CHAPTER FOUR
TIFFANY
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Jayden is all smoldering hotness and bulging muscle, while I try to contain my pride.
As expected, there are comments about my wealth, but I couldn’t keep my thoughts to myself. I don’t know why. I usually don’t let people get to me, but everything about this man seems to affect me in one way or another.
God knows my panties are wet.
As he brushed past me earlier, my entire body tingled.
But when he gets back to business and refers to the personal items that were taken, we both know he means the classic rabbit vibrator, a mermaid rose clitoral suction stimulator, and a pair of Victoria's Secret panties
Great.
I’m totally humiliated.
I don’t know if he’s amused or judging me. But there is a definite chemistry happening, and both of us are trying to ignore it.
That said, his comment about my schedule was a big red flag. If BHS thinks they are going to persuade me to cancel it, they are going to be disappointed.
It is essential to the launch of this product line and my next year’s earnings that the event goes ahead.
It would also cost me a huge amount to cancel, given the tight contract with Maison Diamonds.
I’m sure Jayden Rogers would have no sympathy for me if I tried to explain, so it’s lucky I don’t have to. I’ve employed them to do a job, and they don’t get to dictate my business activity. Hopefully, he’s professional enough to know that so I don’t have to spell it out.
It’s been almost six years since buying my home, and I am beyond ready to pay Dad back.
After the break-in, his comment on the phone irked me to almost breaking point.
“Tiffany, I want you to move. At the time I agreed to purchase that home, but I’ve always thought it was not safe enough. It appears I was right.”
“Dad, no!” I cried. “It’s safe.”
“How can you say that?”
“Any home can be broken into.”
“This house hasn’t,” he argued. “And do you know why?”
I blocked out his argument, knowing my own was weak, and it was pointless. He always won. That’s what Steven Stallone does.
He wins.
And because the house was in his name, he could sell it, and I’d be forced to move.
The familiar tightness in my chest returns as I stride down the hall with Jayden following. The one that wants to break out and tell my father to stop controlling my life.
He doesn’t, not really.
Not as much as he did when I was younger.
But knowing he could dictate where I lived was too much. The launch had to happen. Then I would pay him the money and get the house put in my name.
When I turn, I tug my bottom lip between my teeth as I take in my new bodyguard.
Despite the size of my home, Jayden seems to fill the space with his masculinity, wide shoulders, and bulky arms.
I’d already spotted the tattoos just under his collar and am pretty certain there are more to explore on his ripped torso. What a shame I’ll never get to do it.
I’ve learned that lesson already.
Just after I turned eighteen, I slept with one of my bodyguards, Mark Benton. Dad found out and all hell broke loose. While it felt totally worth it at the time, discovering he lost his job was not.
Worse, I thought he loved me.
I waited for him to contact me and confess his feelings despite his job loss. It never happened.
I was heartbroken.
Then I heard several of the security team had been talking smack about having their turn with me. All hell broke loose when dad found out.
Mom and Dad gave me a stern lesson in reputation as a woman that night; I almost died of shame.
So, I don’t have any doubt that if I showed Jayden a hint of the attraction I feel for him right now he’d be just like those other men; keen to fuck the pretty little rich girl with a Maybach in the garage, the girl who lost her diamonds.
Even if he does act like a southern gentleman.
Tiffany, are you naked under that raincoat?
My God, I wanted the floor to swallow me whole.
“Welcome to my studio.” I wave out an arm, presenting my main office and studio, and force myself to ignore all the hotness rolling off him.
Jayden looks as unimpressed as a person can as he takes in the backdrops, cameras, ring lights, tripods, and my products displayed beautifully on shelves.
Zero reaction.
We could be at the grocery store choosing tomatoes for the excitement on his face.
I should have expected it.
“What am I looking at here?” He frowns. “Did the burglars come in here also?”
I suppress my sigh.
“No, thank goodness.” I walk past him and pick up a red lip gloss. Unscrewing the lid, I pull out the glossy stick and replace it. “I wanted you to see what I do, where all the magic happens, so you understand what you’ll be dealing with every day.”
Jayden’s brows slowly lift as if what I said was preposterous.
“That’s not necessary,” he says, glancing around before locking his gaze with mine. “My focus will be on securing the property and any threats to you when we are out. Not...makeup.”
I drop the stick.
“Fine.” Walking over to my desk, I drop into the chair and tap the keyboard to bring up my planner. “Then let’s get down to business. Give me your email address, and I’ll send you my calendar for the month. You can arrange whatever is necessary.”
Jayden walks up behind me and hovers over me. His aftershave has hints of whisky and musk. I resist the urge to turn my head and draw in an audible breath.
Just.
But his size is unmistakable. Even a foot away, it feels like he’s surrounding me with his masculinity and strength.
I don’t hate it.
Lord, imagine being underneath this man as he groans and fills you?
“What is that?” He leans over me and points at the screen.
When I drag my eyes off his huge biceps, I focus.
“The launch of my Maison Diamond Luxe Lips our customers are beyond excited.
And while I hate that the necklace Dad bought me was stolen and my home invaded, I can’t argue that it has attracted even more media attention, which is taking this to the next level.
Jayden crosses his arms. “Tiffany someone broke into your home and stole over a million dollars’ worth of your diamonds.”
“I’m aware.”
“And your underwear...and things.”
I sigh. “My vibrator. Let’s just get that out in the open. They took my panties and sex toys. Yes, we all have them and use them. I’m sure you do, too.”
His nostrils flare, and it does something inside me I wasn’t prepared for.
My core clenches as heat flows through my body. There’s no way in hell I’m looking down; I am pretty sure my nipples are hard.
“No comment,” Jayden finally says.
“Chicken,” I say before I can stop myself.
The two of us stare at one another, and I watch as his lip twitches.
“I’d rather not talk about your vibrator or panties, if that’s okay with you.” Jayden clears his throat. “What I do want to focus on is keeping you safe so you can...spend your personal time safely.”
Oh, my God.
He was going to say, use your vibrator.
I’m sure of it.
“Fine with me. Let’s never talk about it again.” I let out a little laugh. “But I want to reiterate that this launch is going ahead. My company creates income for over two hundred people. It pays for them to put food on the table for their children and pay their mortgages.”
I see his reaction before he can stop it.
His eyes darken and hold mine.
What did I say?
I understand influencers are not respected as actual careers yet, despite the income they make. Regardless of his opinion, my professional activities create jobs and contribute to the economy. Surely he can’t see that as a negative.
Yet he’s glaring at me.
“Fine.” Jayden nods, then turns and walks out of the room.
What just happened?