Page 108 of Protecting Mr. Fine

“They want me on their detail while they’re in the US. They’re willing to hire Violet’s company to provide domestic coverage, but the catch is that it has to be me.”

He stared at me in shock. “Are they for real? Do they not give a single shit about the fact you already have a job? You already have an assignment, and I don’t say this often, but he’skind of a big deal.”

I bit my tongue against a laugh. “He is. But he’s not royalty, despite the fact Pop-Rocks Daily once called him the King of Cool.”

Zane’s glare was comical despite being serious. It was rare to see him this annoyed. “Don’t try to make me laugh right now. I’m extremely pissed off, Bear.”

“I can see that, honey. You’re not the only one. I wasn’t happy about it, either.”

“But you agreed to it.”

“Yes, because I felt like I owed Violet a solid. She’s taken good care of me since I came to work for her.”

Zane propped the phone on a pillow and rubbed his face with both hands. “This is the opposite of how I wanted things to be when we got home. When the hell am I going to see you again?”

“Majestic,” I said with a grin. “At least now I’ll get to see you ring the bells or whatever the fuck.”

His face softened into a reluctant smile. “Good. But then you’ll go to Montana, right? To see your family? They’re not keeping you from your visit home, are they?”

I wanted to tell him that I no longer wanted to go to my sister’s place if it meant not being able to spend some time with him first, but I kept my mouth closed to keep from making promises we weren’t ready for.

“The Ventdestinian designation is flying home after MajesticBells, I think. I’m not sure. But yes, Violet specifically said I’d be off for Christmas.”

We spoke for a few more minutes before he was interrupted by a call from Micki. “I have to take this, Bear. I think it’s about the recording schedule. Call me later?”

I nodded and blew a kiss at the screen. “Go easy, baby. Give yourself a chance to rest.”

His smile made my heart too big for my chest. “You still looking out for me, Bear?”

“Always, honey. I love you. More than anything.”

That night, we missed each other between catching up on work commitments, laundry and packing, and being carried away by jet lag. The following morning, I was two hours into my flight east by the time he woke up and texted me.

It was a video of him sitting out by the pool with the sunrise a warm peachy pink on his skin. He wore rumpled pajama pants and his Jude Marian hoodie. His hair was in an early morning tangle, and his first cup of coffee was still steaming by his side. He had his favorite acoustic guitar in his lap.

Damned if he didn’t look right into the camera, grin and wink, and start right in playing “Sanctuary.”

It was the last time I saw his face for ten days.

TWENTY-SEVEN

ZANE

Black bears are known for their independence and resourcefulness. When it comes to nourishment, they don’t just stick to one menu—these bears can eat a whopping 200 different types of foods! And if something doesn’t suit their taste, they’re not afraid to wander off and find something that does. They prioritize their needs and desires because they know true bear happiness comes from following their own path.

—Bear Facts for Insomniacs, Episode 61

Keeping busy with the new project recording was a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it distracted me from the fact that Ryan wasn’t there. On the other, it was pretty fucking unfair to suddenly find myself with a boyfriend and not be able to touch him or kiss him or feel his cock inside me or sleep in his arms.

I was bitter and resentful. I hated the king of Ventdestine. I didn’t much like Violet right now. And I resented the fuck out of the fact Ihad hundreds of millions of dollars… yet my money couldn’t solve this problem because my boyfriend had fucking principles.

“I hate principles,” I muttered.

Kenji continued to tap on his iPad as the plane cut through the California sky on the way toward Wyoming. “Girl, same. Mrs. Rowland. She thought the jocks deserved precedence because they worked so hard to represent us. Meanwhile, those of us who were mathletes could suck eggs. Please tell me what a stinky junior varsity wrestler ever did to deserve second helpings in the lunch line? If you asked me—which no one did—it was the scrawny kids that needed the extra food.”

I ignored him and continued grumbling under my breath.

“Please tell me you at least pleasure yourselves at night over FaceTime because you seem a little… frustrated.” Kenji’s voice was as dry as it would have been if he’d been explaining quarterly estimated tax payments.

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