Total pages in book: 133
Estimated words: 134598 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 673(@200wpm)___ 538(@250wpm)___ 449(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 134598 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 673(@200wpm)___ 538(@250wpm)___ 449(@300wpm)
“Shh. It’s all right. Just a car.”
“Sorry,” she said, embarrassed as she lowered her hands. “I hate loud, sudden noises.”
He took her hand again.
“Your hand is cold,” he said as he led her to the elevator. His head moved, gaze roaming the parking building. “I knew you should have worn more. Next time, I’ll bring a blanket for the car.”
That was . . . sweet.
“I don’t like how dark it is down here. You’re not ever to come here by yourself.”
“I assume you or Seth will be with me until this stalker situation is resolved.”
“I meant ever. You’re never to come here alone.”
That seemed overkill.
Although it did seem quite dark today. They reached the elevator.
“Are you going to let my hand go?” she asked. She had her briefcase in her free hand, making it difficult to swipe her access card for the elevator.
Ethan glanced down at their hands and she thought he looked surprised for a moment. Had he not realized that he was holding her hand?
“Hmm, I’m not sure I should. As your bodyguard, I’m certain it’s necessary to hold your hand.”
Cate gave him a skeptical look. “Do you hold the hand of everyone you’re guarding? Rhodes? Samantha?”
Was that jealousy she felt?
Because she didn’t want him holding hands with anyone else?
“No. Just you.”
“Then it’s not a bodyguard thing.”
“It seems not,” he agreed.
“And it’s not a friend thing.”
“Isn’t it?” he asked.
“Do you hold hands with any of your other friends?”
“I guess not.”
“So then . . .”
“I guess it’s just a Cate and Ethan thing.”
She liked the sound of that far too much. But as the elevator doors opened, she drew her hand away from his.
This was her job.
She had to go into a meeting she didn’t want to be at and interact with clients rather than pretend they weren’t in the room.
Sometimes life was just . . . exhausting.
21
His girl was flagging.
And yeah, he was calling her his girl in his head.
This was a bad, stupid, dumb idea.
And yet, the longer he spent with her, the more he wanted her.
Despite all the issues. Despite the fact that he could get fired. Despite her brother’s threats.
All he wanted was her.
The two biggest issues were Cate and her needs. Pushing forward while not frightening her away.
And his need to ensure her security. Her protection. It was gnawing away at him. Insistent.
Protect.
Protect.
There was a reason he’d become a bodyguard after leaving the Special Forces and why being a Dominant spoke to him. Taking care of others, ensuring their protection was a drug to him. But it was one he could easily overdose on. Ethan knew he could go too far. His need to keep someone safe often led to him being blinded to other things.
That’s why his last girlfriend had left him. She’d told him that he smothered her. That she felt like her privacy was being constantly invaded and that she couldn’t breathe.
That she needed space.
And he hadn’t felt anything for her like he already felt for Cate after just three weeks.
So, he had to be careful to keep himself from going too far.
Although Cate was very different from Mimi, who had been outgoing and adventurous.
Kind of reckless in his opinion. Which is what had led to most of their arguments.
You don’t live here. If you get involved and leave her . . . then that could hurt both of you.
But especially her.
And that was something he never wanted to do.
Fuck.
For now, he’d be her friend. And he’d try to figure out whether these feelings for her were something he could get under control.
Or if they were something he had to act on.
Then, he’d let the rest sort itself out.
And if his feelings grew?
Well . . . he might need to get used to the traffic, people, and congestion in LA.
Fuck. Him.
The meeting was thankfully finished. He had waited outside, and now Cate and Oliver were talking quietly in the foyer.
Turning toward him, she walked over and Oliver followed.
“Hey, Ethan.” Oliver smiled cheerfully.
“Oliver.” He nodded to him.
“You know, I would have picked you up, Cate. Ethan didn’t have to come all the way in here with you.”
“Actually, I do,” Ethan told him. “I’m her bodyguard.”
“Oh, sure. But I’m happy to help. I could even come stay at the house if you need me to,” Oliver said to Cate.
“I’m not sure why that would be necessary,” she said.
“But thanks for the offer,” Ethan added to soften the blow.
“Yes. Thank you,” she said, obviously taking a cue from him.
Oliver nodded stiffly. “I’ll be going, then.”
She glanced over at Ethan as Oliver left. “Is he upset with me? I’m not sure why he’d offer to come and stay.”
“Perhaps he thought you might be more comfortable with him there.”
“Oh. Yes. I should apologize again.”
“You can call him later,” Ethan told her as they walked to the elevator and climbed in. “Right now, I’m going to take you for something to eat.”