“are you actually dating our client, ward?” the question not being one he was expecting, and one that got him by surprise. that was evident by the look on his face. “what?” an eyebrow raised, incredulousness in his tone, it was almost credible, except it was not to ex military, they could see right through his bullshit. “i knew this would be fucked up. did you just want to fuck america’s princess? what the fuck, ward? is it out of your system now? are you done?” there was buzzing in his ears now, his hands turning into fists on his thighs as the other spoke. “no, that’s-” he tried to get a word in but the other man spoke over him, “end that shit now before it gets to her father’s ears and has me fire you.” end that shit now. end that shit now. “i.. i love her. i -” he couldn’t, he couldn’t possibly end it with her, not now. “you love her? you think she’d want you? she has her choice of men, ward. for fucks sake. she’s not going to want a bodyguard.” the words ripped through him because he was well aware that the man was right. this, whatever they were doing had a time limit, an expiration date. adam practically drilled it into his head everyday. there would come a time where she was ready to date someone, actually date someone, and they would sweep her off her feet -- but he didn’t think it’d be that soon. he didn’t think it’d be now. he thought they had more time with their ruse. “okay,” he finally brought himself to say, “okay,” he repeated, almost as if though he was convincing himself. “it’ll be over. i’ll end it. just --” his mind raced with thoughts, you love her, you love her, you love her. why? because she deserves better. because you’re just a bodyguard. “ just let me me talk to her.”