Bulletproof (8 page)

I’d said my piece, far less elegantly than I meant to, but I was pissed. Just because he was a celebrity didn’t mean people could come up and openly slander him.

I went to move past the drunken little tart, but she side-stepped and got in my way again.

“No one talks to me like that.”

I didn’t even see her fist coming. It landed straight in my belly, and for a chick that small, she was surprisingly strong. I doubled over, letting out a breath, my hand curling into a fist.

I wasn’t a fighter normally, but this girl needed putting into her place.

“Hey!” Sean grabbed her arm before I could do anything, spinning her away from me.

And that’s when the flashes started. Unfortunately, it wasn’t strobe lights this time; the click of the camera was right in his face.

“How the hell did they get in here?” Sean muttered as he shifted his body and tried to block me from the lens.

Taking my arm, he shuffled me across the dance floor, using the crowd to shield us. I had gotten over the initial blow to my stomach and went to straighten up.

“Keep your head down.” Sean placed his hand on my head and made me crouch again.

The clicking still followed us, along with repetitive shouts. “Mr. Jaxon! Mr. Jaxon!”

“Sean! A minute of your time!”

“Sean! Sean Jaxon!”

He ignored the calls and kept moving, pulling over to the far corner of the room. As soon as we were beneath the exit sign, he pushed it open with his shoulder and guided me outside. Stopping in the doorway, he scrambled in his pocket for some bills and handed me a small wad of cash.

“Take the stairs, they’ll lead you up to the main street and you can catch a taxi.”

“You’re not coming with me?”

“I don’t want them to see you. You shouldn’t have to put up with this shit.”

“But—”

“I’m sorry.” Regret washed over his expression. “Text me when you get home, so I know you’re safe.”

“But, what about—” He was gone before I could even finish my sentence, back into the shark pit. I glimpsed a couple of bright flashes before the door slammed shut.

I had no idea what Sean was about to do; I was guessing smile at a few photographers and slowly make his way out the front door...leave like a gentleman.

Letting out a short sigh, I headed up the stairs. I knew Sean wanted me to stay out of sight and catch a taxi home, but I wanted to make sure he was okay. Sneaking around the edge of the building, I kept my eyes on the door of the club. It took thirty minutes, but eventually Sean popped out of the club door, surrounded by photographers. He kept a pleasant smile in place and waved to everyone as he got into his car.

I wondered what happened to Little Miss Punchy.

Sean pulled away from the curb, and I moved, heading around the block to hail a taxi. I caught one easily and was home thirty minutes later. Feeling pretty dejected, I paid my fare and then slumped up the front steps.

My phone buzzed and I pulled it out.

You home safe? Sorry about tonight.

With a glum smile, I texted back.

Home safe. Don’t worry about it. Maybe another time?

He never replied.

CHAPTER TEN

SEAN

I stayed in bed until two in the afternoon. I’d turned my phone off as soon as Morgan had replied. I didn’t have the heart to send her a text back. What could I say? I’m surprised she even wanted a next time.

I still couldn’t believe that drunk little bitch had punched her in the stomach. Hearing Morgan stand up for me was pure gold. I mean, yeah, I wished she hadn’t said anything, but it was also pretty sweet to watch her go for it with that firecracker.

I loved her fearless strength. No one really got to see it at work, but man, I wished they could. I wished she could stand up to Travis like that, but she’d be fired in a microsecond.

With a groan, I checked my clock, glad I didn’t have a family thing on today. Kip was away on business and Florence’s kids were all sick. No one wanted the germs passed on, so Mama had canceled the weekly lunch. I had been relieved; it meant I could have spent as long a night as I’d wanted to with Morgan and slept my Sunday away.

Unfortunately, thanks to the frickin’ paparazzi and a psycho fan, my night had been cut short. Damn, I’d been so close to kissing Morgan; I’d felt her breath on my skin. Squeezing my eyes shut, I tried not to imagine how good she would have tasted. It was probably better not to know what I was missing.

I couldn’t date her again. It wasn’t fair to inflict my fame on her. She deserved to date a normal guy who could take her anywhere and she’d be safe.

Punched in the stomach!

Shit!

That had to be the lousiest date in the history of man.

Picking up my phone, I ran my thumb over the black screen, wishing I could leave it that way for the rest of the weekend, but I’d never get away with it.

I held down the button and tapped in my code when the screen came to life. I had ten text messages and three missed calls.

I hadn’t even cleared two texts when the phone started singing.

With a sigh, I touched the screen.

“Hey, Rhonda.” I winced, rubbing my eyes.

“What the hell, Sean! I told you to take her somewhere quiet. Did I not say that to you?”

“We wanted to go dancing.” My voice sounded flat and hollow.

“So, choose some celebrity-less dive.”

“That club has the best DJ in town. I wanted her to have a good night.”

“Well, yeah, she obviously did. I mean, I think. The reports say you arrived with some blonde girl and left on your own. What did you do with her?”

“I snuck her out the back.” I propped myself up on my elbow and rolled onto my side. “Did they get any photos of her?”

“No, just you man-handling some little drunk bird.”

“That bitch punched Morgan in the gut.”

Rhonda sighed. “That’s why I told you quiet.”

“Look, I got her out and went back in and did some damage control, okay.”

“Yeah, I guess I have to admit there’s some great shots of you here.”

I grimaced. “What does it say?”

“After a minor altercation with a drunken Abigail fan, Sean Jaxon made the most of his night, dancing with his fans and flashing his stunning smile at the camera. He remained tight-lipped about his current work, but told us that something would be brewing in September. We all wait with eager anticipation to see what Mr. Bulletproof has in store for us next.”

“Well, that doesn’t sound so bad.”

