Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 103008 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 515(@200wpm)___ 412(@250wpm)___ 343(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103008 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 515(@200wpm)___ 412(@250wpm)___ 343(@300wpm)
I shake off that thought quickly. I have to. Brix is hot as fuck, and the last thing I need is to think about him as something more than my hot bodyguard.
Who’s proving to be actually kind of nice.
No. Just hot. Hot, dumb bodyguard.
Keep telling yourself that.
When he pulls away from me, he looks smug as if he knows how much my body likes having his close.
That’s something I can add. Hot, dumb, and smug. Let’s not forget he’s most likely straight.
Straight guys have no business being in my fantasies—for my own sanity.
“There’s someone at the bar who asked to meet you,” he says.
“Who?”
“I don’t know? Some woman. She might be a singer.”
Heather turns and scoffs. “You mean Rihanna? Yeah, she’s ‘just a singer.’”
I shake my head. “Don’t mind this guy. He’s uncultured.” I lean in and kiss Heather’s cheek. “I’ll see you tomorrow and introduce you to Evah.” I don’t bother saying goodbye to the guy.
As soon as Brix and I are out of earshot, I nudge him. “You’re like a ninja. Where did you go?”
“I went to the bar to get you a drink so I could pounce at the right moment. I was chilling against the wall behind you the whole time.” He grins. “See, I don’t even need to wear camo to be invisible.”
I force myself to talk to a few more people. Brix sticks out like a sore thumb in here in his tight black T-shirt and jeans, not because of how casual he looks but because of how well he pulls it off in a room full of image snobs who are all wearing designer labels. He might not look like he fits in, but he’s so confident no one would even question it. They probably assume he’s doing it to be ironic.
Brix only has to save me with a drink refill two or three more times, but then I decide I’m peopled out and need to go home.
Being on is exhausting, and it’s not like I can be myself around any of these party types.
I spot Denver in the hallway leading to his bedroom before we’re about to leave.
“I’m gonna go say bye.” I leave Brix near the entryway and interrupt Denver about to kiss Heather. “Sorry to cut in, guys.”
Denver groans. “Oh, God, it’s suddenly five years ago, and I want to kill him again.”
I grip his shoulder. “You still love me. Heather, you mind if I steal him for a second?”
She smiles. “Go for it.” She runs her hand down Denver’s chest. “I’ll be in your room.”
“What’s up?” Denver asks, but his eyes are glued to Heather’s retreating ass.
“I just want to say I’m bailing, but thanks for, uh, inviting me and doing this.” I wave my hand around.
Denver glances down at his drink. “I was surprised when you called.”
“I’m the shittiest person in the world, I know. I’ve been busy, and—”
“Nah, I get that. I might not be as successful on my own as you are, but even my schedule is insane. And they’ve asked me to be a judge on some new reality talent show which will be awesome, but I don’t know how I’m going to juggle it all.”
“Hey, congrats. Though, how are you going to handle that? You’re like a puppy and can’t be mean to anyone. It’s, like, physically impossible for your baby face to scowl.”
To prove my point, he scowls and looks even more childlike.
“Aww, you’re so cute.”
Denver laughs. “Fuck you.”
I lower my voice. “Thanks for the offer, but I heard you don’t swing my way.”
Something weird happens to Denver’s face, but it’s gone in a flash.
His smile falls back into place. “Well, thanks for coming. I know this isn’t your scene. Never was.”
“Brix thinks I need to get out of my head. I can’t write, so he thought a change of scenery would help. All it’s done is make me exhausted.”
Denver glances toward the door where Brix waits for me. “So, full-time bodyguard … Was the stalker situation that bad?”
The urge to reach for my ear is strong, but I refrain. This is Denver. Denny. We spent seven years practically living and performing together. Out of anyone, he’d understand the most.
“It wasn’t bad. Just … scary.”
“Seems like a bodyguard might be good for you, though. Anyone who can get you to walk away when you’re trying to write deserves a medal.”
“He’s ex-military. I think he has a lot of medals.”
“He’s also superhot.”
I cock my head at him.
“Objectively speaking. Any chance of—” Denver waggles his eyebrows.
“Fuck no. As far as he’s aware, I’m with Evah. And please, as if anyone who looks like him could bat for my team.”
“I dunno. He’s checking you out pretty hard right now.”
I turn to look, but Brix is staring at us in the way a bodyguard should. “He’s making sure you don’t kill me for cockblocking you.”