When her body shook with tremors, he came up to suckle at her exposed breast. She reached for his belt, tugging it open. “Your turn.”
He kissed her neck. “This is my turn.”
Rolling a condom onto his length, he slid into her heat with a satisfying thrust. Joining together with her was like coming home. He felt calm, even with the chaos surrounding his life.
She wrapped her legs around his hips, pulling him close. Her nails raked down his back and he wished he’d taken the time to get them both naked. Too late now. He was in too deep and had no intention of stopping until they were both satisfied.
“Hold on,” she said, reaching down near his hip. A moment later, her gun and holster lay on the bench seat next to them. “It was digging into my leg.”
“We can’t have that.”
“I’m a terrible bodyguard tonight. First a wardrobe malfunction and now I’m screwing the guy I’m supposed to be protecting in the back of a limo. Talk about distracted while on the job.”
“Sounds like a pretty awesome night to me.”
“You would think so.”
He arched an eyebrow. “If you don’t think so too, then I’m definitely doing something wrong.” Moving away from her, he grabbed her leg and pulled it around in front of his chest, forcing her to roll over in the seat so she was on her stomach.
“What are you doing?” she said, her voice raspy with desire even as she fought giving up control.
“Making sure you have a fantastic night too.” He positioned her in front of him. “Hands on the back of the seat.”
She hesitated so he placed her hands on the seat where he wanted them, then trailed his hands down her spine to the curve of her hips. Once she was bracing herself, he plunged into her heat again, tossing his head back and groaning out loud with deep pleasure.
“Now you can watch out the window and make sure we’re not being followed.” He found a steady rhythm, using the movement of the car to his advantage. “See, still on duty and getting it on. Not bad for a night’s work.”
“I’ve had worse.”
“I damn well hope so.”
She giggled, but it quickly turned into a moan. “That came out wrong.”
“No worries, sugar. I know you like it.” He pulled her hips back against his as he thrust into her, making their connection as deep as possible.
Their voices quieted and the only noise in the limo was their heavy breathing. Their bodies moved together quicker, harder.
When they were both satiated, they fixed their clothes and Lacey wrapped his jacket back around her shoulders, looking ready to fall asleep.
She yawned. “You probably shouldn’t throw away money on another designer gown for me. Sorry this one is destroyed.”
“If every night ended like this, I’d buy you an entire designer wardrobe in a heartbeat.”
Lacey woke still feeling achy from the long night standing in heels and then on her knees in the back of the limo a few evenings before. She hadn’t recovered from that night with Rex.
Regardless of knowing that being with Rex wasn’t a good idea for either of them, her draw to him was unstoppable. After Vegas, she’d vowed not to be with him again, yet in the limo, she hadn’t wanted to say no. She’d ignored her better judgment—while still on the job, no less—and given in to the primal urge burning inside of her.
And it had been as amazing as she’d expected. But it had also left her walking through a fog of confusion and indecision ever since. She needed to clear her mind, fast, and get back to doing her job.
Throwing on a pair of yoga pants and a sweater, she padded to the kitchen to grab a large coffee and a bagel, then retrieved the mail that had been waiting a week for her to evaluate it. She sighed and cursed herself for letting it pile up so high. Normally she looked through it daily for anything suspicious. Instead she’d spent more time researching people and places at events and press-related activities.
Settling onto the couch in the living room, she took a bite of her bagel while she separated the mail. Mail that was obviously safe went into a pile for Rex or Gabe to deal with. Mail that was questionable for any reason went into her pile to be examined. Magazines, flyers and any other random mail went into a third pile that may or may not ever be looked at.
A lump of bagel stuck in her throat as the photo on the front cover of Sensational Celebrities caught her eye. She coughed, trying to dislodge the food while simultaneously trying not to throw up.
Her boob.
Was on.
The cover.
Of a magazine.
Thank God Rex’s hand was covering most of it, or she would’ve been flashing nipple. She wasn’t technically showing any skin she shouldn’t be, but at first glance, the image in the photo was completely out of context. She looked like a college girl living it up during Spring Break, not a professional woman suffering from a wardrobe malfunction.
The headline didn’t help either—“Rex Randall out to Play with Assistant! Full story on page 45!”
Goddamn, that was horrific.
Against her better judgment, she flipped to their story. Two pages were filled with pictures of Rex and her together at the party—both pre and post boob exposure. The photos were bad, but the so-called story was even worse. According to the magazine, she was more than Rex’s assistant—she was his plaything too, while he got over Roxanna. There was some speculation on why Rex wasn’t with a better-suited date, but otherwise the article was only moderately insulting.
At least they hadn’t figured out who she really was. Her non-specific background, created for her line of work, had done its job of making her virtually invisible as anyone worth worrying about. Being the assistant and play toy was better than being the bodyguard posing as the assistant. Well, it was better for Rex. Not so much for her.
