HER BODYGUARD

Kimberly’s entire posture changed, and Asher shifted with her. “I am, of course, on board with other ideas ” she said.”But not when they put the safety of people at risk. We have no idea who it might affect, so I suggest we don’t do it at all.”

Sophie frowned as several others at the table muttered.

“We will come back to that issue at another time, if you decide to go about it another way. I would ask now that you look over the second proposal on the table,” Kimberly said and rearranged the papers before her.

Asher moved further down the wall until he had a clearer view of her face. After everything that had happened between them, he should’ve tried to keep his distance, but he was drawn to her with each subtle movement.

Things had gone back to the way it was –almost. Because as much as they would like to pretend that something didn’t happen between them. They both knew that it had. And they were both left with memories. Memories that almost drove him crazy anytime he dared to think of them.

She avoided him like a plague now and the previous night in the kitchen, she was so close to touching a tiny scar on his neck, but at the last second, she had dropped her hand and walked out of the kitchen so fast like her clothes were on fire. Which was a good thing, because If she touched him like that, he wasn’t sure he could control himself. She was attractive and had no idea what she did to his self control.

Kimberly hated how aware she was of him. She didn’t want to notice him, but Asher’s gaze pierced through her. The intensity burned into her back as if he stood right behind her, but he hadn’t moved from his spot at the side of the room, his shoulders tense, his hands firmly clasped behind him and feet apart. If it wasn’t for the suit he wore, she would’ve guessed he was a soldier here to attend the meeting.

He was standing there. Silent. And unobtrusive. Her shoulders ached from the tension, from the certainty that he was watching her, those eerily level, oh-so-serious, dark eyes staring twin holes into the back of her head.

His gaze flicked up to meet hers and narrowed. A shiver spiraled down her spine as that gaze trailed slowly over her body like he was caressing her with his hands. Her breath catching painfully in her chest, she clutched her thighs together to stop the sudden throbbing between them. Then his gaze shifted, and she gasped.

Tugging at her earlobe, she realized it was arousal filling her so fiercely. That damn man. If he was going to caress her with those damn eyes constantly, she would have to put a stop to it, quickly, before she made a fool of herself.

“So you approve of the other ideas?” a man sitting across from her asked.

She tore her gaze and attention from Asher and returned her attention to the meeting.

“Yes I am,” she said. “But we should do everything possible to ensure it’s done correctly,” Kimberly said confidently. “If you look through the notes, I have laid out several possible plans that could work. We will discuss it further with the board in the next meeting”

“They should be ready to go by the time you call, we have the next meeting,” one of the men at the table said with a grin.

When Asher looked at Kimberly, a fake smile covered her face. Her eyes remained focused on the papers before her and her demeanor shifted. No one else noticed, but Asher did. She had been that way lately.

“Well, then,” Kimberly said another twenty minutes later, “I think we should finish up for today. I’m sure you all have other matters to attend to.”

They stood as one, each telling Kimberly “good day” before exiting the room, leaving her alone in her chair at the head of the table. Asher took a step towards the door until he realized she hadn’t gotten out of her chair yet. Her head hanging, she looked defeated, exhausted, and he scowled at her.

“Are you alright?” he asked quietly.

She nodded without lifting her head. “I’m fine. Thank you.”

He ignored that and stepped closer. “You need to eat. I noticed that you didn’t have anything before we came down here. Should I call to have something brought to you here?” he asked.

“No, that won’t be necessary,” she said and pushed herself up from her seat. She grinned, looking overly happy, and scooped up the papers. “I’ll be fine, I promise.”Còntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

“Do you do this often?” he asked.

“Do what, Asher”

“Neglect your own needs. Act like everything is okay when it’s not” he asked.

Her eyes narrowed. “And what exactly do you know about me? Nothing. And if there is anyone who neglects his needs between the both of us, it’s you. You are the master that I’ve noticed.”

Asher stared at her for a few seconds. “I just noticed you didn’t look fine. And I just wanted to help. Why exactly are you so angry at me? I honestly don’t get it” he said.

Kimberly didn’t reply, but she gathered the files in front of her and stood up. “I’m ready to go home now” she said, and without waiting for him, she began to walk to the door.

Her body shook from his lingering stare, and she slowly sashayed across the room, her knees threatening to give out on her. What the hell had Asher done to her? Anger flared inside her because he made her feel so… so what?

She has no idea how she felt.

———————–

They reached the end of the corridor where the meeting room resided and turned towards the main foyer when rushing steps met Asher’s ears. The step grew closer and louder.

Kimberly gasped when someone grabbed her arm and yelled her name. Asher immediately moved into action. His arm reached out to stop her, shoving her behind him while his other hand went for the gun in his holster.

A man rounded the corner, he tensed, ready to draw, when Kimberly quickly hissed for him to stop.

“It’s my friend, Asher,” she whispered. “Please, relax. It’s just Mark.”