Page 1 of Sultry Bodyguard Summer

Chapter One: Oliver

Thedinofmusicand conversation from the Sea Stars gala fades as the marina's front door closes behind us.

I’ve got one hand under my client Alex’s armpit, holding his wrecked ass steady. For the past hour, I watched him get increasingly drunk on top of being completely stoned. He swayed and spilled his drink. Got more belligerent by the minute.

I managed to pull him from the gala before he thoroughly embarrassed his family, which was why I was hired in the first place. His father was adamant Alex wouldn't ruin the family’s annual two-week summer stay in Sunbreak Harbor.

“Hey,” someone calls from behind us.

I turn, keeping my hand firmly under Alex’s armpit. A guy in a tux waves us down. He’s got slick hair, a Mr. Potato Head face, and a disproportionately small body. Earlier, I saw him talking to Alex at the gala.

“Alex.” He hisses out my client’s name. “Where the fuck do you think you’re going? Don’t you have something for me?”

I brace myself to hear what Alex has agreed to supply Mr. Potato Head. Drugs? Money? An escort? Two escorts?

“For you?” he slurs and fumbles around his pants pocket. “When you give me these fakes?” He pulls out a pair of silky, pink women’s underwear.

Mr. Potato Head’s face contorts with boy-like rage. “Alex, those are Livvy Jacob’s fucking panties. You said if I delivered them, I get the McLaren for the rest of the week. I’m sick of driving Dad’s ancient Porsche around Sunbreak. Who needs a fucking convertible? It’s shit for my hair.”

Alex presses the panties to his nose. “They don’t even smell like pussy.”

“You’re too fucking stoned to smell pussy.” Mr. Potato Head curls his upper lip.

“I can fucking smell pussy, and this doesn’t have any fucking pussy on it.” Alex struggles against me like he’s rearing to go after Mr. Potato Head.

I double the strength of my grip. “We’re going home now. You two, work this out tomorrow.”

“I’ll be at Windward Bliss at nine o’clock to get the McLaren.” Mr. Potato Head bares two rows of large white teeth in a shit-eating grin.

“You….” Alex lurches forward. I pull him backward, but not before he shoves the underwear into Mr. Potato Head’s shit-eating grin.

“You mother fucker.” Mr. Potato Head hurls himself at Alex.

I have to let Alex go to intercept Mr. Potato Head. I grab him by the lapels. He’s five inches shorter and has twenty-five pounds less muscle. It’s like taking care of an infant. I force him backward while he scrambles to stay upright.

“Go back to the gala.” I push him down, and he lands on his ass. “Text Alex tomorrow and work this out.”

“You better fucking believe I will. Who the fuck are you anyway? His babysitter?” He makes a disgusted sound and marches back toward the marina.

I drag Alex toward his father’s Mercedes. “What's wrong with you?” he slurs. “You should’ve taken care of his ass. Beat the shit out of him. What's Dad paying you for anyway?”

“He’s paying me to get you home safely each night.” I open the back door and shove Alex inside.

“I don’t need you,” Alex slurs.

Doors locked, I pull out of the marina and take the road toward Windward Bliss, Alex’s family home.

A message comes in from Darcy.Meet me at the Salty Spoon when you get off. I’m treating you to breakfast.

That means Darcy has something for me. This babysitting gig is tamer than the jobs I usually take. But Alex’s family is paying three times what I usually get.

I’ve got two more hours until breakfast. I could sleep or do a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu session. I'm too keyed up for sleep. I'll sleep after breakfast, then get ready for another night of babysitting overgrown child, Alex.

I find Darcy at a patio table next to a giant Bird of Paradise plant. No one else is on the patio. The street outside is empty save for the early morning runners and dog walkers.

“How’s hygiene bodyguarding?” She holds up her cream-colored coffee mug to the Salty Spoon server and points to me.

“Alex is as clean as he gets.”