Moss hung from the trees, darkening the bright day. Cal traveled the winding back road and considered every aspect of his new task. He didn’t think there’d be a huge problem with anyone sneaking into Mara King’s home. Hell, he hoped he could find the place. It was a smart move on her part, living way the fuck out in no-man's-land on the edge of Jean Lafitte Preserve, surrounded by swamp. Cal wouldn’t have to kill anyone dumb enough to come looking for Miss King. The wildlife would.

The three-story house came into view. It was gated. Cal used the security code Mara had given him on the phone to get inside. After following the driveway around to the back, as instructed, Cal parked beside a red Mercedes and headed for the door. Cal rang the bell and waited. He’d never been one to fidget. He didn’t today.

When the door opened, Cal had to drop his gaze to focus on the small man who answered. He was probably no more than five-eight. The guy definitely didn’t weigh more than one-thirty, a fact he accentuated by wearing a tight button-down shirt and skinny jeans. He also wore the shiniest shoes Cal had ever seen. The guy had dark hair, but that was all Cal could tell since he never looked up from his phone.

“Good. You’re on time. I’m Michael, Mara’s PA and handler. It’s not Mike, Mick, or Mikey. It’s Michael. I’m not nice and I don’t care if you are. Mara pays me enough to put up with anything. With that said, Mara is awesome and I love her. If you let her get hurt, I know people who can and will break your kneecaps. Head up the stairs and down the hall to the third open door on the left. That’s where you’ll find Mara. Welcome aboard, Mr. Walsh.”

With his high-speed welcome speech out of the way, Michael walked away with his eyes still glued to his smartphone.

Cal watched the small hipster walk away. He wasn’t insulted, and oddly—as rude as their no-eye-contact introduction had been—Cal didn’t feel slighted. More than anything, he hoped he hadn’t made a mistake by accepting this job. It was temporary, he reminded himself. Miss King only needed someone to keep her within the legal bounds of her contract. Cal climbed the stairs. He already knew he could survive hell. This was just a slice out of time—as all days were.

At the top of the stairs, Cal counted the open doors as he passed. Not that he needed to. A loud female voice, singing so badly off-key he wondered if it was purposely done, poured out an open doorway. Cal’s gaze wouldn’t budge from that space as he moved toward the room. Absently, he noted the dark wooden floors were gorgeous and done in such a way they looked older than they were. Otherwise, nothing penetrated his curiosity over the bright singing. His feet crossed the threshold and froze.

He’d known who Mara King was, of course. Everyone knew her. Cal had been unprepared for the real, unguarded version of her. In a white silk nightgown that barely covered her ass, Mara looked as if she’d just stepped from the shower. Her skin looked wet to the touch and the ends of her hair dripped onto her gown. She looked unprepared for company. He debated what to do. She obviously wasn’t ready to receive him.

“Are you on time?” Mara asked without looking his way, as if she’d known he was there all along. “I can’t remember what time I told you to be here,” she added with a laugh. She glanced up. Her dark eyes sparkled with mischief and kindness. He’d done the right thing by accepting this assignment.

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Oh, good. I’m almost ready.” She waved him forward. “Come in. It won’t take me long. On set, they always make me wear a lot of makeup and I hate the stuff. So you won’t have to sit through that.” She whipped the nightgown over her head. Cal turned his head before he could see what she wore underneath. Her voice moved farther away and then closer as if she dipped inside the closet and came out again. “Filming doesn’t start until Monday, but once it does, we’ll be with each other a lot. I thought we’d go to lunch and shopping today. That way, I can adjust to having a shadow again.”

Her words confused him. Considering how famous she was, Cal would’ve expected her to have a whole team. “Whatever you need, ma’am.”

