Page 7 of Don’t Fall For A Bodyguard

Then I thought about the way Lennie was eyeing me up earlier. And the way his dick was about to poke a giant hole through that towel he had on. Was that about me, or was he horny in general? Probably the latter. After all, I’d tried for over a year to get his attention, and it got me nowhere.

Focus, Payton.

I needed coffee, food, and after that, a flight back to Nashville. And then a divorce. Back to my condo and my cat. My usual. My life. I had a great one. A job I loved, a wonderfulhome that I owned, and good friends. What more could I ask for? Okay, maybe lately, the desire I had to share my life with someone special was haunting me. But I’d get over it. I didn’t need a man. I had lots of men. Well, their attention. For an hour or two.

We headed into the elevator, and I was still holding tight to Lennie’s arm, all but vibrating as we started to descend. We stopped at another floor and two couples joined us. I got a leering stare from one of the men, but it was short-lived. When I glanced up at Lennie, I realized why. My temporary husband was giving the stranger a glare so lethal, I’m surprised the man didn’t drop on the spot. Bodyguard mode was right.

When we finally reached the ground floor, we headed out into the bright lobby, my heels clicking loudly on the marble floor. Lennie steered us to the right and down the hallway to the restaurant.

And there were the boys of Wayward Lane—Brodie, Holloway, Faise, and Ronin—and their security entourage, Valen, Petyr, and Regan. Not to mention Brodie’s husband Van, and Holloway’s husband, Dawson. The group’s chatter quieted when they spotted us, and their shit-eating grins told me we were in for a hell of a wedding breakfast.

More like a roast…

“Oh Christ, here we go,” Lennie muttered as we stepped closer.

“Don’t worry, I’ll protect you.” I squeezed his forearm. “And in a few weeks, this will all be a distant memory.”

“Really?” Lennie bit his lower lip. “Have you been witness to the jokes and pranks these guys pull? We’re gonna get teased about this for months, never mind weeks.”

“Well, maybe we can beat them at their own game,” I replied with a grin.

“What do you mean?”

“What if we act like last night wasn’t a colossal mistake? What if we pretend that we’re happy about what happened?” I suggested.

Lennie’s cheeks pinked up. “Uh, you mean, act like we’re actually a couple? Valen already knows what really happened. And the rest of them won’t believe it.”

I stopped walking and turned to him. “Why not?”

“Look at you and look at me,” Lennie replied.

“And? Is there something wrong with the way I look?” I snapped, pulling back my arm.

“No!” He reached for me again. “But come on, Payton. You’re, you know?—”

“No. What?” I bit out, ready to stomp right out of here.

“You’re sexy as hell,” he whispered, so low I barely heard him. “Why would you settle for me?”

Now, I was never speechless. Never. But right there, at that moment? I had no fucking words. And, honey, it was a good thing Lennie grabbed my arm because I was suddenly weak-kneed. And stupefied. Why would he think that about himself?

“No one would ‘settle’ for you, Len. They’d be damn lucky to have you,” I finally replied. “You’re a total hottie, and more important than that, you’re kind, sweet, and caring. And I would never marry anyone, alcohol or not, if they weren’t all those things. Now, are you my husband for the next four weeks or not?”

Lennie finally cracked a shy smile, and it made me hot all over.

“Okay then.” I nodded. “Shall we?”

I held tightly to his arm as we walked up to the band.

“Hey there, happy couple!” Brodie called out with a smirk on his face. “Drinks are on us.”

“Please.” Lennie shook his head. “Don’t even mention alcohol right now.”

“Aw, is the honeymoon over already?” Holloway teased. “Maybe we should have invited Elias to join us today, and save you time?”

Lennie gave Holls his middle finger.

“Doesn’t anyone want to see my ring?” I announced, drawing attention away from my blushing husband.

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