The Starlet's Bodyguard Read online

  Asher roughly turned her and tipped her head back into the water. His fingers brushed through her auburn tresses as his other hand made a beeline from her waist to her mound. He rubbed her clitoris with a calculated touch and precision, slowly drawing small circles into the hypersensitive skin. Her breath shallowed to short gasps as excitement rippled through her body.

  Then, one hand left her hair. When he touched her again, it was with a soapy loofa. He bucked his hips into her backside, his rock-hard erection sliding between her legs. Meadow could feel his member throbbing against her sex, making her squirm with desire. She wanted to move to push him inside of her, but knew he liked to take the lead.

  He scrubbed her back first before moving to her front, all while his other hand was still rubbing her clit. Asher pumped his hips slowly, letting his member drag against her lower lips. Meadow felt her pelvis instinctively lift, wanting so badly for him to enter her.

  The sudsy loofa moved over her breasts before Asher put it to the side. His bare hand then glided over her breasts, spreading the soap all over her skin. The hand between her legs drifted further down and pressed his index and middle fingers up into her.

  Meadow whimpered quietly, “Don’t be a tease, Asher.”

  “I’m not teasing,” Asher facetiously replied.

  He pumped his two fingers rapidly, as though to show her just how much he wasn’t teasing.

  Meadow groaned loudly as he pressed the tips of his fingers to a sensitive area within her. His front pressed to her back. His fingers retracted from her, and in their place, the tip of his cock pressed against her entrance. Placing her leg on a low ledge of the shower, Asher pushed his slippery hard member up into her.

  She gasped, pleasure coursing through her body. Asher’s hands ran over her curves with liberty, exploring every inch of her as he thrust himself into her continuously. The water running down their bodies and between her legs made her extra wet, creating an exhilarating sensation that awoke every nerve.

  His hand gripped her hip, as his thumb rested on the small of her back. He held her steady while his other hand returned to her sensitive bud, stroking fervently.

  Extending her hands backward, she wrapped her arms around his neck. With her back arched, Meadow turned her head completely to one side and tilted her neck up to look up into Asher’s face. He gave her a knowing smirk, as if relishing in the fact that he knew how to get her off.

  Her walls began to tighten around him. Meadow cried out in satisfaction. Her body pushing into the wall of the shower as her soft round bottom jutted itself in Asher’s direction.

  He slapped her ample ass as he slammed into her, fucking her hard as she reached the precipice of climaxing. Her entire body shuddered as she peaked, a long breath escaping her. His hands clenched her as he cried out in ecstasy and streamed into her.

  After a few seconds of breathy recovery he whispered into her ear, “I don’t think your bodyguard could ever make you cum like that.”

  “Why would you say that?” asked Meadow, suddenly worried she had cried out Baxter’s name by accident.

  “I see the way he looked at you, that’s all,” explained Asher.

  Meadow was relieved, but also annoyed at Asher insecurities. He had been particularly loud while they were making love, much louder than usual. Meadow imagined it was his way of claiming her and to let Baxter know that she was his.

  Closing her eyes, Meadow silently hoped Baxter didn’t hear anything. The thought embarrassed her immensely.

  Chapter 4

  A loud noise scared Meadow and startled her from her sleep. It took her a minute to catch her breath as she discerned whether the noise was real or part of her dreams.

  It was real.

  “Asher,” she said as she tried to shake him awake. “Asher, I hear something.”

  He slowly opened his eyes, sat up, and said, “That’s why you have another man living with you. Let him check it out.” He rolled over and was back to sleep before his head hit the pillow.

  Why can’t he be nice, just once?

  Meadow snuck out of bed and grabbed her white, flimsy cotton robe from her bathroom. The robe fell to the top of her thighs, almost exposing her pale bottom.

  Slowly, she crept to the kitchen as the noise continued to get louder. The intruder is in the kitchen!

  Peering around the corner, she saw Baxter standing shirtless in a towel drinking a glass of water. She took in his exposed chest and abs, wondering how often he worked out to cultivate such a perfect body.