“I haven’t read the other one yet.”

I groaned.

“Who is Sean Jaxon dating now? Arriving at Club Hybrid last night with a tall blonde, Sean ended up leaving the venue alone after an altercation inside. No one knows the mystery woman’s name, but I’m sure we’d all like to know what Abigail Tripoli thinks about it. Having just broken up with her rock star lover, rumors are floating that the pole-dancing actress is hoping for reconciliation with her ex-boyfriend.”

“That is such bullshit!”

“I know, I know, but this will blow over. Just don’t talk about your love life. You know, I really think, for your sake, that you should refrain from dating...or at least public dating, for a little longer. If you like this girl, you really don’t want to pull her into anything.”

“Yeah, I know. She doesn’t deserve this shit.”

“The trials of being a celebrity, huh? Well done for working it to your advantage.”

“Yeah, thanks,” I mumbled.

“Oh, and expect a call from Andrew today. You know he’ll want every detail.”

I cringed thinking about my publicist and how long that call would take. He liked to analyze everything, making sure all the angles were worked to the best advantage.

I hung up the phone with a heavy sigh, not wanting to check the rest of my messages.

Throwing it onto the covers, I rolled to my stomach and buried my face in my pillow. I wanted the world to stop moving for a couple of days. I wanted to sink into my mattress and not exist.

How the hell was I supposed to face Morgan tomorrow?

What the hell was I going to say to her?

*****

I took the chicken’s way out and spent most of the next day buried in work. I saw Morgan flash past me a couple of times, but I didn’t chase after her. Thankfully, Travis was keeping her so busy she didn’t have a chance to corner me, either.

It ended up being a really shitty day. There was a problem with the lighting, and we had to re-shoot all our morning’s work in the afternoon. I was so over watching the “Lady Marmalade” dance and giving Ashlee a disappointed glare at the end of it.

For such a show-stopper, I think everyone was hating the song by the time we left at the end of the day. It was nine thirty when I finally started heading for my car. I was tired, flat, and wanted to crawl into bed. Sleep would be a sweet respite.

“Sean.”

I placed my hand on the roof of my car, tempted to open the door and drive off before she could reach me. But my pop had taught me better, so I slowly turned to watch Morgan approach me.

She paused her step, waiting for a car to drive past us before closing the gap. I leaned against the car and crossed my arms, glancing across the lot. It looked like there weren’t many left. I was glad I had ignored my designated spot and parked in the back corner this morning. I had felt like being in the shadows today and my hunch was right. I didn’t want people seeing me and Morgan together. If any of them had seen the headlines, they’d be able to piece things together too easily.

“Are you okay?” She sounded so concerned it made my chest restrict.

“Yeah.” I rubbed my hand over my head. “Yeah, how about you? Your stomach okay?”

“All good.” She rubbed it with a short smile. “I’m really sorry about the weekend. I didn’t mean to make it worse for you.”

“Hey, you didn’t.”

She shook her head. “I should have kept my mouth shut with that chick, but I just hated the way she was talking to you. You don’t deserve that. She doesn’t know anything.”

“Some fans are...a little over the top.”

“A little.” She scoffed. “That bitch was insane.”

“Drunk.” I shrugged.

Morgan pressed her lips together, disappointment flashing over her face as she read my expression.

She tipped her head to the side and nodded, reaching into her bag and pulling out some money.

“Here, this is for the cab ride.” She held out a small wad of cash.

I lifted my hand. “Don’t be insane. I wanted to pay.”

“No, it’s the change. I appreciated you paying for it. Thank you for getting me home.”

“Keep it.” I flicked my hand.

“Sean, it’s your money; I don’t want it.” She stepped toward me, holding the cash.

“Neither do I.” I closed my palm around her hand, my breath catching in my throat. The current traveling up my arm was intense. I wanted to pull her to my chest and finish what I started on that dance floor.

She swallowed, her eyes sad. “I know you don’t want to date me anymore. I like to think it’s because you’re trying to protect me, rather than not wanting to spend any time with me.”

“Of course that’s the reason. Damn, Morgan, you...you’re gold.”

Her lips rose with a little half-smile. “I’m not afraid, you know, of the cameras...and the fans. I can do it.”

“You deserve better than that.”

“I don’t want better. I want you. I’ll take whatever risks come with that.”

Her words stumped me. I wanted to argue with her, to tell her she was wrong and she’d regret it later, but... she wanted me and dammit, I wanted her, too.

I squeezed her money-filled fist and tugged her toward me. She landed against my chest, her soft breasts pressing into my shirt. I held her against me, spreading my hands over her lower back and loving the way her spine curved. I loved her shape. She wasn’t a skinny arrow; she was an hourglass. I ran my free hand over her shoulder, gliding my fingers up her long neck, my thumb skimming her sharp chin.

Damn, she was beautiful. Her breath whistled over me as she closed the distance between us.

The pressure of her lips on mine sent my senses to a new planet. My fingers gripped the nape of her neck as her tongue brushed my lower lip. We opened our mouths together, our tongues dancing a smooth tango. She tasted like peppermint. I gently sucked her bottom lip into my mouth before pulling away from her.

“Girl, you must have some kind of magical powers or something. I ain’t never gonna be able to resist you now.”

Her breathy laugh kissed my skin and she looked me in the eye, her brown gaze dancing with pleasure. “So don’t.”

With a grin, I pressed my palm into her back, melding us together and diving into another kiss that held a new level of intensity and passion.

Yes, there were risks, but we could face them. We’d just keep things quiet like Rhonda suggested. No one had to know we were dating. That way I could keep Morgan safe and we could be together, because after this taste, I didn’t think I had the power to let her go.