Page 26 of Exposed

Zoe and Danielle jumped at the noise.

“What’s wrong?”

“Two cars behind us, a photographer was taking shots. Jacinda might have tipped them off,” I commented.

Danielle glanced over her shoulder. Zoe pulled out her phone, texting nonstop.

“Mark said he could send backup if we need it,” Zoe said.

Shaking my head no, I turned off on the exit toward the office building. At some point, I knew this would happen. The media hype, public interest, and everyone having an opinion had finally come to a head.

“We’ll be fine, have him open the gate so we can get inside and I can drop you both off. Then, I’m heading to see Lauren.”

“Tell her to call me,” Zoe said as the car stopped in front of the gate a few minutes later. I saw the guard wave us inside. Driving up, I noticed a few Cole Security employees standing around.

“I will.”

Danielle and Zoe got out of the car. Mark walked around to the driver’s side.

“The whole thing sounds fishy. Emmanuel told me what happened at Lauren’s. Make sure you don’t kill anyone when you get there. I know you have feelings for her,” Mark told me, tapping me on the shoulder.

“She’s a client; I want everyone safe. You’d do the same,” I replied.

Mark tilted his head. “So, you two haven’t slept together?” he asked.

“Time for me to get going. I’ll keep you updated and tell Jackson to not come. I know he wants to help, but I got it under control,” I said, backing up, driving around him, leaving out of the back entrance to keep photographers from following me. Mark questioning me about Lauren was something I wasn’t ready for. Was the connection strong? Yes. Was the sex insane and did it make me crave her even more? Again, yes. The rational part of me knows she’s my client, and I never get involved with clients. So why was I so ready to kill Jacinda back at her office for even mentioning Lauren’s name? Finally pulling up to her place, I hopped out and walked over to Emmanuel in his car, and he stepped out to shake my hand.

“How is she?”

“She’s in her room, not wanting to be bothered. I chased them away, they kept talking about the sex tape, and I don’t think it’s her,” Emmanuel said.

I was caught off guard at his statement. Emmanuel was one of my closest friends, and if he saw Lauren naked, I’d be pissed. I know I didn’t have any claims to her, but the feeling of keeping her protected at all costs ran deep in my blood.

“Calm down, before you go off and try to beat my ass. Screenshots are circulating. I didn’t see the full thing. Go upstairs and see your girl. Maybe that’ll relax you,” Emmanuel suggested, reaching out to shake my hand.

Chapter Sixteen

Lauren

I heard the door opening and didn’t feel like even moving to check who it was. Having the covers over my head while locked in my room helped to keep the noise out. Today should have been the day I would prepare to announce the line of cosmetics I collaborated on as well as my exclusive clothing partnership that Danielle was looking to branch into with me. Everything came tumbling down because a scorned bitch decided to interrupt my life over a man. I felt a hand run up the side of my leg toward my back, then a kiss on the back of my head. I couldn’t help but moan. At the same time, I wanted to blame him for everything.

“I’m sorry,” he said, lying down in the bed, pulling me into his chest.

“It’s not your fault,” I answered.

“Tell me about him.”

“Who?” I questioned, lifting up only wearing a t-shirt and socks in bed. My hair was all over the place. As soon as I got home and cried my eyes out, my makeup smeared, I removed it in the shower.

“Raymond. Tell me everything about you.”

“How much time do you have?” I joked, tracing circles on his chest.

“I have no place to be, you’re my client. I’m here to listen.”

The statement caused me to pause; I was just a client to him. The way he held me the other night, I felt something other than a client and bodyguard. Was I naive to think after one night of sex, he’d want to try and see if we could date in the real world?

“That’s right; I’m just a client,” I stated, trying to move out of his arms, and sit up. Dominic shook his head and pulled me in closer, turning our position with him on top. Automatically my legs opened for him.

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