“Humble my ass! I expect a full explanation, young lady,” she replied sternly.
We got down and I quickly ushered her up to my room.
She threw her knapsack on the floor, kicked off her shoes, sat cross-legged on my bed, and patted the space in front of her. “Right. Before we do anything else I want my explanation. Why did you hide the fact that you are so rich? And I want to know about the bodyguard too. I know you’re sleeping with him.”
I walked to the bed, kicked off my sandals, and joined her. “How do you know I’m sleeping with him?” I asked curiously.
She grinned. “I didn’t, but I do now.”
I smiled at her. “I’ve missed you, Charlotte.”
“Yeah, me too. A lot. Now, quick. Tell me about all this money and why you didn’t want anyone to know you’re rich.”
I explained as much as I could about everything, even about my impending arranged marriage.
She gasped again. “Wow. That’s incredible. I can’t believe arranged marriages still exist. It sounds so eighteenth century.”
I wriggled my bare feet. “I don’t know what to do.”
“What does the bodyguard think?”
“Well, I only slept with him for one night.”
“I knew it. The good-looking ones are always lousy in bed.”
“No, he’s not lousy in bed. Actually, he’s amazing. I came five times that night.”
Her eyes widened. “Nooooo …”
I nodded. “Yeah, it was a really great night, but he says he can’t carry on sleeping with me because he would lose the professionalism he needs in order to guard me properly.”
“What an idiot. So why did he sleep with you in the first place?”
“I kinda of threw myself at him,” I admitted.
She began to laugh. “No way. Not you!”
“Yes, me.”
“Do you know the guys used to secretly call you Miss Touch Me Not?”
“They did? Why didn’t you tell me?”
She shrugged. “It wasn’t an insult and it was true, so no point taking them to task or telling you about it. What are you going to do about him?”
It was my turn to shrug. “It’s seems there’s nothing I can do. He’s already told me if anything more happens between us, he won’t be able to be my bodyguard anymore and I just can’t give him up … at least not yet.” My voice sounded sad and dejected.
"There is something you can do. You can go out with me tonight and we’ll get drunk together. Your boyfriend can come along with us and have a couple of drinks too. He sounds like he needs a few.”
“He doesn’t drink while he’s working,” I said morosely.
“Really? We’ll see about that.” She arched a wicked brow at me.
Chapter 33
Angelo
I picked the bar.
One I was quite familiar with from my nights out alone. It was never too crowded on weekdays. So, I was somewhat assured of its level of security since I knew the head of security and all the bouncers.
The two girls sat at the bar, while I settled down in a dark corner close by. From where I sat, I could keep my eyes fully on them, but was still able to monitor the rest of the room. More times than not however, I found myself solely watching her.
I thought of how shocked I’d been when I found out she was a virgin. Everything I’d thought about her went flying out of my head. I had been so wrong about her. From day one, I thought she was a good time girl, wanting to have a bit of fun with the hired help, but she was as pure as the driven snow.
I realized she had a special kind of grace about her. I hadn’t noticed it properly before, especially since I was determined to think of her only in terms of a bratty Princess, but now that her friend was by her side, the difference was stark. Where her friend was unrestrained ? once Sienna had to hold her back so she wouldn’t fall out of her chair from laughter and completely unaware of her surroundings ? Sienna was watchful. She kept her eyes on the people around her. And once in a while, she even allowed herself to throw me a glance.
I could fully understand her now.
I had grown up that way ... with the need to be vigilant at all times. You could never let your guard down. The threats of attacks were endless. One second of carelessness and you could be dead forever.
Two men came up to them, smiling warmly.
I instantly sat up.
Both women turned their heads towards them. They listened to them before her friend waved her hand to indicate the men could take the seats beside them, a man on either side of them.
Something dark and hot began to burn in the pit of my stomach.
I watched them carefully, and since there was no sign of alarm from Sienna's court, I knew they were safe. However, I noticed her friend had begun to over-consume alcohol in her excitement. I kept count of the glasses of cocktails she kept pouring down her throat, and I knew it would soon become a problem.