Page 25 of Bossy Bodyguard

But Cillian hadn’t said anything. He just promised me that he’d stay in the room.

I wrapped myself in a towel and looked for some clothes in the bathroom closet. But, of course, I was stupid and forgetful. That guest room didn’t have any clean clothes.

Covering my face with my hand, I kept mumbling ‘Oh, God’ until the panic set in and I couldn’t stop myself from unlocking the door.

Before Cillian could look away or get horrified, I blurted, “I forgot my clothes.”

I had never moved faster towards a door but a strong arm wrapped around my elbow before I could turn the cold knob.

16

MEET THE EX

EMMA

“Stay. You’ll get cold. I’ll go get them,” Cillian bit out, pulling me back and not looking at me as he opened the door. “Which drawer or… closet?”

My cheeks scorched with embarrassment as I crossed my arms. “Just some pajamas in the second closet and… there are undergarments in the drawers.” Color coded, I added mentally.

He didn’t spare me a glance and left to fetch my clothes. I shivered from the cold and caught my reflection in the mirror.

I looked red. My cheeks, ears and neck were blushing red. I jumped when there was a sharp knock on the door.

“Y-yes?”

Instead of answering, the door opened and I stared at the broad chest in dark shirt that belonged to Cillian. I took my clothes in a hurry when he handed them to me and the door closed on my face before I could thank him.

I was a mess. I was never a mess. But I was becoming a mess just because of him.

Sighing, I let go of my towel and glanced at the clothes he had picked out for me. I pursed my lips seeing the bra and resisted the intense urge to open the nearest window and scream.

“Barbie. Seriously? What the fuck?” I whispered to myself, angrily clasping the hooks of the bra. “Out of all the expensive bras—he had to pick this one!”

I whispered out more curses because I knew he was waiting outside and I didn’t want him to hear me.

A humorless chuckle escaped my lips when I saw the underwear. I dangled it in front of me, my entire body burning with anger and embarrassment. I had underpants from La Perla, Agent Provocateur, but no, he picked out the ones that Summer and Mia had given me on my birthday to prank me. A freaking Teletubby underwear and a Barbie bra.

Either Cillian had a sense of humor in his big, stoic body, or he was punishing me for making him wait in a room while I was too scared to shower alone.

I knew it was the latter.

At least the underwear was pure cotton and comfortable. I thanked the Fashion Gods (whoever they may be), as I donned the full-sleeved tee shirt and plain sweatpants.

He must have not found the secret stash of embarrassing clothes in the back of my drawer.

“I’m decent!” I yelled after pulling the socks on my feet and hand-combing my damp hair.

I had to miss school today, and even though no one would mind because of my mother’s death, I didn’t want to miss it. I wanted to be around my friends, study, mix chemicals and note their reactions. I wanted to be around people, but I wondered why I was shaking at the idea of being out in public where anyone could—

“Emma.”

I blinked out of my thoughts and raked my graze from the carpeted floor to Cillian. I hadn’t noticed he had entered the room and was staring at me with a concerned look on his face.

“Are you okay?” he asked, crossing his arms.

I nodded, tucking my hair behind my ear and asking, “I’m sorry for making you wait. What did you want to talk about?”

“How’s your romantic relationship?” he said, his voice sharp and authoritative. “Any breakup recently?”

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