Yet Marlene shuddered when an eerie feeling came over her, as if someone’s eyes were on her. She tried to brush it off. This was not the same situation, as the event was indoors, with the number of security likely rivaling the number of guests. No attacker could get to her, and besides, she was just freaking out with no cause.
Garrett leaned toward her. “Are you okay?”
Marlene nodded. “Of course. I’m fine. I was distracted for a moment, that’s all.” She was glad that Garrett was beside her, as it gave her more confidence. Often the bodyguard was expected to stand and observe. Yet in a close setting like this one, that would seem odd.
It was better to stay seated and out of the way of the waiters. Marlene had noticed the security guards above on the balconies. Not a soul could enter the room without one of them seeing. It was like being in battle, always watching for the enemy, preparing to defend.
War was on her mind too much. It was a result of filming the movie. After living and breathing war scenes, day after day, the shadows of that desperation clung to her long after she’d left the set. Marlene sipped her wine and engaged in polite conversation. It was okay for her to relax now that the event was winding down.
Out of the corner of her eye, Marlene saw Garrett watching the room. He did so discreetly, but she knew him. The way he held his body, and how he looked onto the proceedings, affirmed that he remained alert. Social event or not, he was on duty, and she knew that he didn’t take his role lightly.
The meals were served and the food was delicious, although Marlene wasn’t very hungry. It was probably the stress of organizing the function. Her nerves were a bit frazzled, but she was pleased with the results of the evening.
Garrett didn’t settle into eating his dinner either. Marlene saw him take bites without taking his eyes off the crowd. It would have seemed like a date, except for the fact that neither of them was really enjoying the occasion.
Yet to anyone who looked at them, Garrett appeared to be Marlene’s escort. He’d dressed the part, and the suit looked pretty damn good. She decided that he should wear them more often, even though she knew he wouldn’t agree. When conversation lagged, she was acutely aware of him beside her.
Garrett’s suit pants fit in a way that showed off his muscular thighs, and the tailored jacket fit snugly across his shoulders and biceps. Marlene hadn’t seen an Armani suit look quite so sexy before. She wanted to put her hand on his thigh, and imagined the hard muscle beneath his pants. But she didn’t do so, despite the urge.
Others might guess that Garrett was her man of the moment, but she had no right to make that appear true. All anyone witnessed were two people sitting together for a formal meal. No one had any inkling of what went through her mind—except maybe Garrett.
A couple of times when he looked over at Marlene, she wondered if he knew. Feeling momentarily caught with sexy thoughts, her cheeks warmed. Garrett had agreed to go back to the way things had been between them, and not make a big deal of their one intimate moment. Yet Marlene couldn’t forget his hot kiss, and she wanted more.
By the time dessert was served, the noise level had died down, and Marlene heard the music playing through the speakers. Maybe she’d host a dance as a fundraiser. That would be fun, plus more entertaining for all. She’d ask Alan about it.
At the end of the evening, guests began to filter out, some of them coming over to say goodbye to Marlene. But her responsibilities weren’t over yet. The paparazzi waited in the lobby for photographs of her as she exited. They were welcome in the hotel, and their coverage would result in good press for the fundraiser.
In the enormous marble lobby, at the foot of a sweeping staircase, Marlene took her position to address the media. Garrett stood beside her, unwilling to leave her in the hands of the mob. And she spotted Raymond and his team tending to crowd control.
Cameras flashed, nearly blinding Marlene, but she made no objection. Calmly, she answered the questions called out to her, and kept a smile on her face. She could feel Garrett tense beside her, and hoped nothing was amiss. He was probably just uncomfortable in the face of so many cameras.
After an acceptable period, Raymond began ushering the press away, and Garrett escorted Marlene to the limo with the aid of one of his team. Once inside, the doors locked and the limo pulled away. She breathed a sigh of relief. “That went well, don’t you think?”
Garrett looked over at her in the dim lighting of the back seat, but didn’t comment.
