Page 81 of The Bodyguard

I know it’s not forever, but...

I can’t help wishing he could be. I’ve never felt so safe. Never felt so cherished. So thoroughly ravished.

But that’s not what this is for either of us, so I simply relax into his arms and relish every second.

“Why were you sad tonight?” he asks, his voice rough.

“When?” I ask

“At dinner.”

“Oh, it’s nothing.” I shake my head. I don’t want to return to reality. I want to stay in this sex haze, ignoring life.

Ryder grabs my face. “Tell me. I want to know. If you can tell...Savannah, I want you to talk to me.”

“Nick is my friend,” I say, frowning.

“I am your lover. And bodyguard,” he says. “And you need to tell your friend not to touch you. Next time, I will break his arm.”

I gasp. “Ryder.”

“I don’t share, Savannah. If I’m fucking you, no other man touches you.”

“Is that what this is?” I ask.

He lifts his brows and smirks as his fingers snake around my ass and then enter the tight, puckered hole.

I jump.

His mouth takes one of my nipples and sucks hard, but I can see his smirk.

“What does it feel like?” He removes his finger from my ass, wiping it on the towel beside us.

“Jesus, fine.” I half laugh. “Yes, we’re lovers. But—”

“Don’t ask questions that neither of us can answer. Tell me why you were upset.”

I lean against his chest and sigh.

I might have known Ryder for less than a week, but he is persistent and demanding. It’s better to just answer him than fight him.

“You heard my dad on the phone the other day.” I begin. “My entire family is...well, they’re not supportive.”

“Because they thought you’d be a starving artist forever.”

I nod.

“Which they were clearly wrong about. So what’s the problem?” Ryder asks, his fingers sliding through my hair and tucking it over my ear.

I love the way he touches me. Even the simple act feels divine. As does the muscular wall I’m lying against.

Every inch of him is cut, solid, and strong.

So strong I feel in a constant state of arousal.

I lift my face and meet his eyes. “I don’t know. Maybe I’m being unreasonable. I just hoped they would call to say congratulations today for my nomination.”

“That’s not unreasonable at all. They fucking should.” He cups my face and frowns. “Did they not say a word?”

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