please,â he begged.
Keilah turned away to conceal her laughter.
Clearly embarrassed, he said, âKeilah, you have to excuse my aunt. She has the tendency to speak before she thinks.â
âHush up, Michael. You know Iâm right. You need to settle down. Iâm sure Keilahâs not treating her body like the devilâs playground.â
Keilah lowered her head in embarrassment. Was Teresa Randolph a psychic or something? âTeresa, Iâm sure Michael is nothing but a gentleman and only dates the finest women in town. So surely heâll settle down when he finds the right woman,â Keilah replied.
âI hope youâre right, Keilah,â Teresa said as she reached over and grabbed a bottle of champagne. âOpen this for me, Michael.â
Michael took the bottle out of her hand and opened it. Teresa held out her glass so Michael would fill it. He turned to Keilah and asked, âWould you like some?â
She waved him off. âIâm on duty. Thanks anyway.â
âIâm sorry. I forgot. Itâs hard to look at you and see you for anything else but a very attractive woman,â he said, flirting.
Teresa looked at Michael and then over at Keilah and smiled, hoping her prayers would be answered.
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The evening went off without a hitch. Michael couldnât take his eyes off of Keilah, and she felt him staring at her all night long. Even at dinner, as they enjoyed a delicious meal of chicken breasts with chipotle orange sauce, steamed vegetables, and roasted potatoes with lemon, oregano, and garlic, Michael couldnât restrain himself from staring at her. Her beauty had him awestruck and since she was a bodyguard, it excited him to the point that it affected him physically. It was a sensual turn-on for him, and he was glad they spent most of the evening sitting so he could conceal how much she aroused him.
Keilah did her best to be relaxed and cordial while discreetly protecting Teresa Randolph. However, Michael was making it difficult for her to stay focused. He was so handsome, and his personality impressed her even more.
âSo, Michael, do you live in D.C.?â
He took a sip of champagne and smiled. âYes, but because of my job I spend a lot of time in Iraq.â
Keilah frowned. âThat has to be scary.â
He leaned over and whispered, âI doubt itâs as scary as what you have to deal with.â
She smiled and said, âYou have a point, but it still has to be very tense over there.â
âIt is, but everyone is highly trained, which makes our job a little easier.â
Keilah shook her head and solemnly said, âItâs a shame so many of our men and women are losing their lives over there.â
âIt is but they know they have a job to do, and unless youâre military itâs hard for others to understand the mission.â
âMaybe so. Itâs still a sad situation all around. I just wish our troops could come home.â
He smiled and said, âSo do a million or so other Americans.â
âSo Iâve heard,â she replied.
âSo, Miss Chance, what do you do for fun?â he inquired.
âI have no limits, Mr. Monroe. Iâm an adventurous woman,â she revealed.
He sipped his champagne once more and said, âThatâs good to know, because Iâm an adventurous man.â
She blushed. âI guess that remains to be seen, huh?â
He tilted his head and smiled. âExcuse me, Miss Chance, but are you asking me out?â
Keilah looked away and said, âMaybe.â
âThat is very flattering, Keilah, but you didnât give me a chance to ask you out first. I was planning to make my move before the night was over.â
She turned to him and asked, âWhy wait? Iâm sitting right here.â
Michael could already see that Keilah was going to be different from any woman heâd ever known, and his craving for her was getting