She moved the magazine onto the pile of junk mail only to find another with her face on the cover beneath it. It didn’t matter. She knew the truth. Hopefully, no one who knew her outside of work would see it, and those within her work circle would know she was undercover and not care. Every bodyguard had moments they weren’t proud of while undercover. The only difference was they usually didn’t have to share them with the world.
“Everything okay?” Rex asked, walking into the living room.
“Great. I’ve always wanted to be arm-candy for a mega-celebrity.”
He picked up the magazines and skimmed them quickly. “Ah, shit. I’m sorry, Lacey. I really didn’t think they’d snagged a picture.”
She shrugged. “I’m over it already.”
“Are you sure? I’m used to this stuff and this still bothers me.”
“All in a day’s work.”
She forced herself back to sorting the mail and handed him the stack she’d already set aside. Near the bottom of the pile she found a small white envelope with a typed address label, similar to the previous threatening letters.
Crap. How long had this been in the pile? A week?
Grabbing one end with a napkin, she used her knife to slit open the envelope then carefully dumped out the contents—a poker chip from the casino they’d stayed at in Vegas, a movie stub from the theater where the premiere was being held, and a note that read, “Celebrities bleed red too.”
“Oh no,” she whispered.
“What? Another picture?” Rex asked.
“A letter. It’s a direct threat this time, Rex.” Staring at the poker chip, she racked her brain for anyone who’d looked out of place in the casino or anyone she recognized from anywhere else. She’d noticed a familiar face or two at the press event, but Rex had passed that off as normal. What if it wasn’t normal? What if that was the person they’d been watching out for and she’d let them get away to threaten Rex again?
Maybe if she hadn’t been so distracted in Vegas, she would’ve paid more attention to their surroundings and figured this out before another letter was sent. Maybe if she would’ve done her job the way she was supposed to instead of getti
ng into bed with her boss, this new letter wouldn’t even exist.
Disgust rose in her throat like bile. She needed to get a grip. This behavior between them was unacceptable, as was her lack of professionalism on the job.
“It could be worse,” Rex said, breaking into her thoughts. “It’s not like they sent me an animal head.”
“Good thing. That would be a whole other level of crazy. But this shouldn’t be ignored. This person made a direct threat about making you bleed.”
“There’s nothing I can do about the movie now, not that I would anyway. Whoever this is will get over it.”
“Before or after they hurt you?” she asked, annoyed at his lack of concern.
“No one will actually hurt me. I’ve got you, and there are cameras everywhere.”
“You need to start taking this seriously.”
“The event has security. I’ll be totally safe, especially with you as my date.”
“You can’t be serious.”
“You have to be there anyway as my personal security detail, so why not go as my date too? The press will expect it after our last event.”
“I don’t care! One round of humiliation is plenty for me, thanks. Besides, I need to focus on my real job that night, not my pretend one.”
“If you’re worried about another dress incident, don’t be. Actresses have all kinds of tricks. We’ll make sure you’re fully taped in. Or you could wear a less revealing style, though that might disappoint your new fans, myself included.”
“I’m not taping myself into a dress. The only thing I’d ever consider taping to my body is a gun if I couldn’t find my holster.”
“What would you have me do?”
“I don’t know. Go to the premiere on your own. Or take Gabe.”
“People in my position don’t attend events alone. I’m certainly not taking my male manager as my date.”
“But your assistant is fair game?”
“Are you suggesting I take someone else?”
Did she want him to? No, but what choice did she have? If he insisted on still attending the premiere, she couldn’t be his date and his bodyguard at the same time. Not after receiving another threat. Not after the mistakes she made in Vegas.
So why was it hard to say the words? She took a deep breath, knowing she had no choice. His safety was more important that anything she felt for him. “You need another date.”
“What if I only want you?” He tried one of his award-winning smiles on her, but she looked at the poker chip lying on the table. “You know I always get what I want.”
“I’m not a possession you can snap your fingers and own. I’m your bodyguard and I’m here to do a job. I can’t do that job if I’m on your arm like a trophy girlfriend you want to parade around to entice the paparazzi into another cover story.”
“You think that’s what I want?” he asked, his voice hard and angry. “What the hell was Vegas then? I don’t recall showing you off to any cameras.”
“Vegas was a mistake.” The words burned in her chest and she bit the inside of her cheek to stop from saying more, to stop from feeling more than she already did.
“A mistake?”
Why the hell did this suck so bad when she knew it was true?
“Yes. If I’d been on my game, I would’ve seen the person who sent this note. I’d be at least one step closer to finding out who is behind all of this. But I’m not. I never should’ve let my guard down.”
“You make it sound like this is life or death.”
“It could be! Don’t you get that?”
“I’m asking you to walk the red carpet, not take a fucking bullet for me.” He stood and paced the floor in front of the sitting area. “I’m not some frail dignitary you’re used to protecting. I’m not even worried about this shit.”
She stood from the couch and stepped onto the coffee table, making herself closer to his height. She grabbed him by the shoulders, forcing him to face her directly. “Taking a bullet for you is my job! That’s why I’m here. When will you get that through your thick, egotistical skull?”
