Chapter 29
DAWSON
Iwoke up to another surreal morning.
With Iain in my arms.
Why did something that seemed improbable only a month ago turn out to be everything I ever wanted?
There was a lot said between us last night, but for Iain, was that the heat of the moment, or was he all in? It felt like he was ready to take that leap with me, and I prayed he would give us a chance.
But there was still so much that Iain and I needed to talk about.
One thing I knew for sure—now that this was not a one-time thing—I’d have to be taken off his detail. I wouldn’t put his safety in jeopardy.
And there was also the matter of my son.
I’d had a few major romantic relationships in my life.
And only one after Jaxon’s mom and I split, a boyfriend.
But I was cautious about introducing Jaxon to a partner.
That was a big step for him, for me, and for the person I was dating.
Jaxon and I were a package deal, and anyone who would be a part of my life would be part of Jaxon’s, too.
“You’re thinking hard. Are you having second thoughts?”
I leaned in to nuzzle Iain’s neck. “What? No.”
“Your body tensed up so—”
“Roll over.”
Iain turned over in my arms to face me. “Yes, boss.”
“Smart ass,” I quipped as I gave him a soft kiss. “I’m not having second thoughts. But there’s a lot to talk about.”
“You’re going off my detail,” Iain said matter of factly.
“Yes.”
“I can live with that. And?”
“Jaxon. I’d like to tell him we’re seeing each other; I want to be sure he’s okay with it.”
Iain nodded. “He comes first.”
“He does. His happiness before mine.”
Iain reached up to kiss me back. “And?”
“There’s the media. I have some idea what you deal with, but if we eventually go public, we need to have a plan. And again, there’s my son to consider.”
This time, Iain was the one who tensed. “Yeah. Honestly, I never gave it much thought before because, well, I’ve never had a boyfriend to consider.
But you’re right. For now, we only tell our inner circle.
There’s no point going public until we see how your son reacts.
If he’s not happy, I guess there’ll be nothing to worry about. That’ll be the end of it. Of us.”
I rolled on top of Iain and cupped his face in my hands. “Boyfriend, huh?” I couldn’t help the smile that graced my face.
“Maybe we shouldn’t use that word.” Iain’s big brown eyes looked up at mine, his worry evident.
“Have a little faith, Iain.”
“Are we crazy?”
“Probably.”
I devoured his lips and any further words. I would live in the moment and enjoy the now.
And yes, there was a lot we had to deal with going forward, but my gut never steered me wrong.
Iain wrapped his long legs around my waist, and my hard cock brushed against his. He ran his hands up the back of my neck and gripped my short hair tightly.
“Your kisses are dangerous,” he whispered against my lips. “I didn’t stand a fucking chance.”
His comment made my dick even harder and made my heart nearly claw its way out of my chest.
However, the sudden knock on my door made my heart take off running for very different reasons.
“Are you kidding me?” I bit out as I reluctantly pulled away from Iain. “This better be an emergency.”
I grabbed my jeans and slipped them on, and Iain threw a T-shirt at me.
“No answering the door half naked anymore,” Iain reminded me, his gaze lusty and possessive.
Fuck whoever was just outside my room; I was going to crawl back over to Iain and…
“Open up, Dawson. I need to speak to Holls.”
Brodie was here? Christ. I needed caffeine for this.
I pulled on the T-shirt and ambled over to the door, checking the peephole first. Habit.
Then I threw open the door and glared at the man who was interrupting my perfect morning.
“What?” I bit out.
Brodie smirked. “Nice hickey.”
The singer leaned against the doorjamb in tight jeans and a black hoodie, and his eyes rimmed with smudged eyeliner. Probably from the night before.
I rolled my eyes. “Nice try. What’s so urgent that you’re knocking on my door this early?”
“Early? It’s almost noon. I guess time flies when you’re having fun. Or, when you’re doing Iain.”
I grabbed his arm and dragged him inside the room. “Keep your voice down.”
“Why? There’s only the band and your team on this floor.”
I slammed the door and glanced over at Iain. He was still lying in bed, the sheet riding low on his lean hips, barely covering his body. The sexy sight made my breath catch and did nothing to calm the erection in my jeans.
“Don’t you look cozy in Dawson’s bed?” Brodie cackled.
“I am, and you’re interrupting.” Iain sat up and ran a hand through his messy hair.
