Page 4 of Guarding the Singer

His heart ached and he wanted to press the heel of his hand against his chest to ease it, but he couldn't seem to make himself move.

"I'm Selene."

He looked down at the hand she held out to him and tried to hide when he wiped his palm against his pants before he took her hand in his.

The soft smile on her lips held a hint of laughter, and he had a feeling that she'd seen what he did.

He was too busy trying to swallow his pride to keep his shit together when he heard Cali laughing at his side.

"Introduce yourself, sailor."

"Cali!" Selene glared at her. "He's a marine."

Cali shrugged. "Sailor, Soldier, whatever. I doubt he heard me. He doesn't seem all that smart. Or maybe he’s just lusting after you. In that case, he has great taste."

"Cali! Stop!"

"I'm Master Sergeant William Winchester, ma'am."

Selene's head turned back to him, her chin lifting so she could meet his eyes. "Do you prefer William? Will? Bill?"

She didn't seem all that thrilled with the last alternative. Good. Neither did he.

"William, ma'am."

"Selene." She smiled at him. "Please, call me Selene."

"Selene." He said the name and he felt it caress his tongue, heating the rest of him. "It's a beautiful name."

"Well," Cali sighed, "he certainly manages some sweet words, but exactly how good would you be if someone came at my girl?"

He wasn't sure what the 'her girl' comment meant, but he knew how to answer. "I would do whatever it took to keep her safe."

That was when he realized that he still had Selene's hand in his. He felt her hand go soft and her fingertips brushed lightly at the skin of his forearm, just past his wrist.

Keeping hold of her hand, he met her gaze and told her the truth. "Whatever it takes."

They let go of each other's hands at the same time and he took half a step back to give her room.

Selene looked a little shaken, but she managed a little smile. "I'm hoping that we won't have to see a practical demonstration."

"That's my hope too." He looked at the room and back at Selene. "I know I'm early, so I can stand outside the room and give you both privacy."

Cali gave him a look when he started to move away. "At least you're not going to stand around hoping for a little peek."

"Cali, stop."

Cali looked back at where Selene was standing before she turned back to look at him. "I'm a pain in the ass." He managed to hold his composure through that comment. "I'm beyond jaded by now. Men are always trying to catch a look at Selene."

He nodded, agreeing with her words. "She's beyond beautiful. Some people are weak and don't understand that a star has a right to their privacy even if they perform for the public."

Cali's red curls fell back from her face when she looked up at him. "I'm going to have to take back that comment about your smarts. You're plenty smart, Master Sergeant." She stood and saluted him. "I might even grow to like you if you weren't only here for the next few hours."

William heard Selene groan behind him.

"Cali..."

His shoulders almost shook with laughter. He understood her feeling because he felt the same way about Cali. She might be a bull in the China shop with her words, but he could tell she cared for Selene.

---