How did I not notice how sexy forearms were? #lunadarling #forearmsfordays #bookgirls #bookboyfriendturnedreal
I kept scrolling, and it was more of the same. Anastasia was right. Every thirst-trap account that relied on romance readers for views was showing off his arms or doing some kind of physical labor. Apparently, I had activated the lumberjacks too, because my feed was full of wood-chopping montages, which I was not at all mad about.
All the romance accounts I followed had tagged me in their videos, agreeing with me, adding to what I had said, and highlighting their favorite fictional men. My follower count was through the roof.
After years of toiling away in front of mylaptop until my spine resembled the letter C, I had finally found myself at the top of the pack. I’d have to woman up and stay there, even if it meant playing nice with a professional handler.
Chapter Two
Hayes
Ipulled up to the Lone Star Security headquarters, officially known asThe Ranch, early, knowing my boss, Gray, would already be up and ready with my next assignment. He didn’t give me any info over the phone about what to expect, so I assumed it would be a low-key, run-of-the-mill job. As much as any job for Lone Star Security was, anyway.
The Ranch was a massive piece of property in Valor Springs, Texas. It still had the hallmarks of a running ranch but was mostly our training ground and home base. Most of the guys who worked for Gray were former military, so the barracks vibe made them feel right at home.
I’d never served, but I understood the importance of rigid structure and constant training.
A few trucks were already parked in the driveway which wasn’t unusual. There was no telling when one op would end and the next would begin, so getting us all in one place at thesame time was rare. Typically, to hand out new assignments, Gray either had us come by in person or sent us an encrypted email.
I was expecting to have to go searching for Gray, but he met me on the front porch, arms crossed over his chest, Stetson on his head. Gray, along with his sister, Mae, owned Lone Star Security. She was the one who kept things going behind the scenes. Paperwork, spreadsheets, and other stuff that us guards were too restless to handle. Gray was the one who handed out assignments, coordinated ops as needed, and handled much of the behind-the-scenes logistics.
It was hot as fuck out already, but nothing I wasn’t used to. I’d moved around more times than I’d care to remember, but Texas was always home.
“How was court yesterday?” Gray asked.
I shrugged. “Routine, just like the rest of the job.”
Gray nodded.
I’d been guarding an office building after an ex-employee had made some threats. Nothing had come of it except for a few late nights and a quick arrest when the guy had shown up, uttering threats. I’d been looking forward to it being over, but once it was, I was itching for the next job to start.
“You have something new for me?” I asked.
He nodded and handed me the file. Gray was a man of few words most of the time, stoic and quiet since the death of his wife.
I took the manila envelope and pulled out the paperwork. The photo at the top was of a woman; her dark, curly hair was piled into a bun on top of her head. One groomed eyebrow arched mischievously. Her deep brown eyes sparkled. Did that glint in her eye mean she’d be trouble, or was that look justfor show? I guess I would find out. She held up a book that covered the lower half of her face. Even so, I could tell that she was gorgeous.
Which wasn’t a problem.
Sure, I was counting how long it had been since I last had sex on a calendar, not a watch, but I could keep things professional with a beautiful woman.
“That is her official headshot.”
“Romance author?” I asked. The cover of the book she held had a half-naked man holding a firehose, so it was an educated guess.
Gray nodded. “She went viral and is doing a tour this week. Her publisher wants protection in case any fans get overzealous, crowd control, optics, that kind of thing.”
“So stand around and look scary. Is that the long and short of it?”
He rubbed the toe of his cowboy boot over the scuffed wood of his front porch. “Basically, nothing you’re not used to.”
I flipped through the file. Inside was a list of events, dates, times, locations, and contacts. “Where is she from?”
He readjusted his hat. “A little bit of everywhere. She’s originally from Western Canada, and that’s where her agent lives. But she likes to live wherever the book she’s writing is set. She’ll be flying in from Vegas.”
Well, we had that in common.
“You’re due to pick her up at the airport in a few hours, then you’ll be on the road for a week.”
