Page 53 of Close Protection

‘What?’ How did we get on to Milosh?

‘Are you and him together? Is that why you don’t want us to happen?’

‘Um…’ I trail off.

Isit because of Milosh? I know a part of me wished it were his hands exploring my body instead of Teddy’s but I don’t think that’s it. I’m fond of Teddy, I just don’t feel anything romantically towards him any more. And it doesn’t help that he’s so pushy about this stuff. What would happen if I told him to stop, if I changed my mind. Would he listen?

‘Wait, no. That’s not it.’ Teddy starts shaking his headin disbelief. ‘You’re still a virgin, aren’t you?’

‘Yes,’ I admit. It’s not like it’s a secret, but I feel icky talking about this with him.

‘Oh, I get it.’ Teddy smiles, simultaneously spinning me round and pulling me onto the bed, leaving me lying next to him. ‘You’re saving yourself for me, aren’t you?’

‘What?’ I gape. But he doesn’t respond because he’s too busy studying the necklace that just fell out of my top.

‘That’s a pretty necklace,’ he says quietly as if to soothe me, an unreadable emotion flicking across his face as he reaches down to touch it.

When I swiftly changed out of the gala dress earlier, returning the Graff necklace to its box, my neck felt bare. So I replaced it with my mother’s necklace, tucking it down under my top to avoid any questions from my father. It had stayed there, successfully hidden, until now.

‘Um…’ I clear my throat, lifting myself off the bed to stand, tucking the necklace back under my top. ‘Thank you.’

He simply nods and sits up on the bed, hands between his legs. He looks thoughtful for a moment so I turn to leave. I stop at the door when he says my name again. ‘Daphne?’ I turn around to face him, hand still on the knob. ‘I think a workout would be great.’ He smiles that boyish smile of his and I’m immediately at ease. This is theTeddy I like. Fun, sweet and not pushy.

‘Great! Dinner’s at seven-thirty so we can work out after that.’

‘Looking forward to it.’

As I close the door to his room, I see Amelia walking up the stairs. ‘Hey, did you want to join me and Teddy for a workout after dinner?’ She reaches me and we walk together towards her office at the end of the hall.

‘Sure.’ She smiles. ‘Henry will absolutely hate it, and I haven’t riled him up in ages so we’re way overdue.’ She laughs as she opens her office door and rounds the desk to sit down.

‘He is really hot when he’s angry,’ I add.

‘Daphne!’ Amelia gasps. ‘You’re not allowed to say that.’

‘Meelie, just because the man’s known me since I was five doesn’t mean I haven’t got eyes. Your husband’s hot.’ I shrug. ‘Deal with it.’

Henry has a roughness about him that just screams sexy, with his tall, strong build and his heavily tattooed arm. His fluffy brown hair is the only soft part about him. Well, minus his delightfully gentle counterpart.

‘Mmm, you’re not wrong,’ Amelia agrees, starting her computer. ‘But he’s not the only good-looking guy in the house now, is he?’ She looks up at me with the most unconvincing innocent expression. ‘I mean, I personallybelieve when a guy constantly sticks up for you, gets a little protective when another guy starts touching you and, oh, I don’t know, tells you the truth when no one else does…’ She breathes a satisfied sigh. ‘I don’t know, I just think that’s rather attractive.’

‘Really?’ I deadpan. ‘How unexpected of you.’

‘Daphne, when are you going to admit you find Milosh attractive?’ she says, releasing an exasperated sigh.

‘I never said he was unattractive.’ I shrug.

‘Well, that’s good to know.’ A low voice drawls from behind me. Ignoring Amelia’s grin, I turn around to see Milosh standing by the door I left open.

‘Mr Petrov.’ I plaster on my most confident smile. ‘Are you here to talk to Meelie?’

‘No, I wanted to talk with you.’

‘Huh,’ Amelia quips. ‘Who would’ve thought it?’

Releasing a heavy sigh, I motion for Milosh to turn back around so we can talk in the hall.

‘How can I help you, Mr Petrov?’ I ask as soon as I’ve closed the door.

---