Page 68 of Guarded King

There’s that smile again, and there’s my heart doing a flip it shouldn’t be doing.

“Are you ready?” he asks.

With a deep breath to center myself, I nod once. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”

“Okay, let’s go.” He puts his hand on my lower back and guides me toward the entrance.

The car waiting out front takes us to a large exhibition hall. On the way, we run over the plan again. He wants to attend several talks and demonstrations throughout the day, some of which are being held simultaneously. When the timing conflicts like that, we’ll separate, and I’ll go to one on his behalf so I can take notes or ask questions.

He’s meeting Ellis Anderson, EcoTech’s CEO, for dinner tonight. I don’t need to attend, so I plan to do a little exploring and then find a nice local restaurant for my own dinner.

Tomorrow morning is reserved for a few more demonstrations before the luncheon where Roman will be giving his speech. After that, it’s back to the hotel and the flight home. Calling this a whirlwind visit is an understatement, but I’m still excited to be here.

For the first couple of hours, we attend the discussions and demonstrations together. Once it’s time for us to part, I take the list of topics he’s interested in and questions that he needs to have answered so that I don’t forget anything.

Several hours later, my energy is flagging. I’ve taken as many notes as I can, as well as photographs and videos when I was allowed. By now, I’ve developed a good idea of Roman’s priorities and I’ve done my best to capture his main points of interest.

I meet up with him again for an afternoon session, where it takes more strength than it should to keep my eyes open. He leans close, his breath warm against my ear. “You’ve done enough for the day. Why don’t you go back to the hotel after this and take a nap? You’ve earned it.”

“What about you?” I whisper back, dangerously aware of just how close our faces are. If I raised mine the slightest bit, my mouth would skim his cheek.

“What about me?”

“You must be exhausted too. You barely slept on the plane.”

“You don’t have to worry about me, Chloe,” he murmurs. “I have a lot of stamina.”

My breath catches at the insinuation, a jolt of heat spreading through me. But beside me, Roman straightens, his attention shifting back to the speaker as if his words hadn’t been dripping with innuendo.

With a heavy exhale, I slump back in my chair. I’m doing my best to forget about that night in his office, but how am I supposed to when he says things like that? When he puts images into my head? Images of his big body moving on top of mine, making me feel good over and over?

Before I nap, I might have to take care of myself. Even sitting next to him is enough to rev me up. The way he smells, the brush of his arm against mine, it all sets my nerve endings on high alert.

At the end of the talk, he follows me out, his height and commanding presence behind me enough to clear a path in the crowded room.

We’ve just made it through the doorway when the sound of Roman’s name being called stops us. Glancing around, I spot Ellis Anderson, CEO of EcoTech. An older man, he’s instantly recognizable from the work I’ve been doing on the acquisition.

“Ellis.” Roman holds out his hand. “It’s good to see you.”

“You too.” Ellis grips his hand and shakes it. “Have you been enjoying the expo?”

“It’s been very interesting so far. I’m looking forward to the rest of it. And our dinner tonight.”

I roll my lips together in an effort not to smile, knowing how much he doesn’t enjoy dinner meetings.

“I am too.” Ellis’s response is filled with what seems like genuine enthusiasm. “We have a lot to discuss. But I’m looking forward to getting to know you on a personal level too. EcoTech’s ethos is important to me. I want to make sure it goes to the right company.”

Roman nods. “I plan to show you that the King Group is the right fit for it.”

Ellis turns to me. “And who is this lovely young lady?”

Unlike some men who have leered while asking the same question, his expression is open and friendly.

“I’m Chloe Callahan,” I say, shaking his hand when he extends it. “Roman’s assistant.”

Brow arched, Ellis eyes Roman. “You’re dragging your assistant around? Isn’t that considered cruel and unusual punishment?” He chuckles.

“Oh no, not at all,” I say before Roman has a chance to respond. “It’s been very interesting.”

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