CHAPTER TWELVE
TIFFANY
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I don’t even want to look more closely to see if they are my panties.
Revolting.
Tonight I’m focused on the NetAwards and enjoying myself.
I descend the staircase carefully in my stiletto heels, my eyes darting between the steps and Jayden, who waits at the bottom as I seek his reaction.
As if he’s my date...even if he’s not.
But Lord, I so wanted him to kiss me in the kitchen today.
Noted.
In other words, he is never going to, and I need to stop craving this man. Is that even possible?
I take the last step, and he turns.
When I see him in his well-fitted black suit and bowtie, a flutter happens in my chest. It’s unlikely to be custom made and yet he looks so damn handsome. His dirty blond hair remains in a ruffled state, as if it can’t be tamed, and the closer I get, I catch the briefest hint of his aftershave.
His eyes flare as he takes me in. I want to clap, I’m so happy.
Try not kissing me now, you damn alpha male!
Every dollar I spent on this dress, my tan, manicures, grooming, makeup and hair is worth it.
“I shouldn’t say this, but you look beautiful,” he purrs, and the urge to melt into his chest and let him kiss me almost had me acting on it.
“Thank you,” I try to contain my smile, but fail, and his broody response has my eyes dropping.
I think my father would like this man.
He’d approve of his protectiveness, the way he looks like he’d kill anyone who came near me. I know that’s what he’s being paid for, but it feels...real.
A voice clears behind him.
Oh.
The Maison bodyguard, Todd, is also here. He will be attending the event also, being responsible for the necklace until I am finished wearing it.
It’s probably just as well. Being alone with Jayden is just frustrating for us both.
My eyes lift to his, and I wonder for a moment if he’s intimidated by my wealth. Is that stopping him?
Of course, it is.
I’m reading way too much into this and need to stop embarrassing myself. Jayden probably thinks I’m some rich girl who thinks she can have any man she wants.
To my surprise, Jayden holds out his hand, those eyes of his still glowering as he guides me out the door and into the waiting limousine.
Todd follows.
If you were my wife, I’d chain you to our bed.
I’m not imagining this.
A man doesn’t stay something like that for no reason.
In the shower, I was flooded with images of him tying me up and circling the bed fully naked while stroking himself. It was highly erotic.
In fact, this past week, I’ve spent way too much time imagining what sex with Jayden would be like. There is no doubt in my mind it would be amazing.
Then what?
“Remember what happened the last time,” Dad said when I was caught flirting with another security guard a year or so after Mark Benton was fired.
It was innocent flirting, but he’s never let me forget it.
If there’s a chance I could get Jayden fired, and from experience there is, I must stop. As I’d said, I never make the first move.
It was a challenge.
I knew it, and Jayden knew it.
But I don’t want him to lose his job over this.
God, maybe I have a thing for forbidden fruit.
Fortunately, we haven’t crossed any lines—any serious lines—to date.
Jayden is here to protect me and do his job. I need to let him do that. Someone broke into my house, got into my safe and my personal space. I’m more upset than I let on, but crying about it in front of people isn’t going to change what happened.
I hired BHS, and hopefully the police will find the person...and my diamonds.
If I think about how invasive it's been, I could go crazy.
Jayden climbs into the limo with me, Todd in front, and I clench my eyes closed when his large thigh presses against mine despite the space around us.
Not helping, Jayden, not helping.
I wait for his hand to land on my leg, but it doesn’t. Instead, he leans forward and taps to let the driver know that we are ready. Then we’re speeding through the streets of Los Angeles to the event center.
“Nervous?”
“No,” I smile up at him. “I do a lot of these.”
“Aren’t you up for an award?”
“Possibly. I don’t take these things seriously. My business doesn’t rely on them like some influencers, but it’s fun to network and see everyone in real life.”
“Because you were already famous. Your dad is famous.”
“Yeah.” I glance away and wait for the hope I get to meet him comment.
It never comes.
When I look back, Jayden is doing his job, watching the mirrors and keeping his eye on the vehicles around us. I spot his weapon and a funny warm feeling spreads through me.
Nope.
Forbidden fruit, remember?
Suddenly, I wonder if he’s single.
How could I have not thought about that? Whoa.
“Is there a Mrs. Rogers waiting at home for you tonight?”
Jayden glances down with amusement. “Yes.”
My stomach drops; disappointment clearly visible on my face as he lifts a brow.
“If Mom had her way, I’d be home in my childhood bedroom every night.”
Goddamn him!
“You know what I meant,” I huff, relieved.
I nearly kissed this man like three times, and I was ready to kick him out of my limo for being an almost-cheating son of a bitch.
Jayden turns to look out the window. “No girlfriend. No wife. Until recently, I was out of the country a lot with the Air Force. Settling down wasn’t a focus.”
I study his jaw and how stiff it has turned.
“Military guys date.” I remind him.
“Sure,” he nods. “I just didn’t feel it was right considering my specialty.”
“As a sniper.”
How bad was it? I mean, clearly, I realize in theory what this meant, but did he actually kill people?
Wow, probably.
That can’t be easy to live with...surely.
“Yeah. Among other things. The military works in tandem together. As a sniper, I worked with the Marines, SEALs, and other special forces. Air Force can be on the ground, in the air, on special missions...whatever is needed.”
“Thank you for your service,” I say, gratitude filling me at how important these men and women are to our country, to keep us safe.
Jayden glances away. “Thank you. It’s confusing when you’re out there away from home.”
His voice is so low, I almost don’t hear. But it’s the softness, the vulnerability in his tone that creeps its way inside my chest.
To my heart.
This man has wounds...wounds I want to help him heal.
I leave a long minute between his words and when I reply. “I bet it is.”
We turn at the same time, our gazes connected, unbreaking, as I try to say all I can’t with a look.
The limo stopping breaks the spell.
“Come on, Cinderella, let’s get this ball over with.”
Jayden climbs out, and I use every microsecond of that time to admire his delicious ass.
Forbidden.
Remember, Tiff, remember.