Her Billionaire Bodyguard (Her Billionaire CEO Book 1) Page 4

  “What will she do when you go into the Army?” Madison was thinking, what will I do?

  “Probably the same thing she’s been doing the last few years, covering his behind.”

  “You need to do what’s best for you,” she urged him.

  “You think? Some days, I don’t know what that is.” He smiled lopsidedly. “I just know I want you to be in my life.”

  Should I tell him?

  Earlier that day, a music label had invited her to another round of demos and interviews. But it wasn’t a for sure thing, so she hadn’t said something to Luke. Besides, she didn’t know how to tell him. She suspected as long as she was just trying to make her music career happen, nothing would change between them. Until then, no big decisions needed to be made. But now, he would be going off to the Army.

  He cocked his head. “Can you come out just for a second?”

  “That’s just trouble, and you know it, Luke Parker.”

  “Just a minute?”

  “Luke. You should go home.”

  “I promise not to touch you.”

  “Uh-huh.”

  “Last time, you kissed me first,” he claimed.

  She chuckled. “Good night, Luke.”

  “I love you,” he said, kissing his finger and putting it against the screen.

  She kissed her finger and pressed it against his. “I love you, too.”

  He climbed down the way he came and stood on the driveway just looking up at her. Then he kissed his finger and pointed at Madison.

  She sat there a long time after he left, gazing up at the stars and wondering what the future would bring.

  ***

  Madison chewed on a fingernail while waiting for Luke at the rodeo park. It had been a week since his midnight visit and he’d enlisted as he promised. They’d never talked about the future, just skirting it in conversations, but today was the day.

  When Madison called him wanting to talk, Luke had asked if she just wanted to have him over in her yard, but she suggested the park. They needed someplace neutral. Someplace where he couldn’t try to talk her out of her own dream.

  Her heart leaped when she saw Luke pull into the dirt lot. He got out in a collared shirt and a pair of clean jeans. He dressed nicer nowadays, and she liked to think he did it for her. He was even trying to quit smoking.

  Faking a bright smile, she got up from the park bench and met him in a kiss.

  “What’s up, babe?” Luke said, holding her loosely in his arms.

  She told him the words she’d been rehearsing. “Mom and I are moving to Nashville.”

  He gripped her tightly. “You’re what?”

  “A label wants to give me a temporary contract. I’m gonna demo some songs, then they’ll introduce me to some people there.” Her words came out in a rush.

  Letting her go, he paced, kicking up dust with his boots. Then he stopped, whirling around to face her. “What about us?”

  “It’s just temporary,” she said, but she couldn’t convince even herself.

  “I thought you’d given up on this stuff?” Luke said. “You said it was taking forever.”

  “Luke, you know this has always been my dream,” she said quietly.

  His expression softened. “I know, babe. But can’t you be patient? I’ll be done with boot camp by Christmas, then you and I could get married.”

  She touched his face. “I can go after my dream while you go after yours and then, if it’s meant to be…”

  “It it’s meant to be!” he exploded.

  She refused to be intimidated by his temper. “Is that what this is all about, Luke Parker? You don’t want your little girlfriend to be a big country superstar? Is that it?”

  His mouth twisted. “You’d give us up for a shot at that Nashville bunk?”

  “Nashville bunk?” she repeated. He tried to reach for her, but she deflected his hands with her arms. Madison was so angry she trembled. “I guess this is goodbye, then,” she finally said.

  He blinked several times, then jutted his chin out, a barrier coming up. “I knew you’d leave me someday,” he said dully. “It was just a matter of time.”

  “It doesn’t have to end this way,” she whispered.

  “Go,” he said, gesturing with his arm. “Just go!”

  She walked unsteadily towards her car, numb. Then she heard him coming up from behind. She thought, for one wild moment, that maybe he changed his mind, but he was just stalking past to get in his truck. She got in hers and dropped her keys a couple of times trying to put it in the ignition.

  His truck engine roared to life and ripped out of there so fast his tires gouged the dirt.

