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“I didn’t do anything other than stand beside you and smile,” she laughs.
“You did so much more than that. Having you beside me helped keep me calm and level-headed. I think I would have bolted early on if I hadn’t had you there.” I watch her face turn a slight shade of pink as she looks anywhere but at me. She always avoids eye contact when she is embarrassed or flattered. It’s as if she isn’t used to people being nice to her.
“Glad I could help. I had fun,” she says as our eyes meet briefly, and my stomach knots as it has done numerous times through the evening. “So, are you going to tell me what the chef is making for you?” she asks, sitting back in her chair a little. A small laugh slips past my lips as I relax back into my own.
“After an event like tonight, when I’m always on high alert for any threats, I need to unwind and clear my head. I found the most effective way to do that is to get out of the formal clothes, watch a movie and eat a load of junk food.”
Chelsea’s whole face changes from a content smile to a look of pure excitement.
“Do you mean I can get out of this dress and into something more comfortable?” she asks, almost bouncing in her chair. I laugh whilst nodding.
“Why don’t you go and get into whatever you are sleeping in, and I’ll pop to my room to do the same. I’ll come back in ten minutes as the food should be here then.”
Chelsea jumps to her feet, almost tripping over her dress, before rushing into the room, giggling. I stand up from my seat and finish the champagne in my glass whilst pulling my jacket from the back of the chair.
“Take the keycard and walk straight in when you are ready,” Chelsea calls, grabbing some clothes from her bag and heading into the bathroom.
“Will do,” I call back as I walk through the room, finding myself looking forward to the next part of the evening more than the function downstairs.
???
I sit back on the bed and let out a content sigh. I look to my right, where Chelsea is looking just as relaxed and content.
It had taken me a total of six minutes to get to my room and into my sweatpants and t-shirt before walking back into Chelsea's room. I entered to find her already sitting on the bed, her back against the headboard, with a fresh flute of champagne in her hand. As beautiful as she had looked downstairs in her cocktail dress and her hair up, it’s nothing to how she looks in a pair of shorts and a vest top, with her hair flowing in loose waves to just below her shoulders.
“I figured you would want another glass,” she says taking a flute from the cabinet beside her and handing it to me. I take it with a smile before walking over to the chair by the balcony door. I am just about to take a seat when there is a knock at the door.
“I’ll get it.” I place the glass on the side table and open the door to find a hotel porter with a trolley. After instructing him to put it all on the table, I see him out, handing him a couple of twenty-pound notes as he leaves.
When I close the door, I find Chelsea already looking under the plate covers.
“Time to have some real food,” I declare happily as Chelsea grins.
It takes us a whole fifteen minutes to demolish the burgers, fries and milkshakes. I love it when functions are here as Hector spent some time in America and makes the best-tasting burgers this side of the pond.
“That was amazing, but I’m going to need a full two-hour workout in the morning, at least, to work off all those calories,” Chelsea sighs with her hand on her stomach.
“Whatever, nothing wrong with ya,” I chuckle.
Chelsea turns her head, frowning at me before reaching for the remote that’s beside her.
“What do you want to watch?” she asks, turning the TV on.
“I don’t mind you choose. I’m just glad to be able to relax finally,” I sigh, putting my arms behind my head. “It can be so exhausting being alert at all times.”
“Why were you on alert tonight? You were off duty?” Chelsea asks, turning to look at me. I can’t stop myself from reaching out and brushing away some of her hair that’s fallen over her face.
“Because the last thing I want is for something to happen to you.”
Chelsea looks at me for a moment, unable to hide the look of shock and then confusion on her face. I can see her trying to process everything and know it’s the last conversation I want to have tonight. Instead, I point at the TV.
“Choose a film.”
Chelsea watches me momentarily before sitting back and flicking through the available films.
???
The film is almost over, and I look at the sleeping Chelsea, who’s resting her head on my chest. I’m not even sure how it happened, but during the film, Chelsea had leant into me, and I’d put my arm around her shoulders. Soon, she was asleep with her head and one hand on my chest, and I couldn’t bring myself to move her.