“I know you’re going to say that I’d be safer at home, that I shouldn’t take chances by being in crowds.” Marlene waited for him to agree.
“I didn’t say that.” Garrett leaned against the seat and let out a breath. “You were great out there. It takes courage to be in the public eye like you are.”
That surprised her.
“I mean it,” Garrett said. “It’s not something I’d want to do, but you handle yourself well. I’m not sure I could put up with a gaggle of photographers flashing bulbs in my eyes and firing inane questions at me.”
Marlene laughed. “It comes with the territory.”
All the excitement should have exhausted her, but instead Marlene felt energized. On the way home, she was quiet. It was nice just to be next to Garrett, to feel his masculine presence. She didn’t need to talk, and he made no effort to.
Once safely at home and inside, Marlene scrolled through her phone. Standing in the foyer under the bright light, she kicked off her high heels and checked for messages. Then she smiled; she couldn’t help it. Already, the photos had hit social media, and there were several shots of her with Garrett.
He wasn’t going to like that. There was speculation on the nature of their relationship. No one would know that Garrett was merely her bodyguard, especially with him standing beside her in the designer suit. He did look impossibly handsome, and the pictures made her tingle with desire. Her fans would be drooling over him.
The comments had a predictable pattern to them. Who is Marlene’s new heartthrob? Will he star in her next movie? How long has she been seeing him, and is it serious? She was used to such intrusions on her privacy, but Garrett wasn’t.
“What are you looking at?”
Marlene handed the phone to him, and Garrett thumbed through a few of the posts. His jaw tensed, and he frowned. “This isn’t good.”
Marlene gave him a wide-eyed expression. “Why…do you have a girlfriend that I don’t know about?”
“If only that’s all it was,” Garrett said. “I’d have told you if I had a girlfriend.”
That was an admission of sorts. If they had no relationship, Garrett wouldn’t feel the need to tell her about his girlfriend situation, whatever it was.
“I’ve spent a good chunk of my life hiding in the shadows. I don’t need my face plastered all over.” Garrett handed back the phone. “At least they don’t have a name to go with it.”
“They’ll get it.” Marlene knew how doggedly the press pursued the tiniest tidbit of gossip. “But don’t let it worry you. My press agent will kill the rumors quickly.”
“It’s not rumors that…” Garrett sighed. “Forget about it.” He paused. “I should leave you, so you can get some rest.”
“No…please…don’t go just yet.” Marlene smiled. “I’m wide awake.” She motioned to him. “We can look at the view. It’s one of the reasons I chose this house.”
Garrett followed her to a comfortably furnished room, with glass doors out to the terrace. “I guess we can stay inside, since it’s so chilly. But isn’t it lovely?” Marlene settled into a soft chair and pulled her feet underneath her.
Garrett sat in the chair next to hers and gazed out to the horizon. The sky was an inky blue, but not fully dark. City lights sparkled brightly, and stretched wide across the vista before her. Marlene sensed the nighttime activity below; the city didn’t seem to sleep. No matter the time of day, she looked out onto a sea of lights.
Without consciously making an effort, barriers that h
ad kept them apart seemed to crumble as the days went by. Marlene supposed that was bound to happen, since they spent so much time together.
She was glad about it. Garrett had become a part of her life, and she didn’t want to envision him leaving. It would happen. She knew that, but she didn’t want to think about it. He was with her now, and it felt so right.
Marlene lightly fingered the arm of the chair, and Garrett’s eyes followed her movements. She wanted him to reach out, to take her hand. Yet she knew he wouldn’t. The electricity between them was palpable, and she closed her eyes for a moment.
When she opened them, Garrett was looking at her. He still wore the jacket, and she barely resisted the urge to remove it, followed by the shirt. Her fingers twitched as she thought of touching his warm skin under the clothing. How amazing he would feel.
