I don’t like hearing that. A few more weeks isn’t going to be enough for me. I’m going to need a lifetime of protecting her. Maybe three lifetimes. But I’m not going to worry about it because as much as she says she wants to quit, it’s a heat of the moment declaration. She’s got a stalker taking creep shots through windows and sending them to the press. Directors are trying to take advantage of their power and force her to do shit that makes her uncomfortable. Her mom was stealing money from her. I’d want to quit if I was in her position, too.
The party is at a hotel. There’s a red carpet and a photo call in front of a floral arch. With her dress, Sadie looks like she’s the centerpiece of a beautiful garden. This time, there aren’t any uncomfortable questions, just what sounds like a million shouts of “This way, Sadie,” “Here, Sadie,” and “Give my camera a smile, Sadie.” It’s loud, confusing, and irritating, but she smiles calmly the entire time.
After she’s blinded by the flash of a hundred cameras, a handler comes and guides us down a lit pathway to an outdoor pavilion. There are large heaters and tuxedoed waiters, and a familiar-looking woman wearing a light green dress runs over. “Sadie, you’re here. Is this Dior?” They exchange air kisses.
“Yes, but look at you. This confection is delectable. The color on you is stunning.”
“Nothing compared to you, but anyway, enough of that. Who is this hulk behind you?” The actress peers over Sadie’s shoulder.
“This is my bo—”
“Boyfriend.” I stick out my hand. No need for everyone to know that Sadie has a bodyguard.
“Boyfriend?” Ramey’s eyes bulge out of her face.
Sadie’s eyebrows arch, but she doesn’t deny it. I think she knows this is all part of the package to protect her, but even as I think it, I realize that I want it to be true. I want to be Sadie’s boyfriend. Who am I kidding? I want to be her everything.
Chapter Nine
Sadie
“It’s really new,” I admit, drawing Ramey’s attention back on to me.
After her initial shock, a glare had formed, and it was pointed at my new fake boyfriend. I was stunned when the words had slipped past those perfect lips of his. But I quickly adjusted and went with it all too willingly.
Locke tucks me closer into his side. I can't help but peek up at him to see where his attention is focused. Ramey is one of the prettiest girls I’ve ever met. Men fall at her feet, and she’ll step right over them.
He scans the room before his attention settles in on me once again. I know it’s his job, but he’s so dang attentive to me. He makes it feel as though he really is my boyfriend. Or what I would imagine having a boyfriend would be like. I wouldn’t know since I’ve never had a real one before. All of my relationships in the past were made up.
“Yeah, it must be super new because you haven’t said a word to me.” She grabs my hand. “We should talk.” She tries to pull me from Locke’s hold, but I don’t think I’m going anywhere based on the way Locke’s hold literally goes on lockdown. “Fine,” Ramey huffs, seeing he’s not going to let her steal me from him.
“I saw the leaked pictures. They were taken in your home. It’s no coincidence it happened after you got yourself a new boyfriend.”
“It wasn't him.” I defend Locke immediately.
I’d seen the look on Locke's face when the pictures got leaked. For a moment, I thought he was going to lose it, but he’d pulled it back quickly when he saw I was watching him. A part of me wonders what Locke would look like if he lost all that control he keeps wrapped up so tightly.
“Bet you got a good penny for those pictures.” She tosses the words out to Locke. I appreciate her trying to watch out for me, but she’s mistaken.
“I’d drain all of my bank accounts to wipe those from the internet.” Damn. Locke plays the possessive jealous boyfriend part well. He might have missed his calling on the big screen.
“It wasn't Locke. I promise.” Ramey eyes him but backs down, taking my word for it.
“You better call me.” She gives me air kisses again but pauses next to my ear. “That is one fine man.” With that she’s gone, getting back to work.
“Sorry,” I tell him.
“Don’t be. She cares.”
“She is one of the good ones. They are hard to find around here. You never know who is full of crap when they all can act.” I’ve found that out the hard way one too many times.
“I don't know how you’re still standing. These people are vultures.” Locke is once again scanning the crowd. People quickly pull their eyes away from us when he runs his eyes past them. Everyone is trying to stare at us, wondering who he is.