Guarded (Lloyd Hansen AU) 18+

16

Lloyd

As if it wasn't already bad enough, Bronte only went and debuted the damn video to everyone at the show. As expected, I was pissed that she didn't consult me first. YouTube would have been sufficient enough but no. She wants to add fuel to the fire always. No wonder the relationship we have is turbulent.

I stand outside on guard while she's in the dressing room after the show, talking to Steve Rogers as well as her stepbrother. I've worked for both before and they're good guys. Eventually they all come out and we escort the group to waiting cars. Well, Steve and Lottie to their own while Curtis jumps in with Bronte.

"I just don't get why you won't tell me what's going on". Bronte is now saying as I get in. It's my turn to drive and once Court is in, I pull away to head to the hotel.

"Because it's complicated ok?" Curtis sighs. "Look, I just need time to sort this out".

"Sort what exactly?" Bronte says as silence then falls over the pair. "Curt...is that baby yours?" Her voice sounds a little concerned.

There's a sigh from the back and I catch Curtis scrubbing his face in frustration. "Yeah...and now I've gotta try and keep things under wraps. If the press find out then it won't just be me that's hounded. It'll be Elvie and Casper too. I don't want that, especially for him".

"Casper...so it's a boy she had then? I know she hasn't officially told the media. Just that she had a baby and that she wanted privacy for them".

"Yeah. She was right to do that. It's a complicated situation but I need to step up. Right now it's hard because it's racing season, but once I'm done for the months I have off, I wanna spend it with him. Get to know him".

"And what about Elvie? Are you gonna get together or..."

"No". Comes the firm reply. "No I think we're just gonna do the whole co-parent thing. That would be easier after everything".

I pull the car into the underground parking lot and get out, Curtis and Bronte doing the same. We head up to her suite and she stops me outside of her door. "Curt's gonna stay with me tonight, We'll see you in the morning". Bronte tells me and I nod.

"Next door if you need anything".

"I know. And I'm sorry I didn't tell you about the video...guess you're about to become a bigger thirst trap". She smiles weakly. I can tell she's concerned about the whole situation.

I shrug. "You wanna make an omelette, then you've gotta kill a few people's ego's". I'm past being annoyed. "Anyway, if Curtis needs security for his kid or anything, he knows where to come".

"Not inside another model that's for sure". She smirks. "Sorry, that was below the belt, even for me".

"Was for him too". I nod, "Sweet dreams, superstar".

Bronte's voice sounds again as I unlock the door to my room. "You'd help him out?"

I look up and nod. "It's my area of expertise. You ever seen my list of clients?"

"You sound like a total slut when you put it like that".

"Then consider me a security slut. Look, he knows my team are contracted by F1 to work the races, just tell him that if he ever wants security for his kid or whatever then I can arrange something".

I can't believe I've just gone as far as to call myself a 'security slut'. I need to go back to being a professional, but she just manages to knock down any walls I build up to try and withstand her.

"You know, this is probably the first genuine smile or even offer I've seen or had from you. It suits you Hansen". She tells me.

I focus on opening my door. "It's a rarity, even for me - you should feel privileged. you probably won't see it again".

"Yeah. I guess that would cost extra on top of what my father is already paying you". The smile has turned knowing. "Goodnight Lloyd, don't let those bed bugs bite".

Damnit.

"Wait". I huff and as much as this is pissing me off, she owes me bigtime. "Considering you didn't bother to tell me shit about the video, and then subjecting me to your little fans? You owe me".

Bronte shrugs. "Ok? Name your price".

I'm still debating this but ask because I know this will be painful if I have to go alone. "Come to my step mom's with me. She wants me to visit but it's gonna be awkward as fuck, so if I have to endure it, then you're gonna too".

"When?"

"I'll send you the date. I thought it was a show date but it's not. It's in between".

Bronte shrugs again. "Sure. I bet it's not as bad as you make it out to be".

I snort. "I told my step brother to go die and then he did just hours after our phone call. As you can imagine it was a while before she would even make amends with me again, so yeah, our relationship wasn't as it was before".

"Because you distanced yourself?"

"Kinda. Anyway I'm not gonna stand and talk about this in a hotel hallway. See you in the morning". I say and walk into my room, closing the door before she can even answer. There's a determined knock on it just moments after and I open it. "You forget something pumpkin?"

She looks annoyed. "Yeah. This..." She walks in and pushes me against the wall, kissing me hard and then pulling away. "And don't fucking tell me that even this can't happen, because what's one little kiss every now and then?"

That's the thing. It's not gonna be just one. It's gonna be another, and another, and another...

"Can't we at least do this? No sex or anything, just...this? This doesn't count as a fuck buddy technically".

No, just a 'fuck with your head' buddy.

"Not sure whether I prefer your mouth open or closed, so I guess I'm gonna have to find out".