Garrett’s blue eyes pierced into her. He had a gruff edge to him that turned her on more. His silky hair had been trimmed, but was still stylishly long, and Marlene craved running her hands through it. Then she realized that Garrett had to be feeling the desire too, the passion that flamed between them.
When Garrett looked at her with a lust-filled expression, Marlene felt weak. She wanted him so badly. She’d settle for one more kiss. Even just that. She eased out of the chair and knelt before him. With her hands on his knees, she looked up at him.
Garrett was strong, silent. Marlene knew he wouldn’t make the first move. He’d already made it clear that he couldn’t cross the line. Yet that didn’t seem to matter. She moved her palms along his thighs and felt him shudder. Her gaze drifted to the bulge between his legs, and seeing his arousal sent heat searing through her belly.
Marlene slipped her palms inside his jacket and flattened them against his shirt. He still wore the vest underneath, and she would have loved to peel it off, so she could kiss his bare chest. Then Garrett cupped her cheek, and their gazes locked.
When he leaned closer, Marlene held her breath. She could feel his heat, smell his musky cologne. Given any shred of encouragement, she would have ripped his clothes off. His mouth was a fraction from hers, and she looked deep into his eyes.
Then Marlene touched her lips to his, and her pulse raced. Her mind blanked. If there was any reason they shouldn’t be together, she didn’t know what it was. Kissing, first sweetly then deeper, Marlene unraveled. When Garrett pulled back, she whispered, “I know…don’t say it.”
Marlene braced herself for rejection, but instead, Garrett dug his hand in her hair roughly. He covered her mouth with his, ravenous for her, making her moan with desire. He wasn’t gentle about it. She’d started it, and Garrett didn’t seem inclined to end it.
With consuming passion, Garrett kissed her long and hard. And when one kiss ended, another began. Marlene wrapped her arms around his neck and drank in his sexy kisses. She wanted so much more, and didn’t know how it could possibly end between them. She couldn’t get enough of his taste, of his feel. And it seemed he felt the same about her.
Neither made a move to the bedroom, but instead kissed until they were both breathless. Marlene wanted him as she hadn’t wanted any man before him. He was singular in his sexuality, in the way he possessed her, pressing hard against her lips.
Kissing was more than she’d had with any man before. Marlene felt close to Garrett, as if they merged into one. He didn’t admonish her, just kissed her endlessly as if he might not stop. And she didn’t want him too. The touch of his lips was what she craved, and as long as he’d give her delicious kisses, she’d be deliriously happy.
Chapter 13
Garrett couldn’t forget those kisses. That night he’d nearly given in. Marlene had been a temptress, and his earlier resolve had melted at the feel of her hot lips. He wanted her badly, and his self-control had weakened. He’d fallen for her, but that was an admission he couldn’t make.
He’d kept kissing, drinking in her sweetness, unwilling to take it further—despite his physical reaction. Even in the heat of passion, he couldn’t put aside reality. He’d only hurt her later, when she learned the truth. Marlene wanted him, but that was because she didn’t really know him.
Yet the kisses lured Garrett, and he wished circumstances were different. Marlene must have felt it too, or she had reasons of her own for slowing things down. The heat of her lips hadn’t cooled, but she’d pulled back and looked into his eyes.
His heart had fallen. It wasn’t to be. It couldn’t be. But Marlene hadn’t left him. She’d sat on his lap and rested her head on his shoulder, with her arms around his neck. And there they’d sat, peacefully looking out into the darkness for hours. It had been so special, an intimacy that Garrett wouldn’t soon forget.
Marlene had been as hot for him as he had been for her. But she hadn’t pressed, and he was grateful for that—even though releasing her from his embrace had nearly killed him. Garrett had felt an unfamiliar emotion.
In the past, not having a long-term relationship hadn’t stopped him from enjoying a woman’s company. Garrett had been used to taking, to controlling the situation. With Marlene, he was out of his depth. Just holding her in his arms and spending quiet moments together was more satisfying than he could have imagined.
