Then winked.
David’s step faltered. He turned back around and kept walking.
Kennedi's mouth fell open. This man had just air-gunned a network executive at his own premiere party. The audacity was so reckless it wrapped all the way around to attractive, and she hated herself for that conclusion.
Their eyes met. He tilted his head slightly, the amusement draining from his face. He’d seen all of it — David’s hand on her back, his fingers on her waist, the business card she'd used as a polite dismissal.
Kennedi shook her head once.I'm fine. Don't.He held her gaze, his tongue pressing against the inside of his cheek before he dropped his shoulders and rolled his neck. He heard her. She just wasn't sure he agreed.
The night moved on. Speeches wrapped. The executives filtered out. The lights dimmed, and the music got louder, shifting the energy from professional to celebratory.
“Finally,” Paige said, grabbing Kennedi’s hand. “Come on, we’re dancing.”
Kennedi let herself be pulled toward the dance floor. The champagne buzz made it easier to let go, to stop overthinking and just be. Blake, Taylor, Spirit, and Paige surrounded her, and when “Back That Thang Up” hit, the dance floor erupted.
“Oh shit, this my song!” Taylor yelled.
Spirit grabbed Kennedi’s hand and spun her around. “Come on, Ken! Show these LA girls how we do it down south.”
Kennedi laughed and let the beat take over.
She turned mid-movement and found him. He stood near the bar, arms crossed, his attention fixed on her. She held his gaze and rolled her hips a little slower. She knew what she was doing.
His tongue pressed against the inside of his cheek. When she glanced over her shoulder, his expression had changed.
Restraint hung on him by a thread.
The song ended, and she stepped off the dance floor, breathless.
“I took the liberty,” David’s voice cut through her thoughts as he appeared with two champagne glasses.
Kennedi didn’t reach for it. “I’m good, thanks.”
“Come on, just one drink.” He stepped closer, insistent.
“She said she’s good.” Rolani’s voice came from behind her. Rolani had had enough of David breathing in Kennedi’s direction.
David looked up, clearly weighing whether this was worth it. It wasn’t. He set both glasses down and walked away without another word.
Kennedi turned to face Rolani. “Thanks, bodyguard.”
“Keep playing, and I’ll be guarding more than that.”
Her phone buzzed. The car she’d called earlier had arrived. She glanced at the screen, then back at him.
“That’s me,” she said.
He nodded, hands slipping into his pockets, his eyes moving over her face with something he wasn't ready to say out loud.
“He getting a little too comfortable,” he said, his voice low enough for only her to hear. The playfulness from the studio was gone. Territorial had replaced it, and he wasn't bothered about it at all.
Before she could respond, Rolani stepped forward and adjusted the strap of her purse that had slipped off her shoulder. His fingers barely grazed her collarbone. It was the first time he’d touched her since they shook hands on the plane.
“Be safe, Kennedi.” His hand dropped, and he stepped back. “I’ll see you.”
She walked toward the exit, weaving through the crowd. When she reached the door and glanced back, he was still standing there, hands in his pocket, watching her leave.
She pushed through the door, and the night air hit her face. Her phone buzzed again. The group chat.
