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)
Michael pauses, as if evaluating my sincerity. Finally, he nods. “Okay, good. Then you’re all set. I’ll let you finish getting checked in. If you need anything, do you have my number?”
I nod. Anna gave it to me just in case.
“Great. Then you know how to reach me.” He pats his suit jacket, where the outline of his phone shows through.
“That was odd. I can’t believe he thought I’d just give up,” I say, glancing at Ben.
He frowns. “I don’t like that guy,” Ben mutters.
I don’t blame him. He often creeps me out with his invasion into my personal space.
“Let’s get up to your suite and out of the open area,” Ben suggests.
Knowing I’ll have plenty of time to see the sights when we come down for rehearsal later, I agree. Because the upside to leaving the large lobby is being alone with my bodyguard in that luxury suite.
* * *
Ben
As I watch, Summer studies the gray curved sofa in the center of the main room, the floor-to-ceiling windows behind it, the large king-size bed, and the double bath and Jacuzzi large enough for two, and sighs in delight. I see extravagance in my line of work, protecting politicians and actors who come to the city, people who are used to the lap of luxury and take the things around them for granted. Her enjoyment of the ridiculously huge suite and the amenities provided for her by the hotel, courtesy of Jade Glow, is a joy to watch, and I hope she never loses the sense of gratitude and awe that makes her so special.
She steps out of the bathroom she’s been ogling, a big grin on her face. “You know we have got to make use of that tub while we’re here,” she says, eyes twinkling with unmistakable desire and playfulness.
My cock twitches in my pants, almost as if asking me if we have time. I glance at my watch. We left the city early and have hours before her rehearsal.
I shrug and begin to unbutton my shirt.
“Right now?” she asks, stepping up to me and sliding my shirt off my shoulders, her soft fingertips grazing my skin.
I checked the lock when we arrived and now unhook my holstered gun, planning to set it down beside me in the bedroom.
“I didn’t see anything else on your agenda until later this afternoon.” I grasp her around the waist, guiding her to the bedroom, where we make sizzling use of the king mattress, then lounge lazily in each other’s arms in the huge tub. And Summer is nearly late for rehearsal.
After a flawless practice run, I surprise her with a reservation at a steakhouse owned by a famous television chef, telling myself that we have to eat. That it doesn’t mean anything special that I made the reservation and asked for a quiet table in the back, or that she was so happy I’m not making her eat dinner in the hotel room that she almost had tears in her eyes and all I can think about is how I can put that glowing look on her face again soon.
Sure. Like the fact that I’ve fallen into a routine, living with her as her boyfriend isn’t a big deal. I told myself I learned from my father’s mistakes, and I turned around and repeated my own, getting involved with a woman who, despite her best intentions—because I don’t think Summer is anything like my selfish mother—will take off and move on to bigger and better things. And I knew the end result going in. Isn’t that why I insisted on great sex only? I have no business violating my own rules, but deep down, I know I am.
By the time this assignment ends, she’ll be ripping my heart out of my chest again, only this time, it will be way worse because I am falling harder the more time we spend together. But that doesn’t mean I can take a rational, much-needed step back.
I am in it for the painful duration.
* * *
Ben
The next night, even I can to tell Tawny’s performance isn’t her best, while Summer’s production and voice are spectacular. The other songstress’s lack of energy and occasional off-key moments are visible for all to see. Tawny doesn’t take the rough night well, throwing a tantrum behind the stage and storming out, presumably to her suite upstairs. I don’t envy her bodyguard or the people who surround her their jobs dealing with a diva in the truest sense of the word. Even her agent doesn’t seem to have his usual calming effect on her.
Afterwards, we are taken to an exclusive part of the nightclub in the hotel, roped off for a party at which Summer is a guest. I linger in the background, close enough to keep an eye on everyone and everything, including a good view of the only entrance to the elevated party area.