Page 3 of Keep Her Safe

“How should I know? The guy’s an asshole, so maybe Damian got sick of his shit. Who knows?”

You do.I think.

I go to respond when my father points at me. “You’re asking a lot of questions. Tomorrow, at eleven. Do not be late.”

I’m not late, but I’m also not early, which earns me a look from Cooper as I stroll into his office at the stroke of eleven with a vanilla latte in my hand, somewhat surprised my new security isn’t waiting in his office.

“So, where is he? I have a meeting with my trainer at one.” I drop to the chair in front of his desk, crossing one leg over the other, and push my sunglasses to the top of my head.

His office is huge, twice the size of the office he’d started in all those years ago when I was just a toddler running around with pigtails and overalls and Converse sneakers. I smile, thinking about how far he’s come.How far we’ve come together.“Janine took him on a tour of the floor, he should be back shortly,” he tells me referring to his assistant. He eyes me from behind his desk and sends a hand through his chocolate brown hair that is graying at the temples—thanks to me because he only has two sons and they don’t give him half as much stress. “Listen, I know you’re not thrilled about this, but we just want to keep you safe. Your mother is a bit shook up about all of this. So is your dad.” He swallows and lets out a sigh. “So am I.” He leans forward. “For what it’s worth, I would be really sad if something happened to you.” He blinks a few times before turning to his computer. “And not just because you’re my biggest client.” I roll my eyes and his green irises find mine. “I’m serious Shay.”

I wave a hand dismissively. “I know, I know, I’m the daughter you never had blah blah blah.”

“Neverwanted, but that’s neither here nor there.” He gives me a side smile just as a knock sounds on the door.

“Ah, this must be Damian.” He stands and adjusts his suit jacket just as the door opens behind me, and when I turn around all of the air leaves my lungs and I can feel my heart hammering in my chest as I take in what is possibly the best-looking man I’ve ever seen in real life.

And I have seen a LOT of good-looking men in real life.

Dressed in a black suit without a tie making him look like he just stepped of the runway, Damian has to be somewhere over six feet because I’m five seven and I can tell he will tower over me once he gets closer. He has dark hair, cut short, blue eyes, and a square jaw hidden by a light dusting of stubble. My eyes trail down his form quickly. Broad shoulders. A trim waist. Muscles I make out under the suit. A hint of a tattoo peeking out from under his suit sleeve on his hand.

Holy fuck.

“Hello.” I finally speak, and I’m not sure how much time has passed but Cooper doesn’t miss a beat so maybe I wasn’t ogling him as openly as I thought.

“Shay, this is Damian Hunt.” He nods towards him and then back to me. “Not that she needs any introduction, but Shay Eastwood.” He points towards me before moving back to his desk and my cheeks heat.

Damian holds out his hand and I slide mine into his, shaking it slowly. His handshake is firm and when I look down, his fingers completely envelop mine making me feel small and feminine next to this big, muscular man. He has this air of ruggedness while still being very clean-cut, and a vision of him lifting me into his arms and pushing me against a wall as my legs wrap around him flashes through my brain.

“It’s nice to meet you, Miss.” His voice is smooth, rich, deep, and sexy as hell.

Fuck.

I absolutely cannot have a crush on my new bodyguard.

“You too,” I squeak, yes actually fucking squeak, and I clear my dry throat not knowing what else to say.

I’d been given his file last night, to learn a little bit more about his background, so I don’t know what to ask him that I don’t already know at this moment. Thirty years old. An undergraduate degree in computer engineering. A tour overseas with the Army, followed by security once he retired. A black belt in karate and a whole laundry list of fighting techniques, not to mention a self-defense teacher and still a trainer for the military when needed.

No one is getting by him and the thought makes my toes curl in my shoes.

“So, with this being a trial period, I was thinking he’d accompany you for the rest of the day and all week and we’ll see how it goes.”

I realize that Cooper has been talking this whole time and I turn around to face him. “What?”

“You’re not on set this week, so we thought this was the perfect time for you guys to get to know each other a little.” We were on a recess for the spring, and we wouldn’t be back to filming for another two weeks which means I have more free time than usual. Veronica, some of our cast mates, and I were even toying with the idea of a trip to Vegas this weekend.

“Okay, sure.” I turn my gaze towards him. “I…have to meet with my trainer and then I’m meeting some of my friends for lunch and maybe some shopping.” I wince, suddenly feeling juvenile and immature to this worldly man that has spent the last ten years being noble and heroic.

He nods and pins me with a glare that both annoys me and turns me on a little. I raise an eyebrow in question, wondering why he’s looking at me like that when he speaks. “I would advise that you don’t try and give me the slip, Miss Eastwood. If I can’t trust you, you’ll have to switch to shopping online or having brunch at your house. You’re also not twenty-one, I would advise you not to try to order a drink.”

Okay scratch being turned on, now I’m just annoyed.

My mouth drops open and I turn towards Cooper who is fighting a grin as he types away on his computer avoiding my eyes completely. “Oh, you can go now.”

“Cooper.” I glare. My back is to Damian, so he can’t see the look of rage I am giving him.

“Bye, Shay!” He salutes, effectively dismissing us.

---