Page 40 of Guarding the Singer

Things would change later on, but for the moment?

She was going to have dinner and enjoy herself.

She’d worry later.

Later that night when she stepped out of Cooper's brownstone it was only when the dark town car had pulled up in front.

She walked down the steps at his side, her arm tucked into his.

William said only one word to her as they walked down to the curb. "Breathe."

Funny thing?

She'd be holding her breath and hadn't known it.

By the time they got to the car, she had enough air that her mind was working.

William opened the door and held it for her. "Step inside."

She did and when she sat down on the large bench seat, she moved over to give William room.

A moment later and he was inside, the door closed and locked, and the car started to move.

William reached across and pulled her seat belt over, clicking it into place. "Selene? I'd like to introduce you to our driver for the night. Evander Sharpe. We call him Badger."

Selene saw the driver lift his gaze to the rear-view mirror.

He had fine features. Dark eyes that held a quiet intelligence.

"Which do you prefer? Badger or Evander?"

"Perhaps Evander would be the best option, Miss Carter. It would help with the appearance that I'm just your chauffeur."

"Too bad," she sighed and stretched out her legs, "Badger sounds so much more badass."

William turned to look at her. She could see him out of the corner of her eye.

"Badass? Badger?"

Selene turned slightly on the seat and nodded. "Of course. Badger's are badasses. You've heard of the honey badgers, right?"

The way that William narrowed his eyes in her direction told her the story.

"Ah, well. Honey badgers are crazy strong, I think.At least that's what I remember from watching one of those animal shows on streaming." She leaned to the side to see Evander's face in the reflection of the mirror. "Then again, they're also supposed to be super aggressive. That doesn't seem to fit you. I guess Evander will just have to be what I call you."

She turned back to William and found him still watching her.

It felt good to have him near.

Looking down at her boots, she looked back up at him. "It's a far cry from walking with you to the White House."

He nodded. "Those boots don't look nearly as comfortable as those sneakers you wore under that ballgown."

"You would be right," she laughed softly. "Since they're visible, I went with something fashionable. At least that's what my stylist told me."

"You look great in everything you wear."

She blushed at his words. "It's all thanks to her."

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