Page 30 of Thirsty Bodyguard Summer

By the time I turned, Shane had moved several feet away. He stood beside the settee with both hands in his pockets.

“Everything’s secure,” I said.

“I assumed you’d tell me when it wasn’t.”

His voice had gone careful.

I was on duty. He was my client. The agent outside had the fence, and I had Shane.

His mouth had almost touched mine, and I still wanted it.

I checked my watch.

It was five fourteen.

Relief arrived in forty-six minutes.

AT SIX, THE RELIEFagent stepped inside and accepted Shane’s active coverage.

Shane sat on the settee, one ankle resting across his opposite knee, and listened without interrupting.

“The patio envelope is the latest threat,” I said. “Carlos holds the second key. No staff comes in without verification. Exterior coverage stays in place, and Shane remains inside unless Sloane or I approve movement.”

“I have it,” the agent said.

I removed my earpiece.

The sudden absence of comms pressure against my ear felt almost indecent.

I secured the device, radio, and compact gear in the locked case beside the front door. Then I untied my braid and worked my fingers through the strands.

Shane stood.

His attention followed my hair as it fell around my shoulders.

“That seems unfair,” he said.

The relief agent glanced between us and opened the cottage door. “I’ll be outside.”

“Thank you,” I said.

He stepped out and locked the door from the exterior position.

The protection detail continued without me.

For the first time since I’d met Shane, his safety wasn’t my responsibility.

I picked up the small overnight bag Rafi had brought from the Beacon. “I’ll use the bathroom to change, then I’ll—”

“Stay.”

The word stopped me.

Shane took one step forward. “Not because I need protection. Not because there’s one bed. Stay because you want to.”

My fingers closed around the bag.

“If I leave, the relief agent remains here,” I said. “Your coverage doesn’t change.”