  She bowed her head and could see where she had dropped her keys, but she made no move to get it. The pain came then, hot and merciless, and she wept against the steering wheel.

  ***

  A week later

  Luke slid into a booth at Grady’s with his date, Gretchen.

  Since their break-up, he had waited for Madison to come running back to him saying she was sorry and she’d made a mistake, but she hadn’t. And sure as heck, he wasn’t going to go begging for her to take him back. In a few days, he would ship off to the Army and put Madison and Sunnyridge behind him.

  A group of girls entered the restaurant. Instantly, Luke saw Madison. Her steps faltered as she gazed back at him, then at Gretchen. They filed into a booth across the room.

  His throat went dry with wanting.

  As always, she looked beautiful. There was a sadness about her that made him want to take her in his arms and protect her.

  But she chose Nashville over him. He tore his eyes from Madison and focused on Gretchen.

  She was beautiful in a fake, brittle way, with tightly permed black hair and thick eyeliner. Her green eyes narrowed. “Not over her, are you?”

  Luke smiled. “Nah. I’m good.” He darted a glance towards Madison. She was watching them.

  He put an arm around Gretchen and attempted to nuzzle her cheek, but her permed curls got in the way.

  “It’s her loss.” Gretchen giggled and snuggled closer to him, engulfing him with a cloud of perfume.

  It felt wrong, making Madison jealous, but oh, it felt so good. When Luke next looked up, Madison wasn’t sitting among her girlfriends.

  She was running out the door.

  Go after her, you idiot.

  Gretchen was stroking his thigh and he felt a flash of annoyance. He pushed her hand away and stood up. “I gotta go.”

  “What?” She looked confused.

  “Sorry, Gretchen, this was a mistake. I shouldn’t have asked you out.”

  Gretchen’s eyes flashed. “Jerk.”

  “I can give you a ride home…later.”

  “Don’t bother.”

  Luke tossed a five dollar bill on the table and left the restaurant. When he came out to the parking lot, Madison was already driving away.

  ***

  Madison entered her bedroom, her footsteps dragging. Seeing Luke moving on with another girl filled her gut with physical pain, she could hardly breathe. It was a girl from their senior class.

  She glanced at her pillow, where she’d laid a note in an envelope for her mom. Picking it up, she took out the letter. Through a blur of tears, she read her sloping handwriting.

  Dear Mom. First of all, I love you. Second of all, I love Luke, too. I’ve decided I don’t want to go to Nashville after all…

  At some point, she hoped Luke and she could patch things up, but now…

  She was Nashville-bound.

  Luke had a chance to prove his love for her but he not only failed miserably, he had to pour salt on the wound with that Gretchen girl.

  Madison ripped the letter in two. Then she shredded the two halves into bits.

  “There!” she said, picking up the pieces and pitching them in the air.

  She sank to her knees, sobbing for a long time.

  Her phone rang. She raised her head and looked at Caller ID.

/>   Luke.

  Her heart pounded. Should she answer it? Would he be begging for her to come back? And would she take him?

  She bit her lip as she teetered in her decision. But then she remembered Luke nuzzling Gretchen and she steeled her heart.

  She just let the phone keep ringing.

  Later that day, late, he called, but once again, she didn’t answer. He tried a couple more times. Then he stopped calling altogether.

  CHAPTER SIX

  Present day

  Madison glanced at the clock. It was almost noon. Where was Sally? She should have been back by now. Madison raised her finger to her mouth and started chewing on a nail.

  “Nuh-uh,” Thelma shook her head, sending her huge bangle earrings swinging back and forth.

  Madison glanced at her manicured nails. “Oops.”

  Thelma rolled her eyes and went back to reading her gossip magazine. She was sitting on what she called a “Lou-ee the fourteenth” chair, strappy white sandals matching her white capris. Who wears a dirt magnet like white pants? Thelma did. Nothing fazed her. Madison was grateful she was around. It wasn’t like having a security detail, but if Madison were ever in trouble, she’d want Thelma and her sass by her side.

