More of a growl and whisper combo.
Oh fuck, I needed to write that down.
That was really sexy.
I figured it was better not to piss off the giant man any more than I already had, so I let him lead me.
His eyes were constantly moving as we waited for my bag. “It’s that one,” I said, pointing at my suitcase.
He nodded silently, grabbed the bag I had indicated in one hand and my elbow in the other, then led me toward the parking garage.
I couldn’t help but laugh.
He raised an eyebrow at me before going back to scanning the area. “What?”
“You are just so perfectly bodyguard-ing. Bodyguard-ish? Just exactly what I pictured. If you’re trying to be subtle about who you are and why you’re here, you’re failing epically, but you are absolutely nailing the—”
“Bodyguard-ing. Yeah, I got it.” He approached a lifted Silverado in a bright shade of red and opened the passenger door. “Get in.”
I liked the bossy side of him, and I also desperately needed tomake some notes, so I did as I was told. Once I was in my seat, I pulled out a notebook and pen and wrote a few things down.
Hayes went around the back of the truck, put my luggage in, and slammed the tailgate. Then he folded his big frame into the driver’s seat and turned the key.
He glanced toward where I was scribbling down the contents of his center console, threw the truck in reverse, and backed out of the stall. Once we were out of the underground, the sun beat through the windshield, and I had to stop to find my sunglasses.
“Are you done for a minute so we can talk?”
I wasn’t really, but I sensed that was not what he wanted to hear, so I nodded.
“Your schedule is heavy for the next week with book signings, appearances, and interviews. I’ll be handling the logistics and keeping you safe.”
“Look, Hayes, I get you have a job to do, but honestly, I’m an author, not a rock star. This whole thing seems a little much. I’d love to see what you do so I can write a bodyguard character, though.”
He adjusted his big frame in the seat. “You’re trending, whether you like it or not. People know where you’ll be thanks to your heavily publicized book tour schedule. I’m not here to play the part of the bodyguard. I’m here to actually keep you safe.”
“I’m not that interesting,” I protested.
“You agent also said, you keep odd hours and don’t take care of yourself when you’re writing. We wont have that on this tour.”
“Ugh, Ana, what did she tell you?”
“Let’s start with some ground rules,” he said, bulldozingpast my question.
“Ground rules,” I muttered under my breath as I rubbed my temple. “I’m not a child.”
“Rule one,” he said, ignoring my protest again, “you will stick to the schedule. Rule two: You will keep your phone on and charged. Rule three: I will be your shadow until this is over.”
I bristled. “So I have to take my man-shadow with me if I need a coffee?”
He ran a hand through his dark hair. “The rules are not negotiable. We need to be on the same page at all times. If I sayduckand you quack instead of hitting the floor, you could get hurt.”
I paused, letting that flow over me, then burst out laughing. “I have to write that down. That is a fantastic line. The domineering thing works better in my books than in person, but this is great.” I started to scribble, but he put a hand over mine to stop me.
“I’m not done.”
I cocked an eyebrow. This was starting to feel like boot camp rather than a book tour. “I’ve kept myself alive for over forty years, surely I can—”
“Rule four: You will follow a regular sleep schedule.”
