Page 61 of Guarded King

“Yep.” I rush to the door and swing it open.

The dark-haired woman standing outside is slightly older than middle-aged and wearing a bright smile. “Hi, I’m Carol. You must be Chloe.”

“Hi, yes, please come in.”

As she walks past me, she spots the painting that hangs in the entry. “Oh, I love this. Is it one of your father’s?”

I’ve told her a little about Dad, including that he’s an artist. “It is.”

With her lips pressed together in concentration, she studies it. “It’s so recognizably Manhattan. But it’s like seeing it through a different lens. A clearer one.”

“Dad liked to paint the many different facets of the city.”

She tears her attention away from the painting and hits me with another warm smile. “Hopefully he’ll be able to paint many more in the future.”

Hope surges up in me. “I’d love that. He would too.”

“Okay, let’s go meet the artist, then,” she says with a wink.

“Dad,” I say as I guide her into the living room, “this is Carol. Carol, this is my dad, Rick.”

“Hi, Rick.” Carol strides forward confidently and sits in the chair opposite him. “I was just admiring your painting in the hallway. You’re very talented.”

Dad’s eyes light up. The man is always happy to talk about his art.

“I’ll leave you two to get to know each other,” I say. “Would you like something to drink, Carol? A tea or coffee?”

“Water would be lovely, thanks.”

After I fetch a glass of water for her and another for Dad, I take a step back, preparing to leave them. They barely notice me, too busy chatting away. I’m already getting a good vibe from Carol. This introduction feels almost like a social visit for Dad. Although I don’t miss the way Carol assesses his movement as he carefully picks up his glass.

Reassured, I head to my bedroom to call Lola. It’s been too long since we’ve had a chance to talk. And she’s the only person I can confide in about Roman.

Once I’m settled against my headboard, I dial her number.

“So, fill me in,” she says, eager to have time to chat since Christopher is asleep and Jamie is out picking up dinner. “What’s the life of a billionaire’s assistant like? I’m still so jealous you get to go to France. I need to live vicariously through you.” She laughs.

I pick at the bed cover beneath me, considering where to start. “There’s lots going on. I’m helping Roman finalize trip details. While we’re there, we’ll meet with executives from a company he wants to acquire, so we’re focused a lot on that. But… there’s something else.”

Obviously knowing me well enough to sense that I need her advice, she says, “Okay, spill, chickadee. What’s going on?”

I let out a sigh. “Have you ever been attracted to someone you know you absolutely shouldn’t be attracted to?”

“Do you mean because they’re not a good person, or because it’s inappropriate to be attracted to them?”

“Inappropriate.”

“Inappropriate like they’re your boss?”

A short laugh bursts out of me. “Am I that obvious?”

She snorts. “I’ve seen the pictures, Chloe. Roman King is gorgeous. You’d have to be blind not to find him attractive.”

“But there’s a difference between finding someone attractive and being attracted to them.”

“Yes, I suppose there is. So, you’re telling me you’reattractedattracted to him?”

Sighing, I let my head fall back against my headboard. “Yes, and I shouldn’t be. He’s my boss, and it’s completely inappropriate.”

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