Page 32 of Broken Harmony
Skyler stops. “We don’t have to, Ally. Really, don’t think you have to do this for me. I don’t want you to do something you're not comfortable with.”
I smile up at him. “I need a bodyguard. Even if it's hard to admit.” I laugh. “The fact is, my safety is becoming more of a risk every time we go out in public. I’d rather have someone you know and trust looking after me than a complete stranger.”
“You sure? Because I’d never put your safety at risk. You know that, right?”
I cup his face. “Breathe,” I soothe, and he melts into my touch. Yeah, I can see how some people might think we’re a pack. “I know you’d never allow anything or anyone to hurt me. You and the guys. I trust you all with my life.” And that's a hard thing for me to do. Trust isn’t something I just blindly give out. Not since everything started happening with Julia. “Is he here?” Skyler nods.
“He’s waiting for us in the green room.”
“Let’s go meet my new bodyguard.” I wink.
To say I’m nervous as hell as we walk towards the green room would be an understatement. I have no idea what to expect. What this man even looks like. I know nothing about him, really, and what little I do know isn’t exactly painting him in the best light. But I’m choosing to trust Skyler.
Skyler goes first, followed by the guys. I hear Skyler greet Liam; there’s laughing and some low murmurs as the guys greet him as well.
Taking a deep breath, I fix my hair, my clothes, and shift into my confident self before stepping into the room, a friendly smile on my face.
“Ally, I want you to meet my older brother, Liam,” Skyler introduces, stepping to the side.
Holy mother of god, the face my eyes are privileged to lay upon when he comes into view takes my breath away. No, really. I suck in a small breath, and that’s it. I can’t breathe anymore as our eyes lock.
Deep, hazel eyes stare back at me, and I swear all the air in the room is sucked out. It’s as if only he and I are here, no one else around.
I’m not sure how long we stand there for, just looking at one another, but I don’t miss a single detail about him.
He’s tall, like a damn giant. The guys are six feet, but he’s much closer to seven, not quite, but he’s pushing it.
Well built, but not too big.
His hair isn’t quite brown, nor blond. Almost a mix of both? Like he’s spent so much time in the sun, it has natural highlights.
He’s wearing a black denim jacket with a white t-shirt under it, but I see some tattoos peaking over the top.
He’s like a bad boy wet dream.
“Ally?” Skyler’s voice snaps me out of my own thoughts. “You okay?”
Blinking, I flick my attention from Liam and over to his brother. “Yeah. Of course.”Get a hold of yourself, woman.Clearing my throat, I step forward, my smile awkward as hell now because all I can think about is climbing this man like a tree. “Hi, I’m Ally.” I hold out my hand, only standing a few inches from him now.
He eyes me up and down, jaw ticking, and I can’t help but feel like he doesn’t like what he sees.And why the fuck does that hurt my feelings?
“Liam Cross.” His deep, rich voice has me so damn thankful I have scent-blocking panties on right now, because otherwise, this would get so embarrassing, so fast.
He slowly raises his hand and takes mine in his. I swear there’s like this zap that runs through the both of us and right down to the root of my soul, making my eyes widen.
Liam must feel something, too, because I see the flash of alarm in his eyes before he quickly pulls his hand back.
I can smell him clearly, and while he smells mouth-wateringly amazing, like salted coconut and mahogany, he’s not my scent match, that much I know. So, then why do I feel so drawn to him?
Do not panic, Ally. You're still high from the adrenaline of the concert. That's it, nothing more.
“So.” I smile. “Skyler says you might be interested in a new job?”
He looks to his brother, and the two of them just glare at one another before Liam finally nods. “Yeah. Looking to start over.”
“I get the feeling. So, why don’t you tell me about yourself?” I wave towards the couch.
Would it be rude of me to excuse myself while I make a drink, because I feel like that might be the only thing that keeps me from losing my head right now?
