NN

stairs. Ashton, much to his dismay, had to follow behind me. I knew he would pref

the lead. It wasn't just because I was being pompous or arrogantly asserting

uch uncomfortable tension. You see, I never asked to be Ashton's bodyguard. I didn't apply fo

one of my favorite pastimes would be getting on Ashton Joh

I had been in these townhouses many times before. They were identical. The second floor housed two bedrooms and

fit a full-sized bed, a bookshelf, and a dresser. Now, I was about to move into the identical vers

und suitcase effortlessly resting on his shoulders, like a soldier carrying a rucksack. He wasn't showing off his

ained against the fabri

ly swoon at his feet in this moment, stumbling over their

your weightlifting skills," I

our wit were actually am

. "I wasn't trying to ma

musement flickered across his lips. His face con

I asked casually, contin

emained focused, carrying the suitcase effortlessly. He never struggled, displaying a level of

it's

t could cut through glass. His features are striking enough to make him a coveted, almost st

isney would surely disapprove of. It all started th

one of his swim meets. I sat on the bleachers, observing as he emerged from the colle

plets cascaded down his sun-kissed skin as he pulled his goggles to his head. His legs appeared mo

odyguard couldn't prevent my thoughts from wandering to vivid images of Ashton, unclothed and positioned pro

I have ref

ity detail, I didn't dwell on the fact that

myself to every night (which I don't), and it wouldn't

ceptional

hing and no one will change the fact

the staircase, where a single door awaits. I step in

lacks any sense of appeal?" I toss my luggage beside the full-sized bed and give it a t

case by the door.

temperature. "I appreciate the concern, but this is where you have to stop treating me like a guest or a sibling or

in the other attic for three years thinking, why the fuck does it feel

the brick wall, my

n his DNA. Equipped with

ward with my han

m d

ey're all brick, I realize. No mold, luckily, but the wooden c

It's August in Philly, summer heat still present, but with the A

Tony already aims for the windowsill.

ward, restraining

ebriefed this morning about him and the entra

gated neighborhood anymore. Windows face public streets. Which means a

ule: I open m

the airbags that kept her safe, but Tony would

sidered

ve that middle-ground to a client. Especially for someone like Ashton who wants that fr

e his own

impos

dow you open, I ge

the hell would I agree to a lops

two is better th

ips. "How abou

-to-side, considering for

es

t I really just need him to let me in somew

risks. My window faces an overgrown magnolia tree that obstructs the street view. Also,

im and remove my black sheet

open, muscles flexed. The old woo

ony scans my bedding, his phone buzzing in his jean's poc

's ignoring his texts. "Do

ds at attention like he's one breath from

"A minute to l

Sure. Just change that minute

hand slipping in my pocket. "If I g

can guard

eally adorable that you

ys you

ce of gum in my pocket and peel the foil. "An

p alternate universe, height de

laugh and pop my

es. I skim his wardrobe, just a green T-shirt, jeans, and a cheap can

ity makes him s

to his, and he

y have serious conversations with him, and to be his body

r the third time today. Pushing the strand

ce water. He cringes, looks away and shakes hi

I'm attaching myself to his life. Not the other way arou

make my b

and he motions for me to give hi

help. I can't even remember the last t

ikely

orners of the mattress, and then I toss

green eyes lift to my brown. We slow down, and neit

the s

ws the

x is the unt

's public knowledge that he frequents nightclubs and bars. It's

e Ashton fucks. I'm now supposed to safeguard that mystery. And whoever he wa

errogat

rd at his bedroom door in case something bad happens. I'll be th

s to protect his c

rust me,"

case. "I have to trust you. T

ng both statements. "You'll see that you can trust me soo

rents since most of the Johnson, Haynes, and Walsh children are still underage. Out of fear of p

wo