Page 79 of Passenger Princess

"I really appreciate it, man," I say as I pull into the hotel parking lot.

"Anytime. So you're in love with the pageant queen?" Miles asks with a laugh, and I groan. "I gotta say, a few weeks ago, Hank called me, told me you'd met your match, and you were head over heels for some chick. I thought he was crazy until I saw a paparazzi photo of you with some tiny little thing. Then it started to make sense."

"Fuck off," I say, feeling suddenly protective of her. Fuck, even before things were concrete between us, I was protective of her in a way that went well past my duties as her bodyguard.

I told Ava that once I make a decision, I don't waver, and I meant it. I've decided Ava is mine, meaning that I need to do whatever I can to make sure she's not just safe, but happy.

"Have you made that official yet?" he asks. I don't speak, trying to decide how to answer, considering things are so new and still under wraps, but I suppose my silence says enough. "Good for you, man. From what I've seen, she's a good one, won't take your shit."

I groan and run a hand through my hair. "She's giving me an ulcer," I say.

"As she should. You need someone to keep you from becoming the most boring person on the planet."

"Oh, fuck off. I won't be boring when Greg finds out I’m dating my assignment and fires me."

"Fuck that job," Miles groans. "I've been telling you for months to quit there, that you should start your own firm. Your references are spectacular, and you know exactly what clients are looking for and are willing to go the extra mile for them. Five Star let me go, and I've had more business since then than I can even manage."

"Sounds great and all, but I'm just three years from my retirement, and I don't want to work in a field until I'm sixty."

"Not everything has to be fieldwork, and that retirement bullshit is negotiable. In my severance, they gave me a portion of it. Hank did us a solid with that contract before he left; put it into the selling agreement so you'll receive what you've earned no matter what. Greg is just holding it over your head because he knows if he loses you, he loses clients."

Interesting, I think, because I had no idea. Maybe it's time I took a look at that contract myself or finally tell Hank what's going on. I hadn't wanted to tell him how shitty things have been since he sold the company so he could enjoy his well-earned retirement, but maybe that was a mistake.

"So what, I just say fuck it and out us?" I ask, joking.

"Absolutely not," he says, voice firm. "You and I both know you have to keep things under wraps forhersafety. If you out your relationship, from what I'm understanding, you're putting her in danger with the pageant and giving them another reason to fuck with her. We don't know their true intentions right now. And Five Star will take you off the case at the very least. We both know no one can adequately replace you and keep your girl safe."

My gut drops with the confirmation of what I've been thinking this entire time. It's why it took me so long to give in to Ava—this constant thundercloud hanging over us. Greg can pull me from this assignment at any moment, and between Regina and Anne plottingwhatever I know they're plotting and Greg being more worried about getting the contract than actually keeping Ava safe, I'm not risking it.

"Gotta say, though, you two going public is going to be hilarious," Miles continues with a laugh.

"What?"

"The way people are obsessed with her every move, they're going to have a blast with the two of you. God, I can't wait for you to have to smile for the cameras. You're gonna love that shit."

"Fuck off," I say, pulling the key from the ignition. "I have to go. Keep me updated on anything you find."

"Aw, come on, I—" he starts, but I grab Ava's coffee and head up to my girl, hanging up before he can say another word.

THIRTY-EIGHT

AVA

My phone beeps with a text, and I jump up from where I'm in the bathroom on FaceTime with Harper and Jules, getting ready to let Jaime into the hotel room.

"One sec," I say, then skip to the door, undoing the bar, the deadbolt, and the chain he insists I keep on the door, opening it to see Jaime towering over me with a tray of two coffees in one hand.

"Fuck, Princess," he groans as he steps in, the door slamming behind him, moving to back me into a wall with his body, using his free hand to move to my ass and lift me. Then his lips are on mine, tasting like black coffee and everything Jaime.

My legs wrap around his waist, and I sigh into his lips as his tongue dips into my mouth. Instantly, my hips tip, already wanting him.

I had him this morning; I came at least three times, though the last orgasm got a bit hazy, my mind not able to pinpoint where one started and another stopped, so it could have been more. But still, I want him again.

It's as if my body wants to use every moment we're together tomake up for the weeks we denied there being anything between us. Eventually, though, he pulls back, resting his forehead on mine.

"I got your coffee," he says low, and I smile.

"The girls are on FaceTime in the bathroom," I whisper, and slowly, he lowers me.

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