Page 74 of The Billionaire Bodyguard Next Door

“What is it?”

A frown tugged at the corner of her lips. “Daddy said it was a surprise.”

Fuck.

She shot me a smile that would make the Cheshire Cat proud. “But if you guess it…”

Aha. “Great idea, Alice.”

I clutched my coffee cup like the lifeline it was. “You want to give me some hints or should I just start spit balling?”

She scratched her nose. “What’s spit balling?”

“That’s where I just list a bunch of things, and you say yes or no.”

“Let’s do that.”

I nodded solemnly. “Is your dad taking me to a fancy restaurant?”

She shook her head. “Nope.”

“To a sports game?” I crossed my fingers, desperately hoping that wasn’t the case. I know Faith’s brother met his girlfriend at a basketball game and honestly that sounds like a terrible meet-cute.

“Bowling?”

Alice giggled. “No.”

I rattled off a dozen more date ideas, all better—or worse—than the next. At least it ruled out most of what I would consider a truly horrible date.

I narrowed my eyes at Alice as if that would give me some sort of telepathic connection.

Spoiler alert: it didn’t.

“Mini golf? A movie?”

A screen door opened. “Alice, are you still out here?”

“Shit.” I ran out of time and was no closer to having the answer I wanted.

Alice pointed at me. “You said a bad word.”

Damn. “Sorry, about that honey. Do you want to just whisper where your dad is going to take me today? Help a girl out? I have no idea how to dress.” While I usually dressed for myself and myself alone, I felt a certain pressure to get this right. I hadn’t been on a date I cared about since, well, never.

Alice sat up and Beck’s head popped over the top of the door that separated our backyards.

Wait a minute. “You can see into my backyard? Just like that?”

Beck pulled on the string that laid onmy side of the fence, opening the door. “There you are.”

Alice jumped up, and I followed. “Wait?—”

Beck grinned at me as I moved toward him and his daughter who was now holding his hand. “Morning, Luna.”

I shifted into my hip, the silky fabric of my robe moving as I sank lower. Beck’s gaze dragged the length of my body, his face hardening. I glanced down to see the robe had come loose, my silk nightgown now on full display. If Alice weren’t there, I’d leave it, but since she was there, I quickly tied the belt firmly around my waist.

“I’ll see you later?” Beck asked, his voice all low and growly.

I nodded. “Yes, want to tell me exactly what we’ll be doing so I can dress appropriately?”

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