Page 178 of Sexting His Assistant

“Don’t do that.”

He looks back at me.

I lower my voice. “Ground rules. If it concerns my safety, you tell me.”

“It does not concern your safety yet.”

Across the room, near the bar, a man in a grey suit turns away before I can get a proper look at his face. Luka’s attention follows him for half a second, then returns to me.

“Stay near me,” he says.

“That sounded like an order.”

“It is.”

“Luka.”

His hand settles more firmly at my back. Not enough for anyone to notice. Enough for me.

“I will explain later,” he says. “For now, smile.”

“Why?”

“Because the photographer is coming.”

I turn just as a woman with a camera approaches, smiling brightly. “Mr. Kazan, may we get one?”

I open my mouth to say something, but Luka’s hand shifts from my back to my waist and draws me closer.

The photographer lifts her camera.

“Lovely,” she says.

The flash goes off.

For one second, I stand in Luka’s arm under the bright light, my pulse racing, his body warm beside mine, and I think about all the nights I arranged this for someone else.

I look up at Luka just as the second flash goes off.

He’s not looking at the camera. He’s looking at me.

“Beautiful,” she says. “Thank you, Mr. Kazan.”

Luka’s gaze finally moves away from mine. “Send the approved set to my office before publication.”

“Of course.”

She leaves quickly.

I look up at him. “Approved set?”

“You’re welcome.”

“I didn’t thank you.”

“You were going to when no terrible photos of you appear online tomorrow.”

I hate that he’s right, so I drink my champagne instead of answering.