Page 37 of Guarding the Singer

Cooper was up on his feet about that time and while Cooper took the glass away from Seleneand set it down.

William hesitated and then touched her arm. "Do you want to sit?"

He didn't like how easily she sat down after his question.

She looked... shell shocked.

He looked at Cooper, his eyes heavy on the other man.

He wished that they'd had dinner first.

William doubted that she'd be hungry after this.

Squeezing her arm gently, William spoke to her. "I was hoping this wouldn't hit you so hard. I know it's got to be a shock hearing it like this."

Selene turned to look at him, some of the life shining in her eyes. "I don't think there's an easy way to say any of this."

It felt good seeing her, he just didn't want this to be a difficult thing for her. "No. It wasn't going to be easy to hear, but I want to tell you that I'm going to be here to make sure that it ends up okay."

She drew in a breath, her shoulders rising and falling.

Smiling a little, she nodded. "It's kind of... strange. You. Here."

He nodded. "There were three of us at the meeting earlier. Badger. He's British. Then there's Flash, he's American like me. There are more of us in Montana, but as soon as I found out it was you, I knew I wanted it to be me. I wanted to be here to protect you."

He wasn't sure what her thoughts were right then.

He could only watch and wait to see where she came out on all of this.

When she spoke, she surprised him.

"You're going to be my boyfriend because it gives you access to the set through me."

William smiled. She was sharp.

Even though she was afraid, her mind was working.

Damn. She was impressive.

"We think if you have someone around you, it'll deter someone from trying to get to you."

She nodded. "If it was someone like a bodyguard. If you were here as a security measure, then there's a chance... a really big one that someone will ask about why I need security."

William wanted to hug her close.

Not just because her mind was wrapping itself easily around the situation, but because while she was talking about it, she seemed to be calming herself. Centering herself.

Damn it. He wanted to kiss her.

And hold her close.

Protect her from everything.

She swallowed and then nodded, meeting Cooper's gaze with her own.

"What was it?"

William frowned and he turned to look atCooper. The other man didn't seem to understand her question either.

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