Page 9 of Thirsty Bodyguard Summer

“Until we know who took that picture, you don’t leave this cottage without me.”

One corner of Shane’s mouth lifted, but he stayed exactly where I’d put him.

“Then you’d better stay close.”

Chapter Two

BY SEVEN-THIRTY FRIDAYmorning, humidity had dampened the back of my white tank before I crossed the cottage porch. Butter and bacon drifted through the palms from The Salty Spoon, and my stomach made a stronger argument than Cassidy’s list of approved breakfast options.

She waited beside the SUV in a deep-teal tank and khaki tactical pants, her strawberry-blond hair braided and her green eyes hidden behind sunglasses. The fit drew my attention to shoulders built for swimming, a waist I wanted my hands around, and thighs that made me reconsider every rule against touching the woman assigned to protect me.

Her gaze traveled from my pale-aqua linen shirt and tan drawstring shorts to my white sneakers.

“You remembered shoes. We’re making progress.”

“I had a persuasive teacher.”

“You had one instruction.”

“And I followed it. I’m already exceeding expectations.”

One corner of her mouth moved before she turned toward the SUV. It wasn’t a smile, but I’d played arenas for less feedback.

Cassidy’s rules had kept me inside overnight: no beach, no boardwalk, and no opening the patio door because the oceansounded better without glass between us. By sunrise, her voice had settled into the same part of my brain that counted beats before a chorus. Wait for clearance. Move when directed. Hold position. Don’t miss the cue.

I hated that kind of control when it came from managers and label executives.

From Cassidy, it sounded different.

Every restriction came with a reason, and she’d never treated me like an idiot. She’d stayed close enough for me to notice the freckles across her nose and the way she went still whenever I stepped inside her reach.

Or maybe I was hungry.

“For the record,” I said as I followed her, “I could’ve eaten breakfast in the cottage.”

Cassidy opened the rear door. “You could have.”

“Then why did you approve this?”

“Because you asked for one normal meal, and the restaurant has a service exit we can reach from the kitchen.” She waited until I was inside before closing the door. “An agent checked it before they opened. We’re arriving early, sitting near the back, and leaving when I say.”

An SBS agent sat behind the wheel. Cassidy climbed into the front passenger seat and looked over her shoulder.

“Any part of that unclear?”

“The part where you keep rewarding good behavior.”

“I’m allowing you to buy eggs.”

“Positive reinforcement works.”

The SUV rolled past the inn’s white cottages and blue shutters. Palms leaned over the road, their fronds barely stirring in the thick morning air. Through the gaps between buildings, the Atlantic flashed silver beneath a cloudless sky.

Cassidy checked the side mirror, then the road behind us.

I leaned forward between the seats. “Did you sleep?”

“Yes.”