And notbecauseI’m Colt’s sister.
Maybe that was part of the reason I started writing as Sloane Daniels. Besides needing something new to occupy my time and get my creative juices flowing, my brother had no connection to that side of my success. Guilt sloshes in my belly at the thought, though, because Colt has never been anything but supportive no matter what I’m doing.
Kids’ books.
Sexy books.
It doesn’t matter because he’sall in.
But that’s how he is in all parts of his life. He supports causes, takes care of his friends, loves his family, and doesn’t doanything small. Hence why I have a bodyguard in my kitchen…one I really should thank.
Pulling a drink from the fridge, I lean a hip against the counter and wait until Tom looks up at me, one of his eyebrows rising when I don’t speak right away.
“I just wanted to thank you for everything with the kids.”
“It was my pleasure.”
“Really though,”—I exhale heavily, pulling out the chair across from him at the table—“it’s so hard for me to ask for help. I mean, I thought about hiring an assistant, but I hate when people are in my space so I just haven’t.”
“That’s unfortunate then…” He trails off with a wave of his hand and a self-deprecating smirk.
“I’m serious.” I laugh, feeling my cheeks heat but forcing myself to continue. “It was really nice having someone who knew what I needed before I did.”
“I aim to please.”
I just bet you do.
“Well, if things get too boring at Andrews International, just know you always have a job here.”
“Is lodging provided?” He smirks andGod,this man is gorgeous.
“No,”—I pretend scoff as I stand—“because you keep moving all the shit around in my kitchen.”
“It was driving me nuts,” he says simply, like it’s perfectly acceptable to justmove the plates and glasses around.
“Yeah, well, I still can’t find my popcorn bowl or the mug I use for ice cream because it has the best handle.”
“That’s very specific.”
“Well then, you should easily be able to find them for me.”
“I’ll work on it.”
“Good.” I sniff. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Goodnight, Miss Harrington.”
“Goodnight, Tom.”
Despite my best intentions,I can’t fall asleep. Thoughts of Tom being sexy and growly fill my head, and try as I might, I can’t help but picture him as every single hero I’ve written with a gruff exterior and a sinfully sweet center.
He’s the kind of guy that doesn’t want you to know he has a gentle side, and maybe it’s not so much gentle as it is thoughtful.
Caring.
He sees things other people don’t, and while I know that’s part of his job, I can’t put into words how much it meant to me today.
Grabbing my phone off the nightstand, I type out a text to Bailey, surprised to see the little bubbles pop up in reply considering it’s almost one in the morning.
