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He was also reducing Sven to a brainless, emotionless sex toy. Sven was willing to put his life on the line to protect Geoffrey, to protect any of his clients. He didn’t deserve to be demeaned in such a way. There was more to the man than his massive size. So much more, and Geoffrey just wanted a little glimpse of Sven’s world, but if his friends represented who he was, maybe he didn’t deserve to have a shot at Sven. And that fucking hurt.
“Fuck you!” he shouted, pointing at Todd. “You don’t know him. You don’t know anything about him. You don’t know his kindness or his gentleness or what he’s done to help people. You just take one look at his size and assume that he’s fucking me.” Geoffrey was vaguely aware that everyone around them at the restaurant was staring, but he didn’t care. His heart hurt for Sven. These people were judging him and they didn’t know a damn thing about him.
“Geoffrey…” Sven said firmly but softly. He looked over at Sven, who was also standing, to see him give a small shake of his head, but he didn’t care.
“Hey, Geo, we didn’t mean anything,” Patrick said.
“Yeah, I know. It’s all just one big joke to you. I’m just a joke to you.” He heard several people give soft, placating nos, but he wasn’t sure who spoke. “That’s fine. Whatever. But he’s not a joke.” He pointed at Sven while trying to ignore the tightening in his throat. “He’s the real deal. A great person and he doesn’t deserve your bullshit. Fuck this.”
Turning on his heel, he stomped away from the table, weaving past a stunned server to the opening in the large, black planters that lined the outer perimeter of the outdoor seating area so that he could get back to the sidewalk. He knew that Sven was following, and for a moment, he wished he wasn’t. He felt like a damn idiot, but he wouldn’t take a word of it back.
It didn’t matter if his so-called friends thought he was a joke. He refused to let them think of Sven that way. The bodyguard risked his own life to keep people safe, and while Geoffrey couldn’t tell his friends that, they would not think he was just some mindless fuck toy. Sven was worth more than all of them combined.Chapter 6Once again, Geoffrey had surprised him. That jump to his defense had been swift and hard. Sven watched anyone who came near them, but he also watched Geoffrey fume as he walked the wrong direction on Freedom Way. People strolled the sidewalks all around them. In the back of his mind, he stayed aware of the fact that they didn’t know for sure his stalker was a part of his group. It could be anyone.
Over a million followers on one site alone.
He shook his head and stayed close as he took in everything about their surroundings. Skyscrapers of downtown Cincinnati rose up behind them while the Great American Ballpark was on their left. There was the rush of traffic on nearly all sides, but Geoffrey appeared to be heading away from the biggest crowds of people and toward Ohio River rippling in the distance, winding between Ohio and Kentucky.
Sweat gathered on his back, under his arms, and at the back of his neck. Maybe it was time to cut the hair. He’d grown it in a challenge with his brothers—who could stand it the longest. His oldest brother still held out. But Sven could out-stubborn them all.
Mostly because he actually liked it. Low-maintenance hair—just needed a brush or something to keep it off his neck. Digging into his pocket, he found one of the thick hair ties he used and looped his hair into a messy knot at the back of his head. He glanced down to find Geoffrey watching his movements with fascination.
“I don’t know how you stand it. Mine drives me crazy when it gets past my ears.”
He eyed the light blond gelled hair brushed back off Geoffrey’s forehead. “It suits you.”
“Thanks.” Anger returned to his expression, tightening his lips and he stomped off again. He had his hands shoved deep into the pockets of his jeans—probably to keep from throwing them about as he did when his emotions were high. And they were. It was obvious in his quick, hard steps, his tight expression, and the energy radiating from his body. Sven had never met someone with so much liveliness. So much fire. He’d often marveled over it during the classes at Ward, fascinated and drawn to all that brightness and vitality like Geoffrey had hooked him on a short fishing line.
He could hardly ever take his eyes off him.
And now that he’d seen the sexy, trim body under all those clothes, he was having trouble not watching for the flex of muscle underneath the slouchy blue T-shirt Geoffrey wore today. When he shrugged, it slipped off his shoulder and Sven wanted to lift him high, press his back into the nearest wall, and put his mouth on that tantalizing collarbone. Learn the taste and scent of his skin. And he wanted the laughter back. Amusement transformed him, making him all golden sunlight and joy. He’d throw his head back, revealing white teeth and when he let himself go like that, the trace of sadness he seemed to carry at all times disappeared.
