Show Stopper: A Single Dad Bodyguard Romance

by Amy Brent

  “Good!” She stands on her tiptoes and leans into my ear, “though I think you might have found some woods as well.”

  I am left completely speechless by her remark, and just like that she twirls around and pops up on the other side of the tent.

  “Let’s get a fire started,” she squeals with delight. I take a deep breath and try to gather my thoughts. What just happened there? I gnaw on my bottom lip and finally come around the other side. Ryan dumps a large pile of wood onto the ground. Mark rolls some next to the pile.

  “Here ya go, captain,” Ryan says. “Make us fire!”

  I smile and take a few good dry logs to the fire pit. I bend down and start lighting some kindling on fire; once that is all set, I place the logs on top of the small flame. In one big burst the fire erupts into a great plumage and smoke billows upward from the pit into the sky. The sun is setting low and is turning a orange, pink. A few stars appear, and we can see the moon.

  “What’s for dinner?” Ryan asks, setting his foot on one of the stones around the fire.

  “I thought maybe some corn and hotdogs?” I suggest.

  “What a typical camping meal,” Mark whines.

  “Yeah,” Ryan adds on sarcastically. “Mark was really hoping for some frog legs or something. I mean I know Jasmina loves wild rabbit.”

  “Ew, no!” she squeaks scrunching up her nose. Her face lit up by the fire.

  “What! Don’t knock it if you haven’t tried it.”

  “You are so gross,” Jasmina laughs punching Ryan in the shoulder. I look to see if Mark notices his daughter blatant flirting with his best friend, but Mark’s face is buried in his phones. I stare at them both. What is Jasmina doing with us?

  “Have you ever had rabbit or frog?” I ask her.

  “No! I don't even like meat that much.”

  “Well, rabbit really isn't that bad if it's’ cooked right.”

  “What does it taste like?” she asks me.

  “Kind of like chicken,” I say after thinking about for a second.

  “Then I think I’ll just eat chicken instead. That makes more sense to me. How could you ever eat a poor little rabbit? They are so cute!”

  “You kind of look like a little rabbit,” Ryan says, leaning forward into the fire.

  “She does, doesn’t she?” I add on. Her face lights up, and she chuckles. Mark looks up from his phone then and shoots her a glare.

  “Alright, well, I guess I will get the corn and stuff,” I say, standing.

  “I’ll go with you,” Jasmina says, standing up and walking with me to the cooler, we have kept locked in the trunk of my car. There are too many bears and raccoons who would happily find their way to it, if it wasn't locked up tight. Took us a few years to figure out a good plan with how to keep the food safe.

  I open the trunk, lift the food out.

  “Here, you carry the corn,” I say handing Jasmina the husks. She takes them eagerly.

  “Are you having a good time?” she’s asks.

  “Yeah, of course, I am.” I reassure her.

  “Okay, good.”

  “Why?”

  “I just want to make sure. You are important to me,” she says. “ I want you to be happy.”

  “I am happy, Jasmina. Where is this coming from?”

  She shrugs.

  “I just know that sometimes you can feel lonely, and I want you to know that I am here for you.”

  “Thanks, baby girl,” I say smiling. “You really are a blessing in my life. Do you know that?”

  She nods.

  “Come on. I’m starving, let’s go eat.”

  Chapter 14

  I lean against the log that Ryan dragged out from the bushes and brought next to the fire. I laid a blanket on top of it and am leaning against it. The fire burns bright. Its light spreads across us, casting long shadows on the ground. I take the last bite of my corn and throw the empty husk onto the fire. It slowly burns away and disappears in the flame. I close my eyes, feeling the wave of heat ash over me.

  I can't believe Christian and Mark hadn't noticed when Ryan and I snuck off into the woods together. I went to go pee, and Ryan followed after me. He scared me, by wrapping his arm around my shoulders and pulling me up against himself. In my ear, he whispered that he couldn't take another second without being inside of me. His fingers slipped under my shorts and very slowly his fingers found their way inside of me. I almost screamed the pleasure was so intense. If I had though, Christian and Mark would have for sure made appearance. Ryan had me on my knees begging him to fuck me right then and there, but he told me I had to wait, until later tonight. I can barely stand the wait. I want him now. But I just don’t want him. I want him and Christian together.

  “Oh man I am stuffed,’ Ryan gurgles.

  I open my eyes, and we flash one another a glance. He smirks, and I smile back. I don’t know how long I can hold out without fucking one of them. I glance over to Christian at the other side of the fire. His eyes are glued onto me. I also smile to him. He nods in response. Mark, of course, is still on his phone.

  “Thanks for dinner, Christian,” I say. His face lights up.

  “You're very welcome.”

  “Jasmina, who's the best cook out of us?” Ryan asks, picking the kernels from between his teeth.

  “Oh I don’t know,” I say, shrugging my shoulders.

  “Come on! Yes, you do!”

  “Christian -” I say flatly.

  Ryan hangs his head in defeat.

