Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 70826 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 354(@200wpm)___ 283(@250wpm)___ 236(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70826 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 354(@200wpm)___ 283(@250wpm)___ 236(@300wpm)
Even though I think Max is very attractive, I’ll never entertain the idea of starting something with him. Not because he’s my bodyguard but because men like him don’t look twice at women like me.
Maybe he would if I lost twenty to thirty pounds, which will never happen. I love food too much and refuse to starve myself for a man.
Max’s side pushes against mine as he says, “Turn left.”
I follow his lead and start to look around for something to photograph.
Nothing grabs my attention until we reach the Arc de Triomphe. A pigeon is looking for food on the ground, and taking my camera, I choose a setting for black and white, then take a couple of photos.
Suddenly the bird takes flight, and I snap like crazy to get as many shots as possible. Once the pigeon is out of sight, I glance around for something else. I see an elderly woman waiting to cross the road while traffic zooms past her and take a photo from behind so her face isn’t visible.
When I start walking again, Max is right by my side. Enjoying the fresh air as the sun sets, I grin up at him. “Thank you for doing this.”
There’s a super-fast flash of emotion on his face before he nods.
We walk for half an hour in the direction of the Eiffel Tower, and I get a couple of good shots as night falls over Paris.
Honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever walked around for such a long period of time. I never considered it could be fun.
We stop by a café and order two coffees to go. While I sip on the beverage, I glance at Max, then ask, “Are you at least enjoying yourself?”
He nods. “I love being outside. I get cabin fever when I’m stuck indoors.”
I’m surprised by the information. “Then it must be hell guarding me.”
He shakes his head. “It’s easier than I expected.”
“What did you expect?”
We cross a street before he answers, “A spoiled socialite who wakes up every morning choosing tantrums and violence.”
A burst of laughter escapes me. “No, that would be Juliette.”
A camera grabs my attention, and when I recognize the guy, I dart behind Max and almost glue myself to his back. “Paparazzi! He’s standing near the entrance to the Four Seasons hotel.”
“Probably waiting for someone to come out,” Max says. “He hasn’t spotted you yet.”
Max stops walking, and turning around, he tucks my blonde strands beneath the hoodie. “Just keep your head down. You look like a random tourist.”
My heart starts to beat faster.
“Okay.”
“We’re going to walk right by him. He won’t expect a socialite to wear jeans and walk the streets.”
“Okay.”
Max wraps his arm around my shoulders, and I’m held tightly to his side. We must look like an intimate couple as we walk toward the vulture who’ll sell my photo to any and every magazine in France.
I duck my head low, and as we near the paparazzi, Max whispers intimately, “What do you want to have for dinner, ma chérie?”
I almost stumble from hearing him call me his darling, but knowing it’s an act, I answer, “Anything. I’m not fussy.”
We pass the man, and Max keeps his arm around me until we turn left up a street, and we disappear from the paparazzi’s line of sight.
I glance over my shoulder then let out a burst of laughter. “We actually pulled it off.”
“The hunter never expects his prey to be right in front of him,” Max says as he lowers his arm and places his hand on my lower back again.
I should be worried about how much I’m starting to like the man’s touch.
I take some random photos of cars lining the streets, lights shining from buildings, and even a trashcan with a discarded packet next to it.
When we get back to my penthouse, I wait for Max to do his usual search of the place before saying, “Thank you for tonight.”
“You’re welcome.”
There’s no expression on his face, and it has me requesting, “Give me one smile, and I’ll leave you alone for the rest of the night.”
He shakes his head, and it fills me with disappointment. “You can’t leave me alone if we’re watching a movie.”
My face lights up with a bright smile. “Okay, I’ll agree to no smile if you at least have some popcorn tonight.”
He narrows his eyes at me. “Don’t push your luck.”
Walking to the stairs, I chuckle, “One day, I’ll get you to eat snacks.” I head to the first floor, then call out, “I’m just going to take a shower. I’ll meet you in the living room in a half hour.”
I dart into the darkroom and place my camera bag on the desk before I go to my bedroom. Feeling relaxed and happy, I grin from ear to ear as I grab a pair of shorts, a T-shirt, and clean underwear.