Page 36 of Protecting Hailey

“Sounds good.”

I pumped my arms in the air and shook my hips like a belly dancer. Sam laughed. “I love that energy, Hailey.”

“Me, too. I feel good today.”

“You should do something. Get out and let loose.”

Christian cleared his throat behind us, and I smiled. “That is, if the big, bad bodyguard will let you have fun,” she said and winked at said bodyguard.

His lips twitched, and he turned away. We both started laughing. “Thanks again, Sam. I’ll talk to you on Monday.”

She leaned in, kissed both of my cheeks and waved her fingers before leaving with Ingrid in her brand new, black sports car.

The sun was shining, birds sang in the background, and I was feeling better. “I should go dancing,” I announced.

Christian stiffened but otherwise made no other attempt to stop me. “With whom?” he asked.

I shrugged. “I don’t know. I haven’t spoken to any of my friends in such a long time.” Admittedly, I had buried myself in my career, and other than Sunday lunches once a month with my family, I rarely saw anyone outside of the business.

“What about Victor?”

“My dance instructor?”

“I mean, I’ve already done a background check on him.”

I bent over, laughing. He said it so seriously, as though I would base my social life on one of his checklists. That was so absurd. “Really? And what if I want to pick up a total stranger at the club and take him home with me?” I teased.

He shook his head without breaking eye contact. “You wouldn’t do that.”

I stopped smiling. Suddenly, it felt as though an electrical current pulsed in the air. As though something was pulling me toward him. “How do you know I wouldn’t?” my voice deepened, and I placed my hands on my hips. “There’s a lot about me you don’t know, Christian.”

He swallowed, but kept his eyes glued to mine. “Like what?”

I smiled. “Dancing is an aphrodisiac to me. I feel free and light and just want to do something crazy every time I dance.”

He stretched his hand, opening and closing it as though he were about to reach out for something with it. “I can’t have you bringing someone home. Not now.” He ran a hand through his hair. “It’s too dangerous.”

Christian’s face grew bright, red streaks blushed from his neck.

I snorted. “You look like you’re going to pass out. I’m only teasing you, Christian. Besides,” I checked my phone. “I have no idea where I stand with Trey. I’m so fucking confused about that right now. I should call him.”

“He’s the one that owes you an explanation.”

“Right?!” I agreed, annoyed with Trey all over again. It was dampening my mood. “Forget it. I’ll let him cool off and call him in the morning. In the meantime,” I smirked at Christian. “I’ll call Victor.” He was the best dancer I knew, anyway.

Christian closed his eyes, and his face relaxed.

Too bad because I liked teasing him very much.

11

Hailey

God bless, Victor. He immediately texted me back that he was in. He suggested a new club that opened two weeks ago. It was the biggest celebrity hotspot at the moment and since I hadn’t checked it out yet, I wholeheartedly agreed.

I smoothed down the wrinkles in my tight-fitted black dress and pushed up my boobs. Turning to my right and then my left, I checked my profile in the tall mirror. Not bad.

Lifting my hair off my shoulders, I pushed the curls forward and pouted my lips.

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