  “Oh, come on. You set yourself up for that one, Ryan,” Christian laughs. “How are you supposed to beat three years of culinary school?”

  “I forgot you did that,” Ryan sighs.

  Mark looks up from his phone.

  “He barely even went to class. He was so hungover through college.”

  “It is true, “Christian says. “Why do you think I had to switch degrees?”

  “Yeah,” Ryan snickers. “He got so sick of making food, he decided to just clean it out of people’s teeth.

  I become uncomfortable when the subject falls on college and keep my gaze on the fire, watching the smoke curl up. It has died down slightly. Ryan stands up and throws my logs onto it. I watch as big whoosh from the fire jumps up and more embers appear swirling out into the open.

  Oh, I wish Mark hadn’t come. Then I could be with Christian and Ryan alone. The thought slowly arouses me. I bite my lip and cross my legs. They are so close to me, both of them. Dammit, Mark. I curse in my head. What a perfect place to have them both. My eyes float between them from Ryan’s perfect sculpted body, to Christian’s intense eyes. God - they are so beautiful. I know I am not that mastered at sex but being with them at the same time would be such a treat. What could compare?

  I wonder how different their cocks are? I have only seen Ryan’s. Is Christian's bigger, more curved? I have to stop thinking about how it would feel before I get to turned on, but it's too late, and my inner thighs are already wet from my pussy wanting them. I chew on my cheek and look at Mark to try and help alleviate some of my horniness.

  “Look it's the big dipper,” Christian says pointing a finger up to the sky, but I don’t look at the sky. Instead my eyes are drawn to his hand. He has long handsome fingers. I wonder how they feel compared to Ryan’s. Does he move them differently? Man, that’s a weird thought, but nonetheless it turns me on. I squeeze my eyes shut. Maybe coming camping was a bad idea. I feel trapped by my very own fantasy. It is so close, yet there is nothing I can do to make it come true. Not while Mark is here, at least.

  “How do you know it's the big dipper?” Ryan asks.

  “Because I know my constellations. That one is Orion's belt -”

  “Yeah. I know. Those are the two most obvious constellations, everyone knows them.”

  “You two are so competitive,” I say, through a giggle.

  “How do you think we did so well in business?” Ryan asks me. My stomach f
lutters under his gaze.

  Ding. Ding. Ding. Mark’s phone rings loudly. He quickly stands up and slides inside of his tent.

  “What do you think it is?” Ryan asks us.

  Christian and I look at one another. I really don’t care. There was nothing on the other line that could make me care. I lean my chin against my hand.

  “Probably, his escape plan to get away from us,” Ryan suggests. The orange light from the fire lightens his eyes.

  “How miserable do you think he actually is?” Christian asks right after.

  “It’s pretty rough. I mean he does have to sit next to his daughter.”

  I shake my head.

  “Don’t get into it, Ryan,” I say, standing up and walking close to the fire and warming my hands.

  “We’re sorry, Jaz,” Christian says standing up and resting his hands on my shoulders. I lean my head against his chest and close my eyes. His shirt smells like the campfire and the woods.

  “Awe, group hug!” Ryan shouts standing up and running over. He throws his arms around his both. They squeeze hard.

  “Stop! You’re hurting me,” I giggle, worming my way out of their choke hold.

  As soon as I escape from the hug, the door to Mark’s tents comes undone. We freeze. How awkward would that have been if Mark had seen us all like that? We all stare at one another. The brows on Mark’s forehead are furrowed.

  “What’s going on?” he asks.

  “We’re just waiting on you,” Ryan shrugs.

  Mark raises his eyebrows.

  “Why are you all standing? Did something happen?”

  I roll my eyes. Why is my dad so weird?

  “What was the mystery call about?” Christian asks, walking over to grab another water bottle, untwisting the cap. Mark glances at his phone than back at us.

  “The hospital called. There was an accident. They need me to come in as soon as possible.”

  “So you are going to leave?” Ryan says slowly, his eyes wide.

  Mark nods.

  “Obviously.”

  “Really?” Christian whines, kicking his foot in dirt.

  “I know...I’m sorry,” Mark sighs. I stare at my dad. I can’t believe it. I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders, and now, I can breathe.

  “When will you be back?” Ryan asks.

  “In two days it seems. Not quite sure, could be longer.”

  I close my eyes and take a deep breath. I cannot believe it. Two full days without Mark here in the woods alone with Christian and Ryan. What are the odds? This is meant to be. Christian folds his arm and faces the fire.

  “Well, fuck. Should we pack up then?”

  “Hell no, we can wait it out,” Ryan says with a firm nod. He turns and faces Mark. “You just make your back here as soon as that heart is fixed. Do you understand?”

  My dad shakes his head yes and glances at me for a moment.

  “You guys take care of her,” he says. I am surprised by the effort of concern.

  “We always do,” Ryan answers back.

  “Christian, will you drive me to the nearest road?”

  “Sure.”

  “Perfect, I will grab a cab there.”

  Christian hands me a walkie talkie.

  “Here, just take this and keep it on, in case I fall or something.”