“You can call me Mara. I’m dressed now.” Cal’s gaze moved back her way. A knee-length sundress covered her skin. “Sorry about that,” she said with a sardonic smile. “This is my house. When you’re always surrounded by people, you eventually lose any sense of modesty. And, honestly, if I ever want to wear clean clothes, I’ve had to get over it. Plus, this new movie has two love scenes. You’ll be seeing me nude quite a bit, but when I’m at home…” Mara shrugged. “You’re liable to see anything.”

“I’ll only see you when you want me to. Just think of me as an inanimate object.”

Mara tilted her head and eyed him as if trying to solve a puzzle. “I could never do that.” Her smile snapped back into place. “Which brings me back on topic. We’re going to lunch.”

“Yes, Miss King.”

“Mara,” she reminded him.

Cal dipped his chin, acknowledging her words. “Will we be taking your car or mine?”

“Mine, of course. I’d never expect you to pay for gas plus wear and tear on your vehicle to entertain me.”

It would be the little things like this that would give away his ignorance. Protecting people, he knew. Just not in this exact capacity. She picked up a light pink handbag off the bed and dug around inside before coming out with a set of keys.

Mara watched her hands as she spoke. “The last team I had were full-time employees who lived onsite. I provided them with an SUV. It’s only fair I do the same for you.” She fought with the key ring, not getting anywhere. The air changed. He could feel her frustration growing.

Cal closed the distance between them and gently pried the keys from her hands. “Show me which one.”

Mara pointed out a silver key with a fat rubber piece on one end. It was one of those that was almost impossible to get off a key ring. Mara moved away. Cal thought she swiped at her eyes, but he wasn’t quick enough to be certain.

With her back to him, Mara cleared her throat. “It’s an Escalade.” Her voice broke. Cal’s gaze shot to her back. She gathered a few things from the vanity and dropped them in her purse. Cal stared at the mirror. She swiped at her eyes again. This time, he caught it. “I’m sorry it’s a few years old, but I hadn’t intended to hire anyone else for a while. You were a last-minute addition.” Her chin lifted and Cal dropped his gaze to hands before she caught him staring.

“It’s fine,” he said, keeping his voice low and hoping to soothe her. “The vehicle is unnecessary if you don’t wish to part with it. You didn’t say anything about it over the phone. So I don’t expect it as part of my compensation.” The key finally came loose. Her hand covered his, making Cal jump. He hadn’t heard her move.

She slipped her set from his hand, leaving the single key behind. “I want you to use it. There’s no sense in it sitting in the garage, going to waste. I’ve kept up its maintenance. Well, not me. Michael. Did you meet Michael?” Mara asked as she tossed her keys in her purse.

“Briefly.”

“Good,” Mara said, heading for the door. “You’ll see a lot of him. He stays with me while I’m on set to keep me on schedule.” Cal followed her down the hall with his gaze locked straight ahead. She hadn’t given him permission to see her yet. He wouldn’t. Mara kept speaking. “I think you’ll love him.” She glanced over her shoulder. The light hit her eyes in just the right way, making them sparkle. Cal couldn’t look away. “Or you won’t,” she added with a laugh. Cal couldn’t recall what they’d been talking about. He didn’t want to notice her as a person. She was a job. Cal got the impression she could never be ignored.

“If he looks up from his phone, I’ll decide,” Cal said, recalling their conversation. Her musical laughter pulled at the corners of his mouth. He didn’t give in to the temptation to smile. Mara didn’t need a friend. She needed protection.

“I see we’ll get along great, Cal. Tell me you like greasy diner food and I will love you forever. No health nuts on my watch.”

“Greasy diner food works for me.”

Mara flashed another smile his way. “Great. Pick one for lunch, and we’ll hope no one recognizes me.”

Fantastic. She planned to get him killed.