  His hair was wet and beads and a few beads of water trailed down his neck onto his broad shoulders.

  A shower does a body good, Meadow thought as she licked her lips.

  “I know you’re there,” said Baxter.

  Feeling like a creeper, Meadow walked into the kitchen, coming into full view of Baxter.

  “How?”

  “It’s my job. I heard you.”

  “Why did you let me stand there without saying anything.”

  “I thought you’d go back to bed. I’m an early riser. I was just about to do a perimeter check, but wanted to eat breakfast first.”

  “Well, feel free to help yourself to any food I have here.”

  “Thank you, Ms. Anderson.”

  Meadow laughed. “Ms. Anderson? You’re living in my house. You can call me Meadow.”

  “If you wish.” Baxter stared at her.

  “Did you hear the loud noise?” asked Meadow, remembering why she was out of bed in the first place.

  “Yes. I went outdoors to check it out. It wasn’t anything to be concerned about. A dog knocked down your garbage cans.”

  “Oh…” Meadow wanted to say more, but instead, she stood there gawking at Baxter’s half-naked body.

  “Is there something else I can do for you?” Baxter asked with one eyebrow raised.

  “Umm… no. So… I guess I’ll go back to bed.”

  “Sleep well.”

  Meadow turned around to head back to her room, but was interrupted.

  “Meadow?”

  She turned back around to see Baxter looking at her. “Yes.”

  “Do you know why this stalker is after you?”

  Meadow had forgotten that she was in danger. With Baxter there, she felt safe.

  “Well, I don’t know for sure, but I think he has a weird obsession with vampires. I’m sure you’ve done your research on me and know that I have starred in a series of vampire films. This guy keeps telling me he wants to take my life and drink my blood.” Saying that out loud made her visibly shiver. The thought terrified her.

  “That’s pretty sick,” said Baxter.

  “Yeah, it’s pretty messed up,” Meadow agreed.

  Although she wanted to carry on the conversation, she didn’t want Asher to find her in the kitchen alone with Baxter—especially because he was only in a towel. Meadow gave the bodyguard a quick smile and headed back to her bedroom.

  Asher was still asleep and snoring. Even though he was extremely attractive, she felt no attraction to him. Her thoughts kept going back to Baxter and her mind wouldn’t quiet down enough to allow her to fall back asleep. Eventually she got up, took a shower, and headed out to the living room to find Baxter sitting on the couch watching the security cameras on a laptop.

  “What are you looking for?” asked Meadow as she sat down next to him.

  “I hooked up the cameras to my laptop,” answered Baxter without looking at her. “I’m just assessing what type of security you have here.”

  “Do you see anything that concerns you?”

  Baxter looked over at her. “Not yet.” He paused, and then said, “Tell me everything you know about the man who’s stalking you.”

  After relaying everything she could about the man pursuing her, Baxter just nodded, but didn’t provide his opinion on the situation.

  She found herself sitting in silence with Baxter, staring into his eyes. He held her gaze with a straight face, but Meadow believed she saw just a hint
of a smile. Maybe she imagined it.

  The moment came to a startling halt.

  “Well, you two look awfully cozy,” Asher said with a sneer.

  Meadow rolled her eyes. “I’m just getting him up to speed on my stalker. Baxter is here to protect me after all.”

  “Meadow, I’m getting really tired of you just looking for attention. I’ve played the game long enough. Nobody is coming for you. It’s just some kid that’s obsessed with you.”

  Meadow opened her mouth to protest, but she didn’t get the chance. Baxter threw his laptop on the couch walked over to Asher, pointing a finger in his face.

  “Someone is trying to kill your girlfriend, and you don’t even care?” Baxter interrogated, calmly but forcefully.

  “Get the fuck out of my face,” Asher said.

  Baxter looked him up and down, then said, “I think it’s time you leave.”

