Page 9 of The Bodyguard

It’s a weird mix of being adored by people who don’t know you, who think you’re the character you just played, and criticism. As if I’m someone important who is responsible for world peace.

I wanted to act.

But the expectation to look beautiful twenty-four seven, the entourage, and the lack of privacy are part of it.

My heels tap on the floor as I reach the foyer and head toward the front door. I punch in the code on the security panel and it unlocks.

I pull it open and blink as my eyes adjust to the Los Angeles sunshine...and to the man standing with his back to me and his arms crossed.

Surely not.

He turns and my eyes lock with his bright blue ones, just as they had on the weekend, and my mouth falls open.

It’s him.

“Ms. Sinclair,” he says, uncrossing his arms and slowly walking toward me.

Like a lion stalking his prey.

My heart pounds as I realize he knew. He knew all along. He knew I was his client, and he didn’t say anything.

This is a game for him.

My wide eyes narrow as he nears, but I’m so mad the pounding of my heart is deafening in my ears.

“Ryder St. James.” He reaches out his hand and one corner of his lips is lifted.

I was right. He finds this amusing.

My eyes dip to his hand, and damn him, I can’t help but notice the roped muscles on his thick powerful forearm or the sexy tattoos.

I quickly shake his hand, not wanting to show how affected I am.

Who am I kidding?

It’s his job to notice everything and the almost imperceptible smile on his lips tells me he is fully aware how attracted to him I am.

A man like him? He knows exactly what’s happening between my thighs.

Damn it.

“Please come in,” I say, releasing his hand and stepping aside.

Ryder drops his sunglasses. “No ma’am. The schedule says we’re due at your first interview in twenty minutes, so we need to get going.”

God, he looks hot in those shades, but hot or not, Ryder St. James is about to get a lesson in boundaries.

I am the boss here.

Not him.

His game playing days with me are over.

I lift a brow, turn, and walk back through the house to my living room.

And wait.

It takes him less than a minute to figure it out. I hear his boots before I see his solid thighs and wide shoulders appear.

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