* * *

If there was anything worse than losing someone’s love and suffering a broken heart, it was having to pretend it never happened. Every day, Mara got up. Sometimes she had lunch with friends. All the while acting as if her life wasn’t in shambles. At some point, a question began scratching at her mind—maybe none of it had ever happened. Perhaps every moment Mara spent living for and loving Landon and Early had all been a lie. Every memory she’d held dear—a figment of her imagination. There might’ve even come a day when Mara could convince herself of those lies, except dreams of them woke her almost every morning. For a moment, before her eyes opened, it was as if they were still there. The loss was fresh every single day. Even without knowing what she’d lost, everyone tiptoed around her, as if expecting she’d lose her shit at any time. They weren’t wrong.

Shopping used to be Mara’s therapy. On days like today, she still tried—convinced if she left the house and pretended to be normal, one day it would be true. She flipped through the dresses on the rack. Cal was strong and silent at her back, ensuring no one hovered as she shopped. Lunch had been nice. No one had noticed her. She could tell Cal had been worried over it. But, honestly, people didn’t look closely at other people that often. There were too many electronic devices to keep them occupied. Not to mention, most people were self-conscious while eating. They hoped, if they didn’t look at anyone, then no one would look at them. Cal had looked. He’d watched everyone, including her, with hawk-like focus. She would’ve expected being under such an intense microscope to be uncomfortable. Mara found it oddly comforting—like he was the first person to look at her and see her in a long time.

Mara pushed dress after dress down the rack. She didn’t need anything. In truth, she also didn’t want anything, but she’d lost weight in the past year. It would come back. The pounds always did, but still, it might be nice to have one outfit that didn’t swallow her whole. She grabbed two dresses, determined to buy something. Cal had his back to her, eyeing the store like a man ready to pounce should anyone disturb her. Two women were staring, but Mara got the impression they were watching Cal—not her. Cal was tall and broad. Between his ice-blue eyes and the deep scar above his brow, he looked like the sort of bad boy women liked to tame. She worried more over his safety than hers.

Mara pressed her hand to Cal’s spine. His already hard muscles stiffened when she touched him as if he fought the urge to jump away. Before she could stop herself, Mara stroked, trying to ease his discomfort. He glanced over his shoulder, looking every bit as hard as he felt.

“Yes, Miss King.”

“Would you stand outside the dressing room while I try these on? People like to try snapping pics of me while I’m changing.”

His muscles finally relaxed. “Of course, Miss King.”

“It’s Mara, Cal,” she said for the hundredth time today.

“Yes, Miss King.”

Mara shook her head and made her way to the dressing room. The second she closed herself inside, the memory slammed into her, stealing her breath.

With two dresses in hand, Mara headed for the dressing room. She glanced over her shoulder at her best friend, Chase. “Would you stand guard at the door for me? I haven’t tried on clothes without security since Early left me.”

Chase swiped his dark hair out his eyes. His boyish smile made an appearance. “Absolutely.”

As if saying Early’s name conjured her from thin air, Mara turned as Early stepped into her path. For a full minute, Mara couldn’t do anything but stare at the blonde curls and blue eyes that had owned her for two years. She hurt—all the way to her bones. Oddly, it was a numb throb.

“How did you know where to find me?”

Early’s lips twisted into a wicked smirk. “It was easy. I stalk the fuck out of you.”

Mara dropped her gaze. She hoped she was quick enough to hide her smile. She didn’t lift her chin again until she’d beat her features into being emotionless. “What I meant to say was—I thought you were in LA. Why are you here?”

“We haven’t officially moved yet. And, I’m here because you’re here.”

A flash of pain hit Mara before she hardened herself against it. They hadn’t officially moved yet. Fuck her. “You should get out of here before any rumors start. I wouldn’t want to accidentally destroy your reputation.”

A smile tugged at Early’s lips. “I deserved that one, but, baby, I’m not Landon. No one knows who I am. I don’t have a reputation to destroy. Not to mention, I don’t give a fuck what anyone thinks.” Before Mara could guess at her intentions, Early moved closer and touched Mara’s arm. “I can touch you like this. We can both smile. Everyone will look at us and not blink an eye because women touch each other all the time.”

