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Cian
“I really didn’t mean to draw that much attention.”
Serenity is adorable when she says things like that.
I don’t think she realizes the power of her presence. Not even after I had to rescue her from that gaggle of fans earlier. But then I remember that we are only 28 years old. She won a Golden Globe at 27. Her rise to stardom was quick, even if she did work hard for it.
I watch her phone her dad, and my stomach lurches. This is it. This is my last chance to tell her I don’t want this to be just one night. I take a deep breath and wait and listen.
“Hi Dad. No, it’s great. I’m having a wonderful time. In fact, I’ve met up with some old friends, and we’re gonna have a big old slumber party…here at the hotel. You betcha, it’s going to be just like old times. We’re gonna braid each other’s hair, eat pizza, watchPrincess Diaries…it’s gonna be great.”
What the hell is happening right now?
When she hangs up, she turns to me with a sly grin. “I should’ve listened to you in the first place. Slumber party of two?”
My incredible, naughty girl.
This is rapidly turning into the best night of my life.
* * *
Of course, we don’t make it through the lobby without two more requests for selfies.
Serenity is gracious and wonderful, as always. The last straw is a group of what looks like hockey players who surround us by the elevator, taking videos with their phones and standing too close.
My protective instinct goes into overdrive, and I block the closest dude’s phone by standing in front of Serenity.
“Stand back, please…don’t block the elevator…do not crowd Ms. Jackson.”
Pretending to be her bodyguard comes naturally to me. She is as sweet as pie, with all smiles, waves, and pleasantries with her adoring fans, and I can be the biggest asshole I want to be. For all they know, this is my job.
When one of them reaches for her, asking, “Can I hug you, Serenity?” I almost lose my cool, physically bodychecking him out of the way.
“Hey!”
“I asked nicely; now I’m not going to be nice,” I tell him.
The overexcited hockey player wisely stays out of my way. When the elevator doors open, I block the entrance to everyone but Serenity. Over my shoulder, the pushy one shouts, “I love you, Serenity!”
I’m not a dude who growls, but I’m provoked.
She smiles and blows kisses as the doors close. “I love you all, too! Thank you all so much!”
ChapterTen
Serenity
“Cian, what’s wrong with you?”
The look on Cian’s face is something I’ve never seen before. It’s not angry, just…feral.
Granted, I’ve not seen him for the last ten years, so who knows what he’s like when we’re alone.
“Cian?”
He has me backed into the corner of the elevator, towering over me, making damn sure all I see is him. He seems bigger somehow.
“He tried to touch you…he tried to hug you…I nearly lost my shit…”
