The Bodyguard - Completed.

Chapter Eight

"I lied," he confessed, running a hand over his hair, shifting to stand in the entrance to the hallway. That wasn't something she had expected.

Her eyes widened. "How so?" She asked cagily.

"Xavier is my real name."

Now totally confused. "Sorry, you're not my bodyguard?" She stepped back suddenly, alarmed. "Who are you!" She squeaked. She eyed off the door, wondering if she could make a dash for it.

He eyed her closely, crossing his arms. "Whatever you're thinking, don't," he advised.

She eyed him closely. "So Caleb is your alias name?" She hoped not some kidnapper, then again, why would he be telling her, and his home was spectacular. Not one who was after money.

"Not quite. Caleb couldn't make it, he was sent on another mission, so I took his place."

She blinked at him. "So all that talk about credentials, and being my bodyguard, was all rubbish?"

"Not quite, princess," he leaned back against the wall again, crossing one foot over the other, more relaxed, hands in his pants pockets.

"Oh, I see," her eyes lit up, "you work for the same people, well, aren't I'm lucky they sent you instead. It's so you," he arched a brow, "Xavier. I love your name. Caleb is so plain and there is nothing plain about you."

"My brother would be so happy to hear that," he noted amused.

"Oh," her eyes widened. "Keeping it in the family I see, and I bet he isn't as sexy and hot as you."

"Amanda," he moaned, pushing away from the wall. "I'm going to my office, you go, and have your swim." Sighing, she was giving up on that one. Amanda it was, and she couldn't tell him the truth. She looked at him with so much longing, her heart aching. She turned and headed towards her bedroom where she changed into the bathers that were a snug fit for a one piece but would do, pulling on shirt and skirt over the piece. Grabbed her handbag and a towel and headed towards the inside pool, after letting Xavier know she was going for a swim.

Once at the level of the large inside pool with full length window that showed the marina with the white gleaming yachts off in all their glory, she sat down on a spare daybed and opened her bag, removing her phone and stared at it for the longest time. She was only allowed to call the palace in an emergency. Well, dammit, it was in her eyes and made the call, put straight through to the King.

"What is wrong, my dear," he greeted warmly.

"I don't know if I can do this, your highness. Can I just tell him who I really am and still be a decoy."

There was a long pregnant pause. Her heart slammed hard against her chest, foot tapping the decking, surrounding the pool. "How much?" He snarled, his tone harsh and cold, sending a shiver through her body. Not so friendly now.

"What?" She gasped.

"How much more do you want?'

"Nothing. I just don't like lying to Caleb." She wasn't sure, if he knew about the change over, then again they had been talking. She was so out of her depth "It's so hard pretending to be someone I'm not. It would be so much simpler, if he knows the truth. I'd still be your decoy."

"Half a million pounds," he offered. She swallowed hard. It wasn't fair. She wasn't asking for money, but would help the town so much. "Half a million pounds to play your part, or I would ruin you."

She sucked in a sharp breath. There was no need for that. She was asked to help, not the other way around. "I don't want your money," she hissed. "I'm doing this for my cousin, so keep your money," she shut down the phone. Her shoulders lowered, hands between her legs, clutching the phone tightly. Back to being Amanda Hunter. There was no Jodie Spencer. Xavier is going to despise her for it.