Page 54 of Thirsty Bodyguard Summer

I removed my earpiece and secured it in its case. My radio and compact gear followed.

The agent stepped into the corridor. “I’ll hold outside the door.”

I locked it behind him.

The relief agent stood outside, and Rafi held stage access ten yards away. I had ninety minutes before I took the detail back.

Shane stood near the catering table and waited.

My heart beat too fast against my ribs.

SHANE CROSSED THE ROOMwithout hurrying.

“You didn’t answer me,” he said.

“I noticed.”

“Do you think this ends tomorrow?”

I folded my arms, then dropped them.

“I think we’ve known each other since Thursday.”

“We’ve covered a lot of ground.”

“You were nearly trapped in a restaurant, someone left photographs on your patio, and we had sex after I moved you into a cottage with one bed. That’s not a normal three days.”

“I’m not looking for normal.”

“You’re also a rockstar with another city waiting after this weekend.”

“None of that disappeared Friday night.”

“That’s part of my point.”

He waited.

I moved toward the dressing counter and rested my fingers against its edge.

“You have a public life built around movement,” I said. “You tour. You record. People photograph where you eat and who leaves your hotel. You’ve had plenty of casual relationships, and you’ve never pretended otherwise.”

“I haven’t.”

“I work at SBS. I live here. My schedule is built around assignments, training, and being able to reach the Beacon when SBS needs me.”

“You called Sloane at seven this morning because your work matters to you.”

I turned toward him. “That wasn’t the point of the call.”

“It was part of what I heard.”

My grip loosened against the counter.

Shane stopped a few feet away.

“I know you want me,” I said. “I don’t doubt that.”

“Good.”