Page 74 of Under His Protection
What does he see when he looks at me?
And why do I feel like he’s treating me like I’m a client now, instead of his girlfriend?
As I leave the bathroom, I hesitate, debating whether to turn left and go back to my room, or turn right and confront Philip in his room.
I turn right, because if I don’t get an answer to my question, I’ll toss and turn all night long, get zero sleep, and be useless in the morning.
The upstairs hallway light is off, and Philip’s door is ajar. His room is dark, though, and I can’t see much of anything. “Philip?”
“Yes? Is everything okay?”
I swallow hard. “Not really.”
“What’s wrong?”
“I don’t think I want you for my bodyguard anymore.”
The bed creaks as he sits up and switches on his bedside lamp. “What? Why?” His expression is one of confusion with a tinge of panic.
“Since you became my bodyguard, I feel like you’re treating me as a client and not as your girlfriend. I liked it better before, when you were my boyfriend.”
He shoots out of bed and comes toward me. I barely have time to register the fact he’s wearing only a pair of knit shorts. I get a good look at his naked torso, and it’s a lot to take in. Muscles and broad shoulders, the happy trail leading beneath his waistband. His legs are long. He’s—wow.
“Haley!” He grabs my hands and pulls me into his room before he closes the door. “Don’t say that, babe. It’s not funny.”
“I’m not trying to be funny. I’m serious.”
“I don’t treat you any different—”
“Yes, you do. Suddenly, it’s all about rules and apps and protocols. What aboutus? You didn’t even kiss me goodnight.”
He opens his mouth to speak, but nothing comes out. I can see him mulling it over, letting my words sink in, and realizing I’m right.
“Shit,” he says as he pulls me into his arms.
He walks backward, taking me along with him until he reaches the foot of his bed. He sits down and pulls me between his knees. For the longest time, he gazes into my eyes. Then he closes his eyes for a moment, and when they reopen, they’re filled with remorse. “I’m sorry.”
He brings both of my hands to his mouth and kisses my knuckles. “Honestly, I didn’t realize I was doing that, but now that you’ve pointed it out, I can’t argue with you.” He links our fingers together. “It wasn’t intentional. It’s just that the roles are so different. One is supposed to make you happy, and the other is supposed to keep you safe. And right now, safety is what you need most.”
“Can’t you do both at the same time? Layla and Jason make it work. And Shane—”
“Yes, I know all about Shane’s history with Beth.” He sighs heavily.
I free my hands from his grasp so I can cup his face. “If I have to choose—”
“You don’t have to choose. I refuse to give up either role. Yes, I’m your boyfriend, but I’m also your bodyguard right now until this matter is resolved.”
I close the distance between us and press my lips to his. His arms come around me, and he pulls me closer. He deepens the kiss, his lips nudging mine apart.
I pull back. “Philip, we have this house all to ourselves.”
He studies me a moment. “Yes, but that doesn’t mean we have to—”
“But I want to.”
“Are you sure, Haley? Absolutely sure?”
I cup his face and gaze into his eyes. “Absolutely. Do you have condoms? If not, I brought some.”
