Page 15 of Daddy Enforcer
Billie’s smile is infectious, and I’m fighting every instinct to grab him, to feel that warmth against me.
He’s a client, damn it.
This is real life, not some damn movie.
Focus.
“You miss your hero moments?” I counter, turning the question back on him. “All those stadiums, screaming fans?”
Billie’s smile falters, and he shrugs, looking down at the snow.
“Kinda. I miss my training, though. Dance rehearsals, cardio, you know? Keeps me sane.” Billie says, a little ruefully. He glances at the cabin, then at a wooden beam jutting out from the porch. “Bet I could do a pull-up on that. Wanna see?”
I raise an eyebrow, surprised.
“You? Pull-ups?” I ask. “Alright, let’s see it.”
I’m half-expecting him to back out, but he’s already marching over, his chin up like he’s proving a point. I follow, my boots sinking into the snow, and when he reaches for the beam, I realize it’s too high for him to grab on his own.
“Here,” I say, stepping behind him. “I’ll lift you.”
Before he can argue, I wrap my hands around his waist, his body warm under my palms, and hoist him up.
Billie grabs the beam, his fingers curling tight, and starts pulling himself up. I’m impressed—he’s strong, his arms toned from years of dance training, his movements smooth and controlled. He does a few reps, his breath puffing out, and I keep my hands near his waist, ready to catch him.
Damn, he’s good.
Great form too.
This is seriously impressive…
On the last rep, he struggles, his arms shaking, and I step in, my hands firm on his waist to help him finish.
“One more,” I say, my voice low, and he pulls through, his body brushing against mine as he lowers himself.
I set him down, and when he turns, his face is flushed, his eyes wide with something that’s not just exertion. Billie’s blushing, and I feel a jolt of heat in my gut, my own arousal hitting me hard.
“You’re stronger than you look,” I say, stepping back to put some distance between us. My hands are tingling where they touched him, and I clench them into fists, trying to stay focused. “Good job. I’ve seen fully grown men struggle to do a pullup with that kind of form and control. I’m not just saying this, but that was seriously good.”
“Thanks,” Billie says, his voice soft, almost shy. He’s still blushing, and I can see him trying to hide it, looking anywhere but at me. “Guess I’m not just a pop star,huh?”
I put my hands on my hips and try to hide a smile. Billie is all sass, but this time it’s coming from such a fun and playful place that I’m not even bothered. He’s got spirit, plenty of it—and I don’t hate it.
“Guess not,” I say, but my voice is rougher than I mean it to be.
I want to say more, to tell him he’s more than he thinks, but I can’t. Not when I’m fighting to keep this professional. My body’s screaming at me to close the gap, to pull him into my arms, but I’m a Guard, not some lovesick fool. I’ve got a mission, a threat to counter, and a boy who’s making it damn hard to stay in control.
“Get inside,” I say, nodding toward the cabin. “It’s getting cold.”
Billie rolls his eyes but obeys, his hips swaying as he walks away, and I’m left standing there, my heart pounding like I’ve been running sprints.
This mission’s gonna test me in ways I never expected, and I’m not sure I’m ready for it…
Chapter 7
Billie
“I could have probably done another six reps,” I say, grinning. “You know, if it was my regular pullup bar.”
