Page 104 of The Bodyguard

Two BHS guards at the gates saw him come in and are expecting him to leave. When I’m home, he’s not required.

“Thank you,” I say, resting my face on his chest. “For last night. For today. I love Max.”

“He loves you,” Ryder's rough voice rumbles.

“Can I keep him?” I ask cheekily, lifting my face and smiling. I don’t mean it and he knows that, but I suppose I’m just trying to delay the moment he leaves.

God, maybe I like this man far more than I realize.

How can I not?

His deep blue eyes hold mine, and I can see how much he wants to stay. It’s not just physical anymore. The things we shared last night have changed everything.

Waking up, we immediately made love and spent the morning in a slow domestic lull. We showered. We ate breakfast. We sipped coffee while listening to the birds. We watched Max fail as he tried to catch them and laughed.

Then curled up and watched a movie together.

It was perfect.

Just like him.

“No. Then I don’t have him or you.” He taps my nose. “Get some sleep. I’ll see you in the morning.”

Ryder kisses me once more, then walks out the door. I remain standing in the lobby with my fingers on my lips for a long moment.

No, then I don’t have him or you.

He has no idea how much those words mean. Way more than they should.

Beep beep.

I pull out my phone.

Go to bed. Ry

Smiling, I pick up my bag and walk upstairs.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

RYDER

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Savannah doesn’t need me until midday as she’s not leaving the house, so I’m meeting with Josh and Aidan this morning to debrief them on her stalker situation, as promised.

“So no more notes?” Josh asks, his ankle resting on his knee.

He’s tanned as fuck from his honeymoon and looks happy. I’m happy for him but feeling a little triggered because my feelings for Savannah after seeing her in my bed with Max—the little kitty whore—are stronger than I anticipated.

I should have known. Nothing about Savannah Sinclair is ever simple.

I shouldn’t have taken her home. I shouldn’t have woke up with her in my arms. I shouldn’t have tucked her up against me on the sofa and imagined spending my weekends with her for...

Ever.

Because that doesn’t feel like it would be horrible. I could lie and say having her body on tap twenty-four seven is what I want, but that’s a lie.

I want her giggles.

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