“There’s a difference between being shuffled around like an object and being cared for, looked after like a person with feelings who has a life to live. You’ve already proven that you know the difference. Whether you realize it or not, you care too much to suffocate me.”
“You have a lot of faith in me, Remi. This, waking up in a bed with you, it’s new for me, and I don’t want to mess it up. I know how to strategize a mission with weaponry and men. But this is a whole new world for me, having feelings for you, wanting to protect and touch you. Holding back when we’re in public is not going to be easy.”
She caressed his cheek and whispered, “For me, either. I wouldn’t feel like this if you were overbearing, so stop worrying. You’re an amazing man, and I’ve seen that behind that hard exterior is a heart of gold. But also, in case you haven’t noticed, I have a big mouth. I’m not afraid to tell you if you cross a line and start to suffocate me.”
“Good, because the last thing I want to do is walk away from us, but I would if you needed me to.”
“There are no take-backs, remember?” she said sweetly.
“I remember, and speaking of no take-backs, I need to touch base with Aiden. I can’t lie to him.”
She groaned. “I believe in honesty, but he’s not going to like this. Can’t we just tell him when he comes home? He’s working on a huge deal. He doesn’t need to be distracted by something he has no control over, and trust me, he’ll want control.”
“He might get wind of a picture.”
“He never looks at social media. He’s been dealing with it my whole career. He’s above all the hype.”
“Remi, it’s never a good tactic to do damage control after the damage has been done.”
She sighed, looking adorably determined. “Fine. I’ll tell him the truth. I was excited about nailing the scene and I kissed you. He knows I’m impulsive, so he’ll buy that if he sees a picture of us kissing on set. But this is my life, Mason, my body. That’s all he needs to know until he’s here and we can tell him about us in person. Okay?”
He couldn’t deny that truth. She was an adult, and Aiden had no say over her sexual decisions, but he imagined as a man who had taken on the role of father to Remi, Aiden would be pissed that she’d waited to tell him. But it was her decision to make, as long as Mason’s ability to protect her wasn’t compromised. With all his worries about crossing lines, he’d thought his ability to protect her might be clouded by his emotions. But now he knew he’d been wrong. If anything, he was even more determined to keep her safe.
He shifted over her and laced their hands together, loving the hitching of her breath and the darkening of her eyes. “I respect your decision, but my gut tells me Aiden’s still going to be pissed. You are playing another dangerous game, Remi.”
“A greedy game,” she said seductively, her hips rising to meet his arousal. “And from now on, Aiden stays out of our bedroom.”
“Our bedroom . . . ?” Damn, he liked the sound of that. “As I recall, your bedroom is across the hall, Princess.”
“My castle, my rules.” Challenge glimmered in her gorgeous eyes. “But if you’re having second thoughts . . .”
He shifted, nestling his cock against her wetness. She angled her hips, her fingers clinging to his, as he entered her.
“I’m having thoughts about seconds.” He kissed the corner of her mouth. “And thirds.” He slicked his tongue along her neck, earning a sharp inhalation. He ran his hands down her sides. “I want everything you’re willing to give, Princess. I might not be Prince Charming, but I’ll always have your back”—he clutched her ass, squeezing tight—“your front”—he thrust hard and deep—“and everything in between.”
Later that morning, Remi sat in her trailer talking on the phone with Willow, waiting to be called to the set. They were in the center of town, where they were shooting today’s scenes. She’d filmed there two weeks ago, and at that time, although they’d closed off the streets, pedestrians had been allowed to watch the filming. Today Remi felt like she’d arrived in an alternate universe. Enormous screens had been erected to block fans from watching. Mason had met with all the key players and security, and clearly word had spread about the offending texts because everyone Remi passed, cast and crew, asked if she was okay.
“I hate being in this position,” she said to Willow. “I feel like a trapped rat, but I don’t know if the snake who wants to eat me is inside or outside the box. I’ve known most of these people for years, and now I can’t look at any of them without wondering if they want to lock me in their basement.”
She knew she had to keep her relationship with Mason under wraps, but she trusted Willow implicitly to keep it between them, and she was dying to tell her about last night. But she was too discombobulated by all the changes to give their relationship the happy announcement it deserved, even if that announcement could only go to her best friend. She knew Willow would be happy for her, because earlier in the week when she’d told Willow that Mason didn’t have a girlfriend after all, Willow had made comments about Remi following her heart.
“I can’t even imagine how that feels. Does Mason have any idea who sent the texts?”
“No. He said they used an online program, and he—or she—knows their way around technology because they’ve used VPNs and proxy servers. I don’t understand all the technical stuff, but apparently technology is so good it’s easy for tech-savvy people to evade detection. You’ve got to love the internet,” she said sarcastically. “Mason’s got his best guys following every lead, tracking down fans the crew has seen hanging around, delivery people who have come by the set, basically anyone who had a chance to take the picture. He even has guys reviewing the pictures of the set that have surfaced that I’m not in to check out any of the people they caught in the background.”
“At least he’s being thorough, Remi. I know you hate it, but it sounds like he’s doing the right things to protect you.”
