AllFreeNovel
Share Us
His dark eyes flash. “Then stop fighting me on this. I'm doing my job.”
“Some job,” I mutter. “Breathing down my neck every second. I want five minutes to myself!”
His hands grasp my shoulders to steady me. They're big and warm, even through my shirt. “You can't run off like that,” he says sharply.
I shrug out of his grasp. “Or what? You'll physically restrain me? Tie me up?”
Hurt flashes in Dylan's eyes before his face closes off. He steps back, running a hand through his hair—a rare sign of frustration. “You know why I'm here.”
I do. It's to protect me from some unseen danger lurking in the shadows—but right now, all I can think about is how much I want to kiss him until we both forget why this is such a bad idea.
My anger melts away as I see the tension etched on his handsome face. He's only trying to keep me safe, even if it frustrates me to no end. It isn’t Dylan’s fault, same as it isn’t mine.
I stare at my hands, anger fading. “You're only doing your job. But it feels like I no longer have control over anything in my life. I'm being forced into this marriage while some psychopath is out there obsessed with me. I can't even go for a walk on campus without you following me around.”
I toss the words out without meeting his eyes. Dylan tilts his head, a lock of dark hair falling across those dark brown eyes that make my pulse race whenever they linger on me for too long.
He gives me a small smile and a treacherous warmth unfurls low in my belly despite my frustration.
A familiar voice cuts through the tension like a knife through butter. “Gemma, over here!”
My friend Lisa is sitting under an oak tree, her hand slicing through the air. Dylan steps aside, allowing me to pass without comment, but I catch the hint of a smirk on his lips.
Lisa pats the ground beside her, eyes darting to him. “Who's the hottie?”
I sink onto the grass, crossing my legs beneath me. “My personal jailer.”
Her mouth is agape and she mockingly clutches her pearls. “If he's jail, sign me up for a life sentence.”
I glance over at Dylan, taking in his tall, muscular frame and how his shirtsleeves strain against his biceps. Okay, yes, he's extremely good-looking.
“He's my bodyguard,” I explain with a laugh.
Lisa's playful face turns serious. “You're serious?”
“As a heart attack.” Dylan is pretending not to listen to our conversation, but I bet he can hear every word.
She leans in closer. “Is it because of that stalker guy?”
“The police don't have any leads, and my dad thinks I need protection.”
“So what's his deal? Ex-military? Secret Service?” Her curiosity practically bubbles over.
“Navy SEAL.” The words come out with a mixture of pride and exasperation. Pride because it's impressive; exasperated because his expertise means there's no arguing with him about safety protocols.
Lisa whistles low. “Wow. So your dad went all out.”
All out is an understatement. Anthony Caldwell doesn't do things halfway—especially when it comes to protecting his assets.
“Ugh, I just want to be normal!” I exclaim, dropping my head into my hands. “Go on dates, fail exams, get drunk on the weekends.”
Lisa nudges my shoulder with hers. “Look on the bright side! If he's around all the time, you're basically invincible.”
“You're right.”
Lisa stretches her legs out in front of her, leaning against the tree trunk. “Are you ready for Professor Collins' exam on Monday?”
I let out a groan, tilting my face to the dappled sunlight filtering through the leaves above us. “I've been so focused on that big project for Professor Ryan's class that I'm way behind on studying for Collins'.”