  Madison caught a glimpse of her reflection in the mirror. She was wearing a pale pink peasant blouse and skirt paired with custom-embroidered soft gray cowboy boots. Classy but still fun. She looked calm.

  Inside, she was a wreck. She worried about everything: the upcoming concerts, flying out of the airport, getting a bodyguard.

  Stop! She put her fingers on her temples and massaged it. Getting a bodyguard was supposed to help.

  Her phone rang and she answered it.

  “Hon,” Sally said, “I’m done with errands. Sorry it took me so long. This traffic! I’m heading up with the protection service.”

  “Great,” Madison said, even as a knot formed in the pit of her stomach. She could face a crowd, but why did meeting a potential bodyguard make her nervous? Maybe it was because she had so many uncertainties in her life, living on tour, she liked to keep the rest of it in status quo.

  She jumped at voices in the hall and a knock on her door.

  “Madison?” Sally said.

  Thelma got up before Madison could move and flung the door open.

  Madison’s gaze lit upon the face of the man standing behind Sally, her breath catching in her throat. His lips relaxed into an uncertain smile.

  Could that be…no…it couldn’t be…

  Sally strode into the suite, followed by the man.

  “Hi!” Thelma told him. “I’m Madison’s stylist, Thelma Lopez.”

  “Luke Parker,” he said, shaking her hand.

  It was him. Madison felt light-headed.

  He looked straight at her, his mouth twitching. “Hello, Madison.”

  “He-hello,” she stammered.

  He was nothing like she remembered in high school. Where were the ratty jeans and rock band t-shirt? The perpetual sunburn on his nose? He was dressed in an expensive-looking business suit with a hanky tucked in his pocket, even. His groomed hair and clipped beard went well with his gorgeous tan. He could have modeled for GQ. But his brown eyes were familiar; a dark sense of humor hinting at something dangerous and coiled.

  He walked right up to her and offered his hand to shake. As she put her hand in his, she wondered if he could feel how clammy her palm had become. He had bulked up since high school, with muscles rippling under his pressed white shirt and tailored jacket. A musk aftershave reached her nostrils. He was all male and overpowering.

  “We’ve met before,” Madison murmured, kicking herself for stating the obvious. Her voice sounded embarrassingly out-of-breath.

  “Yeah.” His eyes danced. “I told Sally you and I were high school classmates.”

  His admission felt like a splash of cold water on her face. He obviously hadn’t told Sally everything. She pulled her hand away and stepped back. So close like that, she couldn’t think. Behind him, Thelma was eying Luke and fanning herself.

  What is he doing here? Why is he with Sally? Where is the protection service? Please, don’t tell me…

  “Of course, Luke needs no introduction,” Sally said, “but he is the CEO of Parker Protection Services.”

  CE-no kidding-O.

  Luke watched her reaction. She was sure she looked shell-shocked.

  Sally continued. “He could pick and choose his clients, but he’s agreed to be your bodyguard for the remainder of your tour.”

  She locked gazes with Luke, feeling faint. “Tell me this is just a joke.”

  “Er,” Sally said, startled. “I take it you don’t like the idea?”

  Madison stared Luke down. “You didn’t tell her, did you?”

  Bewildered, Sally looked from one to the other.

  Luke smiled wryly. “Madison’s my ex.”

  Thelma’s jaw dropped open.

  Sally threw her hands in the air. “Ah, crikey.” She glared at Luke. “You could have spared me this awkward reunion, Mr. Parker. Seriously? How could you have left that part out?”

  “I need to explain,” he said, raising his hands in surrender.

  Madison stiffened. He was digging a bigger hole by the minute, and he still owed her from ten years ago.

  To Sally, he said, “I’m sorry I didn’t say anything about me and Madison. I didn’t think it would get in the way of me giving Madison the protection she needs. I would have assigned someone else to her, but everyone else is tied up. Well, there’s me.” He glanced at Madison, his gaze steady. “I would love a chance to offer my services.”

