Bulletproof

by Melissa Pearl

  Her lips quirked with a smile, and I ducked out of the way before Lisa turned to see me.

  “Tell Travis I’m pouring the coffee now and will bring him the very first cup.”

  Lisa sighed. “You’re doing a really great job, Morgan, way better than your predecessors. I know it’s hell to start with, but if you can hang in there, it’ll get better. I promise.”

  “Yeah, I’ll try.”

  “Just make sure when you’re away from this place you have as much fun as possible. Find whatever it is you love and do that thing. It helps release the tension.”

  A smile crested over my lips as I heard Lisa’s words and Morgan’s amused reply.

  “Good idea. I’ll make sure I do that.”

  I’d make sure of it, too.

  CHAPTER NINE

  MORGAN

  “So, you’re enjoying it then?” I glanced at the iPad perched on my desk as I wiggled into my maroon dress.

  “Yes. It’s amazing!” Jody squealed from the screen. “I love all my classes, my roommate’s a peach, my teachers are so incredible, and my dance teacher...holy deliciousness.”

  I grinned at my little sister, her sparkling demeanor making everything better.

  “What’s the workload like?”

  “Pretty intense. We’ve already started rehearsals for a freshman performance in December, but it’ll be okay. It doesn’t feel like hard work when you enjoy it, you know what I mean?”

  “Yep.” I clipped the word short, hoping she wouldn’t notice. I didn’t want to tell her about the epic fail my job had become. I did the side-zip up on the dress and smoothed it down over my hips. “How do I look?”

  “Freaking amazing. I can’t believe you are going on a date with Mr. Bulletproof. Sean Jaxon! Holy crap, Morgan!”

  “I know. I know. It’s insane, but he’s a really nice guy. Normal.” I perched on the edge of my chair and looked at the screen. “When I’m at work with all these people, you can forget they’re celebrities; most of them are just easy-going talented people. The fame hasn’t gone to their heads.”

  “That’s cool. That’s what I want to be like. You know, when I get famous.”

  We grinned at each other.

  “It’ll happen for you, Jo-Jo. You’re such a mega-talent.”

  “Oh, stop.” She flicked her hand at me, but I could tell she loved it. She’d wanted to be on stage since Mom took us to the stage show, Annie. I was nine, she was five, and since then she’d had stars in her eyes.

  I went back to my closet and pulled out my silver pumps, holding them up so Jody could see them.

  “Yes, definitely, and then you could wear those silver drop earrings and that bracelet that matches.”

  “Oh yeah, good idea.” I moved to my jewelry box and pulled out the different pieces. “These ones?” I held them up to my ears.

  “Yep, perfect.” She beamed and then did another squeal.

  “Jody, stop, you’re gonna make me nervous.”

  “Well, I’m sorry, but I’m happy for you.”

  My insides buzzed as I slipped the earrings in. I suppressed the urge to jump up and do a happy dance. I was so excited, I nearly felt ill. When he’d touched my back and asked me out, I thought my heart would stop beating. I hadn’t felt this way about a guy since high school. Even Brad hadn’t sent my mind into a giddy spin. Maybe it was because we’d ended up in bed together on our first date. With Sean it seemed different; we were getting to know each other in this slow, old-fashioned way, and I actually kind of liked it.

  I bet his father was a gentleman; he totally had those qualities about him. I wondered if I’d ever get to meet his family. Would our relationship go that far?

  Sick nerves bubbled in my belly. When it came to Sean, I didn’t have butterflies—I had bumblebees. The lightheaded rush made me smile.

  Jody giggled as she watched my face.

  “Shut up.” I laughed. “How about you? Anyone sweeping you off your feet?”

  “Maybe.” She looked coy, her gaze dropping away from me as her lips grew with a smile.

  “Ooooooo, nice! What’s he like?”

  “He’s sweet and funny and so incredibly talented. We love all the same things.”

  “That’s a good sign.”

  “Yeah, I know. I...” She let out a breathy laugh. “I’ve never felt this way, Morgan. It’s...” She wrung her hands.

