Page 46 of The Bombshell and the Bodyguard
This whole experience would become a song, because—who was I kidding—of courseI was going to write about it.
But that’s all that would ever come of it.
Schooling my voice and expression, I moved toward him, offering the clean clothing. “I hope these are okay.”
Andwhydo we sound breathless, Jessica? Get it together girlfriend.
“Thanks. This is perfect.” He gave me a sweet smile.
And what was that all about? Wilder didn’tdosweet. My breathlessness was compounded by a few extra heartbeats and a headrush.
It was going to be onehellof a song.
“Do you want some ibuprofen or acetaminophen?” I managed to ask. “I’ll bring you some water.”
Wilder gave me an apologetic smile. “I was thinking of something a little stronger. I don’t have any narcotics on the island, but I do have a bottle of rum. Would you mind getting it from the butler’s pantry for me? And a glass. Get two if…”
His eyes changed, their usual light hazel color darkening. “…if you want one.”
My heart fluttered. “Sure. Why not?”
Wilder dressed himself and made a quick call to Gray on the sat phone while I retrieved the liquor and his pain meds along with some snacks. I returned to the living room and sat on the rug beside him, pouring a finger of rum into each glass then adding some Coke to mine.
Raising my glass, I said, “To aninterestingwalk.”
Wilder laughed. “To a strong woman.”
“Strong… or chicken. I didnotwant to spend the night in the jungle with only a few millimeters of nylon between me and the night creatures.”
Our glasses clinked together, and I took a sip from mine. Wilder threw the entire contents of his glass back in one gulp.
I encouraged him to drink some water and take the pain relievers then examined his knee. It was swollen, but not frighteningly so.
“My dancers would sometimes get knee injuries on tour,” I told him. “This one doesn’t look as bad as some I’ve seen. I think you’ll live to fight another day, soldier.”
Wilder laughed out loud. “Well now that I’ve been held up againstthatstandard, I’m sure as hell not going to whine. My leg could be hanging off and I’d have to say I was fine.”
“Hey—those guys are strong. You wouldn’t even believe what they can do with their bodies.”
One of Wilder’s brows lifted.
“Notthatway,” I said, red-faced. “I meant dancing.”
“Didn’t you date one of your backup dancers?”
“Yes,” I admitted. “And he was… limber. Unfortunately, he was also completely incapable of monogamy.”
“Yes, I know. ‘Casanova,’ right?”
“Youknowthat song?”
“I know all your songs,” he said.
Sweet warmth spread through me as if I’d taken a gulp of hot chocolate—with extra marshmallows.
“So… is that what you’re looking for?” he asked. “Monogamy?”
I thought about making another glib remark, but then I answered honestly. “Isn’t everyone? I mean, yes, I’ve kissed a lot of frogs, and nothing’s worked out yet, but I keep hoping. I mean, it would be nice to have someone to share life with—all of it, the real stuff—not just the stuff that happens in front of cameras.”