  Madison clenched her fists. All this time, and he thought he could just waltz right back in her life? Even if they were no longer together, did he think he could just show up and act like nothing happened between them? No apology, nothing? The thought of them hanging out together, him opening the limo door, helping Madison out, and holding her hand made her ill.

  Feeling unsteady on her legs, she looked around for a chair. Like lightning, Luke pulled one out and offered it. Madison sat, her mind in a whirl. Luke kept his brown eyes trained on her face.

  “How exactly does this service work?” she said.

  “You call the shots,” he said. “Usually, I lodge in the next bedroom over. Where you go, I go.”

  “Even the bathroom?”

  “That’s not necessary, of course. Whenever you are entering a room for the first time, I can do a reconnaissance. Scope it out. I always check for bugs, video cameras…”

  “Video cameras,” Madison echoed.

  “Yes. And anything else that could compromise security.”

  “Do we have to eat meals together?”

  His mouth twitched. “I could always eat in the servant quarters.”

  Madison averted her glance, irritated. He thought he was being so cute and funny.

  “It would have to be Madison’s decision,” Sally said. “I’m okay either way. It could be awkward and horrible depending on how you guys broke up. Or it could be a good situation considering Luke’s reputation. And obviously you got along, or you wouldn’t have…you know.”

  “I don’t care about his professional reputation,” Madison interjected. “Well, I kind of do. But I know enough about him as a person.”

  “And?” Sally prompted.

  “I’d have to be crazy to let him back into my life.”

  He flinched as though she had slapped him. His jaw tightened as he nodded. “Fair enough. I guess that is my cue to exit—”

  Madison continued, “But…”

  His head swung up in surprise.

  “…I need a bodyguard. Right now. Sally and I are hoping that can help me so I can sleep at night and not jump at every single thing.” There was a catch in her throat. “I need my life back.”

  Understanding dawned on his face.

  She added, “There’s no time to find someone else this late in the game. We have a plane to catch.” She paused. “I’m w
illing to give you a chance, Luke, if you promise to keep me safe.”

  Both of them tried to read the other. She allowed him to see her need, her vulnerability, her fears and her hopes for the future. She didn’t know who this Luke Parker was, but he seemed a more mature, nobler version of the guy she once loved. Conversely, she saw surprise and admiration in his.

  “Have I ever broken a promise?” he murmured.

  “Once, when it really mattered,” she said simply.

  “It depends what you consider a promise.”

  “Just let it go, Luke.”

  “Okay.” He exhaled. “I promise.”

  “Great!” Sally said. “That’s settled then.”

  “I think we need to lay some ground rules,” Madison said. “This is a purely business arrangement.”

  His eyes glittered with an inscrutable expression. Amusement? Skepticism?

  “Oh, definitely,” Sally said. “Luke?”

  He turned to Sally. “It would be professional suicide for me—or any of my staff— to get involved with our clients. It’s company policy. If anyone crosses the line, they are assigned elsewhere, or fired.”

  “That makes complete sense,” Sally said. “Anything else, Madison?”

  She had just scored a victory, but why did Madison feel so drained? “No, nothing else for now. Well, I reserve the right to set more rules.”

  His lips formed a slow, infuriating smile. “Yes, ma’am,” he said.

  “Does Madison have papers to sign?” Sally asked.

  He pulled a paper out of his inside jacket pocket, his eyes never once leaving Madison’s. “As a matter of fact, you do.” Breaking eye contact, he set it on the table.

  Madison walked over to where he stood and he pulled out a chair.

  A gentleman always pulls a chair out for a lady.

  Her words returned to her. She had trained Luke after their first few dates to pull her chair out for her. In turn, he teased, As long as I can get a kiss in payment.

  Now he was looking at her mouth, his lips hitched sideways in a smile, as though remembering, too.

  Madison’s cheeks burned. She looked the document over, but frankly nothing registered in her brain. He was standing far too close, he was muddling her brain. “Where do I sign?”