Chapter Ten
Summer was folding clothes in her room, having done laundry, and Ben sat on the couch, checking work email on his laptop. He’d had a few peaceful days with no stress from Summer’s schedule and no word from his father. He hadn’t expected to hear from Nate, and he wasn’t of the mindset that no news was good news, because his silence could just as easily mean he’d gone back to his drinking rather than make an attempt to sober up. Time would tell.
As for Summer, she didn’t have another engagement planned until a media junket over the following weekend. According to her agent, Jade’s tour opened in a little over two months and she was getting closer to making a decision. As much as Ben wanted Summer’s dreams to come true, he wasn’t looking forward to the end of this assignment. The end of them. He hadn’t listened to his gut or his own words to Summer, and kept his distance.
He’d introduced her to his friends and colleagues and brought her into his fractured family life. She knew him better than even those at Alpha Security who were closest to him. And she’d supported him in ways that he’d never let anyone else do.
He’d allowed her to see the weakest part of him, and instead of running away, she’d stepped up. Hell, she’d cooked for his old man. She’d been quiet when he needed silence to process the day, and open and giving when he’d needed her later that night.
And he knew her. From her hopes and dreams of success to her endearing insecurities before going on stage, he understood her. He wanted to protect the girl who’d been hurt by her parents from further pain, and at the same time he wished he could shake them and make them be there for her when she needed them.
This was the closest he’d let himself get to any woman in his life, and losing her was going to rip his heart out because he’d fallen in love with her.
He’d been too wrapped up in his anger with his father to see it then, but looking back, he’d known it the second he’d seen her making eggs for his hungover dad. Ponytail bouncing against her back, no judgment in her gaze, she was his perfect woman. No matter how big a star she became, he loved the normal girl she was inside.
And fuck. That thought ripped through him painfully, because there was no happy ending that he could see. The upcoming feeding frenzy with the press junket might be the last event before her life’s direction took a drastic change. He refused to consider that she wouldn’t get the opportunity she deserved, because he didn’t want to be with her only because she’d lost her big chance. She’d never be happy that way. Not even with him by her side.
He ran a hand through his hair and groaned just as an email popped up on his screen from Dan. He opened the note from his boss and read: No luck with Tawny Renee situation. From all indications, she’s absorbed in her own opportunities. Even her bodyguard interview came up empty. He thinks she’s innocent of all wrongdoing against Summer. Still watching her though.
As for Michael Gold, the man was a piece of work. He’d married into money and had gotten his start thanks to his father-in-law being in the talent industry. And his wife, with whom he had three children, was a brilliant entertainment lawyer. He’d been treading water as an agent before he’d gone to work for his father-in-law, owing everything to the older man. Or so it seemed. So he was greedy and a slimy asshole, but nothing stood out on him, either, in Dan’s report. Which meant until whoever was after Summer made a mistake, they were shit out of luck.
Summer walked out of her room, wearing a pair of ripped leggings and an oversized sleep shirt. Makeup-free, she looked even younger and so beautiful.
“Hey.” She treated him to a wide smile.
“Hey yourself,” he said.
“So I was thinking,” she said as she rocked back and forth on the balls of her feet, clearly wired.
“What’s up?”
“I need a change of scenery. I want to get away from these walls that feel like they’re closing in on me.”
He narrowed his gaze, his focus on her safety, as always. “What did you have in mind?”
“Well…” Her eyes glimmered with excitement. “When we were driving out to your father’s, I saw a carnival off one of the exits. The Ferris wheel was in the distance. And it was closer rather than farther from the city, and I want to go.” She settled in next to him on the sofa and nudged his arm. “And before you argue, it’s spur of the moment, so nobody will know we’re going except us. It’s perfectly safe.” She folded her arms across her chest and met his gaze, all but daring him to argue.
He tossed around the idea in his mind. Crowds of people, yes, but she had a point when she said nobody would know where they were going in order to follow them.
“A carnival, hmm?” he asked, deliberately dragging out his decision, teasing her a little.
She nodded. “The kind with cotton candy, funnel cake, rides, and games where you can win me a stuffed animal. Come on, please? Please? Pretty please,” she said, a grin on her pretty face as she tried to pester him into agreeing.
Having just accepted his feelings for her, there was very little he wouldn’t give her while he could … as long as she was safe.
