Chapter 18 Kat
KAT
Iguess I shouldn’t have been surprised that Tom did, in fact, fit in as we walked through the halls of Ironwood Elementary and the one in the neighboring town. Teachers swooned, kids giggled and waved, and all the while he remained unobtrusive like he promised.
And helpful.
His expression stayed impassive as I read the same book to three separate sessions of students each day, fielding questions about Ollie and his dog Jinx’s latest adventure to the baseball stadium and when Lulu and her kitten Poppy’s newest story will be released.
My heart felt lighter with each read word and each conversation had.
My stories are silly and fun—adventures from my childhood with Colt and the trouble we got into both real and pretend.
It didn’t give me much time to think about what Tom saw when he looked at me, what he thought about this part of my business.
I’d built something all on my own, my books and brand, learning from every single mistake I made along the way. It wasn’t easy and some days it wasn’t even fun, but the kids always make it worth it.
Just like now.
Tom supplied me with snacks and water, sorted bags for each class, and made me feel like I wasn’t alone in this. He did things without me asking, anticipating everything I’d needed before I could even say the words out loud.
No one had ever done that for me.
I brought Colt one time and one time only because, even though he didn’t mean to, he completely stole the show.
Kids and adults fawned over the professional baseball player as if I wasn’t even there, and while I love my brother and I’m proud of all he does, it was hard to keep my smile in place that day.
Another time I brought my parents when they were in town, and while it was great to have their support, it was more work to keep them on task. I’d left that event exhausted and deflated. It felt childish to want to throw a fit, but there were so few times when I got to be the headliner.
As me.
Not Colt’s sister.
And not because I’m Colt’s sister.
Maybe that was part of the reason I started writing as Sloane Daniels.
Besides needing something new to occupy my time and get my creative juices flowing, my brother had no connection to that side of my success.
Guilt sloshes in my belly at the thought, though, because Colt has never been anything but supportive no matter what I’m doing.
Kids’ books.
Sexy books.
It doesn’t matter because he’s all in.
But that’s how he is in all parts of his life. He supports causes, takes care of his friends, loves his family, and doesn’t do anything small. Hence why I have a bodyguard in my kitchen…one I really should thank.
Pulling a drink from the fridge, I lean a hip against the counter and wait until Tom looks up at me, one of his eyebrows rising when I don’t speak right away.
“I just wanted to thank you for everything with the kids.”
“It was my pleasure.”
“Really though,”—I exhale heavily, pulling out the chair across from him at the table—“it’s so hard for me to ask for help. I mean, I thought about hiring an assistant, but I hate when people are in my space so I just haven’t.”
“That’s unfortunate then…” He trails off with a wave of his hand and a self-deprecating smirk.
“I’m serious.” I laugh, feeling my cheeks heat but forcing myself to continue. “It was really nice having someone who knew what I needed before I did.”
“I aim to please.”
I just bet you do.
“Well, if things get too boring at Andrews International, just know you always have a job here.”
“Is lodging provided?” He smirks and God, this man is gorgeous.
“No,”—I pretend scoff as I stand—“because you keep moving all the shit around in my kitchen.”
“It was driving me nuts,” he says simply, like it’s perfectly acceptable to just move the plates and glasses around.
“Yeah, well, I still can’t find my popcorn bowl or the mug I use for ice cream because it has the best handle.”
“That’s very specific.”
“Well then, you should easily be able to find them for me.”
“I’ll work on it.”
“Good.” I sniff. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Goodnight, Miss Harrington.”
“Goodnight, Tom.”
Despite my best intentions, I can’t fall asleep. Thoughts of Tom being sexy and growly fill my head, and try as I might, I can’t help but picture him as every single hero I’ve written with a gruff exterior and a sinfully sweet center.
He’s the kind of guy that doesn’t want you to know he has a gentle side, and maybe it’s not so much gentle as it is thoughtful.
Caring.
He sees things other people don’t, and while I know that’s part of his job, I can’t put into words how much it meant to me today.
Grabbing my phone off the nightstand, I type out a text to Bailey, surprised to see the little bubbles pop up in reply considering it’s almost one in the morning.
KAT: How can I be both exhausted AND wired?
BAILEY: You’ve had a hell of a week—how did today go?
KAT: It was great, honestly. Tom was so helpful and I felt taken care of.
KAT: I thought he’d be in the way or that I’d feel like I did when my parents or Colt were with me, but he was perfect
BAILEY: I really love that
BAILEY: You deserve to have someone there to support you
KAT: He’s being paid
BAILEY: So would an assistant
I don’t really have a response to that because she’s right. Luckily, she changes the subject.
BAILEY: Have you talked to your brother?
KAT: No
KAT: It’s not that I’m mad at him but I just feel like he completely took the decision out of my hands. I didn’t have a say, Bailey. He just got me a bodyguard
BAILEY: At least he got you a hot one
BAILEY: How old is he again?
KAT: At least ten years older than me
BAILEY: Which is perfect because you don’t go for younger men anyway
KAT: I’m not dating my bodyguard
BAILEY: The lady doth protest
KAT: And the lady will continue protesting because nothing is happening
Memories of me running into him in the hall on our first night together have a delicious little shiver racing down my spine. I’d written something similar into my manuscript because it was too good to ignore.
The tension and the constant will they, won’t they is the stuff author dreams are made of and again, if I’m not getting laid, my characters definitely should be.
BAILEY: Fine…
BAILEY: Are you ready for this weekend?
KAT: Yes, I just have to find something to wear
BAILEY: Maybe you should do a fashion show for Tom and see what he thinks
KAT: I can already imagine his blank expression that pairs so nicely with the exasperated sigh that seems to happen every time I’m around
BAILEY: Maybe that’s how he flirts
I snort, the sound so much louder in the stillness of the night.
KAT: Doubt it
KAT: And now I need to try and get some sleep
BAILEY: Rest up tomorrow and if you’re not going to have Mr. Bodyguard help pick something out then send me your options so we can make sure you look hot
KAT: It’s a signing for children…
BAILEY: And there’s no reason you can’t look like a professional, hot, school teacher to get Mr. Bodyguard’s blood pumping
KAT: GOODNIGHT!
BAILEY: (kiss face emoji) sweet dreams
Tossing my phone onto my nightstand, I can’t wipe the smile from my face, thankful that I’m able to hide my blush in the darkness.
It doesn’t matter that I’m alone. It still feels like I’m doing something wicked, my thoughts already straying back to that first night in the hall.
Closing my eyes, I snuggle down into the blankets, my hand sliding into the waistband of my panties because of this fantasy that will live rent free in my mind forever.
What would it have been like if he’d backed me against the wall? The knot of his towel loosening before falling to the floor?
Only one way to find out…