CHAPTER NINE

RYDER

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Savannah pants against my chest as I tip my head back and curse at the ceiling silently.

I'm not going to fucking regret this, but there will be consequences.

She lifts her head, sits up, and meets my eyes.

The shirt I'd tossed is on the floor, so I reach down.

"What are you doing?" she asks and then lets out an oh when I wrap it around her.

"You aren't walking through the house naked," I answer roughly.

Something feels weird. Inside me.

You belong to me.

No, she doesn't.

"It's fine. I do it all the time when I'm alone." She says, but still slides her arms through and wraps the cotton around her as she climbs off my cock.

I don't want her doing that anymore.

I grip the condom and slide it off, knotting it. When I stand, I guide her back into the kitchen.

"I'll use your bathroom upstairs and then retrieve my shirt. Go get dressed." Then I pat her sexy ass.

The cheeky smile she gives me makes me frown. But she dances away before I can gather my words.

Jesus.

I fucked Savannah.

That was not the plan when I walked into the kitchen. Then she ripped her top off. Then (!!) she removed the rest of her clothes, standing before me with her bare breasts and a slither of clothing over her pussy.

I'm not that strong.

Which is a bullshit excuse.

But nevertheless valid, as any man will attest to.

Maybe I let it happen because Aidan is replacing me. Maybe I just wanted to have her once.

What's done is done.

I just need to get through the day and get off this job. I flush and clean up, then lean against the wall outside her bedroom.

Three minutes later she walks out, then stops.

"Why didn't you come in?" she asks.

"It's your bedroom and I'm your bodyguard," I clarify.

This is as good a time as any to have The Chat.

"You just had your mouth on my vagina." Savannah frowns.

Christ.

"Nice." I grab my shirt out of her hands and put it on. As I'm doing up the buttons, I lift my eyes to hers. "That is not happening again. And I'd ask you not to mention it to my bosses."

I see the flicker in her eyes.

"Will you get fired?" Savannah leans against the door jamb.

No.

"Yes." I tell her.

It's possible, but unlikely. Josh is one of my closest friends. As is Aidan now. We see each other less but there's still a loyalty and friendship there.

Savannah takes a step and places her hands on her chest. "Why wouldn't you kiss me?"

"That's not what this was." I stare down into her green eyes and take her hips in my hands.

Those lips of hers are very fucking kissable, though.

"I'm not asking you to marry me, Ryder." Savannah laughs. "I just want you to kiss me."

"Not happening." I glance past her. "We need to go."

When she continues to stare up at me with mischief in her eyes, I lift her up and carry her down the damn hall.

It just makes her giggle more as she throws her arms around my neck.

Give me a landmine any day.

This woman is way more lethal.

––––––––

THE MOMENT WE step outside the front door, Savannah changes.

Like a chameleon.

She's once again a Hollywood starlet and I'm her bodyguard.

I sit in the front seat while she chats on her phone, and I cast my eyes around us. Jack makes random comments about the weather and baseball.

I nod.

And I watch Savannah in the mirror.

I watch as she waves to her fans as we arrive at The Selena Hendrix Show, a daytime talk show, venue.

I watch as she gets her hair and makeup done and changes into a stunning strapless dress and heels that I'm sure she is going to topple over in.

I watch as Gina and Briar race around after her, sending messages and coordinating a million different things and people. Her beauty team sprays and primps and dresses her over the next hour, and before I know it, she's standing and looking at me as if my opinion counts.

"You look gorgeous," Briar says, taking a photo. "Instagram?"

"Yes." Savannah smiles, giving her permission.

Then her eyes swivel to Gina, who slides her hands in her jeans pocket.

"Looks good," the girl says, but it feels forced. "Do you want a coffee after?"

I wonder if there is still tension from yesterday but don't pay too much attention. I'm not interested in friendship dramas.

"No, thanks," Savannah replies.

She barely acknowledges me, and moments later, she steps on stage. Yet again I'm waiting from the sidelines as she becomes every inch the celebrity.

The crowd is instructed to applause, and they go wild.

Savannah is the hottest actress in America right now and from the moment she wakes up to the time she gets home at night, she doesn't stop.

Except when I fucked her.

You'd never know it happened. Aside from that one look seeking approval for her outfit—which I refused to give—she's been professional and cool with me.

I don't like it.

I want her lips red and swollen, parted and begging me to fuck her.

Again.

But it's a reminder that Savannah Sinclair has far more than me to lose if our secret got out. We both have big motivations to keep our mouths closed.

It would hardly be a good look for her to be fucking her bodyguard.

And that irks me.

My phone buzzes in my pocket and I slide it out. Someone shoots me a look and I mouth sorry then swipe the message.

Aidan: No record match from the lab on the note. Probably just a crazy fan.

Ryder: I'll talk to Savannah tonight about who she suspects.

Aidan: You didn't do that this morning?

Shit.

No, sorry I was fucking her on the washing machine. My bad.

