“Are you our bodyguard?” I asked after we’d piled into his car and waited in traffic to leave the airport.

Raphael chuckled. “They don’t pay me enough for that. I’m just your ride to the hotel, kid. I’m friends with Jay and Dean. Jay was tied up with the event planning and asked me to grab you and give you a lift.”

“Are you a cop?”

Raphael cocked a brow in the rearview mirror. “Is it obvious?”

“Kinda. You’ve got a badass vibe about you. Either you’re a cop or you’re a secret agent.”

“Today, I’m a chauffeur, nothing more.”

“Bummer. You’d make a sexy James Bond.”

Asher elbowed me in the gut, knocking the wind out of me and halting my further interrogation. “What? He would,” I grunted.

“You have no filter. Where are we staying?” Asher asked Raphael.

“The Beverly Wilshire. The event is a few minutes’ drive away. You’ll be taken there in a private car tomorrow with your real bodyguard.”

“Nice,” Asher whispered under his breath. “Fancy hotels and bodyguards. How did we score this deal again?”

“I researched fast money for sexy young gays. Thank me later.”

“I will.” Asher bumped my arm, and we shared a laugh.

Jay met us in the hotel lobby. He exchanged greetings with Raphael, kissing both of his cheeks—I mean, seriously, who did that?—thanking him for delivering us and mentioning something about getting together with Dean next weekend. It got me wondering how frequently Jay and Dean enjoyed their chosen lifestyle and if Raphael was gay.

Those thoughts came to a halt when Jay turned to us with a broad smile. He shook our hands, scanning us both. We’d dressed for travel. Nothing fancy, but Jay took his time perusing and likely imagining all the things he’d been promised.

“This way.” He ushered us toward a long desk across the lobby. “We’ll get you checked in and settled.”

Raphael headed back outside with a wave in our direction. “I’ll find someone to take care of your bags and ensure they get to your room.”

“Thanks. Call me later,” Jay said and waved at him.

We waited near the front desk since there was a line to check in, and Jay stood between us, arms draped over our shoulders like we were more familiar than we were.

“In accordance with your rules, no one has had access to your room. The reservation is in your names, and only you will receive the keys.”

“Perfect,” Asher said.

“Dean will be here for the event tomorrow. Are we still game?”

“We are.” Asher squirmed out from Jay’s hold when the line moved and made his way to the counter. His nerves were on the surface as much as he refused to admit them to anyone but me.

“He’s not going to back out, is he?” Jay asked when Asher was out of earshot.