Page 3 of The Forbidden Bodyguard

Sam is a few inches shorter but solid as fuck. I’m going to guess he’s ex-Army or was a Marine.

“Welcome to the team. I’ve got your company ID and handgun ready, with some spare mags. Wasn’t sure what you prefer regarding uniforms, so let me show you what we have. Blazer, bomber jackets, pants, shirts.”

He opens another cupboard and starts sizing me up and pulling out plastic-wrapped clothing.

“I’ll take whatever you have,” I say. “Aside from casual civilian wear, I’ve been in either a Navy uniform or SEAL fatigues my entire adult life.”

“I feel that.” Ryder leans his ass against a table and watches us. “Then I traded tactical gear for BHS-branded clothing. When I married Savannah, she spent a truckload on a new wardrobe for me. Most of which I still haven’t worn.”

Savannah Sinclair.

Ryder married her a few years back, and the entire world was told. Savannah is a Hollywood movie star and one of the most famous women in the world. Some would say one of the most beautiful.

Before they were married, she was shot in her home, which made the news.

Now they have a child together.

I had a whole lot of thoughts about it, despite not knowing him. I mean the guy is former Delta, and he used to run through thick forests or mountain ranges with two rifles strapped to his body, war paint on his face, blood on his hands.

Marrying some demanding, wealthy broad from the Hollywood Hills didn’t feel on brand for him. It certainly isn’t something I’d do.

I’d last five minutes with a demanding celebrity.

A dominant man like me? I prefer my women submissive and begging to suck my cock while on her knees, wearing nothing but a pair of stilettos. If those heels came from Target, I couldn’t care less.

“So, turning up on the red carpet in fatigues doesn’t cut it, huh?” I laugh, taking a blazer from Sam and pulling it on over my black Nirvana T-shirt.

Ryder smiles privately, staring at his boots. Then his eyes lift to mine. “Honestly, she wouldn’t care. Sav is more interested in getting home to our baby and...our bed.”

The smile on his lips tells me everything I need to know.

He’s happy.

She’s a good woman.

Then again, I did hear she started from nothing, so she’s not someone who grew up with the silver spoon in her mouth. Guess that makes a difference.

Still not a path I see myself going down, but good for him.

Living in the wake of my father’s heroic status and how he married a good Christian woman and raised a son who ended up a SEAL like him. God, can you imagine if I brought home some movie star?

Jesus, Mom’s already pissed that I’ve left the Navy.

Dad?

Well...he’s no longer with us.

Raven turns up with our coffees. She hands one to Ryder with a soft sir, then holds mine out. I take it, and she winks, then spins around, her skirt flicking up as she does, and strides out.

I watch.

Because I’m a red-blooded man.

When she’s out of earshot, Sam groans under his breath. “To save you about two weeks and a bunch of rejection, Raven doesn’t date men she works with.”

Ryder coughs as he sips his coffee and pats his chest.

I press my lips together, fighting a smile.