Page 4 of Bodyguard Crush
When Sam called and asked me to do this, I couldn’t tell him no. He’s a good buddy, and I didn’t want to let him down. But a part of me was too interested in getting to meet my Hollywood dream girl. I want to help him out, but I also have my own selfish reasons for taking this job.
Abby shows me the property, the pond, the horses, the barn, the pool, the tennis courts, and the new location for the three guesthouses being built—crews will be arriving tomorrow to start on the foundation. We make it back to the house, and we’re told that dinner is ready. I’m invited to sit in the dining room and have dinner with her, so I join her, wanting as much time as I can get with her.
The staff serves fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, mac and cheese, corn on the cob, dinner rolls, and a side salad. I load up my plate. “I don’t know how you keep that figure of yours with all this delicious food around,” I joke.
She laughs once. “You don’t know my mother,” she says, scooping out the tiniest bit of potatoes. I want to ask what that means, but I let it slide for now. She’s opened up to me pretty well today, so I don’t want to press my luck by being too pushy or asking too many questions, but in my mind, I see her mother being some kind of stage mom. She forced her into acting and probably watched every bite she took growing up in order to keep her slender figure. It makes me hate the woman for her, but I push it away, reminding myself that this is all my own speculation and not fact. Not yet anyway.
3
ABBY
After dinner, we each retire to our own rooms. I don’t want to occupy too much of his time right away. He needs an evening to unpack and get settled. Not to mention, I want to enjoy my alone time while I have it. From here on out, I won’t be alone again until all of this is behind me.
Walking into my en suite bathroom, I turn on the shower to let the water warm while I undress and remove my jewelry. I look my reflection over in the mirror, and somehow, my thoughts run away with me. It’s embarrassing to admit, but I’ve never had a serious adult relationship before. Sure, I’ve had boyfriends throughout my life, but they were actors, models, musicians, or just kids of my parents’ famous friends. My point being, they’ve all been in the limelight themselves. We always had a million eyes on us. I’ve never had a relationship that’s just mine and private because it’s hard to trust people. I’ve never known if someone liked me for me or if they liked me because of who I am and what I can give them.
Somehow, my mind takes off, wondering what it would be like to be in a relationship with Kaden. He’s good looking and amazingly so. He has a face and a body made for Hollywood without actually being there and living that lifestyle. He’s not arrogant about it, either, like all the guys I’ve dated. It’s like he doesn’t even know how good looking he is.
I’m tall for a woman, but he towers over me. He’s toned but not bulky. His skin is naturally tanned, something many men have to pay for back home. And all of his features are absolutely perfect. His nose isn’t too large for his face, his eyes are the perfect shade of green, and his lips look curvy and dangerous. I wonder how many women he’s teased with those sexy lips of his. And that smirk? Oh, I might as well drop my panties now. It’s cute and sweet, but sexy and ornery at the same time.
I step into the shower, hoping that having something to do will keep my mind off my new bodyguard, but washing and shaving are only busywork for my hands. It’s something you do that requires no thought at all. I’m on autopilot while my mind is free to wander, and of course, it goes right back to him. I imagine our blossoming love story—worthy of any romance novel or romantic comedy. I can see us taking care of the horses together, smiling and laughing as we grow closer. I picture us riding around the property, where he picks me a bouquet of wildflowers. I see us relaxing in the hot tub by the pool with a glass of wine. One thing leads to another, and before I know it, our lips are pressed together. Now I’m wondering what kind of lover he would be. Is he fast and rough, or is he slow and gentle? Maybe even the best of both worlds…
My skin grows way too hot as my blood begins to boil beneath my skin. I have to turn the water cooler on to compose myself. I shake my head, needing rid of these thoughts. I don’t need to plant that seed inside my brain or heart. My mother would lose her shit if I told her that I’d fallen for my bodyguard, that we would be getting married and starting a family.
I laugh, just imagining the stink she would cause. My mother doesn’t understand me or the way I want to live my life. Right now, she thinks moving out into the middle of nowhere and living the country life she ran away from is just a phase for me. She still expects me to come back home and live the way she thinks I should live. She expects me to marry a famous actor like she did. She wants my children to be raised in the spotlight. I want none of that, so I can see how well she’d take the news that I’m in love with an ordinary man and not someone who’s rich and famous.
When I finish in the shower, I climb out and dry off. After I wrap my towel around me, I go about getting ready for bed. I brush my teeth and hair, put on my lotion, and use all my regular face creams. Then I slip on a pair of pajamas and crawl into bed. A fire burns in the fireplace before my bed, and the only other light in the bedroom is from the lamp on my bedside table. I look toward the windows and see the dark sky and millions of brightly lit stars through the lace curtains. The house is deathly quiet as I take a deep breath and let it out slowly. This is why I love living out in the country. It’s quiet and relaxing.
Picking up the book on the table, I remove the bookmark and go back to where I left off last night. After a couple of hours of reading, I’m drowsy enough to sleep. Finally, I turn off the light and pull the blankets up to my chin. Sleep takes me immediately.
I wakein the morning feeling rested and energized. I can’t wait to get up and start my day. This is normally how I feel since I’ve moved to my little dream home. I hop out of bed, dress, and fix my hair and makeup, then I go downstairs for breakfast. The dining room table is already set, so I take my seat at the head of the table, and Sofia walks in and pours my cup of coffee.
“Sofia, I told you. You don’t have to do this. I’m more than capable.”
“I know, ma’am, but your mother says—”
“My mother isn’t here, and you don’t work for my mother. You only follow those things when she’s here. Understand?”
She bows. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Sofia, just call me Abby. Okay?”
“Yes, Abby,” she agrees before turning and leaving me.
Moments later, Kaden walks into the dining room. “It smells good in here.”
“Sit and make a plate. There’s plenty,” I tell him, putting down the newspaper I was reading over.
He sits at my side and starts piling breakfast foods onto his plate. Honestly, I have no idea where he puts it all. He scoops out scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, hash browns, biscuits and gravy, and pancakes. I can’t help but sit with my mouth hanging open as he piles it all onto one plate.
When he picks up his fork to begin eating, he notices my stare. He offers up a nervous smile. “What?”
“You can eat all of that?” I ask in awe.
He chuckles. “Oh yeah, and get seconds.” He takes a big forkful and stuffs it in his mouth.
I shake my head as I help myself to a scoop of eggs, some fresh fruit, a slice of bacon because I can’t resist, and some yogurt.
He snorts, and I turn my attention to him. “What’s that?”
