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As Geoffrey reached for a mug, Sven’s hand shot out, gently catching his wrist. Geoffrey froze while Sven carefully turned his arm to catch more of the overhead light. Four long brown and blue bruises marred his pale skin where the stalker’s fingers bit into his flesh the previous night. Geoffrey put his left hand on Sven’s hand, revealing more bruises and smaller cuts on the knuckles. It was all a reminder of how he’d already failed to keep Geoffrey safe.
“I’ll kill him,” Sven said. “He never should have touched you. Never should have gotten close enough.” He quickly released Geoffrey and took a step away, his back hitting the island in the center of the kitchen. “This is my fault. I never should have left you last night.”
Geoffrey spun around, closing the distance so that Sven was trapped between the island and his body. Reaching up, he quickly jerked on the short end of Sven’s beard with enough force that Sven had to blink away the sudden rush of tears.
“Bullshit!” Smile gone, Geoffrey’s expression was fierce as he leaned up on the tips of his toes so that he could get in Sven’s face. “This is his fault. Not yours.”
“It’s my job to stay by your side. Keep you safe. You asked for me.”
“And I shouldn’t have pushed you last night. I knew better.” Geoffrey paused and dropped back down on his heels, his cheeky grin returning. “Still…I don’t regret it. That kiss?” He groaned dramatically, rolling his eyes into the back of his head. “So fucking worth it all.”
The tension drained away and Sven couldn’t help reaching out to run his thumb along Geoffrey’s jaw, being careful to stay away from his mouth. “Maybe…it would be smart if you didn’t push while we’re in public and you’re vulnerable.”
“That sounds an awful lot like you not saying that I can’t push when we’re at home in private.”
Sven dropped his hand and smiled at Geoffrey, refusing to comment on that convoluted response.
Geoffrey jumped backward and punched his fists back and forth in celebration. He couldn’t believe he was starting to look forward to each and every one of Geoffrey’s flirtations. That he wanted to kiss him all over again and not stop there.
His phone vibrated in his back pocket and he reluctantly turned his attention away from Geoffrey’s celebration. He glanced at the text from Royce and fought back a sigh.
“Royce will be here in an hour,” Sven announced, putting his phone away.
Geoffrey stopped sharply and jerked his head up. “What? Why?”
“He’s taking my place—”
“No! What? He can’t!” Geoffrey shouted. He slammed into Sven, twisting his fingers in his polo shirt. Panic cut lines across his forehead and filled his wide blue eyes. “If this is because of last night, it’s bullshit. I don’t want anyone else.”
Sven wrapped his hands around Geoffrey’s, smoothing his thumb over them in a caress. “It’s not. Wednesday is my day off. Royce is just coming to relieve me. I’ll be back tomorrow morning. Royce is great. He’ll keep you safe.”
Geoffrey instantly deflated, but Sven didn’t release his hands as they stared at each other. Geoffrey’s cell phone chimed again and again as texts and social media posts reached out to him, but Geoffrey didn’t move. Neither of them did.
“Just for today?”
“That’s it.”
Taking in a slow, deep breath, Geoffrey gave a little shake and lowered his eyes to his chest. “I guess that’s only fair. You need some time off.”
“I just need to run a couple of errands. Check in with my sister,” Sven murmured.
“You trust Royce?”
“With my life.”
Geoffrey nodded but still didn’t move. His breathing wasn’t as fast as it had been, but the sudden tension in his shoulders hadn’t disappeared.
“You’ve got my cell number. You can call me at any time. If there’s a problem, I can be here in minutes.”
Geoffrey shrugged one shoulder and pulled his hands free of Sven. “No, it’s okay. Royce is fine.”
But his dull tone of voice said it was anything but fine. Sven reached into his back pocket and pulled out his phone. The night before had to have been a big scare for Geoffrey regardless of their other activities. He should have thought of that, spoken with Andrei or Rowe to get him scheduled for a different day off when Geoffrey felt safe again. “I’ll text Royce and tell him that he’s not needed. I’ll stay.”
“Shit! No.” Geoffrey covered Sven’s phone with both of his hands as his own phone continued to chime from his sleep pants’ pocket. “You deserve a day off.” He swore again and shook his head. “I’m just being a pain. I’d rather be with you, but I can tolerate the dark lord for a day,” he said with his usual smirk.
His lips twisted at Geoffrey’s description of Royce. “You’re sure?”
“Yes, I swear. I’m good. Go see your sister.” Geoffrey replied with more confidence this time, settling the unease twisting in Sven’s stomach. He would never feel comfortable leaving Geoffrey with any other bodyguard if he didn’t feel safe.