“You have a lot of fucking nerve showing up here, Early,” Chase spat, not bothering to pull back his claws. He knew Mara better than anyone. He understood how much this encounter hurt.

Early’s gaze shot to hers. She looked sad. Mara shouldn’t care. She touched Chase’s shoulder. “It’s okay, Chase. I have a few things I need to get off my chest.” He didn’t soften, but he stepped aside. Mara met Early’s stare. “I need to try these on. This one has a zipper in the back,” she pointed out, holding up one of the dresses. “Do you mind helping me?”

Early gave a sharp nod.

Mara met Chase’s gaze as she passed. “Would you please still guard the door?”

“You got it,” Chase agreed, even as he eyed Early with malice. “Someone has to take care of you.”

Mara winked at him as a way of thanks as she pulled the door closed, shutting herself inside with Early. She wished like hell she felt as light as she pretended. The moment they were out of sight and no longer in fear of being overheard, Mara turned on Early. “What the hell are you doing here?”

Early’s wary expression said she hadn’t been expecting Mara’s anger. “This is a public place.”

“You know what I mean,” Mara snapped, uncaring of Early’s feelings. After all, it wasn’t as if Early had given two shits about Mara’s feelings when she’d left.

Instead of answering, Early motioned toward the clothes Mara carried inside. “I thought you needed my help.”

Mara kicked out of her heels and pulled her shirt up and over her head. “I don’t need anything from you.” Her movements were angry as she pulled one of the dresses off the hanger and worked it over her head. Mara turned toward the mirror and eyed her reflection. She looked every bit as devastated as she was. Her face was pale and her eyes looked dead. Early’s arms encircled her waist before her hand landed between Mara’s breasts, covering her heart. Mara’s gaze immediately dropped to Early’s hand. A wedding band encircled her third finger. The world crashed around Mara. Every time she thought she had nothing left to lose, life found a way to strip something else from her. To her horror, the first tear fell. “You married him.”

Early immediately dropped her hand and stepped back. Mara turned and held her gaze. She had to see the betrayal in Early’s eyes. “Over a year ago, while you were in France.”

Mara wished her dead in that moment. Hatred built like never before. She felt used and insignificant. Unloved.

“Things haven’t been the same without you,” Early said, sounding as dead as Mara felt. “There’s been this huge hole living inside me. I go to bed each night without your heat between us and wake up without you. It’s worse than dying.”

Hyperventilation loomed on the horizon. Mara slashed her hand through the air. She couldn’t take another second. The tears flowed without any chance of stopping. Mara didn’t try wiping them away. Early should see the ugly mess she’d left behind. Mara tried speaking through her tears. Her words came out in rapid gasps. “You left me. If you’re missing anything, that’s on you. When Landon said he was gone, I knew you’d go with him. Part of me clung to hope, but I knew in my heart you wouldn’t choose me. I was right. As much as I hate you for that, I’m also resigned. I’ve always known I was an afterthought.”

“Don’t say that.”

Early’s harsh whisper couldn’t stop the flood of confessions. They flowed as freely as Mara’s tears. “Why? It’s true. I knew the two of you were sleeping together before you invited me in, but that’s all I ever was to either of you—a guest. Hell, an intruder. It was always only a matter of time before you dropped me on my ass.” The more she said, the stronger Mara felt. It had all been building and growing inside her since the day they walked away. Before now, her pain and fury had no outlet. Early was here now, demanding Mara let her have it, and Mara obliged. “Maybe that’s why I clung so hard and gave so much. I think half the time I was bribing you to stay where you didn’t want to be. Landon was easy. He wanted to be famous, so I gave it to him. But you, do you think I never caught the hatred in your eyes when you didn’t know I was watching?”

