Rogue Beast (The Rourkes #12) - Kylie Gilmore Page 0,4
not? “Have you met my brother Sean? Strong family resemblance.” People from the neighborhood say you can tell a Rourke son because we resemble our dad, with his same dark brown hair, angular cheekbones, and build. I’m the only one who inherited his aquamarine eyes, which supposedly is the sign of a true ruler of Villroy. Yup, I’ve got royal blood. My dad abdicated the throne to Villroy to marry my mom, a commoner. Even if he hadn’t been banished from the kingdom all those years ago, I still wouldn’t have ruled as the youngest of six sons. That’s me—baby of the family, even at twenty-six.
She lowers her phone and studies me for a moment. “You do resemble Sean. A lot.” She puts a hand to her forehead. “Ugh, I feel like such an idiot. I assumed you were my guard when I saw my assistant talking to you. I thought she was directing you to my trailer when she was probably directing you to Josie’s trailer.”
“Yeah.”
“And I practically dragged you in here. This is my fault.”
“Nah, honest mistake.” I smile, which makes her blush. She’s sweet and a little shy, an appealing combination and not something I expected from an actor. Josie is loud and extremely outgoing.
She shakes her head.
I lift a palm. “If it helps, I’d like to be your bodyguard. If I didn’t already have a job, that is. I work for my family’s construction and real estate development business.” That sounds more impressive than it is. I work on crew, no fancy title like my older brothers have. When the business was passed on to us from my uncle, my oldest brother was named CEO. As we grew with the real estate development business, he handed out corporate titles to my older brothers. Everyone but me. I know he sees me as the young inexperienced one, even after eight years of hard physical labor. Though part of me suspects it’s also because I’m the best at my job. I can do every aspect of construction with an attention to detail that guarantees happy clients.
Harper sinks to the sofa. She checks her phone, reading the screen before meeting my eyes. “Josie’s excited you’re here and so happy we met. There’s a bunch of celebration emojis.” She holds up her phone to show me a dancing cheerleader, fireworks, and a champagne bottle.
I grin. “Sounds like Josie.”
She sets her phone down next to her on the sofa and covers her face with her hands, peeking at me between her fingers. “I’m so embarrassed.”
I step closer. “Don’t be. I should’ve said something, but it felt like we were connecting, ya know? I didn’t want to spoil the moment by admitting I wasn’t who you thought I was.”
She drops her hands, revealing bright red cheeks. You never see her blush on TV. Could she blush on cue? Acting is such a strange and fascinating world. I can’t get over how different she is in real life from her character Amanda.
She blows out a breath. “Okay, well, I guess I have only myself to blame for accosting you and foisting water and chocolate on you.”
I chuckle. “That’s what clued me in to your sweetness. You only had three little pieces of chocolate, yet you offered me one.”
She stares at my chest. “Just trying to be welcoming to the newest member of my little entourage.”
“Who else is in it?”
She waves airily. “No one all the time like a bodyguard, which is why I was trying to make nice. I’ve got a publicist, agent, manager, and assistant hustling for me.”
“Cool.”
She stands. “Guess I should let the real Joe in and welcome him to the team.” She shakes her head, muttering, “I’m making a mess of this guard thing.”
“Lemme give you my number. I don’t live far from Josie and Sean. In fact, I house-sit for them when she’s away on a job.” I want her to know how much Josie trusts me so she knows she can trust me.
“Oh. Uh…” She blushes even more, if that’s possible, the blush spreading to her neck. “Actually, I have a boyfriend. Colton Young. He’s away right—” Her phone rings to the tune of the Rolling Stones’ “I Can’t Get No Satisfaction.” She gives me a small apologetic smile. “It’s him. He’s filming a Rolling Stones biopic. Sorry. I have to take this. Err, help yourself to a bottled water to go.”
Even giving me the brush-off, she wants to give me something. “Sure, thanks.” I can always use