Page 59 of The Bodyguard

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God, I love New York.

There’s something about this place. The vibe, the buzz, the enormity. The fans are different somehow and so is the media.

They give us a little more space, but Manhattan is more compact that LA, so it still feels intense.

Ryder is amazing, keeping me in his personal space and guiding me to where I need to go. He’s this huge, gorgeous, muscular man who watches me with an intensity that’s mixed with desire.

Perhaps others notice, but then again, he’s not the only man looking at me that way.

What I do notice is that everyone else gets a very different Ryder than I do. He’s intimidating, threatening, and demands attention.

People move.

They stay back.

My lady bits clench as I observe his personal power and the way he protects me. It’s his job, I know, but after having his mouth between my legs, I find it a little hard to just see him as my bodyguard.

Despite him refusing to kiss me.

I still want him to. I’m just not going to ask him again. Then he held my hand on the jet while I was nervous, and my stupid little heart fluttered.

We check our bags at the hotel, and my team and I prepare for me to be on the Tonight Show.

I don’t know where Ryder is, but two of the Black Hawke Security team came with us, so they are stationed outside the door.

All I know is he’ll be back in an hour.

“What happened yesterday?” Briar asks as she leans her hip against the desk.

I’m nibbling on some carrots and celery.

Ryder warned me not to tell anyone about the stalker notes, because it could be someone I know. Which is incredibly uncomfortable, as it makes me distrust everyone.

So I stick to what I can tell her.

“Selena didn’t get the promo approved before putting me on the spot yesterday. I was furious. I overreacted.”

“You hid it well.” She shakes her head. “Man, that woman is nuts.”

Briar has been a great assistant for the past few years. She needs no guidance and just gets shit done. I really hope it’s not her.

I’m almost positive it’s not. I can’t see why she would. There’s no motive that I can see.

We had a private talk when I employed Gina, and I shared that I felt a responsibility to help my friend. She took her under her wing and taught her.

I was so grateful.

Now I’m not sure if the two of them get along. Enough to do their job, but I can’t help but feel Gina is a disruptor to my team.

I suppose I’m not dealing with it, because she’s the only person in my life who isn’t—outwardly—hating me for being successful.

Unlike my family.

“Actress, remember.” I smile and crunch on another carrot.

What I wouldn’t do for a plate of nachos right now, but when you are about to go on TV, the last thing you need is a few extra pounds for everyone to talk about for the next week.

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