Chapter 3
three
Ashton
He kissed me.
It wasn’t a passionate kiss. It was soft and sweet, but it affected my already overheated body more than a passionate kiss would have.
For a first kiss, it was incredible. I feel the heat creep into my face as I realize my first kiss ever was with a stranger, pretending to be one of the characters from my book.
My hand pauses halfway through signing the last book of the day when I realize I don’t even know “Renegade’s” real name or if he’s married or has a girlfriend.
As if sensing my distress, “Renegade” places his foot next to mine under the table.
The small contact he’s been making whenever he senses something is wrong has been a lifeline, helping me get through the signing.
With a flick of my pen, I finish personalizing the book for my fan before handing it back.
“Can he sign it too?” The young girl’s cheeks flush a deep red, which I’m sure matches my own as she asks for the cover model’s autograph.
She isn’t the first fan to ask for it. No, I’m pretty sure everyone asked for his autograph.
“Sure.” With a friendly smile, he reaches for the book, signing the name, “Renegade Reynolds” under my signature, Ashton Everly. It’s oddly intimate, seeing our fake names together like that.
He hands the young woman her book, and she clutches it to her chest as she walks out of the bookstore backwards, her eyes never leaving “Renegade,” as if she never wants to stop looking at him.
I know the feeling, girl.
“Okay, that’s it. Everybody out," Dani says as she waves at her staff to signal everyone to leave the bookstore, leaving only her, Carrie, me, and "Renegade." She flicks her wrist to lock the front door. The store owner had left earlier, leaving Dani the key to lock up when we're done.
“Alright, Ashton. We need to be honest about our plan.” Carrie and Dani step in front of “Renegade” and me, their eyes flickering between us.
“He’s not just a cover model, he’s your new bodyguard, Riker Williams.” I’m not sure what surprises me more—finally knowing my mystery man’s real name or discovering that he’s my hired bodyguard.
“Before you say anything, I want to remind you that you didn’t want to alert your fans to any potential issues that might put you in harm's way. Which I respect, but you still need someone to protect you.”
“I know it only started out as one letter, but now that there are two letters, I’m glad we hired him.” Dani pulls the newest letter out of her oversized purse.
“Let me see that.” Riker stands, rising to his full height, making me feel small as I stay seated beside him, and reaches for the letter. I watch as he tears open the envelope and scans the letter. His eyes move across the page as his scowl deepens. It shouldn’t take that long to read two words.
“What does it say?” I come to my feet, reaching for the piece of paper. His gaze holds mine before he lowers his arm and hands me the letter.
With a shuddering breath, I lower my gaze to the paper in my hand as the hateful words jump out at me.
You’re mine. I made you—I can destroy you, and no one would even care if you lived or died.
A gasp escapes my lips, the piece of paper in my hand shaking as the words sink in. “They want to kill me.” For the second time today, I feel like I’m going to faint.
“I won’t let anyone harm you, little one.
” Renegade—I mean, Riker brushes his large thumb across my cheek.
It’s another small touch, but it’s enough to snap me out of the feeling of passing out.
I don’t know what it is about this man that makes me feel so safe and secure—I guess it’s his job to do that.
“Thank you, Riker.” I turn my head, pressing my cheek into his thumb, and smile up at him. His eyes darken with something I can’t name, but only for a second before returning to the steely look I’ve already come to know from him.
"Anyway," Carrie continues. “We thought it would be best to hire an undercover bodyguard. Riker will be with you twenty-four seven. We’ll issue a press release saying that the two of you met and fell in love during the photo shoot for the special-edition cover of your book. That will explain why he’s living with you.”
“Living with me?” I’m already flustered with him being this close to me—I can’t imagine how much worse I’ll be if he actually lives with me.
“It will be fine, Ash.” He rubs his thumb across my cheek one more time before lowering his hand.
His use of a nickname no one has ever used on me makes my heart flutter.
I’ve always been Ashton—never Ash. “We won’t actually be sharing a bed.
I’ll be there as your bodyguard and nothing more.
” The way he says “and nothing more” has me wanting to tell him, for the first time in my life, that I want more.
But instead, I nod my head. “Good girl.” He says only loud enough for my ears, turning my insides into a pile of mush, and causing my panties to dampen at the praise.
How am I ever going to survive being around this man every day and night? It’s only been a few hours, and my panties didn’t make it.