Page 46 of Close Protection

But still.

All of this is inappropriate. What happened this morningwas understandable because we were training. We were bound to end up on top of each other at some point. But actively calling a friend to see if they’re around to help out, arranging travel plans and accommodation for them and picking out dresses I think she would like was stepping way over the line.

I’m supposed to be protecting her from Daveeno, not playing boyfriend.

She’s the job. Nothing more. Nothing less.

Keep her safe and walk away.

‘So,’ Amelia asks, pulling me out of my thoughts, ‘how’s the training going?’

‘Good. Miss Green is making good progress.’

‘Hmm,’ Amelia hums, nodding her head. I keep my face impassive while she studies me. ‘So what kinds of things are you teaching her?’

‘Why?’ I respond, instead of answering her question. She has this weird look on her face, and I really don’t want to find out why, because I know the answer will definitely annoy me.

‘Oh, you know, I’m just curious.’ She shrugs. ‘Sometimes I see you two outside in the morning, and wonder what you’re up to.’ She eyes me, feigning innocence.

‘Take this morning, for example. I got up early and saw you guys outside… training.’ She drags out that last word.‘I mean, as I was looking out the window, I really thought to myself, what in the world are those two doing? So… that’s why I ask.’ She’s now smiling at me. The same smile she had when I walked past her with Daphne in my arms, after the mall incident.

It’s irritating and annoying, and if she didn’t mean so much to Daphne, and her husband wasn’t a complete psychopath about her, I’d probably shoot that smile right off her face.

With a paintball gun, though. I’m not a monster.

I think back to earlier today, and I completely understand why she’s talking like this. Daphne was on top of me, multiple times. The memory of one of them now replaying in my mind in a constant loop.

Her hands travelling down my arms, her light breath feathering over my ear as she whispered into it, the feel of her heart beating so close to mine, her lips mere centimetres away from my mouth.

So plump. So kissable. So ready.

If she wasn’t a client, I don’t know what I would’ve done.

Actually.

Scratch that.

I knowexactlywhat I would’ve done.

I know what I would’ve done with my hands, with her lips… with her body.

But one of us had to come to their senses so I got up andmoved on before I did something I’d thoroughly enjoy, but ultimately regret.

‘We were working through different scenarios where she had to overpower me, take me down and disarm me,’ I explain to Amelia stiffly.

‘Oh, she was disarming something, all right,’ she mutters under her breath as the door to the dressing room opens revealing Hallie, Averie and Daphne.

‘Okay, first dress,’ Hallie sings, as she and Averie take a seat next to Amelia on the bed. Daphne walks out wearing a cream floor-length dress. It’s tighter at the top with a low yet modest neckline and puffs out slightly at the waist.

‘Oooooh, Daph,’ Amelia coos, ‘this is gorgeous! What kind of hairstyle are you thinking?’

‘I’m thinking soft fifties-style curls, maybe?’

‘Oooh, yeah!’ Averie nods enthusiastically. ‘With gold jewellery, for sure.’

‘What jewellery were you planning?’ Hallie directs her words to Daphne.

‘Well, I have a couple of Graff pieces. Let me go and get them to show you.’ She disappears into her dressing room again as Hallie sighs.