Page 39 of Guarding the Singer

He lifted his hands to the sides of her face.

"I'm here to help, Selene. I'm here to protect you. Please, let me help."

He felt her hands on his chest, her gentle touch made him ache for more, but he had his priorities straight.

His first priority?

Protecting her.

"That's why..." She offered the beginning of a smile to him. "You're going to be my boyfriend. You'll have access to me... to the movie set."

"That's all I need." He moved his arms, loosely wrapping them around her. "Can I give you a hug now?"

She didn't answer him with words, she leaned in and slipped her hands around to his back. She leaned her cheek against his chest and smiled to herself when he hugged her close.

No, they hadn't hugged before when they'd met, but she'd wondered what it might feel like.

This.

Holding him?

The reality of it all.

Was amazing.

Beautiful really.

"Funny, isn't it?"

She stepped back and steadied herself, breathing freely for the first time since Cooper admitted what was going on.

And she knew that part of that, a large part, was having William near.

He made her feel strong.

He made her feel safe.

She just hoped that he didn't regret getting drafted into protecting her, again.

William turned toward the library and then he looked back down into her face. "We still have dinner, I think. Are you-"

"Hungry?" She grinned at him. "Now, I'm starving."

William wrapped an arm around her again and they moved toward the door together.

It almost felt too easy. Leaning into him, borrowing his strength.

This wasn't like the inauguration. There wasn't a set schedule. Where to be, when and how and then an end where he went in one way, and she went the other. This was by its nature, messy.

When they stepped into the library, she saw Cooper and Sadie turn to look at them in the doorway. "Sorry about that."

Sadie moved closer, holding her hand out. Selene took her hand and let Sadie direct her back to theseats surrounding the small table that was set up near the windows. "The chef sent up dinner through the dumbwaiter."

Selene's eyes widened at her words. "I've never actually seen one of those in real life. A couple of movies? Sure."

She heard Cooper laughing behind her. "Who knew that you'd find my house more interesting than me?"

The air around her had lightened and she was grateful for it.

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