I now know is Mr. Griffin. While I still don't have a first name, all I can picture now is some half-bird, half-lion man glaring down at me.
"I'm still drinking my coffee, and then I'll be going for a run, so if you'd like to busy yourself with getting the layout of the house?—"
"Your father was kind enough to send over the blueprints, and I'm fairly certain that he said you aren't to leave the grounds, so try nice."
Against my better judgment and everything I'd been silently screaming at myself, I shoot my stare to the absolute gem of a human who's going to be my babysitter for the foreseeable future.
And damn me to hell and back, but the man is somehow even more gorgeous than yesterday.
He's wearing dark jeans with a black tee pulled over his obvious muscles. A leather jacket is draped casually over his shoulder, hanging on his finger like a hook.
It doesn't help that he's smirking at me either. The stupid grin is lifted on one side, and his lips look soft, surrounded by the scruff of his trimmed beard.
"Are you really going to follow me around the house?" I glare, holding up my cup near my mouth almost like a shield. "That's going to get really old for both of us. My father is overreacting. Cilento is just doing this because he's trying to mess with my father. And he's?—"
"He's paid me a good deal of money to do a job. So I intend to do it."
The asshole is just staring at me with that smug grin. It takes everything not to scream and run to my bedroom.
But I'm not letting him win that easily.
"Fine." I stand up from the breakfast table, suddenly very aware that my silk PJs probably do nothing to hide my figure. "But if you continue to interrupt me when I'm speaking, I might just think of something to mention to dear old dad about yourmisconduct."
Yes, it was an empty threat, but he didn't need to know that.
I tip my head back and work on finishing the last of my coffee—much quicker than I'd like, I might add.
When I finish, opening my eyes and lowering the mug, Mr. Griffin is right up in front of me,waytoo close for comfort.
"I think we both know how well that would go over, princess. So don't be a brat." His eyes flick to my mouth as I gape at him, utterly shocked by his words. "I'm happy to stand back and observe, but if you think about ditching me, someone's barreling toward a punishment."
What the hell did this guy actually just say? Am I losing my mind?
My body is on fire, my cheeks burning so hot that I know they're tinted pink. Everything feels too tight, and I can't help but get the idea that my new bodyguard quitelikesthe idea of getting me to obey him.
"How dare you. You will not speak to me that way, Mr. Griffin."
"It's Marcus." He has the audacity to just smile at me. "And I'll talk to you however I need to get my point across."
There's this pause between us, and I don't know what's happening. I know I need to walk away. I want to. At least...IthinkI do.
"I'm...I'm going for my run. You're welcome to try and keep up."
"I think I'll be fine, princess. Your little workout will be nothing compared to the military."
Ugh, that makes sense.
He gives off all the rigid bullshit of a drill sergeant. I roll my eyes, and quick as lightning, he snatches my chin and gets me to face him again so I can't leave.
"Don't roll your eyes at me." Marcus is hard as nails, but I don't feel afraid of him. If anything, that control, that discipline, is doing something to my hindbrain that makes me want to listen to him, even if only a little bit. "I've been given control of your schedule. So, unless you want to be locked in your room the entire day, I'd knock it off."
