Page 134 of When I Was His

"Who? Vlad?" I asked, thinking of the stoic bodyguard.

"Would you like Vlad?" Oliver asked, raising an eyebrow.

"He doesn’t talk much," I said with a small smile.

"His job isn’t to talk; it’s to make sure you’re protected," Oliver replied, his tone firm.

"Is there anyone else I can choose?" I inquired, hoping for options.

"Who do you have in mind?" Oliver asked, his curiosity piqued.

"A woman?" I suggested tentatively.

"I don’t have any on staff, but I could get you a couple," he said, considering it.

"Two?" I asked, surprised.

"I’m high profile and now you are too," he explained.

"What about before? I only had Vlad driving me. He didn’t follow me around," I reminded him.

"People didn’t know you before. Now they do," he said, his voice heavy with the new reality.

"This sucks. I think you should buy a house on some private island in the Caribbean," I joked, trying to lighten the mood.

Oliver smirked. "I own a few."

"I thought you said you didn’t have any other residences?" I asked, confused.

"I don’t, but I do own a few islands. I can build a house if I like," he said casually.

"That would be a perfect honeymoon. No cameras and totally private," I mused.

"Would you like that?" he asked, his eyes sparkling with the idea.

"Maybe," I said, smiling at the thought.

"I can start building right away. It might take a few months," Oliver said, already planning.

"Jesus Oliver, I was only kidding," I laughed.

"I’m not. Perhaps it could be a new tradition. We could take vacations there," he said, his tone serious.

"What about your businesses?" I asked, practical concerns surfacing.

"I can still be reached by satellite phone if anything arises," he assured me.

"So, no internet or anything? Just a phone?" I asked, feeling a bit skeptical.

"You sound disappointed. Aren’t I enough entertainment for you?" he teased, his eyes twinkling.

I rolled my eyes. "Yes, you are, but I might get bored. You might get bored of me," I said, voicing my insecurities.

"Highly unlikely. You constantly turn me on. Sometimes I’m in awe of you, like this morning. You amaze me," he said earnestly, his eyes filled with admiration.

I could feel my face heating with embarrassment. How could this business tycoon be in awe of me?

"Stop teasing," I murmured, feeling shy.

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