Page 45 of The Heiress's First Date

Gabe pulls out his phone. “I’m standing right next to you.”

I shrug. “Just wanted everyone on the same page.”

“It’s not like we’ve ever done the Bering Sea during crabbing season, but Alex and I can hold our own. Still thinking about that yacht?”

“Yeah.”

“Same. Hungry?” he asks as we head up the dock to the Rover waiting for us.

But it’s not alone. There’s another one identical to the one we took this morning from the apartment.

“Always. I know a place with great sandwiches and zero bull shit.”

“You’re speaking my language.” Gabe waves a hand, the universal hand signal tolead the way.

A man in all black steps out of the other SUV, eyeing us. He’s about my height and built like an MMA fighter, with a neutral expression on his face.

Gabe makes a soft, amused sound, and I glance over at him.

“What?”

“Looks like you got yourself a bodyguard.” His lips curve at the corner. It’s so distracting I take a few seconds to register his words.

“I what?”

We’re still walking. Getting closer to the vehicles and the no-nonsense man in black.

Gabe clasps my shoulder and gives it a squeeze. Tech boy’s got strong hands.

I didnotneed to know that.

“Don’t freak out.”

“Why would I freak out?”

“I don’t know. You look like you’re about to spiral.” He tugs me closer, patting my back.

“I do?” I’m confused as to what’s going on.

“You wouldn’t be the first person to resist protection.”

“Mr. Saint,” the man says, closing the dozen feet between us. “I’m Tomasz Kowalczyk. Mr. Hunt assigned me to your detail.”

I blink at him, then pivot toward Gabe. “Did you know about this?”

He gives a single shake of his head.

“Don’t worry. It means he likes you.” Those words are delivered with a reckless smile that does wild things to my pulse.

And my stomach.

I mean, of course, I want Alex to like me. But being assigned a bodyguard feels like I’m in the inner circle now. A flush of pleasure sweeps through my veins, warming me from the inside out, and it has nothing to do with attraction. No, this is belonging.

“Interesting.” I glance back at my new shadow. “Okay. What do you need from me?”

???

Tucked in the back of Anthony’s deli, I down half a soda and then reach for my bag of chips.

---