Page 44 of Dead Serious with Benefits
I thought about it for a minute. “Do you...know anything about the governor?”
“Politics ain’t really my thing, but I remember being bored when she was making a play for the seat. She made a big deal about emphasizing business growth in the state, like big economic growth. I don’t remember much, but she came off as someone who gave a shit, I guess, but I felt like she’d be a real bitch once you were alone with her.”
“Hmm,” I thought, that tracked with what Ward had said about his mother. “That might be the same person then.”
“Good God, you’re going on a date with the governor’s son, and you didn’t even know it?”
“I don’t do politics either.”
“Damn, he’s really living like that, though. Shit, his mom must work overtime as a second job to keep that kind of thing quiet. She came off as a really put-together, kind of lady who behaves herself. Probably drives her crazy that her son is out there acting like, well?—”
“A party boy slut?” I wondered vaguely.
“Now hold on, I wasn’t going to say that.”
“You would have if I weren’t going on a date with him.”
Dom thought about it for a minute and then shrugged. “Alright, you’ve got me there, I would have, but I’m trying to be nice.”
“I appreciate it,” I said, gently squeezing his forearm. “But those lights signify that my ride is here. Are you going out tonight?”
“Nah, my training is being amped up for the match in a few weeks, so I’m bushed. I think I’m just going to sit here with the cats and watch some quality TV,” he said, dropping onto the couch. He was not a small man, so the graceless motion was enough to jostle the couch, earning him an indignant stare from Rags. “Remember to use protection.”
“Enjoy your trash TV,” I told him as I stepped out the door and descended to the front curb, where a small limo awaited me. I raised a brow when the back door opened and Ward stepped out, dressed just as nicely as I was.
“Well, well, I was right about you cleaning up nicely,” he said in a warm, innocent voice, but I could see his eyes flash. It was strange to see him reel back the obvious attraction when he had been willing to be...well, not aggressive in his flirtations,but certainly forward and direct. There was now an element of something close to wariness in how he acted. “So much better than if I’d had to resort to an escort.”
“Do you use those often?” I wondered.
He gestured to the limo, and I slid in, moving across the seat to give him room. The car pulled away from the curb. “Would it bother you if I did?”
“No,” I said slowly. “You’re not the sort of person who needs to use them, though. You could find people willing to spend a night on your arm...or in your bed if that’s what you’d use an escort for.”
“Normally, I wouldn’t, but my mother was quite clear that I was to bring someone with me this time. Mind you, no one would be surprised if I showed up with a street walker, let alone an escort, but I’m behaving myself tonight. Plus, you are far better than any paid worker.”
Movement up front brought my eyes to the driver, who had stopped at a light and looked into the rearview mirror. “He’s never brought a hooker or an escort with him before; don’t let him fool you.”
“And that is Will,” Ward explained as he settled into his seat with a smirk. “He has been my driver for as long as I can remember. Of course, that means he knows a great deal about me that I’d prefer other people, namely my mother, never know.”
“Hmm, first name and friendly basis with your security guard, and personal driver?” I said with a snort. “Yes, that fits.”
“Meaning what?” Ward asked with a frown.
“Meaning that if you haven’t figured it out yet, you still need more time,” I said.
From the front, Will chuckled and gave me a wink. “You, I might like.”
“You get my scraps, not my main courses,” Ward warned him, narrowing his eyes.
“Oh?” I asked with a laugh, glancing at Ward with a raised brow. “Is that so? Main course?”
Ward blinked before leaning back in the seat and letting out a huff. “Look, okay, I have nothing that will save me at this point. Consider my foot firmly in my mouth.”
I glanced up front, where Will gave another glance in the rear-view mirror. I could see he was attractive, with symmetrical features, bright green eyes that could be seen even in the dim lighting, a wicked smile, and a face Mason would have probably described as having cheekbones for days. I looked at Ward, whose brow was pinched, and then thought about the comment he had made before giving a soft laugh.
“You’ve shared,” I said in understanding. “Now I have to wonder how close you are to your security guard.”
“God, your insight is getting unnerving,” Ward grumbled. “Yes, it has happened on occasion. At the time, I thought it was fun, sleeping with the help. Turns out I don’t have the attitude necessary to get off on that sort of thing. I was getting off on having a threesome with two other good-looking people.”
