Page 99 of The Bodyguard's Fall

I had to wait for the blush to die down on my cheeks before I looked at him. He was turned onto his side, leaning on one elbow and staring down at me. His eyes were always a storm of contradictions—serious, yet full of warmth and teasing. How did he do that? I bit my lip and braced myself to hear his sultry voice in such an intimate space.

“Things seem a little confusing. A little too cozy for what we’re trying to accomplish here. Tomorrow, I’m going to murder my brothers, but tonight…I’m going to establish some ground rules.”

He reached his hand out, his fingers coming to rest somewhere between us. I watched, transfixed, as he slowly slid an imaginary line down the middle of our bed.

“This is the annulment line.” He met my widened gaze, unabashed, a hint of mischief on his face. “This line makes it so we can both go back to our lives when this is all over. This line keeps us focused. This line keeps me focused. Cross it at your own risk.”

Tingles erupted inside of me at his meaning. My toes twitched with a newfound energy buzzing inside of me. My mind reeled with the possibilities and ideas his words had suggested. And even though my hands were shaking, I couldn’t help pushing him a little. That bossy voice of his just brought it out of me.

“So, are you saying that if I cross it, you wouldn’t be able to resist?”

He leaned toward me until I could smell the mint of his breath. His voice was low, and his eyes were nothing but lashes, and then he spoke, and I was done for. “I’m saying, don’t play with fire, smart ass.”

I blinked up at him, a smile slowly growing on my face, while his words traveled like a trail of fire down my spine.

“Does that mean I got one up on you, Walker?” I asked, as excited energy hummed through my body.

“That means, roll over and go to sleep, Rawlins,” he shot back as he rolled away from me.

Apparently a glutton for whatever punishment he was willing to bestow, I moved my foot in his direction, ever so slowly, until I brushed my cold toes against his leg.

He jerked away like he’d been shot. “Olivia,” he warned, but my smile refused to fade, even as my foot retreated to safety.

“I’ll cross that line if I feel like it,” I taunted, though my actions spoke withdrawal as I turned back to my side, facing away from him, eagerly awaiting his response.

An instant later, he rolled me over until I was lying on my back with Tate looming over me, a sparkle in his eyes once again. “Cross it at your own risk. But fair warning…I get attached easily.”

And then he rolled me back over, facing the window.

“Now stay on your side and go to sleep.”

At those words, I was quite certain I wouldn’t be moving an inch all night.

Without conscious thought, my fingers twisted the fake diamond sitting prettily but foreign on my hand.

So far, being married felt like something out of a fairy tale. And that had nothing to do with our themed room, and the fact that it was with someone who claimed to barely tolerate me. I smiled at the thought. But like all fairy tales, a force of darkness was usually driving the stakes. Leroy had found me. And he was here.

Somewhere.

That knowledge should have been enough to keep me awake. My body was very accustomed to startling at every bump or creak in the night. I should be terrified right now. But my veins still tingled in the glow of Tate’s teasing. There was a strong, warm body emitting heat at my back. There was a man who cared enough about my well-being to marry me to keep me safe. Tate was here with me in the dark. And all my anxieties and worries, always so magnified in the night, were dulled to a peaceful, hazy quiet.

And I slept.

Plot Twist:

I didn’t wake up wrapped in Tate’s arms. He slept facing his side all night, and I did the same. The saggy middle of our bed had raised all our expectations, I’m afraid. But contrary to popular cinematic belief, proximity doesn’t necessarily result in accidental snuggling. On one hand, I was supremely grateful for my self-awareness while asleep. On the other hand, I’d been in Tate’s arms before, and having to miss it this time was…disappointing, to say the least.

Tate: What? No morning after check in?

Will: Don’t talk to me for at least 48 hours.

Tate: That actually works great for me. Olivia and I will be pretty busy.

Will: WALKER.

Tate: It will give you some time to process how lucky you are to have me in the family.

Will: SHUT UP.