“I know, and I’m glad,” she said with a sigh. “I thought having a bodyguard was weird, but Mason has brought in an army, including Porter and Merrick, my last two bodyguards. Did you know they work for him?”
“No. Honestly I don’t know much about Mason other than what you and Ben have told me, and that he and Bodhi go way back.”
“Well, they work for him, and Aiden basically told them not to talk to me on any personal level, which I’m going to give him grief about.” Remi pushed to her feet and paced. “Anyway, Mason is meeting with a group of local police right now, and Porter is armed and standing guard outside my trailer door.”
“That’s a little terrifying. Do you still want me to confirm the date for that surprise we talked about? And are you still going to Flossie’s birthday party this weekend?”
She’d been working on a way for Mason to see Brooklyn. “Everything is still up in the air, but yes, please confirm the date. As far as Flossie’s birthday goes, Mason and I talked to Ben and Aurelia about it this morning,” Remi said, remembering their conversation about boundaries and the need for extra protection when they were out in public. “I don’t want to put anyone else in danger, but the party is going to be at Ben’s house in Sweetwater, and he has a security system. Mason’s guys will check it out before we go, and his guys will stand guard during the party. They all seem to think it’ll be okay. I swear, Willow, I’ve gone from being afraid to being pissed. Can you believe I need people to stand guard? It’s so unfair that one crazy person can upend not just my life, but everyone else’s, too.”
“One psycho nobody can find,” Willow reminded her. “You don’t know how crazy this person is. Maybe he’s just making empty threats, but based on that picture, it kind of seems like Mason needs a bodyguard.”
“I know. I hate that kissing me put him in danger. I know I should wish I never kissed him because of that, but . . . I can’t, and I know he can take care of himself. I haven’t seen him physically take anyone down, but he warned that guy off at the fundraiser, and I
have no doubt that if that jerk had made a move toward me, Mason would have torn him apart. Someone would have to be seriously stupid to mess with him.”
“Yeah, but there’s more to him, isn’t there? From what you told me about the night at the water tower and everything he’s done to help you, I think he sees you clearer than any of us ever has.”
“He does,” Remi said with a sigh.
“I’d apologize for that, because it makes me sound like a crappy friend not to see you as clearly as he does, but I think men we’re close to see us differently than anyone else in our lives. But I have to ask . . . I’ve never seen you kiss a man off-screen—ever—much less a guy who’s supposed to be protecting you. What’s going on there?”
“Something extraordinary, but you can’t tell anyone. Mason’s worried about making the stalker even more irate.” It felt incredible to say that out loud.
“I knew it!” Willow said excitedly. “I want all the details, and don’t worry—your secrets are all safe with me. I haven’t even told the girls that Mason doesn’t have a girlfriend. I figured they’d get that out of you themselves.”
“Thank you for that. He’s amazing, Willow, and not just in bed, which he totally is. He treats me like I’m a regular person, but a really special-to-him person. I know how weird that sounds, but he listens and cares differently than anyone else seems to. I mean, I know you guys all care, but it’s not the same.” Thinking about the night she’d told him about the car accident, she said, “I’ve told him things I haven’t even told you, and he’s done the same with me. I think we were meant to meet. I know you believe in soul mates, but I think Mason is even more than that.”
“I don’t know what ‘more than a soul mate’ means, but that’s how you know this is real, Remi. I’m so happy for you.”
“Yeah, me too. I’m not sure what I meant by it, either, but that’s how deep things feel with him. Hey, do the girls still get together at your bakery before work?”
Willow arrived at work around dawn every morning to bake for the morning rush, and her sisters and Aurelia stopped by when they could.
“Aurelia and Talia don’t come as often since they live in Harmony Pointe now, but Piper and Bridgette are there almost every morning. Come by the next time you have a day off.”
“I have Monday off. Me and my entourage of burly men will try to make it.”
“I’ll be sure I have lots of goodies on hand.”
Another call rang through, and Aiden’s name flashed on the screen. “Aiden’s calling. Can we catch up later?”
“Of course. Love you. Be safe.”
Remi switched over to Aiden’s call, wondering if he’d gotten wind of everything that was going on. “Hi, Aiden.”
“Hey. Are you all right? I called to check in with Mason a few minutes ago and he was in a meeting with the police. He said there was another threat?”
There was a knock at her door. “Hold on one sec.”
Aiden grumbled on the other end of the phone as she answered the door. Carl stood beside Porter, looking about as uncomfortable as Remi felt having an armed guard looming over her friends. The first thing she’d done that morning was apologize to Porter and Merrick for the way she’d treated them. They were very kind about it, and though they could be gruff, focused, and definitely intimidating, they seemed friendly.
“We need you on set, and I need to go over a few things with you on the way,” Carl said.
She held up one finger as she descended the steps from her trailer. Porter flanked her on the way to the set as she updated Aiden. “I got a text with a picture yesterday. Don’t freak out or anything, but Mason helped me study for a scene and when I nailed it, I was so happy I ran off the set and kissed him. The stalker saw it, took a picture, and sent it with a red slash through Mason’s face.”
“Shit. I’ll leave tonight. I can be there by morning.”
