Page 39 of My Bodyguard’s The Boss

“Since when?” Ben said. “Only shit you do is work out, shoot the shit with me, and go to work. Has your boss got you working a double, or did you finally fuck him and you’re naked in his bathroom right now?”

“That’s not—” Dominic looked over at Austin, who had stopped washing the dishes to watch him with a shit-eating grin that told him he had definitely heard that.

Dominic turned away from him, holding the phone closer. “Shut it. I’ll talk to you on Thursday, alright? We’re still on for that beach run?”

“You bet,” Ben said.

Dominic hung up and tucked his phone away, giving Austin time to hide his expression before he turned around. But of course, Austin was still grinning, leaning coyly back against the sink.

“So,” Austin said. “You finally fucked me, huh?”

Dominic sighed. “I told you I wanted you.”

“Yeah, but I didn’t know your friends knew about it.” Austin scratched his stubble, looking almost nervous. “Ben’s the army buddy, right?”

“Right,” Dominic said, surprised. He’d mentioned Ben once or twice, but he never expected Austin to remember his name.

“I didn’t tell him much about you,” Dominic continued. “And any small things I’ve said, he wouldn’t tell the press.”

Austin smiled again, but there was something oddly conflicted about it, like he didn’t know whether to be flattered or worried.

“I won’t tell him what happened between us,” Dominic said. “If you don’t want me to.”

“No, it’s fine. You made him sound like a real ‘no comment’ kind of guy.” Austin leaned harder against the counter, his shirt riding up until it showed a thin line of stomach. “I usually work out in the mornings, too.”

“You usually work out in the evenings,” Dominic said, confused.

“Only when I have my favorite evening bodyguard.” Austin winked, almost looking bashful about it. Then he pushed off the counter, swaggering close in a way that might have been intimidating if he wasn’t a head shorter, and Dominic was, by this point, incapable of being intimidated by this sweet man.

“I’d hate for you to miss a workout just because you’re here with me,” Austin continued. “My home gym is big enough for one more.”

Dominic didn’t know what he was more excited about: finally getting up close and personal with Austin while he was working out or getting to correct his shitty workout habits.

“Fine,” Dominic said. “But we’re doing it right this time.”

Austin made a face. “Uhhh, do I not work out right? Because all of this”—he gestured at his toned body—“begs to differ.”

“Your form is shit,” Dominic said, turning toward Austin’s home gym. “Come on. I’ll show you.”

It took genuine effort not to take advantage of the situation. But no matter how many times Dominic put his hands on Austin’s sweaty body, he reminded himself that he was doing this for Austin’s safety, not to get his dick wet.

For now, anyway. They would have time for that later.

“Slow and steady,” Dominic repeated, standing behind Austin and guiding his arms up into an overhead press, ignoring how his stab wound twinged when he raised his arms too high. “None of that fast shit. You want to draw it out. Really make yourself feel it.”

Austin grunted. They’d been at this long enough for Austin to get up a proper sweat, his skin glowing with a fine sheen that made Dominic want to run his tongue along Austin’s neck.

But he resisted. He’d save that for after he drilled this into Austin’s head. Or until Austin couldn’t take it anymore. Whichever came first.

“Come on,” Austin panted, wincing as he pushed the dumbbells over his head again, slow and pained. “You’ve never wanted to get a set over with?”

“Sure,” Dominic said, putting the slightest pressure on Austin’s arms to help him lift. “But I keep it slow and steady because this is all about control. Working the right muscles, the right way.”

“Control,” Austin said, strained. “Right.”

“I’m surprised you haven’t injured yourself with your shitty form,” Dominic added.

Austin made a noise that implied he had injured himself before and he would deny it if Dominic brought it up.