Page 77 of The Billionaire Bodyguard Next Door

I’d have Sebastian do a background search on this Carter kid and then make sure I had the ammunition needed to make sure this guy knew she wasn't pining over him. That she was with me, even if she didn't want to admit it yet.

I continued to trail behind Luna as she stomped her way around the yacht.

“Is it such a hardship to take me to the gala with you?” I pressed her.

The withering look she threw over her shoulder would stop a lesser man in his tracks. We backtracked a few times until Luna found what she was looking for: the captain.

“Take me back to the harbor. Something’s come up and I need to get off the boat immediately,” she demanded.

“We just got out here—” I protested.

Luna lifted her hand in the air as if to silence me, not bothering to glance behind her as she addressed the captain. “You’ll turn this boat around or I'll call the port authority.”

I chuckled because this was escalating quickly and frankly laughing was the only thing I could think to do.

The captain, a distinguished-looking man, complete with gray hair and graying beard appeared downright terrified.

Luna lifted her phone, a silent threat that she’d do exactly as she promised.

The captain raised his hands. “Yes, ma’am, I’ll head back to the harbor right away.”

“Thank you, sir,” Luna said before trudging back to the front of the boat, asking a nearby crew member for a drink top off and a bite to eat. “Might as well get some fuel before we head back.”

Luna stationed herself at the outdoor dining area, phone in hand.

I sat down across from her, giving her as wide a berth as I could given the size of the table. “You’re really going to jump ship?”

Her eyes flitted to mine, before dropping back down to her screen. Answering emails from the looks of it.

“Ignoring me? That’s how you’re going to play this?”

Jaw clenched, she didn’t deign to give me a response.

“I only wanted to help,” I continued to press her.

Thatgot her attention because her head snapped up. “How many times have I told you I don’t need your help?” The sharpness in her voice was one I recognized from when I saw her again for the first time sinceournight.

I shrugged, not sure where she was going with this, but willing to listen because this was clearly about something more. “I’m helpful.”

“Sometimes your help isunwanted.”

I flinched. “How so?”

“You’re pushing. I want to agree to the help, not have it thrust on me. I've been taking care of myself for much longer than I've known you, Beck. Just because I'm interested in exploring this thing between us doesn't mean I’ve cosigned on your deciding things for me.”

Fuck.

This was about so much more than just offering to be her date. This was about me pushing myself onto her without consent. Not in a physical way, because I’d never fucking do that. No, the mental, emotional, that was just as bad.

I should have fucking known better.

I leaned forward, and both of us shifted as the boat turned. Luna had to stabilize herself and the movement finally broke the stalemate.

“May I?” I asked, nodding at her hands. I clasped them in mine. “I'm sorry. If you don't want me to go, I won't. I just didn't want you to have to face it alone.”

Luna squeezed my hands reflexively. Clearly, she was still mad. That line between her brows was still deeper than usual. But I must have done something right because she was marginally less mad. I'd take that win for now until I could fully make up for it.

She searched my face. “I'll think about it.”

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