Page 4 of The Tycoon

“What about when it’s not your watch?”

“It’s always my watch, sir.”

“First, it’s Cole.Not sir, and not Mr.Kincaid.Second, what about when I sleep?”He lifted a brow.“Will you still be on duty…in my bed?”

She was unruffled.“I expect to sleep in your apartment or house or plane.Wherever you are, I am.”

Cole sat behind his desk, picked up a pencil from the top, and held it between his hands like he would break it in half.“Very well.You have a one-month trial period.You will be paid $75,000 for that month and, if you make it, for every month thereafter.You will be with me twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.You will sit in on my meetings, eat every meal with me.You will accompany me to every function I must attend, and you will dress appropriately.”He looked over at her.

She sat across the desk, leaned back, and crossed her legs.“Understood.”

Cole sat forward.“You also need to be ready to travel at a moment’s notice.Those are my conditions.Do you accept my terms?”

She stared.“I accept as long as you accept mine.”

He leaned back in his chair, never letting go of the pencil.“What are your terms?”

“On the days of the galas or balls, or whatever you call your formal occasions, you will allow me extra time to prepare.”

“Done.”

She held up a hand, palm out.“Let me finish.You will not try to ditch me.If you go on a date, then I will accompany you and remain, discretely, of course, near you.You will allow me to sweep any of your meeting rooms,priorto you entering them.As I come across various scenarios, these requirements might change, and you will also agree to those.My only job is your safety, and I intend to do my job very well.”

“Agreed.”He looked up at his security chief.“Mason, introduce her to Amelia.She needs a dress for the Denver Art Museum’s fund raiser.We are attending the opening ofWickedat the Buell Theater tonight.”He shifted his gaze to Regan.“You’ll need a cocktail dress and the appropriate footwear.Do you have that?Be ready at five o’clock or before.”

“I won’t embarrass you.I guarantee it.”

“See that you don’t.”