“So you really did all that Special Forces stuff?”

He nodded. “I really did it. For a lot of years. Until...” He hesitated, swallowed, unsure of why he wanted to share any part of himself with her but feeling the need to anyway. “I got injured, and my heart wasn’t in it anymore. So I retired.”

“There’s more to that story, isn’t there?”

A lump formed in his throat, another surprise. “There is.” But he didn’t want to go into that—he’d already blurred the line between professional and personal. He cleared his throat and asked, “What else is on the agenda today?”

Thankfully, she took the hint, and slid back into work mode. “A few more shows, then I have a meeting with the team from Paris who is putting together our show. We have had this planned for weeks, and I had a bit of a practice run in Paris last fall. I trust them to do their job and don’t want to overstep. I’m just there if they need anything.”

“Because you do PR.”

“Because I do PR. And because I have a decent handle on all areas of our business. It’s not just our designs on display. All the cosmetics are from Aurora’s new Naturel line, and the jewelry, as well.” She smiled. “Maman has built an empire.”

Jacob pondered that for a few moments. It had to be difficult to be Aurora Germain’s child. Aurora had accomplished so much, how could any of the children hope to compete or even just meet expectations?

He looked back at Charlotte. She’d leaned her head against the back of the seat again and closed her eyes. He wondered if she felt the heavy weight of expectation on her shoulders.

Before he could ask her, they were back at Spring Studios for the next round of shows. And as she opened her eyes, he saw the same determined set to her jaw as he had earlier this morning and before her interview.

Charlotte was putting on a show of her own. But how long could she keep it up?

CHAPTER FOUR

IT HAD BEEN a grueling day, Charlotte was still feeling the effects of jet lag, and the last thing she wanted to do was head to a party. But her absence would be noted, and she was determined to give this trip her all, so she took a deep breath and stepped out of the car, grateful for Jacob’s hand as she settled on her heels.

She hadn’t eaten enough today. Or at least, not since this morning and the sweet pastries, which had only given her a sugar crash later. Now it was nine o’clock and she had maybe three more hours of being “on” before she could go back home and fall into bed.

Jacob offered his elbow, his face unreadable. She was grateful for the support, to be honest. Perhaps it was inappropriate, considering his job, but he was someone to lean on for a few moments, and that was something she didn’t often have.

Often? More like never. Charlotte hadn’t had a relationship in three years, after a disastrous breakup with someone she’d imagined was Mr. Right. Mark had proved to be someone other than she thought. A climber, which she couldn’t fault. She had no problem with ambition. She did have a problem when people used other people to achieve it, though. She hadn’t realized he’d been using the same tactics on other women, too, until the gossip had reached her ears. His attempts at placating her and justifying his actions had made her angry as well as broke her heart.

She could count the actual dates she’d had since on one hand. Her twin brother, William, told her she worked too hard. She wasn’t sure he was wrong, but she also di

dn’t see another way. Her work? It never let her down.

Cameras flashed as they entered the Mandarin Oriental. She looked over at Jacob and saw that his jaw was set; she was sure he wasn’t used to the cameras and attention. Normally he’d be a few steps behind, in the background, wouldn’t he? And he could have been tonight, except he’d offered her his arm. Why?

Once inside they made their way to the party, and Charlotte let go of his arm. “Doing better?” he asked quietly.

“I was fine before,” she replied, but her heart fluttered a little. What had he noticed? And why?

“You’re exhausted.” He angled her a sideways look. “You’re jet-lagged and you’ve been going for well over twelve hours now on a handful of blintzes and a protein bar.”

She wasn’t sure if she should be touched or annoyed at his attention. “I didn’t realize that watching my dietary habits was part of your job description.”

He snorted. “It’s not. But I notice things anyway.” He looked into her eyes. “In my line of work, observation is key.”

“You’ll notice a lot tonight,” she said, her stomach in knots. “Tons of A-listers here. And there’s always Fashion Week drama.”

“As long as the drama doesn’t involve harming you, I’m good.”

Right. Because he was her bodyguard. The protective statement shouldn’t feel so comforting, but it did. Charlotte was very used to handling herself, and she knew she could. But she couldn’t deny it felt good having a wingman tonight. What he’d said earlier about exhaustion and feeling overwhelmed rang in her ears. Tonight she was both.

She was even happier to have his company when they entered the room that was already packed. Just inside the door, Jacob reached down and tugged on her hand. “I’m sticking close. And you should hydrate. You haven’t eaten enough today, but keeping hydrated will help.”

“I think I can manage,” she said, but knew he was right. She watched as he undid the button on his suit jacket. She was in a black dress, a straight column with simple lines, and a white band across the bodice—the Aurora brand colors. At her ears were the diamonds that her father had given her on her eighteenth birthday. Last fall she’d loaned them to Gabi Baresi, for the night that William proposed. Right now they kept Charlotte anchored. Cedric Pemberton had been a wonderful father and a steadying influence.

She fully expected to see some gorgeous and innovative wardrobe choices tonight. But for her... She wasn’t a model. She stuck with what Aurora did best: the red carpet look.

Tags: Donna Alward Heirs to an Empire Billionaire Romance
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