Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 53466 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 267(@200wpm)___ 214(@250wpm)___ 178(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 53466 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 267(@200wpm)___ 214(@250wpm)___ 178(@300wpm)
Summer is on her way to making it big, and soon she won’t have time for me or the people she’s known along the way. And I don’t want to be left in the dust. Which means we are going to have to deal with being platonic while I am guarding her delectable body.
Her schedule is sporadic at best. When she isn’t in a studio doing voice-overs, which I listen to, in awe of her talent, she spends time at the gym doing hard-core cardio and weights, the workouts giving her the stamina for her performances.
Watching her move in her tight spandex shorts and tank top, her breasts bouncing despite the sports bra, should not be a hardship except on my body, which desires her more with every passing minute, mocking me and my need to keep things between us simple. Unfortunately, I also have to deal with the many guys who hit on her while she is doing her routine. I am forced to watch from the sidelines, glaring at the men who flirt with Summer and who she claims are just friends.
The woman is oblivious to the desire in those so-called friends’ eyes when they look at her sexy body and gorgeous face. They are attracted to both the outer packaging and her bubbly, welcoming personality. Eventually, some guy is going to come along at the right time and be the one, and the thought makes me want to growl in frustration.
When she doesn’t have necessary engagements scheduled, we remain in her apartment because, for safety reasons, I don’t want her running around the city for no good reason, and I am becoming well acquainted with her sofa while I watch TV.
To her annoyance, I prohibit Starbucks trips unless we are already out of the apartment, and since there is one on the corner of her block, she begs me to go in every time we leave the building. Another place where men notice her constantly.
Her next big event is tomorrow, a nightclub opening, where she and Tawny are performing along with meeting and greeting VIPs. Tonight we are ordering in Chinese food, and I hope she’ll let me pick the movie.
“Laundry time!” Summer walks out of her room, plastic basket in hand. “Dirty clothes need to get clean.”
I rise to my feet, immediately alert because she is going to be leaving the safety of the apartment. “Where are the machines?”
“Down the hall. I’d say I don’t need an escort, but I’m guessing I’m going to have one anyway?” she asks cheekily.
I incline my head. “Good call.” I pat my holstered weapon and take the basket out of her hands.
“I can carry it. I do it all the time.” She extends her hands, requesting the heavy load back.
“Sorry. As long as I’m here, get used to having help.”
“Thank you.” She grabs her keys and tosses pods of detergent and fabric softener sheets into the basket. “Let’s get this going,” she says, striding to the door.
“I’ll go first.” I need to make certain no one is waiting for her to exit her apartment.
A quick check, and I escort her down the hall, leaning against the open doorway, keeping an eye out for anyone who might be heading into the laundry room while she sorts her clothes.
Of course, with my luck, she is pulling out her bras and panties, putting them inside a mesh bag, treating me to a look at her variety of undergarments. Black with lace trim, beige with bows on the side, even a red bra, which torments me with images of what she’d look like with her voluptuous breasts filling the cups, her cleavage spilling out for me to see.
A man walks out of a neighboring apartment, basket in hand, heads to the laundry room. Considering he is coming from inside the building, I give him the benefit of the doubt. As much as I want to, I don’t frisk the guy before letting him into the communal laundry room, figuring it would be overkill.
I step aside, keeping an eye on the guy, who comes up next to Summer and places his basket on top of a neighboring machine, giving me a curious look.
“Summer, where have you been hiding?” he asks, his eyes lighting up at the sight of her.
Great. Another admirer. Everywhere Summer goes, she is surrounded by leering assholes who want to get into her pants. I fold my arms across my chest and glare at the preppy-looking guy in khaki shorts and a polo shirt.
“Greg! It’s been too long.” She pulls him into what I consider a too-friendly hug, her breasts pressing against his chest for a second before she steps back.
My skin feels tight as I watch, annoyed and jealous of their interaction.
“I saw you kick ass on TV,” Greg says, mouth curving in a smile.