Page 123 of Sweet Temptation

“I didn’t exactly expect a black tie brawl to break out in the middle of the event.” I sniffed a little. I wasn’t crying, but I was close. Not sadness, but frustration.

And my reaction to the whole experience, which was really starting to kick in—sending my emotions in every direction at once. I wanted to take a hot shower and wash off the whole thing. I wanted him to stop looking at me like that.

I wanted to curl up in his arms.

But I stood where I was, alone.

Why didn’t I bring any of my girlfriends with me on this trip? I usually brought a friend when I traveled.

This time… I brought Ronan.

“Summer…” He shook his head, like he was frustrated, too. “I just want you to be safe.”

“I know.”

That was the job. The one he’d told me, the very first day he came on as my bodyguard, that he’d bleed out on my living room floor for, if it came to that.

He walked over to me. He reached up and lay his hand gently on the side of my neck. He was so warm. His thumb whispered over my jaw as that incredible electricity between us danced across my skin. It buzzed through my body and made me feel light in the head.

Couldn’t he feel it?

“You want a man who will stand up for you when shit gets rough,” he said in a low, gentle voice.

Then his hand dropped away.

I nodded a little. I didn’t know what to say.

“Stay in this room and keep the door locked.”

“Okay,” I whispered.

He left, and the door closed softly in his wake.

Chapter Sixteen

Ronan

I stalked over to my hotel room, just down the hall from Summer’s… pissed right off.

I was fucking kicking myself for leaving her at the club. For not being glued to her side when the shit hit the fan.

For letting other people get into my head.

Naveen, warning me not to go off the deep end with this assignment. Andre, after I’d dumped that drink on Yancy, telling me to chill out, walk the room before I did something else I’d regret. (I didn’t regret it.)

Worst of all, I’d let Summer get into my head.

I’m fine. I’ve got Yancy.

Why the fuck did I leave her with that guy?

No alpha in history had ever been named Yancy. The man was beyond useless. Was probably more afraid of breaking a nail than Summer getting hurt.

And Summer was scared.

Andre was on top of things, of course, but there wasn’t much he could do when chaos broke out and chairs started flying—except lock her in that office backstage. By the time I found him, most of the bar had been cleared out and Summer was in there with most of the female staff.

The look of fear and relief on her face when she saw me did me in.

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