Profilers and psychologists had already promised this guy wasn’t dangerous, that her stalker didn’t exhibit clear signs of wanting to hurt her. According to the experts, he didn’t even want to scare her. It was as if he just wanted her to leave show business. What he couldn’t understand was that show business was inherently transactional. Jules worked and worked and wouldn’t be scared from her career because someone didn’t like the parts she played.
But all that had been before he’d shown up on her honeymoon-turned-sister-moon-turned-fake-boyfriend-stunt.
“Jules, we’ve been through worse. Don’t forget all you’ve overcome.”
She’d overcome men with ill intent.
The first time, she’d been stupid enough to believe she’d fallen in love with that batshit man who’d stolen her away and hidden her in a frozen barn. The second time, it had been by professional decree. Maybe it wasn’t real, but she and Mason had agreed to a lifelong arrangement. That hadn’t gone as expected either.
Rhys squeezed her closer. “I’m going to make a few phone calls when we get to the restaurant. Unless I hear anything different from Viv, we’re going to continue like normal.”
Jules had never met Vivian Maddox, but Rhys trusted his boss. Titan had never led Jules astray.
He tucked her under his arm and headed toward the restaurant. Every part of her wanted to spin around and find her stalker hiding in the bushes and vines.
“Want me to tell you more details about tonight?” he asked.
“I forgot for a minute. There’s a crazy guy who tracked me to St. Barts.”
“Tonight is dinner, drinks, and stargazing.”
“Stargazing?” That shut her up.
“Apparently, drinks are on a blanket on the beach.”
Her eyebrows rose, and tucked under his arm, she imagined snuggling against Rhys on the beach with nothing to do except stare into the universe. Excitement ran under her skin again as though her bodyguard were actually her rebound.
She needed the reactions to stop.
If he found out that she had the slightest attraction to him, he’d never work with her again. A cold flash of panic smothered the wispy flutters of attraction.
Other security details could handle her schedule. Of course they could. Titan didn’t even specialize in the movie business. But no one could replace Rhys Callaghan, and like a freaking diva, she didn’t want anyone else to try.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
Whoa, buddy.He’d never know. “You’ll get sand in your shoes.”
He grinned. “For a famed actress, you’re a shitty liar.”
Chapter Fourteen
Rhys scanned the bleached-blond hardwood veranda draped with white linen that hung from pergolas covered in flowers. Tourists and waitstaff milled around. The restaurant’s outdoor seating, which wrapped around the open-air building, was flanked by flickering gas lamps and flowers. He memorized every angle, every person.No apparent dangers.
He and Jules approached the hostess. Instant recognition flared on her face. With wide eyes and a humming energy, she greeted them.
Jules handled those encounters with practiced ease. He pivoted, searching for anyone surreptitiously watching Jules. He understood the impulse completely. But no one did.
And where the hell was Abigail? He inspected as far as he could see inside. “We’re expecting another person. Has anyone else in our party arrived?”
“No,” the hostess squeaked.
Suddenly, Abigail hustled up to meet them. “Sorry. The hibiscus stole more of my attention than I expected.”
They were seated. Draped white linens and flowering vines flanked their table. Rhys tucked himself in the corner, watching everyone who approached. Jules and Abigail glanced at the menus and gazed at the purplish sky and water.
“Anything noteworthy on your walk over?” he asked Abigail.
“Do you know how red a red hibiscus is? I thought I did, but I was wrong.”
