He stops himself, and I internally scream thatthisis the time he chooses to stop talking? Who the fuck is Jamie? And what the hell did he do to Milo? My hands clench at just the thought of him hurting Milo in any way.
“The point is, I don’t like seeing him hurt. Do I make myself clear, Rowan?”
The man barely reaches my shoulder, but the threat in his tone has me sweating. My guard is up, and my gut tells me one wrong answer will equal a lifetime of pain.
“I’ll keep Milo safe,” I say seriously. “I’ll make sure nobody ever hurts Milo again, including myself.”
This goes beyond my protective instincts as a bodyguard. Keeping him safe is now a personal objective, and I’m not ready to admit just how far I’ll go to protect that smile of his.
Ray’s intimidating glare immediately transforms into a broad smile. He pats me on the shoulder. “I have a good feeling about you, Rowan, and my intuition is usually correct. Case in point: our boy there.”
“Thank you?” I reply, but Ray’s entire focus is already back on Milo, who’s wrapping up the last part of his performance, and I’m left more confused than ever over this strange conversation.
Why did it sound like Ray’s aware of something I’m not? And why the hell did it seem like he was almost giving me his blessing…to be with Milo?
Worst of all, why did the blessing make my insides feel all light and fluttery?
That’s not me.
I don’t get mushy over emotions.
In all my previous relationships, I’ve always been able to keep my head about me. I shouldn’t be surprised that Milo turns everything upside down. He keeps me on my toes, as I’ve learned.
There’s still a lot I don’t know, but one thing’s for sure: I mustneverlet Ray and Riley meet. These two people, who somehow know more than they should, can never be allowed to team up. I can only imagine the horror that’d be unleashed if they do.
Milo hits the final note of his song, bending backward until his knees are folded, and he finishes on the floor.
The music cuts out, and there’s silence for a beat before the entire place explodes with applause.
Milo’s breath is ragged as he stands. The host walks onstage to shake Milo’s hand and gives him one last shout-out before Milo’s part of the segment is over.
When he’s given the all-clear, he looks around the room until he spots us. Then he’s flashing his pearly whites and running to us.
Just like every other time when Milo’s focus is on me, everything else slips away. The world consists of me and him, the man currently running toward me. I want to spread my arms to catch him.
A throat clearing to the side stops me before I can move. It catches Milo off guard, too, and his pace slows and shifts just a fraction so it looks like he’s not heading forjustme.
“Great job out there, goblin.”
Ray’s compliment is met with another brilliant smile that is then pointed at me. Milo looks up at me expectantly. It’s physically impossible to go against those sparkling eyes.
“You shone like the sun out there. I couldn’t look away,” I tell him truthfully, and ignore the pointed gaze I feel coming from Ray. All that matters is the soft, bashful expression Milo wears at my words.
“Go change and let’s get out of here,” Ray orders and pivots toward the dressing room. The man is halfway across the room in seconds flat. He’s always walking like he’s on a mission.
Milo doesn’t follow immediately and glances at me instead. We share a smile like we’re both in on the secret before striding to catch up to Ray.
We enter the dressing room, and Milo quickly changes. He left the penthouse in jeans and a T-shirt that does nothing to protect him from the weather. The only saving grace is that he’s at least wearing a jacket this time.
Myjacket.
“I didn’t have time to ask when we arrived, butwhatare you wearing? Where did you even buy this leather jacket?” Ray asks when Milo finishes dressing.
I can’t meet either of their eyes. Milo didn’t offer my jacket back after the day I lent it to him, and I haven’t asked for it either.
I think Ilikeseeing Milo in my clothes.
Why is he so damn adorable?
