66. Chapter Sixty-Six
Chapter sixty-six
Peter
In the days following Adair and I admitting feelings for each other, it was like we were moving around each other in an intricate dance.
While I still spent a lot of time with her, I had finally been worked into the security schedule and felt like I was contributing and earning my keep, even though everyone kept telling me I led Adair’s security team.
When she and I were together, there were slight changes to the publicly shown affection, but nothing that would be considered as inappropriate. Mostly, it was us sitting closer to each other, a hand on the other, or a sly look between the two of us.
Lynette had clocked it, of course. That woman didn’t miss a thing. It was honestly her superpower.
One morning, as I headed to the kitchen to get a mug of coffee for Adair, she pulled me into her office. “I can’t help but notice you two have been a lot closer lately.”
I nodded. “We are.”
A hint of a smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. “May I ask why?”
There was nothing threatening about the question, or even how she asked it, but I caught a flicker of something terrifying in her eyes that had me wanting to spill every detail.
There’s a reason she’s made it this far in this business.
I nodded again. “We had a very honest discussion about our feelings and the ones we have for each other.”
She leaned forward. “Is that so? And how did that conversation go?”
I swallowed hard, suddenly feeling like I was sitting in the hot seat. “I’d like to think it went very well… if Adair kissing me was any indication.”
All the tension evaporated from Lynette’s face as a true, albeit stunned, smile appeared. “She initiated it?”
“Yes, ma’am. And if we’re being honest, I panicked a little and almost didn’t kiss her back.”
Lynette clasped her hands in front of her as a piercing gaze pinned me where I stood. “And your intentions with my Adair?”
My mouth almost dropped open in shock. Am I getting the new boyfriend parental grilling right now?
From Lynette? It was more than a little terrifying.
“Like I told her, I plan on having her back from now until she doesn’t want me there, regardless of if I’m her assigned bodyguard or not.
I also told her she is a strong, intelligent, resourceful, and beautiful woman, and it is an honor to know her. ”
My boss stared at me for a moment before giving me a small, approving nod. “Excellent answer. Now, I trust you know what would happen if you hurt or disrespect her in any way?”
“I will also disappear, but there will be no Project Shield created to protect me.”
Lynette laughed and shook her head. “That is the most perfect response. I’d apologize for raking you over the coals a little, but I made the mistake of assuming someone I birthed and raised would respect, cherish, and protect someone important. I can’t make that same mistake again.”
“Fair.” I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Did Ben or Quinn get this speech?”
She grinned and shook her head. “No. For Ben, we knew anyone Lianne brought home had passed more tests and trials than we’d ever be able to put him through, short of having Avery interrogate him.
And when we found out how well Ben helped Lianne during the elevator incident, any lingering doubts vanished.
As for Quinn? I heard about how she had dressed down Lukas more than once, and then she literally put her life on the line to save his. ”
“Trial by fire?”
“Something like that.”
I nodded yet again. “That makes sense. Actions speaking louder than words. I respect that.”
Lynette sighed. “Now, I’m not asking for you to put your life on the line for Adair to prove a point, but if the flicker of determination I saw in your eyes is any indication, you would do it anyway, regardless.”
“That I would.”