Page 17 of Take Hold of Me

Her eyebrows knit together. “No. Why? Please ride with me.”

Even though I know better, I nod in acquiescence.

Her face relaxes. “Bien. Let me get my coat.”

I follow her to the hall closet and take the lightweight pink coat from her hands, holding it open for her to slip into. When she’s encased in pink, my hands stray to her shoulders. Before I’m aware of what I’m doing, my nose is almost in her hair. Her body relaxes in my hands and she tilts her head to expose more of her neck. I could close the gap and kiss her.

Quashing the impulse, I ask, “Ready?”

I feel, rather than see, her throat move as she swallows. “Oui.”

A knock on the door makes us jump apart. While she meets her new bodyguard, I silently berate myself. When I’m again in control of any wayward reactions to this angel, I extend my hand to Neil. He’s about my height. Jacked. His less-than-firm handshake doesn’t bode well, however.

We proceed to the limo. Seeing her glide into the long bench seating reminds me of our differences. She’s a supermodel, living in a multi-million-dollar house and I’m a soon-to-be gym owner renting an apartment. With enough baggage to fill the closets in both our abodes.

Before following her into the vehicle, I lower my voice and grip Neil’s forearm. “Do we have a Code 10?” This is universal security speak for danger ahead.

His eyebrows knit. “I don’t know what that means.” He smooths out his forehead. “But I do know the party’s going to be filled with A-listers.”

This guy’s an idiot. He probably wouldn’t know a warning sign if it bit him on the ass.

Biting my tongue, I get into the vehicle. When Neil puts his large frame through the doorway, I slip into a spot on the plush bench next to Emilie instead of the seat opposite.

Bodyguards never ride with their clients. His place is in front with the driver.

My scowl doesn’t deter him as he settles into the seat across from us. Neil’s eyes dart to the bar. “It’ll be my pleasure to guard you, Emilie. Would you like something to drink before we get to the club?”

My body tenses. If he pours himself a drink I won’t be able to restrain myself.

Emilie places her hand on my rigid thigh and smiles at me. Now I’m strained for a whole other reason.

“No, I am good. We had a drink before.”

Neil nods and reaches over for a bottle of water. At least that’s okay. When she removes her hand to check on something in her purse, my body melts against the seat.

Neil spends the trip chatting up Emilie. She tries to bring me into the conversation by asking about my bodyguarding days, but neither him nor I is interested in pursuing the subject.

Arriving at the strobe-lighted mayhem, I turn to Emilie. “I’ll stay in the background while you walk the red carpet.”

“But I would like you to walk it with me.”

Aware of our audience, I lean in and whisper, “Tonight’s your night. Your gig.” I don’t fit the image of a guy that belongs with her. More than that, I’mnotwith her. Never will be. I need to remind my body of this fact.

Again.

The limo stops and the door opens. Neil, exhibiting proper security detail for the first time all night, exits first. I shift to the seat Neil vacated so that Emilie can get out of the limo next.

Before she extends her shapely leg out the door, she asks, “Are you sure? You could talk up your new gym.”

I shake my head, although more than impressed with her marketing bent. “I’ll meet you inside.”

Midway up the red carpet with Neil next to her, she turns and finds me among the other unknowns in the background. Our eyes hold for a few seconds before I look away.I’m only here to vet Neil.

Emilie walks the gauntlet like the pro she is, stopping for photos and speaking with reporters. While she’s stopped by the last couple of reporters, I show my ticket and slip inside the entrance.

The floor is crowded with people dancing to club music being played by a DJ from his booth suspended above the floor. A light show swirls around the DJ booth and bounces off the bodies gyrating below. At least three different bar areas are in use, with some hi-top tables strewn around them. No one seems to be a threat, although being in such a cramped space has me on alert.

Even though I’m inside the club proper, I feel the air shift and know Emilie’s entered the building. Turning, I watch as she hands her coat to a club member and glides into the main area in front of Neil. Her eyes roam the crowd, once again landing on me within seconds. Her ability to find me, even in such crowded rooms, is uncanny.

---