  Asher crossed his arms over his chest and said, “I don’t think that’s your decision. You work for us, and I think you need to leave. Now!”

  Watching Baxter stick up for her gave Meadow confidence that she didn’t know she had. She was tired of Asher mistreating and taking her for granted. She wanted someone to care about her. Even if Baxter was only her bodyguard, he was more concerned for her wellbeing than Asher.

  Finally, she said, “No, Asher. Baxter isn’t going anywhere. He doesn’t work for us. He works for me.” Holding her head high, she exclaimed, “I want you to leave! We are done.”

  “Excuse me?” exclaimed Asher in disbelief. “You’re choosing that guy over me?”

  “I am not choosing him over you, Asher. He’s not my new boyfriend, he’s here to protect me. I want someone who cares that I’m terrified. I want someone who’s concerned that someone is trying to kill me. And I want someone is who man enough to actually do something about it.”

  “You can have her,” said Asher as he glared at Baxter. “I’ll send my assistant over later today to get my things.”

  Meadow didn’t say a word as she watched Asher walk out her front door. She hoped she would never have to see him again. She looked back over at Baxter, who gave her a sympathetic look.

  “I think I want to be alone for a while,” she said.

  Baxter nodded.

  Chapter 5

  Meadow drifted off to sleep and her head filled with thoughts of fangs, blood, and a faceless man chasing her through a dark alley. Just as her attacker was about to pounce, she woke up from a knock at the door.

  Still in a daze, it took Meadow a moment to realize she was in her bedroom and safe. She looked at the time.

  Five o’clock? How could I have slept all day?

  Another knock.

  “Meadow?”

  It was Baxter.

  “Yes? Come in.”

  The door opened. “There’s a car at your gate. The man says his name is Craig, and that he’s Asher’s assistant.”

  “Okay. Let him in and tell him to wait in the foyer. I just need to get Asher’s things together.”

  Baxter nodded and left the room.

  After grabbing a canvas bag, she filled it with Asher’s toothbrush, deodorant, and the few articles of clothing that he had left. Feeling relieved to finally have Asher out of her life, she headed to the living room with his belongings.

  Craig stood in the foyer looking down with slumped shoulders while he fidgeted nervously. He was average height and lanky with thinning, mousey brown hair and a nasally voice that got under her skin. Everything about him made Meadow uncomfortable. Craig was the type of guy who always stared at young women for too long and could never hold a normal conversation. His comments were always inappropriate and awkward, so Meadow had avoided him at all costs whenever she was in his presence.

  Baxter stood next to Craig with his arms folded across his chest. Her bodyguard was at least six inches taller than Craig, and Meadow was glad to have him there. Craig was already eyeing Meadow, and her skin prickled underneath his glare.

  “I have Asher’s things,” said Meadow as she held out the canvas bag.

  Craig responded, “Asher gave me a bag filled with your belongings, too. Sorry about the break-up, Meadow.”

  “It’s not your—”

  Before Meadow could finish her sentence, Craig drew a gun from his jacket and shot Baxter point blank in the head.

  Meadow screamed and ran over to Baxter’s prostrate body.

  Craig grabbed Meadow by the hair and pulled her off Baxter and turned her around to face him.

  “It’s finally time, Meadow. We are finally alone. I can fulfill my promise,” said Craig.

  “What are you talking about? What promise?”

  “Oh, Meadow, how can you say that? For months, I’ve been telling you I want your blood. Now, I can finally have it. Don’t be scared; I know you’ll like it when I do it, just like you did when Drake did it.”

  “It’s a movie!” she yelled. “I can’t believe it was you this whole time. What’s wrong with you! You aren’t a fucking vampire you sicko!”

  Baxter’s voice echoed throughout the room. “But I am…”

  Like a flash of lighting, Baxter pounced on Craig and slammed him to the floor.

  Meadow couldn’t make a sound. She was in shock. Baxter turned to look at her, and she saw two prominent fangs protruding from his gums. Baxter focused his attention back to Craig and sank his fangs into the assistant’s neck and drank.

