Miami Bodyguard (Kendall Family Book 5)(14)

There's a soft knock on the door before Asher's head pokes in. "You ready to tell me what that was about?"

"She's just an old friend," I lie, lifting one shoulder. "We didn't exactly part on the best terms."

Expression drawn tight, he enters the room all the way, closing the door behind him. A second later I'm cocooned by his embrace and he's kissing the top of my head. "Anything I can do?"

For a moment I become limp in his arms, allowing myself his comfort even though I don't deserve it. Even though I don't deserve him. I've done some questionable things since taking this role. Too many that make me wonder if I'm slowly losing my grip on reality. It could be argued that what I'm doing with Asher is another thing to add to the list if it weren't for the fact that when I'm with him, I feel normal for a change.

I lean back, flashing him a flirty smile. Even though I've stopped sleeping with Theo, it always gets me a little worked up after we shoot sexually-charged scenes together. "We still have a few minutes before they'll expect me back on the set."

He gives me this pitiful expression that I won't forget any time soon. "Sure you don't want to talk about this old friend?"

Pulling away, I start for the door, locking the bolt before untying my robe. As it falls to the floor, I turn to face Asher. "Not when you can put that gorgeous mouth to better use."

As he stalks toward me, his hungry eyes take in my naked body as they always do. Even though we've slept together at least a dozen times by now, he still makes me feel like the most desired woman on the planet. His hot mouth captures mine as he pushes me up against the door. I greedily breathe him in, my breath hitching when his thumb begins to caress a peaked nipple. The way he's always shown favoritism to my breasts, like he adores them, has erased the ever-present nagging question of whether or not I should consider an augmentation.

I arch into him, rubbing my tingling center on his hard cock. The only time I'm able to forget my mistakes is when he's inside of me, and I need that now more than ever.

He stops kissing me, breathing heavily against my lips as I'm unzipping his pants and taking him in my hand. "Sure you want to do this here? No promise I can stop myself from fucking you hard enough to make you scream."                       
       
           



       

A shiver rips down my spine, anticipating just that.





8





Angelina





Before I'm even out of bed the next morning, my publicist calls in a frenzy to let me know she's coming by for an emergency meeting. Apparently the night before, one of those dreadfully awful celebrity gossip shows alleged that I may be sleeping around on Theo. Photos of me and Asher walking downtown were put alongside pictures of Asher ready to hit Theo in the Keys, along with an interview of some chick who's name I didn't recognize claimed to have been at Theo's party that weekend and saw me getting cozy with Asher.

As I'm throwing on shorts and a t-shirt, I realize it's not too far of a stretch considering what went down in the guest room, but I'm certain we were careful in keeping our distance afterwards.

I stare down his gorgeous body, still naked from our last round in the middle of the night, and giggle when I see he's half-hard. Is he having a wet dream, or is he just always that way around me?

Maybe it wouldn't be the end of the world if our secret got out. I'd love to tell the world this beautiful, kind man is my boyfriend, even though he's no one famous. Maybe the show has taken off enough on its own that I don't need Theo anymore.

"Hey, big guy." I push Asher's massive shoulder. "You gotta get up. Bridgette's on her way over."

The most I get out of him is a grunt as he rolls onto his stomach. I sigh when I'm given a perfect view of his glorious ass. If Bridgette wasn't on her way …

"I'm serious," I say a little louder. "She'll come unglued if she finds you here. There was something about us having an affair on TV last night and she's freaking the hell out."

He peers up at me over his shoulder. "What are you gonna tell her?"

"I don't know, but you need to disappear as soon as possible."

"Okay, I'm goin'." With a groan, he twists until he's sitting up and rubs at his face. "Want me to grab some coffee and bagels for when she leaves?"

"You're sweet, but Nat always brings coffee. Go ahead and get yourself something. I'll text you when she's gone."

He rises to his feet, taking me in his arms for a long, tender kiss. I practically melt into him, wishing things were less complicated so he didn't have to go.

He cuts it short by slapping my butt. "Can't wait to spend the day with this sweet ass. I'm off to shower, but I'll leave the door unlocked incase you need me for anything."

Mere minutes after he's gone, and I've taken a pill, Bridgette's at the door with two cups of coffee in hand, wrinkled clothes, and a wild hairdo. She's normally a striking redhead, and doesn't go anywhere without looking her best. The fact that she's so disheveled has my stomach twisting in knots.

"This shit-storm doesn't bode well for either one of you!" she barks, pacing my living room floor with her coffee in one hand, an unlit cigarette in the other. "First that shit with Theo and that blonde bimbo last weekend, and now this thing with your bodyguard … it makes for bad press! Why exactly did you hire that Neanderthal without talking to me first?"

I huff in response, angry that she's confronting me, and relieved Asher's over at his place instead of listening to this crap. "You always tell me no press is considered bad because it draws attention to the fact that I exist. Why is this any different?"

"Have you been online at all today? Your alleged affairs are trending with ridiculous hashtags! They're saying you're as slutty as your characters!"

Arms crossed, I lean back on the couch. Truthfully, this is what I always feared would happen if I become involved with Asher. At the same time, it may be the exact kind of opportunity I've been waiting for to move on, and quit Theo for good. "What if we stage a breakup?"

Her eyes pop wide like I just announced I'm quitting the business. "Are you crazy? People would hate you for it. You've become the hottest celebrity ‘it' couple. You need to make a public show together proving that you're stronger than ever, or they will shred you apart."

"Why me and not Theo?"

"Because hormonal women make no goddamned sense! They carry a torch for Theo because he's hot and they think he's charming. They'd do anything to be in your shoes. Once they think you've thrown him aside like yesterday's garbage, you can bet your ass they'll be turning those torches back around on you!"

"That's sexist," I grumble. "It looks like he was cheating on me first." And the worst part of this whole mess is that I know for a fact he's been sleeping around with other women since day one. Keeping up appearances can be more exhausting than I would've guessed. "Can't we just make a statement together that we've decided to move on?"                       
       
           



       

"You're still new as an actress-your career wouldn't survive that kind of negative publicity. You need at least another season under your belt before you can part ways with Theo … if that's still what you want by then."

Pain spreads through my chest when I realize I'm going to have to break it off with Asher. The risk of being seen together in public again, fueling the rumors even more is too high.

"You have to hire a different bodyguard."

My stomach drops. I sense color draining from my face as I sit taller. "What?"

"Unless you want to kiss your career goodbye, you have to fire this friend of yours. Try to find someone this time that's more homely … maybe you can find one that's buck-toothed or cross-eyed."

"No fucking way!" I shoot to my feet, setting my hands on my hips. "I asked Asher to drop everything to take this job! I'm not going to take it away from him a couple weeks in!"

"Then I guess you're going to have to choose which is more important-this friend, or your reputation." Shrugging, she pops the unlit cigarette into her mouth and starts for my patio, leaving me to stew with anger.

It's one thing to stop sleeping with him. I'm not about to send him packing this soon. There has to be another way to fix the rumors.



Asher stands in his kitchen wearing only a pair of gym shorts, his face darkening to a shade of crimson red right before my eyes. He's painfully beautiful, making my heart race even before he barks, "Please tell me you're joking."

"It'd just be for the weekend. Bridgette thinks it'll help the rumors if I'm seen alone with Theo." I hate lying to him, but it beats what Bridgette actually suggested. I shuffle my feet and glance down at my hands. "You'd still get paid."

"I don't care about the fucking money, Angelina." He comes at me, vehemently shaking his head. I'm not exactly afraid of him, but I wish I had another pill close to ease my erratic pulse. "I'm more worried about leaving you alone with that clown. For too damn many reasons."