He groaned, pretending to be put out at the idea … more teasing on his end before giving in.
“Pretty please with sugar on top?”
He laughed, then nodded his head in agreement. “Fine. We’ll go.”
“Wait. What? Really? Thank you!” She squealed in excitement and clapped her hands with glee before leaning in and kissing him hard but quickly.
Too quickly, considering he’d rather pull her down on the sofa and find himself balls deep in her wet heat.
“I’m going to change!”
She ran into her room, and while she was there, he catalogued his own clothes, deciding his jeans and a tee shirt would be fine. He holstered his gun beneath the shirt just as she bounced back out to him, this time wearing a pair of light jeans, a faded gray tee shirt, and sneakers, a pair of aviator glasses dangling from her fingertips.
He grinned at the sight. “Wait. I have an idea.” He strode to his duffel in her room and returned with a New York Mets ball cap, plunking it down on her head, tugging on her braid for good measure. “There. We want you as disguised as possible.”
“Not that I think anyone will recognize me but okay.” She patted the brim of the hat, her big eyes peeking out from beneath.
She wrinkled her nose, her expression fucking cute.
“Mark my words, no one will recognize me. Today we’re just a normal couple out for a day of fun.”
And he intended to savor every last second.
* * *
Summer was having a blast. She couldn’t recall the last time she’d gone to a carnival or festival for the pure fun of it, not to perform and entertain. The day was warm, the sun overhead as she and Ben walked around the site, arm in arm. Wanting to take advantage of her time here, she coaxed him on every ride imaginable, from the Ferris wheel she’d seem from the highway to the other rides like the Round Up and Scrambler, to the more sedate carousel.
Ben was a great sport, not once complaining about the type of ride she’d cajoled him onto or all the junk food she ate. Their current stop was the cotton candy stand, where she watched a woman turn spun sugar into a coated sticky delicious treat.
Ben hadn’t let her pay for a thing, so after he’d taken care of buying her latest indulgence, they walked to an empty bench and took a seat. She scooped a finger full of candy and held it out for him to taste.
His heavy-lidded eyes met hers as he grasped her wrist, lifted her hand, and swirled his tongue around the soft, sugary treat, pulling her finger into his mouth and biting down on the tip. An electric jolt traveled straight to her sex, and she was unable to control the low moan that escaped her throat, her nipples tightening, moisture pooling between her thighs.
“You’re a bad girl,” he said in a husky voice, his gaze hot on hers.
She grinned in reply. “You started it.”
“I’d finish it, too, if we weren’t sitting in a public place.”
She squirmed in her seat, her sex damp and desire flooding through her.
“Excuse me.” Two young girls walked over, interrupting them.
“Yes?” Ben asked.
“Hi,” Summer said, using a tone warmer than her bodyguard had.
“Umm, aren’t you Summer Michelle? I saw you on The Morning Show.”
She pursed her lips in thought. A part of her wanted to give the girls what they wanted, but this was her day out with Ben. She’d assured him they were safe, and she intended to keep them that way.
“No, I’m not. But you’re not the first people to think that,” she said, trying to lighten their obvious disappointment. They’d been hoping for a mini-celebrity sighting.
“Okay, well, sorry to have bothered you,” the other girl said. She nudged her friend as they walked away. “I told you it wasn’t her! You’re so ridiculous.” Giggling, they headed off toward one of the rides.
Summer glanced up at Ben. “See? We’re just a normal couple out for a day at the carnival,” she said, punctuating her statement with a bite of cotton candy.
He stared at her for so long she grew uncomfortable and wiped at imaginary pink sugar on her face. “What?” she finally asked.
“You just surprised me, that’s all. For someone who wants fame, you just turned down the chance for an autograph and photo op with fans.
She shrugged. “I think that would be obvious. I love to sing. I want to be recognized for my voice. It’s about the music, not being identified everywhere I go or losing my anonymity.” She blushed as she said, “I’m really shy at heart.”
“I love that about you,” he said, his eyes softening as he spoke. “Promise me something?”
She ran her tongue over her bottom lip. “What?” she asked softly.
“Whatever happens in the future, don’t change.” He leaned closer, his lips hovering over hers. “Don’t lose that innate sweetness inside of you, okay?”
“Okay.” She couldn’t imagine being anything or anyone other than what or who she was.
