Page 20 of Guarding Bristol

She paused, seemed to weigh her words carefully before answering.“She did this once before.Granted, she managed to pull it off that time.This time, not so much.”

Sounded to him like she was worried about Bristol and wanted to protect her from being disappointed or hurt.“You guys are pretty close,” he said to keep her talking.This was the most she’d ever told him about anything personal, and he didn’t want her to stop.

“We are now, yeah.”

“You weren’t before?”

She shook her head.“Didn’t get off on the best foot when we met.She didn’t trust my mom and me in the beginning, but then eventually she saw we weren’t so bad.”She looked at him.“Is this what it’s like to have a sibling?Feeling exasperated half the time?”

“Pretty much, yeah.”

“Awesome.”She straightened, checked the chamber of her weapon, and took a full magazine out of her bag.“Ready to put some rounds downrange?Callum asked me to drop off some weapons at the office after.”

One of CPS’s owners.“I’ll do it.”

Cassie stopped and looked at him in surprise, her safety glasses dangling from one hand.“Really?”

He hid a frown.It was like no one had ever offered to do her a favor before.“Sure, it’s no big deal.I’m headed that way anyway.”He lived just up the hill from the office.

He got up and followed her to the doors that led to the firing lanes, trying not to notice the way her cargo pants hugged her ass.He made it a point not to look at his coworker’s asses, male or female.But with her he couldn’t help sneak a peek.

“If you’re sure, then thanks.By the way, you get an update on the upcoming detail yet?”She handed him a pair of bright yellow earmuffs marked with the CPS logo.The C was a curling blue wave topped with a whitecap.

“Yeah.You?”He slid on his own safety glasses.

“This morning.”She had been tapped as personal security and driver for famous actress Becca Sandoza.

He was the same for Becca’s husband, Chase Davenport, Hollywood stuntman and CPS founder’s best friend from back in North Carolina.They were coming to town to visit Ryder and scout several locations for an upcoming movie.Chase and his crew might also film some stunt scenes in the area.Which meant Tristan would be working closely with Cassie during that week.

He couldn’t wait.“No pressure.”

She shot him a grin that made his insides tighten.“None whatsoever.”

“You must’ve been on security details for celebs in Vegas from time to time.”

“No.I did security for various events when celebs were present, but not personal protection details.They usually came with their own bodyguards.”She went quiet as she stepped into her own firing lane, all business.Squaring her body to the target, she raised her weapon before firing six shots, each one hitting center mass.

He’d be lying if he didn’t admit that was hot as hell.Even if they were coworkers.

He was always respectful of her and mindful that she was a woman in a male-dominated career and likely felt she had to prove herself to the others constantly to maintain their respect.Currently, she was the only female personal security agent at CPS.

But he was definitely into her.She was already under his skin without even trying, and every time he saw her, she burrowed deeper in there.Even though the attraction might be one-sided.And even though his brain told him that anything between them couldn’t go anywhere even if it wasn’t.

He stepped into the lane beside hers, adjusted the target, and took aim.

Thirty minutes later, they were both out of ammo.

Cassie lowered her weapon, checked the chamber to ensure it was empty, and set it aside on the small ledge as she tugged off her earmuffs and safety glasses.“You want to keep going?Or are you done?”

“I’m done.”He set his safety glasses on his own shelf.“Wanna go grab something to eat on the way back to town?Or we could go check out that diner you mentioned.”

It was well out of their way, but he was all for an excuse to spend more time alone with her on the drive there and back.He might even share a bite or two of his, because it was her.

“I’m good, thanks.”

The rebuff was polite but firm and took him off guard.Just when he thought he was making progress, she shut down and pulled back again.

“Some other time,” he said with a nonchalance that felt a little forced.

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