“Sorry, but I texted you two hours ago and got no response. Then I texted Daws, and same thing. I was worried.”
I walked over to the nightstand and reached for my cell. Shit. I had missed several texts this morning, including one from Regan.
I quickly texted her back, telling her I’d call in ten minutes.
And this was why I needed to be taken off Iain’s detail.
“My fault,” I said. “But it won’t happen again. I’m going to ask Regan to remove me from Iain’s security.”
“Permanently?” Brodie asked as he sat on the sofa, making himself at home.
“Yes.” I sat on the bed next to Iain and reached for his hand, interlocking our fingers tightly. “We’re together, so things will change.”
“I’m so happy for you guys,” Brodie exclaimed and ran over, tackling both of us and pushing us back on the bed.
“Get off, Dee!” Iain laughed and shoved Brodie.
Brodie simply rolled off Iain and lay beside us, waggling his eyebrows.
“Can I watch?”
“No,” Iain and I replied at the same time.
“Oh, that’s how it is, huh? What happened to my fuckboy? Does Dawson have a magic dick you want to keep all to yourself?” Brodie taunted.
“Out,” I ordered. “Go back to your husband.”
“He’s still sleeping.” Brodie snorted. “I wore him out last night. Rode him like a—”
Iain groaned and covered his eyes. “TMI, Dee.”
Brodie chuckled. “So, I’m the first to know about you two?”
“Obviously,” I replied.
“And?”
“All in due time.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means we need to keep this private for now,” Iain responded.
“Now get,” I urged Brodie. “Iain needs to shower and eat.”
Brodie finally got off the bed and nodded. “You take care of my best friend, understood?”
I saw the warning in his gaze. I nodded.
“All right, then. I’ll see you guys at the venue in an hour.”
Brodie sauntered out of the room and shut the door behind him, and I turned to Iain.
“I’ll order room service; you hop in the shower.”
Iain kissed me and headed for the bathroom. I admired his taut body and the evidence of our lovemaking in the form of beard burn, bite marks, and faint bruises on his golden skin.
“Hey,” I called out, and Iain turned around.
If we were gonna do this, I need to give him full disclosure.
“You should also know that your stalker called me yesterday. Again. The first time was before we left home. Regan and I think it’s someone at Bandit, because how else would this person have access to your number and mine, right?
Anyway, you don’t need to be concerned, but you have a right to know. ”
Iain froze, staring at me with wide eyes.
“Sweetheart?” I asked when he didn’t respond.
“You’re just telling me this now?!” Iain roared.
“I didn’t want to worry you.”
“That’s not for you to decide!” he snapped and placed his hands on his hips. “Is there anything else?”
“No. That’s it. I swear. You know what I know.”
Iain bit his lower lip. “Do not keep shit like that from me. I don’t need that kind of protection.”
“I promise. And I’m sorry.”
Iain shook his head. “This just makes things a whole lot more complicated.”
“Meaning?”
Iain crossed his arms. “Jaxon. If you’re at risk, he’s at risk.”
I got up and walked over to Iain. “I’m not at risk. And we’re going to catch this person. And that will be that.”
“You can’t guarantee anything. Some of these celebrity stalker cases go on for months, even years. Jesus Christ.”
“Is this it?” I whispered. “Should I bother telling Regan about you and me, about removing me from your security detail?”
Iain gripped my biceps and pulled me in close. “I don’t want to walk away, but baby, you already said it. You gotta think about Jaxon first.”
“Chances are, if I’m off your detail, the stalker won’t bother with me anymore.”
Iain sighed and relaxed his grip. “Maybe. But still, you and I need to keep this under wraps. If the stalker finds out we’re in a relationship, how do you think they’re gonna react?”
I grimaced. “It’ll probably set them off.”
That was an understatement. Someone obsessed, determined, and pissed off was a volatile bomb just waiting to go off.
I pulled Iain into my arms and ran a hand down his bare back. He clutched me just as tightly. Then I gently kissed the top of his head.
“But we’re doing everything we can to find this person. Please, just trust me.”
“I’ve known you for four years. Trusting you isn’t the problem. It’s everything else.”
I didn’t let go of Iain. I couldn’t.
And that right there told me all I needed to know.
I was falling hard, ignoring any and all warning signs that were flashing in front of me.