Early took a step forward, forcing Mara to take one back. She slapped her hand against the wall beside Mara’s head. With her palm flattened there, bracing her weight, Early leaned in, going nose to nose with Mara. “You’ve had your say. Now you’ll hear mine. I just bet you did see some fucking hatred if you looked close enough.” Early tapped her chest. “Because I fucking loved you. Me. But I knew I’d never have you to myself. Landon would always be right there between us.” Early’s shoulders fell. Mara watched the anger drain from Early’s features through a haze of shock. No one could see her face, hear her words, and call Early a liar. Mara needed to know. She hung on every word. Early took a step back, giving Mara some space and making her realize she held Early’s t-shirt in a tight grip. Early didn’t force her to give up the material. “The truth is, I’m weak, Mara. Landon has always been the strong one. His presence gave me access to you, and I took that opening. I did it with a smile and I swore to myself I wouldn’t regret a thing because I had you. But I didn’t. Not really.” Early’s every word found new pieces of Mara’s already shattered heart and crumbled them. She felt each word like a solid blow to the chest. Her tears were never ending when it came to this woman, it seemed. She’d thought she’d cried herself dry. It seemed she’d been wrong about that too.

Before she knew what she was doing, Mara’s thoughts turned to words. “I don’t know how a person can cry so much and live, but somehow I do. This is a pointless life without mercy or hope.”

“You’re even more beautiful when you cry. Which is ridiculous,” Early added, sounding as if it had been an afterthought.

An unexpected smile touched Mara’s lips. “No one thinks that but you.”

Early shrugged. “They say love is blind, so how could I know if it’s just me?”

Watching the L word falling from Early’s lips gave Mara the strength she needed to release her hold on the woman’s shirt. Mara smoothed her fingers down Early’s stomach, trying to wipe away the winkles from the material. She swiped at her eyes. There was nothing left to say. Mara felt nothing any longer except drained. She’d loved and loved, knowing the whole time she had more than she’d deserved. It was inevitable life would strip it from her. “I hope life is kind to you.” Mara’s nose stung as she geared up for her final goodbye. “No one could ever love you as much as I did, but,” Mara said with a shrug, “you only have that once, I think.” Mara tried for another smile. “Have a good life with your husband, Early Kincaid. If you would’ve fought for me, I would’ve given you the world, but I never would’ve chosen to be in the middle of someone else’s marriage.” With her head held high, Mara headed for the door, determined to have Chase send Early on her way. Her fingers curled around the lock and her dress tightened around her body, holding her in place. It took Mara a second to realize Early held on to the material. With a tug, she hauled Mara back against her chest. Her lips brushed Mara’s ear. “Idiot. I’m fighting for you now, if you’d open your fucking eyes and notice.”

Having Early’s arms around her was like being set on fire. She hurt. The tears came again, draining her will, but they were over. Everything was over.

* * *

A sound coming from the other side of the dressing room door had Cal yanking the door open. He thought he had all sides covered, but determined fans could be tricky. Mara sat, wearing the dress she’d gone in to try on, while tears streamed down her face unchecked.

She met his gaze. Mara looked on the outside how he felt on the inside. “It’s okay for you to see me.”

At her quietly spoken words, Cal slipped inside and pulled the door closed behind him. Her gaze skittered away. She was a beautiful mess. Cal leaned back against the door and crossed his arms over his chest—waiting. Kieran had warned him Mara was fragile. Cal was too good at breaking people, so he stayed still.

“Would you take me somewhere?”

“Of course, Miss King.”

A watery laugh escaped her. “It’s just Mara.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Her smile fell. “I think that’s worse than Miss King,” she said quietly. “Ma’am sounds as if I’m owed respect. I assure you, no one should respect me.”

She meant it. It was in her eyes. Mara truly believed she was unworthy. He knew the feeling well. “Maybe I’m not doing it for you.” Cal surprised himself with the claim. He never talked back or made confessions. He bit his bottom lip to keep it from happening again.

Mara stood and whipped her dress over her head. She was free with her body. Cal turned his head. He wouldn’t take advantage. He only indulged with permission. Her voice muffled from the material. “I’ll probably faint if you ever call me by my name.”