It was new for him, and he didn’t know quite how to deal with it. What concerned Garrett was where it would lead. There was no future for them. And he couldn’t see a way around that. He couldn’t change who he was, and soon enough she’d know his secrets.
When Garrett thought of what her reaction would be, his gut twisted. He’d lose the woman who meant the most to him. But then, he hadn’t really had her anyway. Marlene wasn’t his, so it would be best not to take liberties with her. She wasn’t like any other woman, and much to his surprise, Garrett realized he couldn’t sleep with her purely for carnal pleasure. It had to mean more. She meant more.
Later in the evening, Marlene had fallen asleep in his arms. Garrett would have sat in the chair all night, just to hold her, to feel her breathing against his chest. But then she’d stirred and lifted her eyes to meet his. His heart had skipped a beat, and it had taken all his will not to resume kissing her senseless.
Marlene had quietly slipped off his lap then touched her fingertips to his cheek. Garrett had grabbed her wrist and pressed his lips to her palm. She hesitated, then without a word, she’d gone off to bed…alone.
*****
The following week, Marlene’s cast and crew went on location. Scenes of the movie about the First World War had been filmed at several locations, even before Garrett had met Marlene. Recently, the indoor scenes had been filmed on the studio lot. But a couple of key scenes required a more military setting.
The production didn’t have to go far to find the environment they needed. Southern California was home to the entertainment industry for a reason. And it wasn’t only because of the sunny climate. There were many diverse locations for filming. Fort MacArthur Museum offered what the producers of Marlene’s film were looking for.
The Army installation was south of Hollywood, but not unreasonably far. The location included spectacular ocean views and historic military structures. Garrett learned that it was a great place to shoot war scenes, as it had everything from underground bunkers to grassy fields.
Since the location was beyond the boundaries of Marlene’s regular routine, Garrett arranged for his friend Wyatt to work security with him. After dealing with protection concerns, they checked out the museum. The place wasn’t limited to being typecast as a military facility. They scouted around, and learned that the location had been the setting for such things as a baseball field, a Caribbean island, and even a high-security prison.
But for war films, it was ideal. The military vehicle collection was extensive, and the facility provided genuine period uniforms, non-firing weapons, tents, and other props. Garrett and Wyatt took the opportunity to examine the mobile antiaircraft gun that was going to be used in one of the scenes.
As their first order of business, Garrett and Wyatt had scope
d out security. The production company had brought their own security crew, experts in safety at the studio and on location. So during the shooting, the crew would be well protected. And Marlene’s risk was further reduced by having Garrett and his teammate nearby.
While Marlene acted in her scenes, Garrett kept a sharp eye on the situation. When the cameras were rolling, he watched while chatting with Wyatt. They’d been on numerous missions together as SEALs, and Garrett trusted him. It was no place to talk about their experiences, but it was good to have a buddy around.
A long day of filming made traveling to Beverly Hills each night unfeasible. For the convenience of the cast and crew, the production company had secured rooms at the Crowne Plaza. At the end of the day, Marlene rode to the hotel in an armored car, with Wyatt in the front beside the driver, and Garrett next to her in the back seat.
Marlene seemed to hold up to the rigorous schedule fairly well. Extended hours of filming weren’t new to her, and she didn’t complain. Garrett wished he could have put his arm around her and let her rest against his shoulder. But that was pure fantasy.
Filming on location hadn’t been kept secret, so word had gotten out. The first night when they pulled up to the hotel, a small group of fans and photographers greeted them. Garrett had no choice but to hustle Marlene inside, shielding her with his body as best he could. Wyatt walked on the other side of her, using his body as an additional barrier.
Cameras flashed in a rapid-fire sequence. Garrett kept his head down, with a hand blocking his face to avoid being photographed. Once they were inside the elevator and the door closed, they were free from the onslaught. Marlene looked over and gave Garrett a tiny smile.
“What?”
“I saw you hiding your face,” Marlene said. “Camera shy?”
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