I suppose the job’s officially begun. I rise from my chair fast enough that Avery doesn’t see me coming, then squat low enough to hoist her over my shoulder. She lets out a loud squeal and immediately begins pounding her fists against my back.
“Put me down this instant!”
“Take her upstairs to pack.” There’s no hiding the exhaustion in Huston’s voice. “And do not let her out of your sight.”
“Yes, sir.” I wiggle out the door, making sure the squirming beauty doesn’t bang up against the doorframe as I head into the massive foyer.
“I said put me down. I mean it. Whatever he’s paying, I’ll pay double.”
I can’t help but let out a little laugh. “How? You got a job, princess?”
“Fuck you!” She spits.
A conflicted feeling washes over me as the image of throwing her on her bed and having my way with her pops into my head. Yeah, wildly unprofessional. I block the image from my mind and ignore her cries, trudging my way toward the winding staircase near the entrance.
ChapterTwo
Avery
The bodyguard’smuscular shoulder digs into my stomach as he carries me to my bedroom. I try with all my might to fight him off, but it’d be easier to kick over a brick wall. My fists ricochet against his back muscles, but I don’t let up. Not until we’ve crossed the threshold of my bedroom, and he sets me down, locking the door behind him.
Now that I get a good look at him, it’s impossible to ignore his hotness, let alone his massive size. His black t-shirt stretches over his corded torso, accentuating each muscle. With his natural tan and piercing blue eyes, he looks like an action hero come to life. His face remains stoic as I size him up.
“So you’re just going to hold me captive?”
“That’s a bit dramatic, don’t you think?”
“No.” I step toward him. “That’s exactly what you’re doing.”
Ethan doesn’t budge. He smells so fucking good, a classic clean, musky man. “Pack. We have to be out of here in the next twenty minutes, so we can beat rush hour.”
A humorless laugh escapes my mouth. “You’re worried about rush hour? Seriously?”
The giant towers over me, eyeing me as I attempt to stand my ground. “If you’d rather leave without a bag, we can always do that instead, but something tells me you’d rather die than go a night without your beauty products.”
I narrow my eyes. How dare he try and size me up like that. He doesn’t even know me. It shouldn’t hurt so much that he assumes I’m this spoiled little rich girl when in truth, I’m anything but.
Realizing this is a losing battle, I grab my travel bag from the closet and start piling in clothes from my closet. My brain’s too scrambled to make clear choices. I try to make myself pack things that would be suitable for…
“Where are we even going?” I ask.
“Out to the mountains.”
“So I guess I won’t be needing black tie attire?” I tease. Ethan, as I suspected, doesn’t break.
I load up on jeans and sweatshirts, tees, and tanks. Not having time to plan what I’m packing stresses me out more than I care to admit. I give up searching my closet and head to my bureau, throwing open my underwear drawer. Ethan’s gaze burns into my back.
“Can you turn around or something?” I throw over my shoulder.
“I’m not ogling over your panties.”
I smile before I can stop it. Hearing the big, sexy tough guy say panties is actually a bit of a turn-on. “Could’ve fooled me.”
“Just throw them in the bag, and let’s go.”
“So touchy,” I murmur to myself, loudly enough for Ethan to hear. “ I throw all of my undergarments in the bag, leaving only my toiletries to pack. “Am I allowed to use the bathroom before we go?”
“Leave the door open.”
