Page 22 of Trust My Bodyguard

“Hold,” he says, voice strained.

I round the couch to stand before him. It looks painful, what he’s going through, even though it’s not real. I wished he wouldn’t have a peaceful night, but I actually can’t stand to see him under so much tension.

I crouch by him and tap his shoulder. “Brody.”

He shies away from touch still caught in the clutches of the nightmare. “Hold still.”

My breath halts. Something is about to happen in the dream. Something very bad.

“Brody!” I shake his shoulder harder. “Wake up. It’s just a dream.”

His eyes fly open and fixate on me. His chest rises and falls with the force of his breathing.

I stare down at him. “It’s okay.” I’m not sure what possesses me, but I run my fingers through his ruffled hair. “It’s just a—”

Brody grabs my hand and brings it to his mouth. He draws a deep breath, then he kisses the pulse point on my wrist.

My heart stutters. What—what is he doing?

He groans and rises on an elbow. Then he snakes around my neck and drags my face to mash against his. Our lips meet awkwardly before the softness of his registers. He tilts his head sideways and fits our mouths together.

I stop breathing. My pulse rages in my head. Did I wish this into existence?

Brody kisses me like he’s been needing to for years. Hungry grunts escape his throat as he possesses me. My eyes roll into the back of my head and I sink into him.

But I can’t do this. This is Brody. He doesn’t like me and I don’t like him.

His tongue finds mine before I can find the words to protest. The taste of him, the pressure of his tongue steals whatever sense I have. I forget myself and give in to the sensations taking over me. A strong arm circles my waist and drags me into his lap. I run my hands up and down his chest and around his glorious back.

He groans low in his throat and angles deeper, his tongue scouring my mouth, his teeth biting my lips. I give him back in the same measure, tasting his mouth and teasing his lips between my teeth.

Then he stops. Our harsh breaths and racing heartbeats are the only sounds that fill my ears.

I blink open and his eyes are glued on my face. This time, they gleam with awareness.

“What the fuck?” he mutters.

I push away from him and stand, wrapping a hand around my beaded nipples poking through my pajamas top. “You kissed me!”

“And you...” He runs his hand over his chest and raises his shirt. Nail marks run down his tensed abs.

“You started it!” I huff, making a show off cleaning off my lips. “Keep your hands to yourself!”

I can’t even look at his face to see what he thinks. I have no doubt it’ll be disgust. I hurry back to bed and tuck myself beneath the covers, my heart racing.

I didn’t like it. I didn’t enjoy it. His kiss was subpar. Nothing special there. I’ve had better.

Yet, I can’t explain away the wet feeling between my legs or the delicious ache on my lips.

No, I didn’t like it one bit.

CHAPTER NINE

Brody

The knock on the front door cuts off as I open up. Sera carries a basket of fresh produce on her arm with a smile on her face.

Before I can speak, she says, “Yes, I looked in my rearview and side mirrors. And no, I wasn’t followed. I didn’t tell anyone where I was going or who I was going to see. Did I get it all?”

---