Page 6 of About Last Night

“Thank you,” I said quietly, my gaze intent on his rugged face.

And just like that, the initial attraction was back. Maybe he wasn’t as domineering as I’d thought. He was precise in his work and intent on making sure all areas where my safety was concerned had no gaps. I couldn’t really fault him for that. I appreciated how seriously he took his job. His focus and determination were a turn-on, even though I knew without fail a guy like Wyatt would never mix business with pleasure. Truthfully, neither would I. I’d never found a previous bodyguard, personal trainer, or any male I worked closely with as attractive as I kept finding Wyatt.

I was going to have fantasies about that sharp jaw and what it might feel like beneath my lips. Or how his callused hands would feel running over the silky softness of my skin.

And that was going to be a problem.

He set down the tablet and then his brown eyes stared intently into my own. “Your safety is the most important thing here. We’ll try the meet and greets, but if at any point your safety is at risk, I’ll shut them down.”

“Understood. I appreciate your willingness to discuss it.”

The corner of his mouth tilted up in a smile, and my heart stuttered in my chest. If I thought this man was handsome before, it was nothing compared to what he looked like with the faintest hint of a grin. “Believe it or not, you’re not the most difficult client I’ve ever worked with. What you’re asking for is fair and you were right. I should’ve opened it up as a discussion instead of—how did you put it?—laying down the law.”

A smile split my face. “I appreciate that. I hope you’ll come to realize I’m not a diva.”

Damn it, he was even man enough to admit when he was wrong. His attractiveness just skyrocketed.

His subtle grin faded as a seriousness washed over his handsome face. “I already know you’re not.”

For some reason, his comment hit me harder than it should’ve, and the smile I wore slipped off my face. My throat got tight as my nose tingled with the potential of tears. It had been a long time since I’d felt seen for who I really was instead of just the pop star persona that was pushed in the press constantly. It had also been a long time since a man looked at me like a person instead of with dollar signs in his eyes.

This time the silence that passed between us wasn’t heavy like it had been before. It was electric, causing my skin to tingle and my stomach to tighten with all the things I shouldn’t want.

Like his lips on mine.

His hands on my body.

His gaze locked on my face, seeing into the depths of my soul while he thrust inside of me.

I broke our stare off first, afraid of what he might see in my gaze. He was too observant. It was already becoming painfully clear I couldn’t hide in plain sight with Wyatt like I could with everyone else.

My biggest concern now was how long it would take for him to see through the composed and professional businesswoman to the lonely and scared woman I hid underneath. I would rather he caught on to how attracted I was to him before he caught on to the truth of how close I was to breaking down.

DON’T GET DISTRACTED ON THE JOB

Wyatt

My focus should’ve been on the crowd in the front row, the people mingling or running around backstage, or the ones who walked in or out of the hallway that led from backstage to the dressing rooms.

It should’ve been on those things.

Instead, I kept getting distracted.

Brynn was captivating.

Pop music had never been my thing—I preferred a mix of country or old-school Eminem and Linkin Park, depending on my mood—but I could hardly look away from the stage, from where she performed. Her voice was unlike anyone I’d ever heard—a little raspy, but strong and steady when she hit her high notes. She could also belt out some notes that left no doubts she was a powerhouse of a singer.

Knowing she wrote most of her own songs also had me distracted. I kept wondering who they were about. Was it the ex that was all over the media supposedly brokenhearted about their breakup? I hoped they weren’t. He may be crying to the media, but Raf had already looked into him, and he was hooking up with several women on a pretty regular basis since the breakup. He only seemed sad when he knew the press was around. He wasn’t worth her time or heartache.

So who was she writing about?

I shouldn’t care, but it was becoming obvious I was doing a lot of things I shouldn’t be doing.

She belted out the last note of her song, and then her light laugh rang around the huge space through her microphone. Her smile was the widest I’d ever seen it as she waved to the cheering crowd before pointing to her dancers as they took a bow. Then she gestured to her band, and finally up to where I knew the technicians were for the lighting. With one last wave at the crowd, she ran offstage and straight toward me.

Well, not toward me—I just happened to be standing where I knew she’d come because I’d seen her follow this same routine for all seven shows she’d performed so far. As her bodyguard, I probably should’ve told her that routines were dangerous for her safety, but I also liked knowing exactly where she’d be at the end of every show.

An assistant was already rushing forward to hand her a water bottle that she took with a smile and a “thank you” before chugging it down. My eyes narrowed on the way her throat moved as she swallowed before moving up the long column of her neck to her face where her eyes were closed. I could practically see her shedding the performer persona she wore every night when she was on stage.