“Miss King is your name,” he pointed out.

“It’s not, actually,” Mara said, bringing his gaze back to her. She still stood in only her underwear, but she was in the process of pulling the clothes she worn there back on. “That’s not the name I was born with. It’s the one I took when I started acting. Fuck,” Mara cursed as she sat and pulled her shoes on. “I hate that you’re seeing me at my worst on your first day.”

“I get paid to see nothing.”

Another watery laugh filled the small room before turning into a sigh. “Now I have to make the walk of shame out of here with people taking my pic and speculating.”

“I won’t let anyone see you,” Cal promised as he crossed the room and helped her to her feet. She didn’t release his hand. He didn’t pull away. “I’ll understand if you don’t want this job.”

She was such a beautiful woman. He would try harder not to see her. Instead of acknowledging her words, he worked on the problem of getting her out of there unseen. “Do you have sunglasses?”

Mara nodded. “In my purse.”

Cal glanced around and spotted the light-pink handbag. Without waiting for permission, he dug through its contents until he found the designer shades. He set them on her nose. Cal couldn’t tear his gaze away from her upturned face. The tip of her nose was red from crying. Even without seeing her eyes, she looked too trusting to be near him. She was a job. He would treat her as such.

“Keep your head down, and I’ll keep you safe from prying eyes.” He led her toward the door and kept her purse to use as another weapon to shield her from any cameras. His spine didn’t relax until he made it to the car. Once he slid behind the wheel, Cal finally breathed an easy breath. Whatever secrets Mara had, she should get to keep them—like everyone else.

“Where did you need me to take you next?”

Mara kept her gaze locked straight ahead. “Cypress Grove Cemetery.”

They made the drive in silence, and at the cemetery, Cal stood off to the side, keeping one eye locked on her while giving her privacy. He watched as she traced the names chiseled in stone. She didn’t say a word or shed a tear. Rather, she appeared stoic and accepting. Her expression had Cal wanting the tears back. Crying was a release. Acceptance paved a road to bitterness.

When Mara moved away from the vault to sit at a nearby bench, Cal joined her. He could feel her emptiness—like it was a physical thing. It was the first time he was tempted to touch someone else in years. He wanted to hold her hand. Comfort her. Instead, he clasped his hands in his lap and stared straight ahead, lending comfort with his presence.

“Do you have a family?”

“I’m not married,” Cal said, giving more of himself to Mara in one answer than he’d given anyone in years.

Mara’s deep, sexy chuckle surprised him. He fought the urge to turn his head and watch the sound falling from her lips. “That’s not exactly what I meant,” Mara said, saving him from himself. “I meant, are your parents still living? Grandparents? Anyone?”

Cal dipped his chin, acknowledging her questions. He went with the bare minimum. “Yes, on the parents, and one grandmother. I also have a younger brother.”

From the corner of his eye, he saw Mara nod, and he lost the battle not to look at her. When he turned her way, she motioned toward one end of the vault. “I only ever had a mother.” She tilted her head to one side. “Well, I guess that’s not entirely true. She ran away to be with her much-older lover when she was fifteen. I was the result. Her family never forgave her, and, of course, her lover moved on. So it was just us. She died two years ago. Cancer,” Mara added with a shrug. “Now it’s just me. You should visit your family.” Mara didn’t sound as if she’d delivered a lecture, but rather like she was sending him on an errand.

“They live in Georgia, but I try as often as I can,” Cal admitted.

“Good,” Mara said, sounding distant. “You don’t want to spend as much time here as I do.” She glanced his way. “Is it okay if we stay a little longer?”

“We’ll stay as long as you like, Miss King. It’s peaceful here. I like the quiet.”

“Me too,” Mara said, turning her face away, and going back to staring at the stone. Cal couldn’t stop staring at her face. She chewed her bottom lip, looking broken, and Cal had never felt closer to anyone. It was the first time he could remember not feeling completely alone.