Page 96 of Guardian Daddy

“About you, Cate,” Jordan told her. “I’d like to think we’re more than business colleagues.”

Wait. What?

“We are?” Cate looked confused, which was the only thing stopping him from laying some sort of claim on her in front of this guy.

Jordan shot a look at Ethan, then sighed. “Perhaps friends?”

“Oh. Friends? Well, I hadn’t considered that. But I suppose we can be friends. Two friends in the space of one week. That’s unheard of.”

Ethan wasn’t certain she meant to say that last part out loud.

And it hurt his heart that she wasn’t used to having friends.

“Um, well, Jordan. It was good to see you. But we have to go.”

She started striding out of the room before Ethan even realized what she was doing. Shit!

“Hey, keep her safe,” Jordan called out to him.

“Of course I will. It’s my job. Plus, Cate is special.” He ran after her. When he caught up to her, she was standing at the elevator, hitting the button.

“Cate, what was that?” he said, trying hard to keep his anger out of his voice.

“Oh, I know it’s illogical to keep hitting the button. But it’s also so irritating waiting for an elevator. Such a waste of what could be productive time.”

He sighed. “Not every minute of your day has to be productive, Cate.”

“I know that. But this is the middle of the day.”

“Actually, it’s close to five.”

“Oh. Is it?” She glanced around. “Traffic will be awful.”

He winced at that. “Will it?”

The elevator doors opened, and it was surprisingly empty. He guided her inside and the doors shut.

Ethan turned so he was facing her. “Cate.”

“Yes?” She glanced up at him.

“Am I your bodyguard?”

“Um. Well, you’re more Rhodes’ bodyguard than mine?—”

“Cate,” he interrupted her. “Right now. Am I your bodyguard? Am I in charge of your safety?”

“I don’t understand why you’re asking me this.”

“Answer me.”

“Yes, I suppose you are in charge of my safety. Even if I think it’s unnecessary.”

“It doesn’t matter if you think it’s unnecessary. Rhodes and I think it is. If you were my lawyer, I would listen to you on matters of the law. Right?”

“I suppose.”

“So you need to obey me on matters of safety.”

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