  “I’m happy for you, sweetie. What’s his name?”

  “Um...”

  The doorbell rang. I jerked in my seat. “Oh my gosh, that’s him.”

  “Yay!” She gave me a thumbs-up. “Go, dance your ass off and have fun.”

  “Okay.” We both grinned at each other and blew a kiss. I pressed the screen and shot out of my chair, feeling bad that I hadn’t gotten to ask more about Jody’s man. I’d have to do that next time.

  The doorbell rang again. I grabbed the clutch off my desk and headed down the stairs. When I opened the door, Sean was standing there in dark jeans and a turquoise button-down shirt that matched his eyes perfectly. He smelled like heaven and looked even more divine.

  It helped that his eyes were on fire as they trailed down my body and back up again. His forehead wrinkled as a look of awe crossed his face.

  “Wow.”

  One word and it was enough to send my insides twirling.

  “Way to make a girl feel pretty, Mr. Jaxon.”

  “Well, you are. You should wear this to work.” He held out his hand, and I took it with a chuckle.

  “I’m sure Travis would love that.”

  “Who cares about Travis. I’m talking about me.”

  “Now, now. I wouldn’t want to be a distraction.” I winked and turned to lock the door. Dad was out bowling with his friends. It was a relief to be able to slip from the house without making introductions. I was nervous enough as it was, and I didn’t tend to get nervous very easily. It was obvious that when it came to guys, Sean was in a league of his own.

  He opened the car door for me and I slipped inside, smoothing down my dress and picking at a piece of fluff.

  Sean slid in and started up the engine.

  It rumbled to life and I nodded. “This is a really nice car.”

  He made a clicking sound with his tongue. He did that a lot and I really liked it. It was cute.

  Checking the road, he pulled out and then glanced over at me.

  “I’ve wanted a nice car since I was a kid. I didn’t grow up with much money, and we always had these falling-apart family wagons. I dreamed of owning something fast, something new...and I finally got it.”

  He ran his fingers over the steering wheel as if the car was his baby.

  “What’d your parents think?”

  “Oh, you know. Mom thought it was a waste of well-earned money. Dad said that, but later asked if he could take it for a little drive.” Sean chuckled. “He loved it.”

  “You close to your dad?”

  “Yeah, I mean, I’m close to both my parents. We’re a pretty tight family.”

  “That’s cool. You’re lucky. Not everyone gets that.”

  “I know.” He gave me a soft smile.

  I swallowed and looked out the window, wishing I hadn’t made the conversation all serious. Tonight was supposed to be about fun, about forgetting a grueling day at work and relishing the fact I could sleep in tomorrow.

  “So, where are we going?” I clutched the purse in my lap.

  “Well, with you lookin’ so fine, I figure I should take you dancin’.”

  I grinned.

  “There’s a little club I know. Great DJ, great dance floor. I used to go there all the time.”

  “You haven’t been in a while?”

  “Nah.” His big lips turned down. “Kind of been laying low for the last few months.”

  I wanted to ask him if it was to do with the Abigail thing but didn’t want to admit that I’d been stalking him online. I pressed my lips together. He’d tell me about that when he was ready.

>   “Are you sure you don’t mind taking me out? We could do something quiet if you wanted to.”

  “Hell no. Girl, we’re going dancin’ tonight.”

  I grinned, loving the way he talked. He was so different from Brad, Mr. Nebraska. Sean had a street cool that was so incredibly sexy. I’d never dated a guy like him before.

  We spent the rest of the trip chatting about work. I didn’t really want to, but it inevitably came up. Thankfully, most of the conversation was about Harley and Sasha’s love story and where we thought the writers should take it. We came up with some very comical scenarios, and by the time we got to the club we were both fighting hysterics.

  Sean pulled up outside and handed his keys to the valet. As soon as I was around his side of the car, he put his hand on my lower back and practically pushed me through the door. He gave a short nod to the bouncer, who let us pass quickly, and then we were standing at the top of the stairs leading down to the club.

