CHAPTER THREE

Jace's POV

She wouldn't stop staring at me, and her intense gaze was getting under my skin.

That look…

Now I understood what George Miller had meant when he said I was her type. He had warned me to be on guard and not be swayed.

I cringed when he said that, thinking the situation was ludicrous.

I had been assigned as her team leader for that very reason. Well, not that, but one of the reasons. The main reason still nudged me deep in my gut but since I had made a resolve to do it, I couldn't back out now.

What could she possibly do to me? Why did Miller have such thoughts about his daughter?

But as soon as I saw her in person, I almost wished I hadn't thought that way. She was the definition of beauty with an extra touch of elegance. She was not like any rich heiress he had ever seen. The bold way with which she stared into my eyes, her eyes saying many things without her having to say them.

I averted my eyes when I realized my thoughts were drifting to the gutter.

“Is that supposed to be a punishment?” She said, still looking at me like a lion about to pounce on her prey.

I watched the interaction between father and daughter with apprehension. I sighed internally. It seemed everything I had heard about the Miller heiress was true.

I knew I didn't need to, I could easily get a new job but for some reason, the bump in salary for the sole purpose of protecting Megan Miller had been very attractive.

I couldn't turn it down, I had yet to save up enough for what I wanted— and I had subjected myself to a job meant for a babysitter. I sighed again thinking about it.

Maybe I should have turned it down.

It was very obvious that the father and daughter had a crappy relationship, and I only knew it had something to do with Genevieve Dubois-Miller, Miller's late wife.

I missed all that Miller was saying to his daughter because of my musings. He then moved his head to the side and turned to me as a signal for me to introduce myself.

My intro was met with, “My name is Chantelle.” She sounded very annoyed. Then she sighed.

Now that I thought about it, her file said she preferred Chantelle to Megan.

Was she offended by that?

I groaned. I was seriously not cut out for this job.

The money Jace, the money!

That little voice in my head kept saying.

Do it for the money!

Miller had called her Megan in all their interactions about his new assignment that he had forgotten for a second her other name— Chantelle.

Chantelle…

The name had a nice ring to it, possibly French as she was half-French.

She stood up and left the table. It was my cue to leave the most uncomfortable lunch that ever existed too.

I walked briskly to keep the pace. But she stopped walking as suddenly as she began and turned to me.

She gave me that look again but now way more intense. Those blue eyes reminded me of a peaceful ocean. They were beautiful. Those eyes did nothing to me but caused a stir in my pants.

She was so close that I could smell the lavender scent she used… so close that if I bent to her height, closing the gap between us, our lips would touch. I shook those obscene thoughts from my head and cleared my throat.

“You know I eat guys like this for breakfast, right?” She purred seductively.

I had been prepared for this. I was told she'd make advances at me, and she didn't disappoint. To be honest, I was unimpressed.

“I've been told.”

She smiled and felt my bicep with her hand. She sucked in a breath like she couldn't believe it. It took all the courage within me not to react.

“Oh my God!” She whispered and stared at me, she looked like she was gauging my reaction. She was definitely a predator. “So who did? Father?” she laughed, still with her hands still on my body.

It was a struggle to breathe evenly now, but I maintained my calm.

I gently pulled her hands from me and replied, “With all due respect, I'd prefer if you didn't touch me inappropriately.”

She stared, pouted, then giggled and continued her walk to her room.

What the hell was that?

She seemed normal looking, but surely she had to be somewhat insane. I wasn't told this part at all.

I strode behind her, sighing heavily.

I was going to need a drink after today.

We got to her room door. I remembered it because it was to be across from mine. I had been given a room close by so she would always feel secure.

Before she got in, I moved past her into the room and checked for any possible threats before allowing her in.

“All clear.”

I was to stand at the door until she got out but a chair had been placed in front of the door for any bodyguard to sit in.

She didn't close the door immediately, lingering with half her body out and her slender small fingers splayed on the dood.

“Is there a problem, Ms. Miller?”

“Chantelle,” She said in that same annoyed tone as earlier.

“Okay.”

“I'll be in bed for the rest of the day, and I would like no disturbance…”

“Noted.”

But she still lingered.

“Anything else?”

“You can come in if you want, you know.” That seductive purr was back in her voice.

I believe now that she took pleasure in watching others squirm as she said something uncomfortable, because what the heck is this?

“I do not intend to.”

She shrugged, “My door is unlocked… if you change your mind.” She smiled sweetly and went inside.

I huffed a breath and sat down.

Patience, Patience, I kept telling myself.

She had made an unspoken invitation by really leaving her door not just unlocked but half open.

It was obvious she was messed up, but I couldn't for the life of me figure out why.

I shut the door, thereby shutting out any temptation to accept the invitation of this troubled but gorgeous heiress.

Night time came quickly and she hadn't so much as come out. The round-the-clock security team had been shuffled, and Sandra Becker was there five minutes before the time to take over.

It had to be intentional.

“Becker! You're here early!”

“Yes, I didn't want to miss you before you left.”

“Oh? Is there a problem?” I asked, “Is Ms. Miller in trouble?” My eyes grew wide in alarm. I couldn't possibly have an attack on her on the first day, could I?

I know it was part of my duty. I can risk my life to keep her safe and I wasn't one to run from my responsibility.

“Chantelle? Oh No!” She shook her head to the side vehemently. “Miller's word. Said he didn't want his 'heiress' alone for even a second.” She said laughing.

I laughed too, knowing he didn't put it like that.

“Perks of the job, right?”

“It sucks! I was this close to putting my perfectly made sandwich into my mouth when my alarm beeped. Rushed out here like my ass was on fire.” She put way too much emphasis on 'perfectly made'.

Becker proceeded to bring out the sandwich. “Want some?”, she said eyeing me from the corner of her eye.

“Oh wow! That looks good. But my time's up. Maybe next time.” I said as I stood to leave.

She bit a mouthful, took over the chair, and said, “Dude, chill… This isn't a date.”

I laughed heartily.

“I didn't think it was.” I was used to Becker's teasing by now.

“You're still not up for that date?” She said in between mouthfuls.

I teased back, “Are you sure you can handle this?” using my finger to point at my body.

“What?!” She chuckled, “Now you're just being full of yourself!”

I laughed heartily.

“Seriously, I've got to go!”

“Hmm…”

“What?”

“No, it's nothing….”

“That sounded like something.”

“You're rushing off… acting uncomfortable, either you have a girl you're seeing…” She looked at me up and down and continued, “Or guy….”

I flipped her off with my finger and walked off smiling.

To be honest, I felt flattered when I got teased by ladies but I don't know why I had felt the opposite when Chantelle did the same.