Chapter 2

After having a smoothie I decided to go for my morning jog.

The day was off to a good start. Birds chirped in the trees overhead, their melodies blending with the rhythm of my feet hitting the pavement. The air was cool, kissed by dew, and the sun peeked lazily through the clouds, casting soft gold over the quiet neighborhood.

I let my thoughts drift as I jogged past manicured lawns and blooming hedges. For a moment, everything felt still — sweat forming on my forward as I pushed myself.

Then I saw him.

Damien.

It’s been a few weeks since he’s been working for me.

Leaning against the black SUV parked near the gates. Dressed in all black. Watching me. Like he had been waiting.

My pulse quickened—but not from the run.

"Early start," he said, straightening up.

I slowed to a stop, breath catching. "You're early."

"I'm your bodyguard. I'm always early."

There it was again—that pull. The danger wrapped in calm. The way he said things that felt heavier than they should.

"That's true." I smiled.

"I'm going to freshen up and then we can start our activities for the day."

"And what activities will these be?" His inquisitive tone penetrated my ears and I blushed. The emphasis on activities was prominent.

"Just shopping and catching up with a few friends."

"Sounds fun." His sarcastic tone couldn't be missed.

"I'm sure you'll enjoy it. This isn't regular shopping, Damien."

I turned away, letting my AirPod slip from my fingers like an accident.

Slowly, I bent over and picked it up.

Of course, I wasn't wearing any panties.

The tights clung to my body like a second skin, sheer enough to leave very little to the imagination.

When I turned around, Damien hadn't moved—but his expression had shifted completely.

The look in his eyes was dark, dangerous. Like a storm just before it breaks.

His jaw was tight, lips pressed into a thin line.

"You planning to wear that inside?" he asked, voice gravel low.

"Why?" I tilted my head, teasing. "Does it bother you?"

He stepped forward, slow and deliberate. "No, it's just see through. Just giving you a heads up." He smiled and I found myself flushed with embarrassment.

"Thanks. I should go shower and change." I sped off.

Did I misread the situation? Was I not attractive to him?

After I showered, I changed into something casual—fitted jeans and a loose blouse. Nothing too flashy, but enough to turn heads. I had car shopping on my agenda, and I wanted to look effortlessly good doing it.

I met Damien downstairs and he was talking to someone on the phone. Sensing my presence he told the person he would call them back and ended the call.

"Are you ready to go?" He asked and I nodded.

When we arrived at Porsche, heads turned. Damien stepped out first, radiating control in that fitted suit, and opened my door like it was second nature.

I stepped out slowly, letting my heels click against the pavement, my hips swaying just enough to feel his gaze burn into me. His hand brushed the small of my back and I gasped softly.

"You okay?" He asked and I nodded.

"Just need your opinion on the car when we get inside."

Inside the showroom, the air-conditioned space did little to cool the heat between us. I leaned over the sleek hood of a matte black 911, pretending to inspect it while knowing full well Damien's eyes were on me—not the car.

"Well what do you think?" I teased, glancing at him over my shoulder.

He smirked. "It's beautiful."

I straightened slowly, turning to face him. "The car?" I asked.

He took a step closer, as he was about to speak, the salesman interrupted but the tension crackled louder than any engine in that place.

"So do you like the car Mrs Pembroke?" He asked and I nodded.

"Yeah I do. It's beautiful." I flashed a look at Damien and I saw his jaw clench.

"Perfect." I'll get all the paperwork done.

"I'd like it delivered please. I have some other things to do."

"Of course."

After I authorized the transaction, Damien and I walked through the town.

We stopped by a café, had some coffee and cakes. I also went to the stores and bought clothes and shoes.

Then we were off again.

As we strolled through the town, I let my fingers graze his arm—light, teasing.

"You know, I didn't think bodyguards came this attractive," I said with a playful smile.

He didn't even glance at me.

"Your next meeting is at three. We should head back soon."

My smile faltered.

"So we're back to being professional?"

"We never stopped." His voice was cool, clipped.

I tried again. "Come on, Damien. You can't pretend that moment in the showroom didn't happen."

"It was nothing. I was commenting on the car."

That stung more than I expected. I walked in silence for a moment, the heat of the sun doing nothing to ease the chill growing between us.

"You're really good at this whole 'professional distance' thing," I muttered.

He looked at me then, green eyes unreadable.

"It's what I was hired for, Mrs. Pembroke."

And just like that, I realized I misread the entire situation from the start.