Leia And Han
Natalie’s alarm went off,but she smacked it quiet and forced herself out of bed; Kaylin wanted to arrive early to the con to get in line for autographs and panels. Natalie would be lying to herself if she said she wasn’t looking forward to it; her love of superhero movies was as intense as Kaylin’s. She also loved how much Colt looked a little like Thor, if he’d grow his hair out a bit.
Sun streamed in through the cracked blinds as she pushed Nugget off the end of the bed and fixed the covers, suddenly realizing that Colt might be somewhere outside, watching her moving sleepily with tangled hair. Kaylin had never told her exactly how a bodyguard worked; had they stared at a client’s window all night or just sat at home by a phone, like a doctor on call? Natalie liked the idea of Colt watching her more and more; it turned her on in a way she hadn’t expected.
Even if he wasn’t outside, peering in at her through high-tech binoculars, she liked feeling sexy again for the first time in years. Gavin had made her feel as if she was never good enough, always in need of professional help from eyebrow grooming to tummy tuckers to make her desirable. Now, she surveyed herself in her silk shorts and lace-trimmed camisole, her breasts and butt swelling against the thin fabric, and she felt good. Better than good, which was important today of all days, as every other time she’d tried on the sexy-rebel costume Kaylin had made to match her sexy-droid catsuit, Natalie had felt self-conscious and wanted to hide. It didn’t help that Gavin thought nerd-culture was trash. If something didn’t hang in a gallery with a million-dollar price tag on it, it wasn’t worthy of attention.
Kaylin had resented Gavin for that from day one.I should listen to Kaylin more, Natalie thought to herself. Rusty was hot and treated Kaylin like royalty. Maybe her best friend was right about Colt, that something could happen between them.I’m just a client,she reminded herself. She’d need to start dating the old-fashioned way—by meeting people who weren’t paid to spend time with her—once this whole business with Gavin was over. She shuddered, scared of a future with him in it, lurking somewhere in the shadows forever.
Natalie did her makeup and dressed quickly, zipping up one of her thigh-high boots when a loud knock sounded on her door. Nugget startled off his bed and growled, then ran to the door and pawed it, whining. Natalie peered nervously through the peephole. Colt stood outside. She twisted the new lock and opened the door.
“So, you do car service now?” she joked.
“Kaylin texted me last night that you two were...” Colt stepped back, taking in Natalie’s costume. “Wow. I don’t think I should let you go out dressed like that.”
“What?” Natalie looked down at her fitted corset, her breasts spilling out over the top, and her forest-green mini-skirt. Kaylin had been inspired by Leia inThe Empire Strikes Backwhen designing her costume.
“I’m supposed to protect you from one dude, not fight off every guy in the city when they see you.”
“So, you think I look okay?” Natalie posed, hand on her hip.
“I’m definitely making my gun visible to others.”
Natalie laughed. “I’m not worried. When they see you they’ll think twice about approaching me.”
Colt smirked. “I can wait outside if you’re not done.”
“No, come on in. I’m almost ready.” She ushered him onto the couch, then returned to fixing her hair into loose Leia buns. “Did Kaylin not talk you into a costume?”
“She tried.” Colt patted the cushion next to him and Nugget jumped on the couch, resting his chin on Colt’s knee.
“You can’t go with us dressed in jeans and a shirt,” Natalie said, though she thoroughly enjoyed how Colt’s skin tight jeans accentuated his butt, and enjoyed even more the thought of sliding them down off his hips. “You need something costume-y. Otherwise, you’ll stand out like a sore thumb.”
“No one will be looking at me when I’m next to you,” he said.
Natalie blushed. She was glad Kaylin talked her into the sexier version of the costume; she’d have to thank her later.
“Stand up.” She took Colt’s hand and sized him up. “We can work with this.”
Colt surveyed himself; he wore black jeans and a checked button-up over a white t-shirt.
“Take this off.” Natalie tugged his sleeve. “You’re overdressed for a con.”
“This is classic attire,” Colt said.
“Maybe in Texas.” Natalie pushed his arms to his sides, then began unbuttoning his shirt. Colt held his breath as she worked.
“Let’s slip this off.” She pushed his shirt off his shoulders, aware that if she leaned in a tad more, the exposed tops of her breasts would press into his chest. She fought the urge. Colt wiggled, letting the button-up fall to the couch.
Natalie stepped back, and only then did Colt exhale the breath he’d been holding. “Don’t move,” she said. “I have what you need.” She rummaged in her closet and pulled out a wide brown belt and a black, puffy vest. “Slip these on. Wear this one loose,” she said, showing him how to angle the belt at his hips. “Just one more touch.” She tousled his hair. “There. A poor man’s Han Solo. Now, your gun could be a prop.”
“I’ll keep it back here.” Colt patted the back of his waistband. “Makes people in large crowds nervous.”
Natalie took her purse from the hook. “Ready.” She turned to find Colt looking himself over in a mirror.
“I always liked Han,” he said, popping the collar on the vest and posing.
“Let’s go. If we’re late, Kaylin won’t let us hear the end of it.”
“So Rusty has told me. That’s why he left the army, you know. Couldn’t be punctual no matter how many pushups it cost.”
“That’s the reason he left?”
Colt held the door open for her. “Nah. He just prefers to be his own boss.”
“Then why is he with Kaylin?” Natalie joked.
“He knows a good thing when he sees it.” Colt stepped aside so Natalie could lock the door. “We have that in common,” he added quietly, then tucked his hands in his pockets and whistled, trailing Natalie down the stairs to the street.
