Braxton
Some lines should not be crossed, and Eliana is one of them. But I’ll be damned if I don’t want to claim her as my own. Screw the job. Screw her father’s threats.
I look at the Rolex on my hand; it’s six thirty, and she isn’t ready yet. We’re attending a work event for her new clients tonight. She’d seemed reluctant about it, so I was starting to think there may be more to this than meets the eye. Her bedroom door opens just as I’m about to knock on it. I’m taken aback by how stunning she looks
“You look incredible.”
“Thanks,” She says shyly, rubbing her arms absently. It’s odd how a woman this gorgeous doesn’t realize just how perfect she is. The deep red color of the dress is beautiful, the spaghetti straps that crisscross in the back giving it that sexy but not trying too hard look. I notice the tribal tattoos on her skin and reach for her wrists.
“These are pretty.” I run my thumb across her skin and I don’t miss the slight hitch in her breath..
“I got them to piss my mother off.” She looks down at the two patterned bands on her hands.
“Did it?” I ask.
She nods, smiling at what I assume is the memory.
I lean in to kiss her cheek. It’s not something a bodyguard should do, but I can’t resist. She’s irresistible and I want her to know that. She touches the spot where my lips just were.
“Shall we?” I ask, offering her my arm. She nods, looping hers through mine. I open the door and let her walk out into the hallway, locking the door behind us. I place my hand on the small of her back, and I don’t miss the tiniest of trembles.
“This might be the first time I’m glad you’re stalking me,” she says while leaning against the elevator, her eyes slowly crawling up my body.
“I’m going to take that as a compliment,” I hold the door open for her when we reach the underground garage.
She smiles up at me, but it feels forced, like there’s something she’s keeping from me.
“Is everything okay?”
“Yeah,” she says, shaking her head. “Just nervous about this evening, this is a pretty huge client we’ve landed, and I don’t want to do anything to mess that up.”
“You won’t. From what you said, they’re pretty impressed with you already.”
She’s quiet during the drive to Beverly Hills. When I look over at her, her hands are twisted together in her lap. This is more than just nerves. She’s afraid, and if she won’t let me in, I don’t know how to help her.
The mansion we drive up to is something out of a movie. Expansive gates open to a courtyard surrounded by Canary Island palms. A valet meets us, and once I’ve helped Eliana out of the car, he drives off.
A butler leads us through a formal area where several people are already gathered. Eliana clings to my arm as he leads us through the crowd to a massive backyard with an Olympic size swimming pool. Classical music plays in the background above the chatter of the guests.
“Eliana,” An elegant woman calls out to her.
“Hi, Catherine,” Eliana greets. “This is Braxton. Braxton, this is Catherine Cole, CEO of CJJ.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Braxton,” she offers me her hand.
“Likewise,” I flash her a smile.
“And, this is my husband, Jackson.”
“Jackson Cole,” I add, surprised to see him here. “Man, it’s been years since I’ve seen you.”
“If it isn’t Braxton Hayes. It’s a small world, isn’t it?” He reaches out a hand and pulls me in to bump shoulders.
“You two know each other?” Eliana looks between us.
“We served together for a while,” I grin down at her before looking back at Jackson. “What the hell have you been up to, man?
“Okay, okay, we’ll let you two boys catch up while we go talk shop,” Catherine chuckles, looping an arm through Eliana’s and leading her away. I watch the two brunettes move through the crowd.