  Bile rose in Meadow’s throat. What’s happening? Oh my god, what’s happening?

  Baxter dropped Craig’s lifeless body to the floor. He stood and looked at Meadow, and for a brief moment, she was terrified as she wondered if he would kill her next. But then, she looked into Baxter’s eyes. Malice was not present in his intense gaze, only concern.

  Meadow was still unable to speak, and she was still terrified.

  “You don’t need to be afraid of me, Meadow.”

  Finally, she found her voice. “You… you killed him.”

  “I did,” said Baxter. “He was going to kill you.”

  “You drank his blood. What are you?” She questioned.

  “I think the answer is obvious.”

  “A vampire? You’re as crazy as he is,” she said.

  Meadow stood up and ran, knowing she wouldn’t be able to outrun him, vampire or not. Somehow, she managed to get to her room without Baxter catching her. She slammed the door and locked it.

  She ran to her nightstand and pulled out her cell phone to call the cops.

  I can’t call the cops. They’ll think I’m crazy.

  She dialed Caroline.

  “Hello? Meadow? Are you okay? Baxter just texted me.”

  “Caroline. I don’t know what to do. It turns out Craig was the one harassing me. And Baxter saved me, but he’s… he’s… Oh, you’re never going to believe me.” Meadow was sobbing uncontrollably.

  “Baxter is a vampire. I know, dear.”

  “What? You knew? How is this even possible? This can’t be real!”

  Caroline sighed. “It is real, dear. I have known Baxter my entire life. He has been friends with my family for generations. When I knew you were in trouble, I asked him to help.”

  “Caroline, is this some sort of prank? I’m not a moron, there are no such thing as vampires.”

  “Honey, calm down,” Caroline reassured. “Baxter’s message said Craig shot him in the head. Is that true.”

  “Y-y-yes,” Caroline stammered as she tried to make sense of it all.

  “Ok, well then you just saw a man get shot in the head, then jump up and drink his attacker’s blood. I don’t know what more I could tell you to convince you that vampires are real, and that you were just saved by one.” She continued, “Baxter is safe. You are like a daughter to me, Meadow. I would never put you in harm’s way. Do you need me to come over?”

  Meadow considered her question. “No. Thank you. Should I call the cops?”

  “No. Baxter will handle everything. He’ll take care of you.”
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  Meadow hung up the phone and slowly made her way back to the foyer at the front of her house. Craig’s body was no longer there. She walked into her living room and found Baxter sitting on the couch.

  She had so many questions, but didn’t know where to start, so she asked the first thing that came to her mind. “What happened to Craig?”

  “I have people to handle that sort of thing. He’s gone. You won’t be questioned.”

  “Your people?”

  “I don’t deal with messes,” said Baxter. “My family is very powerful, so I can walk away and let someone else handle the grunt work.”

  “If you’re family is so powerful, why are you working for me?”

  He laughed. “I’m not working for you. At first, I was here as a favor to Caroline. Her great-great-grandfather and I were once friends. I’ve remained friends with the family for years. When Caroline first told me that she wanted me to protect a young woman from a man claiming to be a vampire, I thought the idea was ridiculous, but agreed to do it anyway. Then, I met you, and I wasn’t protecting you for Caroline’s sake anymore.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I’ve been alive thousands of years, and I’ve never wanted someone the way I want you.”

  Meadow bit her lower lip. His directness pierced her. The thought of a man as powerful and gorgeous as him wanting her sent a quiver to her core. He was dangerous, strong, and she had wanted him from the moment she saw him.

  “Let me take you away from here,” he said.

  “Where?”

  “My place. Someone’s going to come and clean. It’s best you aren’t here when the cops get here. I have an alibi prepared for you.”

  Well, Caroline said to trust him, thought Meadow.

  With that, she followed him out her front door. A blacked-out Escalade was waiting for them and Baxter opened the door for her. She climbed in and he followed, sitting down next to her.