Her eyes fluttered closed, and his lips touched hers, so gently it brought tears to her eyes. He prolonged the kiss, but it didn’t grow hot, heavy, or hungry. Instead it was an honest, genuine expression of feelings. Feelings he held inside and didn’t express with words.
Emotions she felt building and growing inside her every day and wished she could set free, but she refrained. Given the constraints of the time they had together and the earlier promises she’d made, it was better to hold the words close to her heart.
“Hey, how about I win you that stuffed animal you wanted?” he offered.
She grinned and placed her hand in his, determined to focus on the here and now. Not the uncertain future.
* * *
Ben drove them home an hour later, a huge stuffed animal in the back seat. He was uncharacteristically relaxed, having enjoyed today more than any in recent memory. They ordered in dinner and passed out early, only to be awakened by the incessant buzzing of a phone. His sat quietly on the nightstand.
Yawning, Summer reached for hers. “It’s Anna. She’s texting me,” she murmured. “Something about me is blowing up on social media.” She opened her phone and began to scroll through Instagram. “Oh, wow. Ummm… Yeah.”
“What?” he asked, nerves suddenly awake and aware.
She glanced up at him with a hesitant expression. “I’m not sure you’re going to like this.”
He pushed himself back against the headboard. “What is it?”
“A photo … actually a video of us at the carnival went viral. And we’re not just kissing.” She wrinkled her nose and turned the phone his way.
His eyes opened wide as he watched himself lick cotton candy off her finger in what looked like a very seductive act. Even watching it caused his dick to harden as the memory of the moment came back to him, his tongue wound around her finger, wishing he could take it further and suck at her nipples, visibly tight beneath her shirt.
He muttered a curse as humiliation and frustration filled him at being caught out in public. “Fuck.”
She turned toward him, sitting up in the bed. “I’m sorry. I know this is the last thing you need. I can talk to Dan myself if you want…”
“It’s fine.” It was actually embarrassing as hell, but hopefully he’d live it down and it wouldn’t affect him professionally.
He didn’t think Dan would be pissed, and Ben’s position at Alpha Security was secure. Dan was more understanding than hard-ass when it came to his people. They’d had the conversation when he hired Ben on and spoke about his past, but would clients care?
“My name isn’t mentioned, is it?” he asked, shoulders tight.
“No,” she murmured. “At least not yet.”
“What does that mean?”
“Well…” she said hesitantly. “I was thinking that if Tawny wanted to get involved and stir up trouble for us, she could possibly post who the mystery man in the video is. Because that’s who you are right now. My mystery man.”
He winced, really not wanting to be outed by name in Tawny’s search for success.
“I’m sorry. I know it’s a low point of being with me,” Summer murmured, her gaze and expression sad. “If you’d kept your distance like you wanted to in the beginning, this wouldn’t have happened.”
And he wouldn’t have had such a great day with her, nor would he have memories built and stored away. Did he like the fact that they’d been caught? No. He prized anonymity, and he deliberately didn’t have a social media profile. But he’d known who she was when he’d gotten involved, even if he hadn’t thought through this kind of consequence.
* * *
She spent the morning liking messages, talking to fans she hadn’t known she had, and thanking well-wishers who wanted her to win the position as opening act. Ben watched her cheeks flush and her anticipation build as she realized people wanted her to win this competition and open for a major pop star.
She’d finally pulled herself out of bed and was going to shower when her doorbell rang. It had been awhile since she’d had company other than Ivy, and Ben beat her to the door.
“Who is it?” he asked. Although things had been quiet since the attempted drugging, he wouldn’t let down his guard.
“Summer? Who is that?” a female voice called from the hall. “Ira, I think it’s a man,” he heard the woman say.
“Oh my God. It’s my mom!” Summer grabbed for the handle.
“Summer?” a male voice joined in from outside.
“And my dad!” She pulled open the door. “I didn’t know you were in town!” Ushering them in, she grabbed first her mother, then her father in a hug. “I’m so glad to see you!”
“Who is this?” Her father glared up at Ben, who was, for him, an unfamiliar man in his daughter’s apartment.
“Ben Hollander,” Ben said, extending his hand. Despite his having worked on Star Power, having been on the set, and having slept with Summer, he’d never officially met them.
