“You aren’t the man Ansel told me about,” he said. “I specifically asked for someone who’d been around the block a few times.”
“I can assure you my experience is quite extensive.”
“Robert, is that you?” Kayla walked up behind me, but I was blocking the doorway with my body so she couldn’t see around me.
“Yes, I’m here, sweetheart,” he said, “but this…man…is in the way.” He flicked his hand, indicating I should move, but I didn’t budge an inch.
He was exactly as Will had described him, but I had every right to ask for his I.D. anyway. Granted, I hadn’t done that when Kayla’s mother visited, but this guy was already rubbing me the wrong way.
Kayla cleared her throat impatiently. “What’s the hold-up? We’ll be late if we don’t leave soon.”
“I need to see an I.D. before we proceed.”
Robert pulled out his wallet, eyebrows pinched, irritation showing all over his face. “Here you go.” He removed his driver’s license from his wallet and held it a little too closely to my face. It was him, so I stood to the side and gestured to come inside. Since I filled up most of the space in the doorway, he didn’t have a lot of room to walk by, but then again, he didn’t need it, and I didn’t bother to make it easy.
“What took you so long?” Kayla asked as he sauntered into her home like he owned the place.
“Got caught up at the office with a new client. Couldn’t be helped.” He leaned over and gave her a kiss on the cheek, then glanced over at me narrowing his eyes. “Mr. Littman, I know Ansel wouldn’t have just given us anyone, so I assume you have the basics down, but I asked for the very best and was told Kayla would be getting an older, ex-military guy. You are not that.”
My jaw clenched, and I took a moment to relax my shoulders. What was his problem? This man knew nothing about me. “Ansel initially assigned Burt, but he had to take time off for health reasons. I’m also ex-military—served in the Marines. Kayla is in good hands, sir.”
He nearly glared at me then, his lower lip trembling with anger, and though he put on a formidable effort in controlling himself, I had to smother a laugh. This guy was something else.
“I’m not happy with this turn of events. I’m calling Ansel to demand a more suitable bodyguard.” He pulled out his phone and was about to dial when Kayla put a hand on his arm.
“Please don’t. I’ve already gotten used to Mr. Littman, and he’s very good. I like him.” She glanced up at me, the corners of her mouth lifting in a smile that reached her eyes and stayed there for several long seconds. The force of that smile hit me like a torpedo to the gut.
Despite my irritation with this guy, Kayla had a calming presence that soothed my frustration.
“He’s doesn’t meet my qualifications.” Robert’s jaw tightened, and he looked as if he were about to come unglued at any moment.
“I don’t understand,” she said, jerking her head back as if confused. “He seems quite experienced. Clearly, he’s not someone to mess with, and he’ll keep me safe. Why don’t you like him?”
He didn’t answer for several moments and then he let out a breath. “I wanted a more seasoned man to handle your case.”
I crossed my arms over my chest and widened my stance. “Call Ansel if it makes you feel better, but I have extensive experience, and he asked for me specifically. Ansel knows I’m the best at what I do.”
“Well, there you have it,” Kayla said.
Robert shook his head as if he didn’t believe a word of it. “No, he’s not what I envisioned for you.”
Kayla frowned and looked at him as if he’d lost his mind. “Robert, please. I’m the one who has to put up with someone following me around all day, and I like Troy. I feel comfortable with him.”
He swiped a hand over his jaw and gave me a suspicious glance. “Trust me on this. He’s not a right fit for you.”
“How can you say that? He just told us Ansel asked for him specifically. If Ansel thinks he’s a good fit, let it go.”
“You need an older man with more life experience. This guy is too young.”
“I’m thirty-three, sir. That’s hardly too young.”
He pursed his lips and glared at me, his movements agitated. “Please stay out of this.”
Kayla glanced at the clock and then at us. “Look, can we table this discussion for now? If we don’t leave, we’ll be late.”
“Fine.” Robert placed a possessive hand on her lower back as they headed for the door. The moment he touched her skin, she flinched and moved away from him, walking a little faster so she was two steps ahead. His expression crumbled, and I instantly felt bad for the guy despite his aggravating behavior earlier. He was in love with her. It was written all over his face, but evidently, she didn’t feel the same way.
Suddenly his demand for an “older man” to take my place made more sense. Robert Sunder felt threatened by me, but there was no need for that. I was a professional and would never start a relationship with a client. Not even one as cute as Kayla Keller.
***
I scanned the room and searched for all the exits in case of an emergency. The hotel ballroom was swarmed with people, a bodyguard’s worst nightmare, especially since individuals were coming and going, making distractions easy. At least a dinner ticket had to be purchased ahead of time and no one was allowed in without that
