“When you only know a few people, they have to pull double and triple duty, but no when it comes to the hairdresser.”
“I’m the only person in your life who’s just an employee.”
His gaze slid to hers, but he said nothing.
“That’s what you told the saleswoman at the jeans store when I said I was your friend, then you dragged me into that side hallway and groped me. What’s a girl to think?”
“Come on.” He brought her back into the mall and up the elevator to the ritzy section she never went to.
“Now we’re talking, rich boy. Tell me what we’re shopping for.”
“I’ll know when I see it.”
He prowled through the stores, drawing a mixture of glares and interest. Following Severin around a mall could essentially be a social experiment if anyone bothered to record and interpret the data.
In a small jewelry store he bought a simple stainless bracelet made of sturdy chain links, and with a price tag that would have made her faint a few weeks before. It was more than her monthly rent.
“Is it Sutton’s birthday soon?” If so, she should pick something up for the woman too. They’d become close.
“No.”
They walked back outside and he motioned for her to get on the bike. She picked up the helmet and threw her leg over the seat. He grabbed her arm as though to steady her, and something cold touched her wrist. The bracelet. He latched it in place then looked off across the parking lot as though he was assessing traffic.
“What are you doing?” she asked, staring at her wrist, then back up at him.
He shrugged one shoulder in a detached masculine way, as though it wasn’t fucking weird. “You said you’d wear something for me if I tried jeans on.”
“I thought it was going to be something perverted. Jewelry is...a little strange. Do you often given bracelets to your service humans?”
“Shut up, Miss Korsgaard.”
She raised her brows at him, and his face set in a scowl. He pulled his goggles up from his chest and secured them over his eyes, and she rushed to put her helmet on. There was never any predicting what he was going to do, but at least he wasn’t boring.
Chapter Six
Bringing her to see Rodrigo was stupid, and yet they were already through the security gate and pulling up in front of the house before Severin had really thought it through. Sure, Severin, introduce the attractive young woman you’re getting infatuated with to fucking Rodrigo – smooth, worldly Ro, who didn’t have any of Severin’s issues.
Stupid idea, but it was too late now.
He got off the bike and shoved his goggles back down, surly where he’d been excited only moments before. Without waiting for the girl, he strode off to the front door, the tall glass-and-concrete structure making Severin’s house seem silly and old fashioned by comparison. Everything about Rodrigo and his life spoke of money and power and ability. Normally that didn’t bother him, but he liked the way Minnow looked at him, and he didn’t want her looking at Rodrigo the same way – or with even more interest. Damn. Well, if she was going to be around for a while, she’d end up meeting Ro sooner or later.
The girl appeared in his peripheral vision just as the door swung open. Rodrigo’s valet, John, held the door for them, his work-casual attire probably not giving Minnow a hint as to who this man was. With the white hair and deeply creased face, John could be Rodrigo’s father or grandfather.
“Mr. Leduc, welcome. Mr. Solis wasn’t expecting you,” John said much more formally than he normally would if it had just been Severin at the door.
“You can’t expect someone who never calls ahead, John,” Severin countered, patting the man’s shoulder.
“I see you’ve brought a guest?”
“Yes, this is Miss Korsgaard,” he said. “She’s my new handler.”
John gave a shallow bow. “Pleased to make your acquaintance, Miss Korsgaard.”
“Please, call me Minnow,” she offered.
“Minnow?” His brow rose.
“Yes, that’s my first name.”