Page 18 of Regally Binding

“I feel better after my sleep and shower. Are you okay though? You look tired.”

He turned away, and she followed him into the main bit of the suite. “No one asks me how I am,” he grumbled. She’d not seen this part of the suite when he’d brought her in the night before. The room was plush and yet understated, with a mixture of beige and white furnishings. Generic landscapes hung on the walls. It had everything she expected: a state-of-the-art television, mini fridge, tea and coffee-making facilities, and the sofa that now held her grumpy bodyguard, who still hadn’t said how he was. “You should eat.”

She stared back at him, tilting her head. His softness from the early hours had gone.

“You haven’t eaten in nearly a day,” he grunted. But she continued to stare at him. Finally, he relented. “Please.”

She remembered her promise from the night before about making things easier. “Okay, but you too. I can’t see anywhere to cook.”

“Can you cook?” She raised her eyebrows and he added quickly, “I meant because of your kitchen yesterday. You know, no food.”

“No, I can’t unless you count tinned spaghetti on toast with grated cheese. Can you?”

His mouth formed a sullen pout, and he shrugged. “I ordered brunch when I heard you moving around. It should be here soon.”

“Thanks.” She fiddled with the pocket of her yoga pants as he prepared drinks. “Is Strike around?”

The lift beeped to announce someone was on their way up.

“No, we’re taking turns in shifts with another client. We’re tying up loose ends with them. He’ll be here tonight.”

“Cool.” She put her hair in a ponytail, needing something to do with her restless hands. “I don’t know what to say to Strike. You’re grumpy, especially when you’re tired.”Like right now.“But you have moments when you can be kind, like you were while I slept.”

His face softened as he turned to stare at her. Her body still fizzed with excitement when he was near. She’d hoped learning about him last night would have obliterated her attraction, but she now wanted to know more.

The room prickled with their connection. Why did being around Bear feel different from anyone else? It had to be lust from their first meeting. It would soon disappear.

“I’m a dickhead. Trust me, Princess. But let me know if you ever need someone in your room while you sleep.”

“Do you do that for all your clients?”

His shoulders hunched.

“No.” The revelation made her words stick in her mouth. The lift doors opened, and a statuesque blonde rolled out a trolley. His tightness released immediately. “But if you don’t believe I’m a dickhead, just ask Mel.” He pointed with his thumb, and the model-like stranger in a tailored suit laughed.

Liss bit the inside of her mouth. Her fizzing turned to pinches in her stomach as Mel rolled the trolley over. “Don’t believe him. Bear is a gentleman…until he’s in the bedroom.”

Liss choked on a gasp.

“Mel,” Bear warned with a raised eyebrow.

“It’s the truth.” She giggled. “At least that’s what I remember until you dumped me for another assignment.”

Bear rolled his eyes, but there was a twinkle in them too. “She’s joking,” he said to Liss. “I didn’t dump her, because we were never dating.”

“Because the darling Bear here doesn’t do relationships. Anyway, here’s your brunch.” She pulled up the silver platecovers to reveal a full English breakfast. Bear grinned. But was it at the sight of Mel or the food? Suddenly, Liss needed to get far away from Bear and his former conquest.

“I don’t think I’m hungry right now.” Her stomach rumbled loudly, drawing a cocked head from Bear. She gritted her teeth. “I might take it in my room and have some later. But thank you for bringing it.”

Bear stood directly in front of her and fixed her with his stare. His hands cupped her shoulders. “Liss, are you okay? Let me get you that coffee.”

“I’m fine. Maybe I need to top up my sleep. A lot has happened in a short time.” Including her weird ass feelings. It wasn’t jealousy. She never got jealous, and Bear was just some random guy she barely knew. In fact, after meeting Mel, she knew more about him than she wanted. He didn’t do relationships.

He brought her a coffee. “Milk one sugar,” he said, handing it to her. “How you like it.”

He’d remembered from the palace. It was the same as yesterday when they were in her flat. It didn’t mean anything.

“Thank you,” she replied. Her hands brushed his. Tingles caressed the nape of her neck. Suddenly, she was aware of Mel staring.

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