Ryder: She had something on.

She had me on.

On top of her.

Aidan: Roger that.

The crowd goes absolutely insane as I pocket my phone. I glance over at Gina in question, and she rolls her eyes.

Are these two really friends?

"Lunch with Nick and Savannah in LA. Darina Smith, you are the winner!" Selena, the host, announces.

Darina, the winner in the audience, freezes as her mouth drops open. It looks like she won the damn lottery. Perhaps she feels like she has. Then Darina stands and tears begin to fall down her face as she shakes.

Jesus Christ.

Everyone else is screaming insanely.

"Ugh," Gina says quietly so only I can hear. "People need to stop believing they're a couple. They are so dumb."

I glance down at her. "It's just PR right?"

She shrugs. "Yeah, but he has a girlfriend."

Does he?

I hadn't heard that.

"Who?" I ask Gina. She hushes me, which isn't required, but I turn my focus back to Savannah, who is smiling but not happy.

Her eyes find me in the shadows, and I take a step out without thinking. I mouth what's wrong? But the producer notices and finally the host takes control.

"Okay, okay." Selena waves her hands, calming the crowd. "Stay after the show and we'll get you more details." Then she looks back at Savannah. "So, wow."

"Yes. Wow." Savannah fakes a smile once more. "Wild."

What the hell is going on?

"Well, we have a clip of your new movie. Let's take a look." Selena says into the camera.

As the video clip plays, our eyes meet one more time and I know she is ready to get offstage.

I'm itching to go to her and find out what's wrong. I fucking hate it. Which makes no sense, as she is not in any danger.

A few minutes later Savannah stands, waves at the crowd and then walks off set as they go to a commercial break.

"Get me the fuck out of here," she growls as she passes me and Gina without another word.

I immediately close ranks and move everyone with my outstretched arm as she strides through the hallway down to her dressing room.

Briar and Luis are still there, but everyone else has left.

"Out, out," Savannah says when she opens the door. They look startled, glancing up from their mobile phones. "Out!"

"What's wrong?" Briar gasps.

"I need everyone out," she repeats. "Please."

Gina stands back but reaches for her bag and doesn't argue. I guess she knows her friend well.

Briar and Luis grab their bags and give me a concerned look as I step in and check the room.

Unnecessarily but it's my job.

"Is—" Luis starts but stops when Savannah glares at him.

With my inspection done, I follow them both out the door and pull it closed.

"What happened?" Briar asks as Luis and Gina lurk a foot away.

I shrug and stand guard outside, grinding my teeth together. I want to know if she is all right, too, but it's none of my fucking business.

"No idea. Head out." I simply say.

"Let's go," Briar says, nudging Luis and Gina with her. "Tell Savannah I'll call her later."

I nod as they walk off.

Then I wait.

I wait and wait, but the longer I stand there, the more agitated I get.

Fuck this. Fuck feeling like this and not knowing what's damn well wrong with her. I face the door, ready to open it, then turn back.

I can't intrude on her privacy.

The clock ticks some more.

Nope, fuck this. I rip open the door and freeze. Savannah is standing in the middle of the room holding another white note, staring at it.

Naked.

I curse and close the door quickly.

"What's wrong?" I demand, going to her.

Green eyes lift up, and I can see she's terrified.

I take the card from her and read it.

NOW I HAVE YOUR DNA BITCH

"My panties are missing."

Motherfucker.

"Jesus." I curse and pull her naked body into my arms and hold her until I feel her trembling body calm somewhat.

"You really need to stop being so naked around me," I rasp into her hair.

She lifts her face from my chest, and I brush her hair off her forehead. My brain reels as I realize someone was in here, took her underwear, and left the note.

There were a lot of people—at least twenty people—inside her dressing room at one point. All coming and going, but all of them people with access and security clearance.

Savannah begins to shiver, and I relax my hold on her. "Put your dress on and cancel the rest of your appointments."

"I can't." She shakes her head. "Unless I'm in the hospital in a coma. Trust me. I can't."

Goddamn it.

"Fuck. Okay." I don't bother arguing. I'm no expert, but I figure she is locked up tight in contractual agreements and obligations. She's already implied that once or twice in conversations.

I glance around and realize I still have her in my arms. I take her chin.

"Tonight, we'll discuss this in more detail. For now, I don't want you worrying. No one is getting near you. Or past me," I say. "But you aren't walking around Los Angeles with no panties on, so we need to stop and get you some."

She frowns. "My dress is longer than my knees. It's fine."

"Not. It's not," I growl. "My mouth was on your vagina, as you so boldly put it earlier, and I will not have you flashing it around Hollywood."

A hint of a smile touches her lips. "Kiss me and I will put panties on."

I lift a brow, but I want to smile.

God, she's persistent.

"No."

But because this might be the last time I get to touch her, I slide my hand down over her bare bottom and cup it.

She lets out a little gasp as I lean close to her lips. "Get dressed."