  “You okay?” I turned to him when we got inside.

  “Yeah.” He nodded.

  I touched his arm.

  “Just wanted to avoid the cameras.”

  “I didn’t even see them.” I glanced back to the door.

  “They’re always lurking.” He shook his head. “Come on, let’s go have some fun.”

  The DJ must have read Sean’s mind, because as we descended the stairs, a new song started pumping - “I Gotta Feeling” by Black Eyed Peas.

  “I love this song!” I yelled in Sean’s ear.

  “Let’s go, baby.”

  We dumped our stuff on a free table and jiggled toward the dance floor. Sean’s hand rested lightly on my hip and I spun to face him, lifting my arms in the air and swaying my hips to the beat. He stepped into my space and started moving in time with me.

  We both shouted, “Mazel Tov!” and laughed, building up a quick sweat as we boogied with the crowd. The beat pulsed through me, making me forget about work, Travis, my aching feet, and my tired body.

  In that moment, I was alive.

  “I Gotta Feeling” faded and was replaced with “Give Me Everything” by Pitbull. I let out a whoop and changed my rhythm to match the music. Sean grinned at me, placing his hands on my hips and sliding them up to my waist. Electric currents flowed through my body, sparking every place his hands touched me.

  Our eyes connected as we swayed together, his laughing eyes turning serious. The strobe lights started and with each flash, I caught a glimpse of his vibrant blue orbs. The beat thumping around us went fuzzy in my ears as he touched a hand to my face, his long, black thumb gently running over my lip. The chorus kicked in, talking about giving everything and making the most of the night. I slid my hand up his arm, my fingers resting on his shoulder, willing him to move toward me, to touch his luscious lips to mine.

  I watched them quirk with a little smile. The strobe lights stopped flashing, and there he was, leaning into me, ready to...

  “Hey, holy shit, man. It’s Sean Jaxon!” Someone grabbed his arm, pulling him away.

  Disappointment marred his expression, mingled with a flash of anger. He pressed a smile over his lips and looked down at the enthusiastic guy who’d pulled us apart.

  “I loved you in Domino Effect.”

  “Thanks.” He nodded.

  “Can I get your picture?”

  He cleared his throat. It was so obvious he wanted to say no, but instead gave a little nod and let the guy put his arm around him and snap a selfie.

  “Thanks so much, bro.”

  Sean shook the guy’s hand and turned back to me. I went to step into his space but was shoved aside by a waif of a girl who reeked of alcohol. My heel turned, and I fell into the person behind us.

  The guy caught my elbow to stop me from falling.

  “Sorry.” I gave him a weak smile. He brushed it off and went back to dancing while I turned to the little spitfire who was now going off at Sean.

  “What you did to Abigail was unforgivable. So she cheated on you, get over it, it’s not like you can’t score yourself another girl!” Her words slurred over each other as she pointed a finger in Sean’s face. Her small body only came up to his shoulder, but her words were like cannonballs.

  Sean stood back from her, his hands in his pockets, just taking it all. He looked over her head at me and indicated for me to go and get our stuff.

  I hated to leave him but knew our night was pretty much over thanks to that inebriated little bitch. I quickly retrieved our stuff and made it back to Sean’s side in less than a minute.

  “Didn’t your mother ever teach you not to hit girls!”

  That was it. There was no way in hell she was getting away with that one.

  I gripped her shoulder and spun her around to face me.

  “He never hit her, you little psycho.”

  Her head jerked at my insult before her face bunched into an angry snarl.

  “As if it’s any of your business anyway. Who the hell do you think you are? You don’t even know this man.” I pointed over her head at Sean. “So back off!”

  I’d said my piece, far less elegantly than I meant to, but I was pissed. Just because he was a celebrity didn’t mean people could come up and openly slander him.

  I went to move past the drunken little tart, but she side-stepped and got in my way again.

  “No one talks to me like that.”

  I didn’t even see her fist coming. It landed straight in my belly, and for a chick that small, she was surprisingly strong. I doubled over, letting out a breath, my hand curling into a fist.

