He doesn’t have a ring on his finger, but it’s not proof that he doesn’t have a partner.
“Are you married?” I ask.
“No, ma’am.”
“Girlfriend?”
He shakes his head. That surprises me. He’s gorgeous—he must have girls falling over themselves to get to him.
“Married to the job?” I tease.
His lips curve up a little, but he doesn’t reply.
“Have you been married before?” I press, aware he’s not going to volunteer any information.
He sighs. “No. But I was with someone. We broke up a few months ago.”
“Oh… I’m sorry to hear that.” He looks sad, maybe even haunted, and I feel a twinge of guilt for reminding him. Wanting to make him laugh, I add, “I’m not surprised though, considering what a pain in the arse you are.”
That makes him laugh. I smile, enjoying the way it lights up his face. He has beautiful straight teeth with a slight gap in the front two. He’s really handsome… when he’s not furious.
“I’m single at the moment as well,” I say. Then I frown. Why did I feel the need to tell him that?
“I know,” he says. I guess the rest of our security team have briefed him on my personal situation.
“Not for long though, if Dad has his way,” I say gloomily. He gives me a quizzical glance. “Dad’s retiring next year,” I inform him.
“Yes, I heard.”
“We had an offer of acquisition on the morning of the ball. And at the board meeting just before Christmas, he told us—Caesar, Marcus, and me—that if one of us doesn’t settle down and have a child by the end of next year, he’s going to sell.”
His lack of surprise tells me he’s obviously been told. “Seems kind of harsh.”
“You think? The guys thought it should be me. I told them, I’m not being sold off like some medieval virgin just to please my father.”
He gives a short laugh. “Good for you.”
Mollified that he approves, I continue, “Anyway, Marcus proposed to Wren Carter yesterday and she said yes, apparently, so I think I’m off the hook.”
“The woman he was sitting with at the ball?”
“Yes, that’s the one. He’s always had a thing for her, apparently. I’m pleased for him.” It hasn’t changed the fact that I’m annoyed at him for making me have a bodyguard, though. I fully intend to have it out with him again at some point.
“Here we go,” Luke says. He pulls into the Korero car park and slots the Range Rover into a visitor’s space by the building.
“Okay, hold on.” I check my reflection in the mirror on the sun visor and reapply my lipstick.
“Is it just a meeting today?” he asks.
“No, I’m giving an interview for their Countryside Spotlight feature.” I pocket my lipstick and blow out a breath.
“Are you nervous?” He looks surprised.
“I’m always nervous on camera.”
“You don’t look it.”
“You’ve seen some of my interviews?”
