15
ANNA
We had just pulled into theTVstation for my shift—webeingAxeland me, sinceArcherhad a prior commitment today.Axeldrove us in theRangerShieldSecuritycompany car, which was a fully decked-out blackSUVwith all the bells and whistles,Archerhad informed me.
Axel appeared quite giddy for most of the ride. “Ihave never been to anAmericanTVstation before,” he commented as we parked. “Thisexcites me very much.”
Axel was a very polite and kind person from what littleIhad learned about him, but he was also funny.Thiswas mostly because hisEnglish, while quite good, occasionally had words or phrases that got lost in translation.Andhe often sounded way more proper than he needed to be because of how stuff translated.
We made our way into the station.JustlikeArcher,Axelhad been impressed by the extra security measures that were put in place.Myfirst stop was my desk to drop off my things and check in withAdam.Hegave me the basic rundown of our shows tonight, and thenImade my way over to the hair and makeup room to letValentinoandMaggiework their magic.
As soon as we walked into the room,IintroducedAxeltoMaggieandValentino.
“Ooh!IthinkIlike this bodyguard better than the first one,”Maggiecommented to me while smiling atAxel, who just smiled back.
“Hello.Myname isValentinoLujánFierce, andIamPuertoRicanand single,”Valentinosaid, sticking his hand out toAxel.
“Hello.IamAxel, andIam fromSweden, andIam not a twin if that is what you mean,”Axelresponded, clearly unsure of whatValentino’suse of the word single meant.
“Leave him alone, you two, so he can do his job,”Itold them, taking a seat in the chair.
Valentino gasped as he stared with huge eyes at my neck. “Girlyou better start talking andImeanallthe juicy details about how you got a hickey on your neck.”Heturned toMaggieand snapped his fingers. “Quick,Maggie, grab our extra-good concealer and color corrector to cover this hickey up.”
Fwhip—the snappy flutter of the salon cape as the fabric caught the air. “Spill.The.Tea,”Valentinodemanded as he draped the cape around me.
I chuckled, trying to brush off the embarrassment.
“First, he’s not kidding,”Maggiechimed in. “Second, even if he was,I’mnot.Girl,Ihaven’t seen a hickey that big sinceIwas sixteen.Getto talking.”
RealizingIhad an escort behind me, and sinceIdidn’t want this conversation to get back toArcher,Itried to explain. “Guys, we have an audience, andIdon’t think he wants to hear about this.”
Valentino turned toAxel. “SwedishStud…earmuffs,” he said, putting his hands up to cover his ears, as though that would be enough to convinceAxelto not listen to this conversation.
Axel just smirked, not covering his ears. “Thatrequest is unnecessary, asIdo not need to hear the details of how my boss has sex.”
Exaggerated gasps came from bothMaggieandValentinoas they both turned to me.
“You had sex with the boss?”Valentinopractically shrieked.
“Anna,Iam going on the other side of the door soIdo not hear this, butIwill be right outside if you need me,”Axelsaid as he walked out of the small room.
I doubted my face could be any redder than it was now.
“Okay,Swedishhottie is out of the room, so talk fast,”Valentinosaid.
“We didn’t have sex,”Iexplained bluntly, hoping there was no room for confusion with my response. “Wejust made out a little last night.That’sall.”
“Honey,I’mguessing it was more than just a little if you ended up with that hickey,”Maggiesaid conspiratorially.
I sighed and then ended up telling them everything that happened last night.
* * *
After my shift was over,Axeldrove me back toRangerShieldSecurity, to meetArcher.Hehad just gotten back from whatever task he was working on for the day.
Just asAxelandIwalked back into the building,Archercame around the corner to greet us.
“Thanks for dropping her off here, man,” he said toAxel.