  I wasn’t a fighter normally, but this girl needed putting into her place.

  “Hey!” Sean grabbed her arm before I could do anything, spinning her away from me.

  And that’s when the flashes started. Unfortunately, it wasn’t strobe lights this time; the click of the camera was right in his face.

  “How the hell did they get in here?” Sean muttered as he shifted his body and tried to block me from the lens.

  Taking my arm, he shuffled me across the dance floor, using the crowd to shield us. I had gotten over the initial blow to my stomach and went to straighten up.

  “Keep your head down.” Sean placed his hand on my head and made me crouch again.

  The clicking still followed us, along with repetitive shouts. “Mr. Jaxon! Mr. Jaxon!”

  “Sean! A minute of your time!”

  “Sean! Sean Jaxon!”

  He ignored the calls and kept moving, pulling over to the far corner of the room. As soon as we were beneath the exit sign, he pushed it open with his shoulder and guided me outside. Stopping in the doorway, he scrambled in his pocket for some bills and handed me a small wad of cash.

  “Take the stairs, they’ll lead you up to the main street and you can catch a taxi.”

  “You’re not coming with me?”

  “I don’t want them to see you. You shouldn’t have to put up with this shit.”

  “But—”

  “I’m sorry.” Regret washed over his expression. “Text me when you get home, so I know you’re safe.”

  “But, what about—” He was gone before I could even finish my sentence, back into the shark pit. I glimpsed a couple of bright flashes before the door slammed shut.

  I had no idea what Sean was about to do; I was guessing smile at a few photographers and slowly make his way out the front door...leave like a gentleman.

  Letting out a short sigh, I headed up the stairs. I knew Sean wanted me to stay out of sight and catch a taxi home, but I wanted to make sure he was okay. Sneaking around the edge of the building, I kept my eyes on the door of the club. It took thirty minutes, but eventually Sean popped out of the club door, surrounded by photographers. He kept a pleasant smile in place and waved to everyone as he got into his car.

  I wondered what happened to Little Miss Punchy.

  Sean pulled away from the curb, and I moved, heading around the block to hail a taxi. I caught one easily and was home thirty minutes la
ter. Feeling pretty dejected, I paid my fare and then slumped up the front steps.

  My phone buzzed and I pulled it out.

  You home safe? Sorry about tonight.

  With a glum smile, I texted back.

  Home safe. Don’t worry about it. Maybe another time?

  He never replied.

  CHAPTER TEN

  SEAN

  I stayed in bed until two in the afternoon. I’d turned my phone off as soon as Morgan had replied. I didn’t have the heart to send her a text back. What could I say? I’m surprised she even wanted a next time.

  I still couldn’t believe that drunk little bitch had punched her in the stomach. Hearing Morgan stand up for me was pure gold. I mean, yeah, I wished she hadn’t said anything, but it was also pretty sweet to watch her go for it with that firecracker.

  I loved her fearless strength. No one really got to see it at work, but man, I wished they could. I wished she could stand up to Travis like that, but she’d be fired in a microsecond.

  With a groan, I checked my clock, glad I didn’t have a family thing on today. Kip was away on business and Florence’s kids were all sick. No one wanted the germs passed on, so Mama had canceled the weekly lunch. I had been relieved; it meant I could have spent as long a night as I’d wanted to with Morgan and slept my Sunday away.

  Unfortunately, thanks to the frickin’ paparazzi and a psycho fan, my night had been cut short. Damn, I’d been so close to kissing Morgan; I’d felt her breath on my skin. Squeezing my eyes shut, I tried not to imagine how good she would have tasted. It was probably better not to know what I was missing.

  I couldn’t date her again. It wasn’t fair to inflict my fame on her. She deserved to date a normal guy who could take her anywhere and she’d be safe.

  Punched in the stomach!

  Shit!

  That had to be the lousiest date in the history of man.

  Picking up my phone, I ran my thumb over the black screen, wishing I could leave it that way for the rest of the weekend, but I’d never get away with it.