Page 14 of Cautious

Now it’s my turn to squirm. “Well, women’s products mostly,” I tell him truthfully. I feel Blake pause beside me, but I keep my eyes on Felix.

“So, what, like makeup, pantyhose, and tampons?” he questions with a quirked eyebrow that, for some reason, makes my hackles rise.

“Sometimes, sure.” I shrug nonchalantly.

He makes a face like it’s the most boring thing he can think of, and perhaps for some of them, it is.

“However, the bulk of my products end up being sex toys,” I tell him before taking another bite of my burger, enjoying the satisfaction I feel when he chokes on the sip of water he just took.

Of course, now they are all looking at me, so I dip my head and continue to eat.

Another perfect example of my mouth engaging before my brain.

“You lucky fucker,” Arlo mumbles before Blake chuckles from beside me.

“So, the Invader?” he whispers into my ear, making me shiver.

I finish my mouthful and nod, before continuing to talk for some ungodly reason. “There’s a big hero/villains theme going on at the moment for some kind of convention so I’m getting some interesting products. The Invader is one of them.”

“The Invader?” one of the others asks from the end of the table.

“It’s a hot-pink vibrator that boasts sixteen different functions and is totally waterproof,” Blake parrots my words from yesterday.

I feel my face flame with embarrassment. “You’re a dick, Bundy. Now you’ve blown your chance to see the others.”

He perks up at that. “Others?”

I huff, finishing off the last of my fries before answering.

“I told you it was part of a collection. I have the Womb Raider and the Incredible Bulk to try out too, although they look a little intimidating,” I admit. The rest of the room has gone eerily quiet. I wince and risk a look, finding all eyes are on me.

I slide my box forward and groan, banging my head repeatedly on the table. “Why, why, why did I tell you all that?” I lift my head and glare at them for making me overshare. “We will never speak of this again,” I order, ignoring their snickers.

“But, wait, I have questions,” Popeye calls out. I flip him off, which, of course, just makes everyone else laugh harder.

I growl at them before I feel Blake’s warm hand on my thigh.

“All right, guys, leave her be. I want her to come back, remember?” Blake admonishes. The others grumble good-naturedly but, luckily, change the subject. Eventually, the topic moves around to their work, the guys most likely forgetting I’m there.

“So, what is it you guys do exactly?” I question curiously, only catching snippets.

“Well, we have our fingers in a lot of pies, but I guess most of our work tends to be in protection,” Arlo tells me.

“What, like movie stars?” Ooh, fancy. I wonder if they know Charlie Hunnam. I wouldn’t mind a chance to guard his body.

He smiles. “Sure, sometimes, although a lot of the time, we work with vulnerable women and children who are caught up in cases involving spousal abuse or hostile divorce proceedings.”

I swallow down the lump in my throat as unpleasant memories assail me. Offering him a weak smile, I take a sip of my water to hide how uncomfortable I am. This conversation just went in a direction I’m not ready to go. It’s time for me to get the fuck out of here.

“Well guys, it’s been a blast, but I have to go. Thanks for lunch,” I add, politely standing, watching with amusement as they all stand too. “Such gentlemen,” I praise lightly.

“All right, trouble, let me drop you home now that you’ve thoroughly charmed the pants off my men,” Blake says with a smile, placing his large hand on the small of my back.

“Bye, guys,” I call as he leads me back to the main reception area.

“Later” and “Bye” rings out as I head out to Blake’s car. The warmth of the afternoon sun hits us as soon as we make it outside, and yet I feel a chill wrap around me. I like these guys, and I really like Blake, despite my reservations. But knowing what they do for a living has thrown a wrench in the works. I’ll go on my date with Blake on Friday, but then I’ll stay away before I become too attached. No good can come from this relationship. Not with the baggage I’m carrying or with the history I have nipping at my heels.

Blake

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