“Ben is my bodyguard,” Summer said, explaining his presence in her apartment. Something Ben thought they ought to already know, and would have if they’d showed any interest in Summer at all.
“Bodyguard? Why would you need a bodyguard?” Ira, a tall man with gray hair, asked as he shook Ben’s hand.
“That’s a long story,” Summer said. “But basically it’s a precaution. Something Jade Glow’s people put in place for both me and Tawny.” She shot Ben a look, which he interpreted to mean not to give them details about the specifics of someone wanting to hurt her.
“Come in!” She settled her parents on the sofa. “Can I get you anything?”
Her mother shook her head. “We wanted to talk to you.” She shot a glance at Ben.
He took the hint that they wanted privacy for their conversation. “I can make myself scarce.” He’d go to the bedroom or the kitchen.
In this small apartment, he’d hear everything, but he wasn’t leaving her unprotected. Anyone watching would know he left the building and see opportunity.
He was staying put.
* * *
Summer didn’t know what to make of her parents’ visit, but she was glad they were here. So much had happened lately that she’d normally talk to her mother about, and she hoped today meant they could make inroads toward regaining their once close relationship.
She glanced at her folks. Her mom looked as fit in person as she had on the video chat, wearing a striped dress with a belt and ballet flats. Her dad, too, was tanned and healthy.
“So, you two look great,” Summer said as an icebreaker.
“Thank you. So do you.” Her mom met her gaze, the same golden-brown eyes Summer saw in the mirror staring back at her.
Her mother squirmed in her seat. “Honey, I know when I came back I was still on a high from exploring the world, but really, when I think about that conversation, I just cringe.”
Before Summer could reply, her mother rushed on.
“We had our neighbors DVR your Morning Show appearance and your whole childhood came rushing back.” She sniffed and wiped a tear. “I’m so proud of you. You could have fallen apart or walked off the stage, but my God, you stepped up.” Her voice cracked with feeling. “I couldn’t imagine what you were going through, alone there, dealing with things.”
Summer’s eyes glazed, emotion clogging her throat. “I wasn’t alone. I had…” She’d been about to say Ben, but then she’d have to explain to her parents that she was sleeping with her bodyguard while he was no doubt listening from the other room. “I was okay,” she said over the lump in her throat. “But I did wish you were there. Or at least watching.”
Her father nodded. “That’s why we’re here. Seeing the performance was a wakeup call to how selfish we’ve been, only thinking about our feelings and not yours. We were hurt,” he said. “And angry that after all we’d done to help you get to where you were, you didn’t think we are good enough to keep around.”
Summer shook her head. She’d never wanted them to feel that way. “That wasn’t it. Honestly. It really came down to experience in how to negotiate with people who’ve been in the industry for years.” She’d tried to explain the situation at the time, but they’d been too hurt to hear. “You were great when I was younger, but things got so crazy during and after Star Power, and I needed qualified people in my corner. But I never wanted you to all but disappear.”
“That was mostly my fault,” her father said in a gruff tone. “My ego took a hit, and I decided if you didn’t want us managing your career, then you could handle things on your own.”
“It was petty and juvenile,” her mother said, eyes still watering.
Summer no longer cared about what they’d done or why. She was just grateful they’d had an epiphany. She’d really missed having her parents in her life in any meaningful way. “I’m just happy you’re here now.”
Her mother pulled her into a hug, and her father followed. Her parents’ loving, strong arms reassuring her she had them in her corner.
“Now what’s this about a bodyguard?” her father asked. “I wish I’d known about it. You could have told us.” He attempted to scold her, but she wasn’t going to let him.
“No, I couldn’t have.” She pursed her lips, waving a chiding finger at him. “And you know now.” Time for a change of subject, she thought. “Want to stay for lunch?”
“We’d love to, but we have show tickets for later today. How about tomorrow? We’re here for a few days, and we hope you’ll make time for us.”
“You know I will.” She was fine with them not being able to stay. She’d gotten all she could have wanted from them today anyway. “I’ll walk you out.”
Ben was out of the kitchen in an instant, taking the lead and opening the door. “Nice to meet you,” he said, holding the door open as her father left first.
“Take care of my little girl,” Ira said in a protective tone.
Ben inclined his head. “Count on it.”
“He’s hot,” her mother leaned down and whispered in her ear.
Summer couldn’t help but laugh. And for the first time in a long time, everything felt right.