Page 79 of Protecting Hailey

When I offered no further complaint, I figured he had left to shower in the other bathroom and I turned on the water.

Admittedly, I was a little disappointed he didn’t break down the door, but I slipped into the shower alone and let the water fall all over my sensitive body.

I hummed a new melody while I lathered and rinsed my hair. This one was fast and had a dance beat to it. I tapped my fingers against my scalp to remember the rhythm. As soon as I dried off, I recorded the melody on my phone.

Checking the time, I sprinted to the foyer. Christian waited for me at the front entrance with the door open, wearing a charcoal suit and black sunglasses. His brown hair had grown longer in the last few months and it was still a little damp from his shower.

My body tingled at the memory from earlier that morning, and I hummed the song again from the top, smiling the whole way to Kendra’s studio.

Christian held my hand as he eased through traffic. He didn’t rush, but we still got there in plenty of time. It was one of the perks of having an organized boyfriend and bodyguard.

He spoke to the security guard at the front of the studio and I breezed right through the glass doors. Once inside, I spotted Sam sitting on one of the red couches in the pink foyer.

Looking around, I whistled softly. “This place is very chic.”

“Right?” She pulled me in for a hug. “How are you?”

“I’m great, Sam. Really great.”

She pulled away to take a good look at me and nodded her head. “You look great. Are you using different skin care products? You’re glowing, babe.”

I hugged Sam. “I’m just really happy,” I whispered in her ear, and she squeezed me back.

Then, looking over at Christian, she added, “You know, my social media has been growing lately. Some may say I’m sort of a celebrity. Maybe I should get myself a bodyguard.”

We giggled, and Christian narrowed his eyes.

“Hailey, hi. I’m Lisa. Kendra’s manager.” A beautiful tall woman with medium-length tight curls walked up to me and stuck out her hand. I shook it immediately and smiled.

“Thank you so much for setting this up with Sam. I’ve been wanting to speak to Kendra and clear this up for some time now.”

She smirked. “She’s been most eager to see you as well.”

I pressed my lips together, unsure what to make of her sarcastic tone.

Christian must have picked up on the same vibe because he walked in front of me and said, “Excuse me, ma’am, but I’ll have to search Ms. Kendra to ensure she isn’t concealing any weapons before meeting with my client.”

Lisa stepped back and cocked her hip. “Concealing a weapon? Now, listen here. I won’t let you—”

She was interrupted by the artist herself. “Hold on, Lisa,” Kendra said, walking toward Christian. She wore tight black leather pants and a black tank top. Her straightened, bleached blonde hair reached the top of her breasts.

She looked Christian up and down. “I have no objection to this man frisking me.” She lowered her voice. “I think I might enjoy it.”

Christian walked up to Kendra and cleared his throat. “Ma’am, can you raise your arms for me?”

She arched her brow. “I sure can, baby. How’s this?” She raised her hands and fastened them behind her head, as though he were arresting her. But it also made her breasts and butt pop. I growled a little in my throat.

Christian briskly patted her middle, hips, and legs. Her pants were quite tight, so a more thorough search was unnecessary.

“You missed a spot,” said Kendra. She wiggled her butt. “My back pocket.”

Christian crossed his arms. “I can see from here you’re not carrying any weapons in there, ma’am. You’re good.”

“Baby, you don’t know how good I am.”

“Kendra,” I interrupted. I’d been eagerly awaiting this meeting for some time. I didn’t want to mess it up and punch her in the face within the first five minutes. “Is there a place we can talk privately?”

“Sure. Come with me.” She turned toward the hallway.

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