Page 21 of A Bride for the Bodyguard

Marlie lets out a loud moan. “It feels so good,” she breathes out. Please, don’t stop.”

My voice is thick with desire. “I won’t, baby.”

And within moments, we’re both spiraling over the edge.

Marlie lets out a contented sigh as the last of her tremors fade. “I wish I could wake up like this every day,” she says as she snuggles closer to me. “I would love to spend all day with just the two of us.”

“What if we do?” I murmur against her lips, pulling back just enough to meet her gaze. “Spend the day together—just me and you.”

She blinks at me, surprise flickering in her eyes before it’s replaced with curiosity. “What would we do?”

“We could walk on the beach,” I suggest, drawing mindless patterns on her bare shoulder as I speak. “Grab breakfast at that little diner you love so much...maybe even take you shopping.”

The suggestion earns me another giggle, but it’s laced with delight this time. “I’d like that,” she admits softly.

And just like that, it hits me—a tidal wave of emotion so strong it steals my breath away. Love—that’s what this is. Pure, unadulterated love for this woman.

But I don’t tell her that.

Instead, I offer her a smile and say, “Great. Let me hop in the shower.”

Chapter Eight

MARLIE

I’m just about to put the coffee on when I hear a knock at the door.

I smooth down my shirt, toss my hair over one shoulder, and swing the door open to find a familiar face that mirrors my own—only blonde.

“Melanie!” I squeal her name like we’re teenagers again, not grown women who’ve carved out separate lives in different states.

“Marlie!” she squeals back, her arms flying open wide.

The space between us disappears instantly as we crash into each other, our embrace a mix of giggles and the kind of tight hug that could squeeze the sadness out of even the gloomiest day.

“Look at you,” Melanie pulls back just enough to give me the once-over, “all sophisticated and married.” Her eyes twinkle with mischief, and I can’t help but laugh because it’s just so Melanie to think that marriage is sophisticated.

I laugh. “I’m hardly sophisticated.”

“Could’ve fooled me,” Melanie teases, nudging me with her elbow. “Marrying a man you barely know, moving into his fancy hotel penthouse. Have you told him that I’m your favorite twin sister?”

“Favorite by default,” I quip, leaning against the doorframe. “And for your information, Jack is?—”

“Your knight in shining armor? Your hero?” Melanie interrupts with an exaggerated swoon, batting her eyelashes.

“Something like that,” I admit, feeling a warmth spread through me at the mention of his name. But I don’t let her see that. Instead, I playfully push her shoulder. “Now come on in. You’ve had enough time making fun of me out here.”

“Never enough time for that,” she says with a smirk, stepping past me into the house. But there’s love in her voice, mixed in with the teasing, and it makes this crazy situation feel just a little bit more like home.

I steer Melanie through the hallway, my heart doing that funny fluttery thing it does whenever I’m about to introduce Jack. “Prepare yourself,” I warn her with a nudge. “He’s even more handsome in person.”

“Is that even possible?” Melanie quips. But I catch the curiosity flickering in her eyes.

When we walk into the kitchen, Jack is standing next to the coffee pot, his hair still damp from the shower. “Jack, this is my sister, Melanie,” I tell him as he turns toward us.

Jack’s smile is all warmth as he strides over, offering a hand that’s confident without being overpowering. “It’s a real pleasure to finally meet you.”

“Likewise,” she replies, her voice taking on that softer note she uses when she’s genuinely pleased. “Marlie hasn’t stopped talking about you.”

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