Standing next to her every day without touching her is like torture. -Grainger
Over the next few days, I become Lana’s shadow. I sent all the letters and evidence to my guys. My agency, Orion Protection Agency, hires only the best of the best. I made sure of that when I started the firm four years ago. It was after the incident with pretty boy Scott Schroeder that I was able to realize my dream of opening my own firm. I moved to Atlanta, started my own protection agency, and hired guys that I knew I could trust. We’ll find the guy terrorizing Lana no matter what.
“Should I say it in a tougher voice, or did you like that take?” Lana asks Dan, the director, in a subdued voice. She’s always asking how she can do things better. It’s one of the many things I admire about her.
“She’s kind of amazing, isn’t she?” a low, feminine voice questions from beside me.
I turn, noticing her co-star, Fiona Black, to my right. Fiona plays her estranged mother on the show. She’s probably been standing there for god knows how long. I’ve been completely laser-focused on Lana.Like always.
“She’s a great actress,” I say gruffly. That much is true. She’s also an amazing person and the most beautiful woman in the world, but saying that would probably give away my feelings about her.
Fiona rolls her eyes. “You watch her like she’s a lot more than that, tough guy. You watch her like she’s a goddess and you’re just lucky enough to be in her vicinity.” She cocks her head to the side and sends me a pitying look. “It’s kind of sad, really. Or it would be if I didn’t think she felt the same way about you. She told me a little bit about your history.” She shifts and wrinkles her nose. “I’m glad you convinced her to leave that asshole Scott. At least he finally got what was coming to him.” Schroeder was accused of sexual harassment by some of his co-stars two years ago and was officially cancelled by society. It was a happy occurrence. “I’ve been in the business for a long time. I’ve seen way too many guys like him, unfortunately.”
“I’m only worried about Ms. Langston’s well-being, Ms. Black. She deserves to be safe. And my job is to keep her that way.” I try to take on the no-nonsense approach that’s always come so easily to me, but my gaze still strays to where Lana is playing with one of the kids who plays her daughter on the show.
“It’s okay to fall for her, big guy. God knows everyone else around here has.” Fiona flips a blonde lock behind her ear. She’s a beautiful woman. She’s just not Lana.
Her words finally register with me. “What do you mean, “everyone else around here” has fallen for Lana too? Who are you talking about?” I glance around. The show takes a large crewto run it and I’ve researched every one of them. Henry, my IT guy, has been busy unearthing every secret there is about each of them. There are a lot of salacious secrets, but so far nothing that gives us a motive to terrorize Lana.
She snorts. “I mean, everyone. From the camera people to Dan. Dan, especially. That man would give her anything.”
I glance over at the balding man with new eyes. He’s been standoffish towards me, but he does seem to be good at communicating with Lana. I watch him now as he watches her.
Could he be crazy enough about her to turn, well, crazy? Could he have sent the letters?
I feel the older woman’s hand on my arm. “You don’t need to worry. She only sees you. That girl is gaga over you.”
My gaze shifts back to Lana. I catch her looking over at me. She blushes and smiles, and I can’t help but smile back.Why does she make my heart beat so fast? Why can’t I get her out of my head?
I open my mouth to say something else to Fiona, but realize she’s already walked off.Perceptive woman. Way too perceptive.
Chapter Seven
Lana
I want him so much that it’s like denying the other half of my soul. -Lana
I can hear the murmurs of the television in the living room. I’ve been tossing and turning for the last three hours. I realized about an hour ago that I’m not going to get any sleep tonight.
I turn on my side again and tuck my arm under my head. I know Grainger is out there just a few feet away. He has night babysitting duty as I’ve come to call it. I feel like such a weakling, needing protection like this. It’s been a week and nothing else has happened. Maybe the police were right. Maybe the cat was done by a one-off nut who got his kicks and is now out of my life. Who knows?
What I do know is that being around Grainger is slowly killing me. What’s worse is he’s probably not aware of my internal struggle. He acts like it’s business as usual. He watches me withthose intense grey eyes of his like he knows a secret about me that he’ll never tell. He’s silent most of the time and I have no idea whether he feels anything other than pity for me.
But I know how I feel. I feel like I’m burning up inside. I want him more than I’ve ever wanted anything or anyone in my life. It’s like an itch under my skin that won’t stop.
I rub my legs together again. There’s an ache there. An ache for him. And I’m afraid it won’t ever stop.
I finally decide to just get out of bed and confront the source of my problem. It’s time to do something about this infernal desire. Maybe I can just seduce him and get this out of my system. Maybe I can just…
My hand pauses on the doorknob.Who am I kidding? I don’t know anything about seducing a man. Hell, before Scott all those years ago, I was a virgin. I didn’t have any experience. He’ll laugh at me. He’ll think I’m a fool.
I square my shoulders and shake my head.You’re an actress, Lana. Get your shit together and act your ass off. Act like you’re a seductive goddess. Act like your character in One Hot Night.I picture the gutsy woman I played in that movie. She knew her own self-worth. She knew she could get any guy.
I take a deep breath. For the next few minutes, that’s who I’ll be. That’s who I have to be to soothe the hot flow of desire that rages within me.
I smile as I turn the knob. It’s a smile of confidence. It’s a smile that says I know I’m about to knock the socks off this man.Fuck, he’s not going to know what hit him.
Chapter Eight
