My phone vibrates with the text I’ve been waiting for all day: Bodyguard is on his way to you.
I dash out of the soundstage, walking as quickly as I can in high-heeled ankle boots through the fenced-off parking lot of trailers. Goosebumps rise on my skin despite the warm September day in Manhattan. I fought the idea of a guard for a long time—I’m a very private person—but when a man broke into my apartment two weeks ago, startling me from a sound sleep, to ask me to whip him, that was the final straw. Ever since I played a tough-as-nails CEO on my previous show, I’ve had more than my share of harassment from men. They’re either attracted to that toughness, or want to bring me down a peg. It’s called acting, guys!
Seriously, it’s one thing to have a guy shouting at you on the street or grabbing for your hair or clothes in a crowd—all of which I deal with—and a whole different thing to have a home invader. The even more disturbing part is how he managed to get past the lobby’s night watchman and knew how to disable my apartment’s security system. My new bodyguard is the key to getting a sound sleep again.
Oh, there’s Trina talking to him. She directs him toward my trailer and dashes off in the opposite direction. My knees wobble as my bodyguard swaggers toward me. He’s a beast of a man. My mouth goes dry, my pulse racing. He’s mid-twenties, tall, six feet plus, and bulky with muscles. His physique is shown off to perfection in a snug black T-shirt and faded jeans. His dark brown hair is clipped short, drawing attention to his sharp cheekbones and square jaw. Black sunglasses hide his eyes. Tough. Hot. Sexy AF. Did not expect that.
I take a deep breath and slow my pace. I need to be calm, cool, and professional when I meet him. Joe Sullivan and I will be spending a lot of time together. He’s moving into the apartment next door tomorrow at my request. It’s critical we get off on the right foot. Today’s a taping day for our new sitcom, Living Gold, with a live studio audience. I’ll feel better knowing my new bodyguard is on set with me in case there’s any aggressive men in the audience obsessed with my previous character, Amanda.
The funny thing is, I’m not tough at all. It’s a failing I’ve worked on my whole life. I can play tough, thanks to General Joan Ellis, my grandmother who raised me. Harper! Chin up, shoulders back, never show weakness!
Ma’am, yes, ma’am!
Except I would’ve caught hell for responding back. She really missed her calling as an elementary school teacher. The military could’ve used her in command of the troops, instead of attempting to bring a shy, sensitive girl up to her standards. And failing miserably.
Joe walks right by my trailer, not knowing he missed it, and I dash ahead to greet him, a professional smile pasted on my face to hide the raw lust. “Hi, I’m Harper. So nice to meet you. This one is mine.” I gesture to the trailer. “Follow me. I’d like to chat before taping starts.” I go on ahead, unlocking the door, and head inside, holding the metal door open for him.
He doesn’t join me. Instead he pushes his sunglasses to the top of his head and just stares. His eyes are a striking aquamarine. My God. He could be in movies. My stomach does a crazy flip, heat flashing through my entire body. I’ve never had such a visceral reaction to a man on first sight. This could be a problem. I’m his boss. Also, I have a boyfriend. Colton’s been in England for three weeks now filming a movie. I should call him.
“Please come in,” I say.
“You’re Harper Ellis.” His voice is deep and smooth like my favorite dark chocolate, giving me a similar jolt of pleasure. Better, if I’m being honest.
“Yes. Welcome.” It occurs to me he sounds a little surprised. I thought he knew who hired him, though I do look different today from the character I used to play. Amanda Boxer wore business suits and sensible pumps. My new character, Lexi Gold, is a wealthy fashionista, so I’m in a sleeveless Vera Wang black shift dress, with a sheer top above the cleavage, that ends mid-thigh with high-heeled designer ankle boots. The biggest difference is my hair. I used to wear a straight-haired dark