  “Don’t say that,” I shake my head. He winks at me as I take the walkie talkie in my hand.

  “He just wants a reason to use that thing,” Ryan laughs.

  I watch as Christian and my father disappear down the trail. The light of their flashlights grows smaller and smaller until I can no longer see it.

  “Do you think they are okay?” I ask Ryan, turning around.

  “Why don’t you ask them?” He waves the walkie talking in front of me. I reach for it but he lifts it high over my head. I stand on my tip toes and try and grab it.

  “No,” he says softly. “You have to give me a kiss for it.”

  “Okay, I can do that,” I say, pressing my hands against his chest. I stand on my tiptoes so our lips meet. I am shocked by how cold his mouth feels from the outside air, sending tingles on my lips. It doesn’t take long until both of our mouths heat up. I sigh. It only takes one kiss from Ryan to heat up my whole body.

  He slides the walkie talkie into my hands.

  “Go ahead and check on them,” he whispers, leaning over and biting my earlobe. I shudder with the sensation and almost fall into him, but his strong body holds me up. I press the walkie talkie close to my mouth and hold the talk button down.

  “How’s it going down there?” I ask.

  “Great, should be back within five minutes,” Christian buzzes back through the static.

  “Woah that was fast,” Ryan says.

  “Well- it seems that Ran is a lot more motivated to leave then he was to arrive. I'll see you both in a bit. Keep that fire going.”

  The walkie dies. Ryan stares at me.

  “That’s too bad - it doesn’t give me enough time for my second dinner.”

  “Oh, well. You can always stop by me tent for dessert,” I murmur in his ear. My hand reaching down between his legs and finding his hard cock. He groans.

  “We should have just stayed home and in bed all weekend.”

  “I like it out here,” I say. “It’s romantic.”

  “I suppose you’re right.”

  He reaches over and sets a few more branches onto the bright flames. I look up and can so many more stars shining brightly down on us.

  “Have you looked at the stars here, Ryan?”

  He glances us.

  “They are quite lovely out here.”

  “See I told you!” Romantic!”

  “And I said you were right. But honestly you are far more beautiful than any star,” he says.

  “Really?” I blush, my cheeks burning red. Luckily under the light of the fire he cannot see my face.

  “Yes, really. Jasmina. I have always thought that.”

  I walk over and slide my arms under his.

  “I’m so happy to have you in my life,” I murmur into his back. His warm hands hold mine, and we stay like this for a moment. He steps forward.

  “Well, our main man Christian should be back any time now,” he says.

  “Unless, he was eaten by bear.”

  “Are you joking that guy has so much bear mace on him. He will be fine.”

  “What was that about bears?” I hear Christian shout over the woods. I laugh.

  “We were talking about the great bear slayer of the woods here!” Ryan shouts back.

  We see the flash light shining through the trees, and in a manner of minutes, he emerges from the forest, breathing heavily.

  “Woah, what'd you do? Run back?” Ryan asks.

  Christian chugs a water bottle.

  “Yeah, pretty much. It’s a little spooky out there.”

  “Aw, you were scared?” Ryan mocks.

  “Nah,” Christian shrugs it off. :Just didn't want to miss anymore of this crazy party.”

  Ryan stands up and pulls out his duffle bag from his tent. He reaches out and pulls out a bottle of vodka.

  “Well, now that the old stick in the mud has left, should we get this going or what?” Ryan shouts shaking the fifth. “This marks the first camping trip Jasmina will be drinking with us.”

  Christian's eyes got wide.

  “Oh yeah- that’s right. Isn’t it?”

  “Okay, but nothing crazy,” I say shaking my head.

  “Of course not. Nothing crazy.” Ryan laughs.

  “Just because Mark is gone doesn’t mean we can’t have any fun. What kind of camping trip would that be?” Christian asks.

  He pours us each a shot and hands them out to us.

  “To camping, nature, and Jasmina!” Ryan declares. His voice echoing through the empty night of the forest.

  “To Jasmina,” we all shout, lift
ing our plastic cups together. The vodka swishing around in the glass bottle. We take the shot. I pucker up at the taste of strong alcohol against my tongue. Ryan sputters.

  “Christian what is this?” he asks taking the bottle from off the ground and staring at the label.

  “Vodka!”

  “Are you sure that you didn’t buy rubbing alcohol instead?”

  “Nope,” Christian smiles, as he starts to pour a second.

  “Jesus, they are gonna find three dead bodies in the woods - killed by alcohol poisoning!”

  “At least we will die having a good time!” I say, taking the second shot from Christian and downing it without letting it touch my tongue. “It is really not that bad.”

  Christian and Ryan stare at me.

  “Well, she is just fresh out of college,” Ryan says. “Let’s move to mixed drinks. I don't think I can take any more of this stuff straight and call myself an adult. What do we have to mix with the poison?”

  Christian leans over into his bag and pulls out a Pepsi bottle.

  “Perfect,” Ryan says handing Christian his plastic up.

  “Filler her up.”

  “Mine too, I say handing him my glass.”