“No! Mason has an army of guys following us everywhere. Remember Porter? He’s armed and walking beside me right now.” She held the phone up to Porter and said, “Please say hello to Aiden.”
Porter cracked a smile, softening his chiseled features as he said, “Hello, Mr. Aldridge. I’ve got Remi covered.”
She put the phone to her ear and said, “Did you know Porter smiles? That’s right, Aiden. Bodyguards can actually be friendly to the people they’re keeping safe without losing focus.” She tried to stop the angry knots forming inside her at the way Aiden had made her seem like she needed to be kept in a glass box, but it was impossible. Instead, she tried to calm her tone. “Please stay there and finish your work. I know how important this deal is for you, and there’s nothing you can do here to keep me safe that these trained professionals can’t do better.”
Aiden cursed under his breath. “Damn it, Remi, you’re more important than this deal. If anything happens to you—”
Carl stopped walking and tapped his watch.
“It won’t! You hired the best. You said it yourself. Now let him do his job. I have to go. I love you, and don’t worry. I’m well taken care of.” She ended the call and said, “Sorry, Carl. What did you want to go over?”
“Are you okay? Do you want to delay filming?”
“No. That’s the last thing I want. I cannot wait to be done. I swear I’m going to hole up in my cabin where things like stalkers and horrendous texts aren’t part of my life.”
Carl nodded. “You and me both. I can’t wait to get back to Samantha and Timmy. Samantha has a big audition coming up for the lead in an indie film, and she’s really nervous.”
“Auditions are definitely nerve-racking. Tell her I’m pulling for her.” Remi had known Carl and his wife, Samantha, who was also an actress, long before their five-year-old son, Timmy, was born.
As Carl filled her in on the changes to next week’s schedule, Mason came around the corner, unraveling the knots her conversation with Aiden had caused. Their eyes met for only a second, but it was long enough for her insides to sizzle. She hoped no one else noticed.
“Everything okay here?” Mason asked, eyeing Carl and Porter.
Porter nodded.
“Carl was just going over the changes to the schedule,” she explained. “We’re still on schedule to wrap a week from Wednesday, and I have Monday off, but some of the filming times have been adjusted.”
“Got it,” Mason said.
“The updates have been posted to the online schedule. Your team can download them.” Carl looked at Remi and said, “I’ve got to get Raz to the set. Are you good to go?”
“Yes. Thanks, Carl. Tell Sam I hope we can catch up soon.”
“Will do. She’ll be excited to see you again.”
After Carl walked away, Mason said, “Porter, why don’t you get the new schedules out to the team.”
“Sure thing, boss.”
Mason waited until they were alone before stepping closer. “How are you holding up?”
“I’m fine. I talked to Aiden and told him about the picture. It’s a good thing we’re waiting until he’s back in town to tell him about us. I didn’t realize how angry I was at him about the things he said to your guys. I got a little riled up. Hopefully I’ll be less angry by the time he returns.”
“I’m glad you told him about the picture, but don’t be too angry with him. He was just doing his best to keep you safe. Do you want to talk about it? To get it off your chest?”
“God, no. I have a feeling there are more riled-up feelings waiting to come out, and we don’t need that kind of stress on top of everything else.”
“Okay. Well, we might have some good news. We have a lead on the fan who grabbed you. One of my guys found a picture and I think it’s him. It’s blurry, and unfortunately facial recognition software failed, but we’re circulating it, trying to track down his whereabouts.”
“That’s great, if he’s the one who has been doing this.”
“I know. We’re checking pictures from your last three productions to see if he was hanging around.�
�� His eyes warmed, though he remained a respectable distance from her.
She wished he could hold her, kiss her. When she was in his arms she felt like nothing could hurt her.
“Are you sure you’re all right, Princess? I know how much you hate having so many eyes on you.” He was always thinking of her safety and her well-being.
“I’m okay. A little wound up over everything. I think I just need some downtime. I’m looking forward to Flossie’s birthday and having Monday off. I know what’s between us is new, but assuming we’re still together when filming wraps, I would love to go on a quiet getaway together. I’d really like to go to my cabin. It’s only about an hour from here, and I could use some Mason time.”
He made a purely male, greedily sexy sound and spoke in a low voice as he said, “I want nothing more than to take you in my arms right now. You know that, don’t you?”
“Mm-hm. I can feel it,” she said softly.
He squared his shoulders, putting a little more space between them as he said, “But I don’t think we’ll have the luxury of a quiet getaway until the stalker is behind bars.”
She wrinkled her nose. “I hate that.”
A devilish grin lifted his lips and he said, “But that doesn’t mean we can’t go away and enjoy ourselves. My guys know how to stand watch and keep their distance.”
“I’ll take it!”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
MASON COULD COUNT the number of birthday parties he’d been thrown as a kid on one hand. He’d attended even fewer parties as an adult, much less for an adult, which was why he was blown away by the birthday celebration for Aurelia’s grandmother, Flossie McBride, Sunday evening. In addition to Ben’s sisters and their significant others, Ben’s parents and Bodhi’s mother were there, along with Derek’s father, Jonah, who had Alzheimer’s.
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