Page 38 of Thirsty Bodyguard Summer

“I wasn’t going to.”

“I didn’t think you would.”

Shane kissed the top of my head. “I’ll answer anything she asks me.”

“She won’t need sexual details.”

“That’s probably wise. I’d make you sound extremely impressive.”

I lifted my head. “You’re enjoying yourself too much.”

“I’m naked in bed with the woman who dragged me through a restaurant and then rode me until I forgot my own name. My evening improved.”

“You remembered my name.”

“I may have shouted it.”

“You did.”

“Then my memory remains excellent.”

I smiled and settled against him again.

His palm slid down my back.

“Cassi,” he said.

I lifted my head.

He hesitated. “Is that allowed?”

Nobody at SBS called me Cassi. My family had when I was younger, before uniforms and boarding teams and years of making sure nobody mistook softness for weakness.

I swallowed.

“Only when I’m not wearing an earpiece.”

His smile spread. “I can follow that rule.”

“You’d better.”

“You make the rules memorable.”

I rested my cheek over his heartbeat.

Dawn would bring the threat, the concert, and the conversation I couldn’t avoid.

At seven, I’d call Sloane. By breakfast, someone else might be wearing the earpiece at Shane’s side.

Chapter Four

I WOKE BENEATH A STRIPEof sunlight and one strong, freckled arm.

Cassidy slept on her stomach beside me, her loose strawberry-blond hair spread across the pillow and one knee tucked against my thigh. The sheet had slipped low enough to show the curve of her bare back. I wanted to kiss every freckle I could reach, then convince her seven o’clock was an unreasonable hour for professional honesty.

Outside the cottage, muted voices passed between the agents covering the front path. There were no stage monitors, no crowd, and no manager reminding me where to stand. Beyond the door, quiet comms mixed with Cassidy’s slow breathing against my shoulder.

The clock read six forty.