"All I'm saying is that you built this career from nothing and you're at the height of it. I understand wanting to feel safer, but you literally just announced to the world that you're quitting Hollywood." His voice rose on the last word, and Duke's brow lifted slowly.
Henderson caught it immediately and took a step back.
"I didn't mean to raise my voice. I just don't understand it," he said, deflated.
"And you never will," I replied simply. "I hope you find someone else to work with and that you have just as much success. I genuinely mean that. Thank you for everything you did for my career. But this is the last time we'll be seeing each other. I have my life from here on out and I plan to live it."
His mouth opened and then closed. He turned to walk out, but Duke was still standing in front of the door. Henderson stared at him the way someone does when they want to say something smart but think better of it.
"Say excuse me. Were you never taught how to use your manners? Don't make me add that to the list of things I might have to show you."
"Excuse me," Henderson grumbled.
Duke stepped aside without a word. Henderson finished his exit with a dramatic slam of the door behind him. I couldn't help but laugh because he had always been theatrical, but I was relieved to say this would be the last time I had to entertain any of it.
"Why did you do that man like that?" I asked Duke with a smirk.
He strolled over and wrapped his arms around my waist, hands finding my ass immediately. I giggled as he placed kisses along the length of my neck. I lifted my right leg and he held it up without missing a beat.
"You need to be thinking about how you're going to pay me for my bodyguard services. I'll even take a trade," he said against my neck.
"Duke, someone is going to walk in here any second," I whined.
"Yeah, aight."
He reached beneath my dress and pulled my panties to the side, slipping two fingers between my lips.
"You doing all that whining, but this pussy is soaked, Sweets."
He withdrew his hand and brought his fingers to his mouth. He cleaned every bit of it with his eyes closed and groaned like I hadn't let him have breakfast this morning.
He let my leg down slowly. I reached beneath my dress, slipped my panties off, and held them out to him with a smirk. He stared at me for a beat before a knock at the door made him groan out loud.
Duke adjusted himself and tucked my panties into his jacket pocket without an ounce of shame.
I bit my lip to keep from laughing as I smoothed my dress back into place.
"Come in," I called out.
The production assistant from earlier stepped in and let us know the car was out front. Duke reached his hand out for mine and I took it as he led us through the hall and out to the truck. Once we were settled in the back seat, he leaned close to my ear.
"Be prepared to do absolutely nothing when we get back to that room."
I giggled. "I wouldn't have it any other way."
LATER, THAT EVENING…
Duke had brought his laptop and was watching the cameras at his bar to keep tabs on things. I could already see it — this man was going to be a helicopter parent one day. He had even pulled up the financials to make sure his employees had entered everything at the exact time he had instructed them to. I shook my head and leaned deeper into his chest, scrolling through social media comfortably. For the first time in a long while, I wasn't afraid of anyone finding me or asking questions I wasn't prepared to answer.
The reception from Simone's show had been mostly positive. You couldn't win everyone over, because after a while people liked to believe they owned the right to you and your life the moment you stepped into a public role. I wasn't too worried about that. I had even taken a selfie of myself leaned against Duke, careful to keep his face out of the frame. He didn't do social media at all, which was exactly why he hadn't known who I was when I first came into town.
I was scrolling through the comments when I recognized Desirae's handle beneath the picture.
@Desislayshair: I'm loving this cut, girl. Check your messages!
I clicked over and found her message waiting.
@Desislayshair: Hey girl, I've missed you and I know you aren't going to be in town long. We have to get dinner. Are you free tonight? I know your man is with you. He's welcome to come too.
