IVORY
The elevator doorsslide shut with a soft whoosh, sealing me alone with the man who’s supposed to keep me safe. For a second, my stomach twists into a knot so tight I want to melt through the floor and escape this suffocating box. My heart pounds way too loud, and my hands are already clammy. I tuck them behind my back, hoping he won’t notice. Hudson is unlike any man I’ve ever seen, and he’s sure as hell not a guy my father would allow me to be alone with without a chaperone. He’s huge. Just him alone almost fills up the entirety of the small space, making everything seem smaller. Even the awkward, stiff air between us. Not to mention he’s hot as hell.
He stands with his hands hanging loose at his sides, but the way he holds himself… shoulders set, jaw clenched, eyes roaming over everything, makes him seem like he’s ready for anything that could go wrong. He has that look, the one I’ve seen on the men who work for my father, one that says they’ve seen too much and trust no one. But there’s something different about this guy. He’s young, but still a good bit older than me. But something is predatory about the way he moves, as if he’s waiting for trouble to pop up out of nowhere. His muscles aretense and body set, ready to spring into action when the time comes.
I force my eyes down to my shoes, shifting my weight from one foot to the other. My chest feels too tight, and I can’t get a full breath. Being this close to someone who isn't part of our regular staff makes my skin prickle with awareness. He actually looks at me like I'm a real person, and not just another piece of property he’s paid to protect.
He clears his throat. “Since your father wasn’t any help, I’ll ask you. Are there any current threats I should know about?”
His words surprise me. Everyone always assumes I’m some rich, spoiled princess who has no clue about anything that’s going on in her world. But for the first time ever, someone’s asking me directly. I shake my head, trying to remember how to talk. “Um, not that I know of. I…I don’t really… I mean, I don’t go out much, unless it’s on the schedule. I mostly stay in and to myself.”
He stares at me, his face unreadable. “So there’s no one who might be angry with you for any reason, who might seek revenge? No trouble at school? Old friends with grudges?”
I swallow. “No, nothing like that.”
He studies my face, then looks away, noticing how his jaw is working. “Any angry exes I should keep an eye out for?”
My face heats up instantly. I can’t help the small, embarrassed laugh that escapes my lips. “No. No exes at all. I’ve never…I mean, I’ve never really been on a date.”
He raises an eyebrow but doesn’t say anything. The silence stretches, making the space between us feel thick and awkward. I wish I could crawl into my hole right about now.
The elevator chimes.Finally.
I rush out as soon as the doors open, my heels sinking into the plush carpet as I make my way down the long hallway. My heart’s pounding as I fumble for the room key, trying to look likeI have my shit together. Hudson follows, staying silent but close, and I can feel his presence like it’s my own shadow. I know I’m supposed to feel safe, but with him, I feel exposed. Transparent.
We step inside, and the immaculate suite is huge, with its marble foyer, big windows, and too many places for secrets to hide. I set my purse on the entryway table while trying to stay calm and remember to breathe.
I gesture toward the hallway. “Um, this way,” I say, and it’s barely above a whisper.
He follows as I lead him through the suite. Past the double doors to my bedroom, then past the living area with its unused fireplace and dining table set for eight. Which is absurd, considering I always eat alone. I point at the guest room at the end of the hall.
“You’ll be here,” I managed to get out. “There’s a bathroom attached. You can lock it if you want. I don’t…”
I stop myself, realizing how ridiculous I sound.
He simply nods.
Hudson steps inside the space and immediately starts doing a quick sweep of the bedroom. He checks the windows, the closet, and even the gap between the bed and the wall. He opens drawers and tests the locks, all without saying a word. His process is efficient, as if he’s working from a checklist that only he knows.
I hover in the doorway, hands clasped behind my back. I shouldn’t stare, but I can’t help it. When Hudson bends down to look under the bed, his shirt pulls tight across his back, showing off muscles I didn’t even know guys could have in real life. It’s… distracting. My fingers twitch, and I have to curl them into my palms to keep from fidgeting. He’s so broad, so solid, like he was built to shove the whole world out of my way. My mouth goes dry, and I feel this weird, heavy flutter low in my belly, causingall kinds of feelings to wake up inside me. I’ve read about this kind of thing in books, but it’s never felt real until now.
He moves, and I swear I can hear the fabric strain over his shoulders. I wonder what his skin would feel like underneath. Would he even notice if I reached out?Probably. He notices everything.
The thought sends heat rushing through me like wildfire, burning my cheeks and pooling low in my belly. I have to look away because my breath caught in my throat. I've never felt anything like this before, a desperate, consuming need to watch him move, wanting badly to see what’s under that shirt, to trace every hard line of muscle with my fingertips. The way my body reacts is something I've never experienced before. Honestly, I’ve never even dared to imagine I could even have these types of feelings toward another person, and it terrifies me as much as it thrills me.
His actions are controlled and confident. There’s no second-guessing. I wonder what it would feel like to be that sure about something, to have a purpose in whatever space you’re in, instead of trying to blend into your surroundings and go unnoticed, to be so sure of your place in the world.
He turns suddenly and catches me staring, and my breath catches. His eyes are dark and focused, with something softer added to the mix. He holds eye contact a moment longer than necessary before clearing his throat and straightening.
“Everything checks out,” he says. “Have you ever had problems with housekeeping or has anything weird happened here?”
I shake my head, “No. I mean, I don’t think so.”
He nods. “Good.”
I step back, suddenly feeling awkward. “Um… I was going to order room service. Is there anything you want in particular?”
He studies me, really studies me, and I feel like he can see how nervous I am. Then his lips twitch, just a fraction. “Surprise me,” he answers, with a wink.
