Page 15 of Billionaire Bodyguard

It was exactly what I’d asked for, that he’d think about it, so why wasn’t I happy with that answer?

Because. Because I didn’t want him to be okay with me dating another man. That was why.

Eight

Adler

My knuckles rapped lightly on Linzey’s door. After she’d finished the meal I’d prepared, I’d left her at her bedroom before I went to my own room, so we could both get ready to sleep. While I preferred to sleep naked, I’d spent more time in pajama pants, the past four years, than I had since childhood. No shirt. Especially after our conversation tonight. I wanted her to see what I had to offer.

I growled quietly.Fuck. That.Linzey wasnotdating some other man, and tonight, I’d make that unmistakably clear. It might not be the wisest decision given the circumstances, but I’d never claimed to be a genius. However, I knew when I’d reached a crossroad. The decision had to be made.

I scoffed quietly to myself. The decision had been carved in stone a long time ago. I’d just been fighting it.

My eyes ate up Linzey as she swung her door open, wearing white satin pajamas covered in pale pink flowers. Oh fuck me. Neither of us would make it through tonight unscathed. Because… Yeah, tonight I’d claim her. And she’d claim me.

She stared at me for a moment. Her tongue dampened her lips while her gaze lingered on my mouth. Her throat convulsed then she sucked in a choppy breath.

“Come in,” she said, turning and heading back into the suite.

Before I could think better of it, my hand caught around her waist and I drew her back to me. Her hands landed on my chest, her wide eyes staring up at me.

“Adler,” she gasped, her breathing picking up while her pupils dilated, a pink flush creeping up the pale skin of her neck.

“You were a good girl, eating all your dinner,” I told her.

“Do I get a reward?”

I’d give her any fucking thing she wanted. “You’re already avoiding a spanking.”

Her lip pouted out, surprising me, then she made a face.

“Adler?”

“Yes?” My hands tightened on her waist.

“I…” Her breath caught. When she released it, she shook her head and stepped back. I let go of her, though it was the last thing I ever wanted. With several feet separating us, she crossed her arms over her middle. “Adler…” she sighed. “Why couldn’t you be the guy?”

“What?” I whispered. I must have misheard her. Couldn’t she see what I could see? Why did she think I’d just pulled her into my arms? I had to remind myself that she was young and wasn’t very experienced.

“The guy,” she repeated. “The one to sweep me off my feet, to whisk me away to his palace.”

I grimaced. “I’m no prince.”

“Maybe, not by blood.”

“Or any other way. I’m just a soldier who got lucky to be in the right place at the right time. To have a good friend and make excellent investments.”

“Bull,” she said, stepping close again. She poked me in the sternum. “You don’t have to concoct excuses for not beingthe guyfor me. I get it.”

I caught her hand, reeling her closer before she could escape again. My other hand looped around her waist, our position mimicking a slow dance on the tiny dance floor of her room’s entry. Neither of us moved as we stared into each other’s eyes. Couldn’t she see my feelings? I wasn’t good with speaking them. It hadn’t been my place as her bodyguard, but I thought she knew how I’d felt and ignored it.

“You get what?” I asked slowly, sensing a direction I hadn’t foreseen. Maybe, I should have.

“That you’re not interested in me. Not…that way. Romantically. As a partner. I’m broken.”

“Not interested?” I said slowly. “You’re fucking with me, right?”

I pulled her closer to me, letting her feel the unmistakable ridge barely constrained by my boxer-briefs, the proof that grew whenever she was near. And having her in my arms…my dick begged for me to finally act. We were both tired of my hand.

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