Page 70 of Tortured Tones

The cutest smile curled his lips, but his voice remained cool and casual. “Lines won’t be crossed. We’d just be going as friends. Like Maddy and Slip, only without any benefits.” Too suave...and sexy. “When was the last time you went to a hot party? One where you weren’t on duty?”

“Geez...um...” As I scratched my eyebrow, I sifted through foggy, distant memories. “Not since my divorce.” God, I’m sad.

“So this is perfect. For one night, wouldn’t you like to enjoy a fancy outing rather than work at it?”

“I’ve been to a ton of events before with my ex. It’s not new to me.”

“But you haven’t been to one with us.” Too much mischief sparkled in his eyes. Too much temptation ate at my resolve.

“No. I can’t. It goes against protocol.”

“Fuck protocol. There are no rules prohibiting you from being a friend. You won’t be on duty. We’re not dating. I promise to keep my hands to myself unless, of course, you beg me not too.”

“I’ll never beg. Trust me.” It didn’t matter what the reality was—there’d be consequences. “If I’m seen with you, it will be all over the news tomorrow.”

“The thing about me going out with so many chicks is it will be old news within a day or two.”

There’s a way to make a girl feel special. But that wasn’t what this was about. “I can’t walk a red carpet with you.”

“Why not?” He jerked his chin back. “What’s the worst the gossip will say? ‘New scandal...Cole Tanner is dating his bodyguard.’ ‘Is Ava Matthews keeping an eye on her client, even from his bed?’ ‘Who wouldn’t want to be a security guard if it involves banging one of The Flintlocks.’ I don’t care if they put us beside Heidi Klum, Britney, and Kim Kardashian on the list of celebrities who have dated their bodyguard—we’ll know the truth. It’s just an invite. Fuck what people say. Stop being so uptight and live a little.”

“Are you always this annoying and persistent?”

“Yes. It’s a night out. It will be fun.”

I sucked in a deep breath. I hadn’t been to a party that didn’t involve my work colleagues in months. A backyard grill for Sloane’s birthday had been the extent of my raging outings. Thanks to my job, I’d lost touch with many of my girlfriends, and I missed clubbing and dancing. Life had undergone a drastic change since my divorce. I deserved a night out. Shit. I couldn’t believe I was contemplating this. “I’d have to clear it with Wells.”

“Call him.” Cole waved toward my jacket pocket. “Right now. On speaker, because I don’t want you making up excuses not to come.”

There was no way out of this, was there? Crap. “Fine.”

I handed Cole the empty cup and called Wells.

“Ava?” Wells answered on the second ring.

“Hey.” I held my cell phone flat between Cole and me. “Luther’s being a prick and taking Josh to New York, stuffing up my rostered time off.”

“Shit. I’m sorry.” The volume on Wells’s voice dialed down. This wasn’t the first time Luther had messed up my plans. “So, why are you calling? You want to work?”

“What the fuck? No,” Cole jumped in. “No, she doesn’t want to work.”

“Ava? Is that Cole? What’s going on?”

“Nothing.” My palms grew clammy. I couldn’t believe I was doing this. “Since I have tomorrow night off, Cole’s asked me to the Angels in LA premiere party.”

“Ava?” A million questions and a ton of concern ripped through Wells’s tone.

“It’s not a date. It’s just a friendly invitation since Luther’s screwing me over again.”

“She needs a night out,” Cole butted in. “It’s one party. There’ll be hundreds of people there. Tia, Sutton, and Maddy will be with us. It’s a group outing. That’s it.”

“Wells, it’s my night off.” Grit set in my tone. “I don’t need your permission to do things in my personal time. I haven’t been anywhere in months. You know I love my job. I follow every rule and procedure.” And there is nothing going on between Cole and me.

Maybe . . . Yes . . . No . . . Nope. Definitely not!

“Ava . . .” Wells’s tone turned all fatherly. “If I didn’t trust you, I wouldn’t have assigned you to Cole. Thank you for checking in with me. But it’s fine. You could do with a night out. So do me a favor?”

“What’s that?” I winced.

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