Page 36 of Unguarded

I debate my options, but eventually decide that I need to remain professional, even though we’re in dire circumstances. My mind begins whirling with images of my stalker following us here, breaking down the door, and snatching me right out of the bed. Who knows what this guy is capableof? He’s clearly got some kind of skills or serious resources if he was able to get into my dressing room.

Maybe Cash is onto something. Maybe there’s someone on my team who can’t be trusted.

I slowly drift off to sleep with an uneasy feeling settled in my gut.

14

CASH

My fingers curl around warm, smooth skin. In my half-asleep state, I brush my thumb over the dip in her waist, wondering when the fuck Kacie started to stay the night.

Maybe she’ll be up for a morning cardio session.

A breathy, sensual female sigh reaches my ears, and my thumb movement stops instantly as I fully wake up. My eyes slice open, and the dimly lit motel room comes into focus. A stream of light spills from the edge of the covered window.

I’m not in bed with Kacie.

If I were a wiser man, I would never have even gotten into bed with Monroe Blue. The way she was sitting there, freezing to death, eyes wide with terror, twisted a part of my heart I hadn’t felt in years.

Before she had passed away, my mother used to tell me that I bury my emotions deeper than any of my brothers. I don’t let things get to me. I don’t allow my or other people’sfeelings to taint the way I view the world or the logical actions I should take due to the current circumstances.

It made me an excellent soldier. It’s made it hard for me to be vulnerable with women, hence my last relationship ending because of me being too closed off.

Apparently, as a bodyguard to an alluring world-famous singer, one nibbled lip and a set of fearful ocean-blue eyes are all it takes to bend my iron will and shatter my sense of professionalism.

I’m lying on my stomach, still fully clothed and on top of the covers, but my arm is draped over her side of the bed, caging her against me. My heart thumps at the sight of her curled into me, the barrier of the thin motel blankets separating us by barely more than a hair. Her arms are crisscrossed around my bicep, and she’s cuddled me up against her like a pillow. Her knees are curled up and resting against my upper thigh. It’s not completely inappropriate or sexual in any way, except in the sense that Monroe can’t help but look sensual because her entire essence is soaked in sex appeal.

Right now, however, she looks small and peaceful for the first time since I met her. I should be pulling my hand away to stop touching her, but I can’t seem to make myself do it and risk waking her up.

Once she awakens, we’ll be faced with the fallout from last night. I basically kidnapped her. Fidel is most likely scouring the city, searching for her. Danny is sure to be furious, ready to rip me a new asshole.

Motherfucker can try.

Against my better judgment, I don’t remove my hand. I watch her sleep like a fucking creep.

After a few minutes, she begins to stir. Before she fully wakes up, I pull my hand away from her and stand.

It is cold as fuck in here.

Surprisingly, I slept better last night than I had since leaving the ranch.

I go into the bathroom and splash my face with water. I don’t want to turn my phone back on until she’s awake, maybe with a full belly.

I hear her footsteps before I see her face peeking through the door. I dry mine with the hand towel before meeting her eyes.

She smiles softly. “I never would’ve thought I’d sleep that good in a cheap, freezing motel room.”

My hoodie is still swallowing her small frame, igniting a dark, possessive feeling deep down in my gut.

If I ever get it back, I don’t know if I’ll be able to wash it.

Her sleepy blue eyes and messy blonde hair is a sight I know I could easily get addicted to. She’s arguably the most desirable woman on the planet. I can’t get sucked up in her wake, in the twisted cyclone of desiring her like every other fucker on the street.

I pull the door open and walk out to give her the bathroom. “We should get some breakfast.”

We walkin through the main hotel entrance. Policemen are scattered throughout the lobby. Monroe has my hoodie and her sunglasses on. We stroll right past them and get on the elevator without a look in our direction.

She doesn’t say a word to me as we travel up to the top floor, where she was staying before I insisted on the relocation. Her arms are folded over her chest. Before the elevator opens, she sighs quietly. My shoulders are tight. I’m worried about our reception. Not for my sake, but for hers. I can sense that she’s stressed over everything that happened when we left and the new information about her stalker.

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