Page 2 of Obsessed with my Guardian

He runs his fingers through his dark blond hair, moving a few lighter strands. “Be that as it may, you’re an adult. So from now on, let’s keep that in mind and not indulge in lingering hugs or unnecessary touches.”

Then, it dawns on me. Why is he saying these things? We don't look like a couple when we’re in public, at the gym, or running an errand. The only person who sees us at home is Mrs. Wilson, the housekeeper, and I doubt she’d ever say anything.There’s nothing to say.Unless… a glimmer of hope sparks inside me. “Do they makeyoufeel uncomfortable?”

“Yes.”

I swallow. “Why?”

“Because it’s inappropriate,” he says between gritted teeth, obviously not in the mood to talk about it.

Maybe I’m being naïve or out of touch, but Reed being concerned about simple touches must mean they disturb him. Or perhaps… bothered, in a good way? “What makes it inappropriate? You only have the most innocent intentions… right?” I ask, drawing out the last word like I have the power to instill and manifest these thoughts in him.

He stares at me for a moment, and I swear his eyes darken to a luscious Christmas tree green. Hell, there’s even a twinkle in the depths of his irises. What does it mean? He shakes his head. “Right. I’ll go upstairs to shower. Mrs. Wilson left some food. Don’t wait for me.”

2

Reed

I turnon the water to the coldest setting, but it’s still not cold enough.

My body is on fire, in a violent state of unrest since we had that conversation an hour ago.

Eloise Newberry has always been a good girl. A very good girl.

But since she became a legal adult a week ago, she’s been too bold for my liking. Dressing more provocatively, hugging me for a bit longer than is socially acceptable, smiling and looking at me like she’s a death row inmate and I’m her last meal.

Maybe it’s because of all the changes in her life.

She lost her father, who was a good man.

She has no other family left.

And she’s now an heiress with plenty of important decisions to make.

I should move out soon, but I can’t leave her to her own devices yet. She’s young, and I don’t want the wrong kind of friend or boyfriend to show up. She could lose everything her father fought so hard to build in a flash. I have to protect her—even against myself.

I’m almost thirty, and she… she’s too young.

I started working at Sugar & Silk as a marketing consultant, but then they offered me a partnership, and I took it. Beck, the head of marketing who also handles the interviews and vetting of sugar babies, needed a second in command. So now I divide my time between Work4Fitness as CEO Interim and Sugar & Silk. I want to leave Work4Fitness for good, but I can only do that when Eloise is trained to lead the company or hires the right person to take on the role.

I turn off the water and grab the towel from the rack.

I dry myself, willing away the heat still taking over my body. This is all wrong.

I’ve never been a saint, but being attracted to someone so young is beyond me. Eloise is super young and the daughter of a man I respected like a father. And she’s in a vulnerable situation.

Even thinking about her tight, hot body is sinful.

I sigh.

I grab gray sweatpants and whip them on with a regular cotton white shirt. By now, Eloise is probably done eating and has hopefully returned to her room. I’m safe.

I go down the stairs and into the kitchen.

There’s a dim light on, and I assume she either forgot it or—

There she is.

I do a double-take.

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