Page 25 of Guarding the Billionaire

When she looked back at me, her gaze was teasing. “This reminds me of that book we read in book club last year. You know what they say about life imitating fiction.”

I knew exactly what she was talking about, a book where a super hot bodyguard fell in love with an heiress he was providing security for. The book had been steamy enough that even as a lesbian I’d enjoyed it immensely.

“Shut up.”

Teresa

Iwatched Flora and her friend as they caught up on each other’s lives. Julia gasped when she heard about the car accident and the threatening note, seeming genuinely horrified about the news. I didn’t sense any duplicity in her. Vamps weren’t as good at sussing out lies as some of the shifters were, but it was still obvious to us if people’s heart rates increased, or they had other indications of lying like avoiding eye contact.

As they talked, I watched as Boris and Wanda pretended to be a couple a short distance away. Wanda was mated with rock star Tasha Blue, someone she’d fallen for while in charge of Wanda’s protective detail. Now that I thought about it, she and Tasha had a lot of similarities to my situation. Tasha was one of the most famous musicians in the world. With more money than God, she was about as opposite from Wanda as she could be. But they’d somehow been able to work it out. Although they hadn’tgotten married they were officially mated and in a committed relationship.

If they could work things out, maybe me and Flora would be okay. Once I eliminated the threat against her of course.

“So Teresa, tell me about yourself.”

Julia’s attention turned to me, her eyes dancing between me and Flora like she suspected there was more to our relationship than employee and client. When I glanced to the side, a flush rose up Flora’s face, making Julia smirk knowingly at us.

“There’s nothing to tell,” I said gruffly.

“Where are you from?” Julia asked. “Did you grow up in Seattle?”

I shook my head. “No, I grew up in Wenatchee,” I said, referring to a town in northern Washington. “Then I joined the Army when I turned eighteen and did my twenty before moving here for my job.”

“Your twenty?” Flora asked in confusion.

“You’re eligible for retirement if you do twenty years in the service,” I explained. “You get retirement income and much better benefits than veterans who were in for shorter tours,” I explained.

“So you’re… forty-something?” Julia asked.

“Forty-four,” I confirmed.

“Six years older than Flora.”

“And you,” Flora reminded her, giving her a look that clearly threatened harm if Julia didn’t back off.

Julia ignored her.

“Are you single?” Julia asked.

“Yes,” I said shortly.

“I assume you like women,” she said, giving Flora a significant look.

“I’m a lesbian,” I confirmed.

“Interesting. Our Flora here is also a lesbian.”

I’d picked up on that the first time I met her, although I couldn’t say why. Maybe it was the mate bond.

“Julia stop!” Flora sent her a glare that just made Julia laugh.

“Okay, okay, I’ll back off,” she said. “But I just want to be clear. Flora has been my ride or die since we were six years old. You’d better take good care of her.”

“I will,” I promised.

“Don’t hurt her.”

The message there was clear. Julia said, ‘don’t hurt her’ not ‘don’t let her get hurt’. Even though she was a full human, Flora’s best friend was clearly very perceptive.

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