Forbidden Heat

“You with Reiner? I chose him to guard you. He will keep you safe from any random men. See you at the lab.” Edward. So, this is what he had planned all along? Using Reiner to keep tabs on me when I’m not with him. What a heavy price to pay for my lies.

“Yes,” I replied to his text simply.

Now back to Reiner. What should I talk about?

“Reiner, your full butler uniform is a little bit much. Starting tomorrow can you dress perhaps a bit more casually to blend in better?” I suggested. Afterall, it’s not like I want the whole world to know that I have a butler shadowing me everywhere.

“Sure, I’ll wear a suit starting tomorrow, Miss Natalia” He replied, acknowledging my words as his command.

“I mean, it doesn’t need to be a suit every day. You can adjust your outfit to sort of match what we’ll be doing based on my schedule. Oh, and please just call me Natalia,” I told him as I turned to look at his face for the first time since we left Lucien’s study. His serious face as he watched the road is quite attractive…

“As you wish,” Reiner replied shortly.

That was the end of that. In the end, we didn’t exchange any more words between us the whole ride to the lab.

…

**A week before**

A very tall man with a large build, bright red hair and piecing blue eyes stood in the middle of Edward’s office.

“Good to see you again, Reiner,” Edward greeted the tall figure standing straight in the middle of his office.

Edward…How’s the girl?” Reiner turned around to

would be ‘Miss Natalia’ if not ‘Lady Natalia’ now

now huh? I haven’t seen her for ten years,” Reiner said wistfully as he thought of the first

have to tell me? You schemed to position me as her bodyguard and called me over here for something, right?” Reiner

eye on her and figure out

mean including yourself?” Reiner asked

darkened immediately. Reiner and his

pretty obsessed with her after that

honestly don’t know what plans the elders have for her or what harm lies in her way,” Edward continued

you plan to do with her? You’re not just using her as a bed warmer like all those other women of yours, right?” Reiner asked with genuine curiosity. Edward

to marry

your mind?”

business and this family. He is the CEO now, and in the

life outside of this

father to protect her; I don’t owe you anything though. I’ll do things my way and have a

dare touch her, Reiner,”

replied mockingly as he headed for the door. As far as he was concerned, this

point. I guess I have to see for myself which life would be better for Natalia: A life with Edward

as Reiner strode out of his office, his footsteps silent. He knew Reiner was dangerous business but he believed in Reiner’s loyalty. If there was someone who would put Natalia first, it