Page 44 of My Bodyguard’s The Boss

I’d pay to see that, Austin had replied.

He was sitting in the middle of the bar, nursing a Jack Daniel’s and pretending to give a shit about what the guy next to him was saying. He’d only had one drink, but he was laughing loud and sloppy, his hair messed up like he was nearing the end of the night. His shirt was half-undone, showing his inked pecs just like when this happened for real.

He’d looked genuinely overjoyed when Dominic had suggested this, which Dominic really should have expected. They were finally fulfilling Austin’s seduction plan, just six months after Austin started it.

Dominic scanned the bar, mostly out of habit. He had to tear his eyes away from Austin sometime. This was technically a fantasy, but he was also on shift. Protecting Austin always came first, no matter what they were doing tonight.

A woman cleared her throat beside him. “Excuse me!”

Dominic looked over. She was in her early twenties, but she looked younger. Almost too young to be at a bar. Her earrings were cartoon animals Dominic didn’t recognize, and she was picking nervously at her long hair.

“Sorry,” the girl gushed. “I just wanted to ask… that’s Austin Wayne, right? He has to be, if he’s got security around.”

Dominic nodded curtly. “Yes, ma’am. That’s Austin Wayne. He’s looking for a quiet night out, if you don’t mind.”

“Oh.” The girl visibly deflated. “Alright. Um. Is it weird if I ask if he’s okay? I heard he fought off a woman with a knife! Should he be out and about if he’s, like, stabbed?”

“He didn’t get hurt,” Dominic said, his stitches twinging under his shirt. “That’s what my people are there for.”

“Right, totally.” The girl bit her lip. “Well, I’m glad he’s okay! My boyfriend loves his movies.”

Dominic ignored her. The man who was talking to Austin had a hand on his thigh. Austin leaned into the touch, his eyes half-lidded in a way that everyone else thought was dangerous. Then Austin’s gaze flickered up to meet Dominic’s, the only one who saw it for what it really was: an invitation.

“It must be so weird to be his bodyguard,” the girl in front of Dominic continued. “He’s just so macho, you know? So tough. No one tells him what to do. Like, I’m surprised he didn’t take down that stabby woman by himself⁠—”

“Excuse me,” Dominic said distractedly. He stepped around her and headed for Austin, who quickly looked away. But not before Dominic saw the glee in his eyes. The fantasy was now reaching the point that both of them had wanted for so long.

Dominic stepped in between Austin and the man on the other stool. “Mr. Wayne. You have a call waiting.”

Austin grinned lazily up at him. “Aw, right now? I was talking to this delightful young man. What was your name again?”

“Jono,” said the man in an enthusiastic Australian accent. “I’m Jono.”

Austin snapped his fingers. “Right. Jono. Can’t it wait for Jono?”

“No, it can’t.” Dominic fitted a hand around Austin’s forearm. “This way, Mr. Wayne.”

“Ooh,” Austin said dryly. “Guess I better go.”

Dominic didn’t turn back to watch Austin shake Jono’s hand. He just dragged Austin away, pulling harder when Austin resisted. Austin always liked doing that—resisting just to feel Dominic pull at him. He’d noticed it after his first week on the job.

Dominic kept his hold of Austin the whole way down the grimy bar hall. He didn’t acknowledge Brent, who was standing next to the disabled bathroom as he’d been instructed, and Brent didn’t acknowledge him. Also as instructed. Since Dominic had a certain reputation with his coworkers, Brent probably wouldn’t even bring this up later.

Austin waited until the disabled bathroom door swung shut behind them, then laughed. “I have a call waiting? What are you, my assistant?”

“Shut up,” Dominic told him.

He backed Austin up against the sink. Austin’s breath whooshed out of him, his chest heaving against Dominic’s. His excitement was palpable, barely holding back a goofy smile as Dominic held him in place.

“Are you always this slutty?” Dominic asked. “Or just when you’re trying to get my attention?”

Austin squirmed against him. He was hard; Dominic could feel him against his thigh. His expression flickered, the excitement getting covered in fake coyness as he stared up at him.

“Who said I was trying to get your attention?” Austin asked.

It was pretty convincing. If Dominic couldn’t see right through him. And if they hadn’t already planned all this in the car.

He gripped Austin through his jeans, watching Austin’s mouth fall open. “Don’t lie to me. You’ve been drooling over me all night. Every time that boy touched you, you looked over to check if I was watching.”