“Never! You’re supposed to act like my assistant, so assist me in the way I’m telling you to.”
This time his demand didn’t make her want to fall into his bed. It made her blood pressure rise along with her anger. “Not a chance in hell. I won’t risk my career because you want me to be your arm-candy.”
He clenched his jaw and narrowed his eyes. His shoulders rose and fell with his quick breaths. Her chest did the same as her heart pounded against her ribs. Seeing him angry, and feeling the same way, she’d never found him so damn hot and tempting.
But she’d fight those feelings into submission to keep him safe. He might not understand the severity of the threatening letter, but she did. She’d never forgive herself if something happened to him because she couldn’t control her feelings. If she had to sacrifice her happiness, then so be it.
Someone in this pair had to think with their head and not their heart.
“I want you with me because I actually like to spend time with you. When will you get that through your thick skull?”
“Never because I can’t be with you and protect you at the same time. I’m sorry, Rex. Whatever there was between us in Vegas—”
“And in the limo,” he said, interrupting her.
“Whatever there was between us,” she said again, ignoring him, “there isn’t anymore. You do your job at the premiere and let me do mine. A working relationship is all there can be between us.”
Without waiting for him to say anything else, she hopped off the table and strode to her room, securing the door behind her. She was more than a little afraid that he was one sentence away from changing her mind about the whole thing. One look away from her making a decision that could hurt them both, physically and emotionally. She couldn’t let that happen.
She leaned her head back against the door and closed her eyes as a tear trickled down her cheek. She was used to being in tough situations, but this one with Rex was proving to be more than she could handle.
Hearing that he wanted to be with her—not in a sexual way, but because he liked spending time with her—was sweet and wonderful, and made all of her not-so-tough girly parts come alive with hope, desire, and longing for a normal future with him.
Unfortunately, she didn’t see any way that future could come to fruition. They were from two different worlds. He didn’t seem to understand the seriousness of hers and she didn’t fit into his.
15
Rex’s hand was slung low on Roxanna’s waist as they smiled and posed for the paparazzi along the edge of the red carpet. Off to the side, Lacey stood with her usual clipboard and stoic expression, watching him and the crowd equally. She played the part of the assistant perfectly, constantly keeping things moving and making sure they stayed on time. She was doing her job as secret bodyguard perfectly too. As far as anyone else could tell, all looked normal.
Except that it was Roxanna on his arm instead of Lacey. The photographers asked why she wasn’t his date this time. He’d done the best he could to discourage discussions about Lacey and her wardrobe malfunction, but still the questions kept reappearing.
“Rex, you have an interview with,” Lacey paused for a moment, “Sensational Celebrities. No more than five minutes and then we’ll head inside.”
“One of my favorites,” Roxanna said.
“I’m sure it is,” Lacey whispered.
Rex spoke around Roxanna to address Lacey directly. “It was already booked, and I couldn’t cancel out of it.”
“Oh right, this is one that ran you two on the cover. How fun for me.” Roxanna’s smile never faltered even though her words clearly weren’t happy.
“Rex, it’s nice to see you back where you belong, with Roxanna,” said the reporter.
“Yes, and I don’t plan on leaving his side again.” Roxanna entwined her arm around Rex’s.
“What happened with your assistant?”
Rex shrugged and smiled. “Nothing. She’s here with me tonight as usual.”
“But not as your date?”
“No. And last week she wasn’t my date either. We have a strictly professional relationship.”
“Care to explain the pictures then?” the reporter asked.
“Absolutely. My assistant suffered a slight mishap with her dress thanks to me stepping on the hem and I was simply trying to shield her from the cameras.”
“Nothing happened after that mishap?” The question was asked with a tone of speculation.
Rex glanced to Lacey. Her rejection of wanting to be his date tonight still stung, especially as he was forced to remember the limo ride home. “Nothing of importance.” It was a complete lie, but he wasn’t about to admit that, to the reporter, or to Lacey.
“We’re finished here, Rex,” Lacey said.
Was she only referring to the interview?
As they walked toward the entrance to the theater, another voice in the crowd called out for a few final pictures. Not wanting to miss out on any press, Rex stopped and turned.
“Photo ops are over,” Lacey said loud enough for the photographers to hear.
“One more won’t hurt,” he said, ignoring her.
Lacey scanned the crowd. It looked as benign as the rest had, but she still didn’t like that Rex had decided to stop again for more pictures right before heading inside. Photographers called out for him and Roxanna to look their way. Every time a new voice yelled, she attempted to pinpoint where it came from, identify the person, and determine if they were a threat or not. She’d done as much research as she could about the venue for the movie screening, but she couldn’t do much about the onlookers who decided to show up.
“This way, Rex. Over here!”
Every face in the crowd started to look familiar. Similar people showed up at every event trying to get the story and every face seemed the same when it was tucked behind a camera. All she could do was watch for distinguishing features she’d taken note of before.
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