Guarding Her Heart | t.swift

Chapter 10: Unexpected Attention

The sun had barely risen on the day of Taylor's first show, the air buzzing with anticipation and nerves. Quincy moved with purpose through the hotel, her steps steady and deliberate. She had knocked on Taylor's door countless times before, but today felt different-charged with an extra layer of importance.

Quincy knocked on Taylor's door, her knuckles rapping softly against the wood. Moments later, the door swung open, revealing Taylor standing there, holding Quincy's leather jacket in her hands. Taylor's eyes widened slightly as she took in the sight before her: Quincy in a hoodie, an unexpected and casual departure from her usual attire.

"Good morning, Miss Swift," Quin greeted, her voice steady and professional.

Taylor blinked, momentarily thrown off balance. "Morning, Quincy. I... I have your jacket."

A smile tugged at the corners of Quincy's mouth as she stepped inside. "Thank you." Without hesitation, she shrugged off the hoodie and threw it onto the couch, eagerly slipping into her leather jacket. As she did, a familiar, soothing scent enveloped her-the faint traces of sandalwood from Taylor's perfume. It lingered in the leather, bringing Quincy an unexplainable comfort.

Taylor couldn't help but smile, a sense of rightness settling over her. "It feels strange to see you without it," she admitted, her tone light.

Quin chuckled softly. "I figured I'd try something different for the morning. But this jacket is a part of me."

As they prepared to leave, Taylor noticed something new. All throughout the day, Quin seemed subtly different, her usual composure occasionally giving way to moments of distraction. The faint scent of sandalwood lingered in the air, and each time Quin caught a whiff, her heart fluttered unexpectedly.

Taylor and her team moved through the stadium Quin was always a step behind or beside her. The traces of sandalwood were ever-present, a subtle yet persistent reminder of something she couldn't quite place.

During a brief break, Taylor turned to Quin, curiosity piqued by the bodyguard's occasional distant expression. "Everything alright, Quincy? You seem... distracted."

Quin blinked, refocusing on Taylor. "Yes, Miss Swift. Just... noticing something different today."

Taylor raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh? Like what?"

Quin hesitated, searching for the right words. "It's the scent of sandalwood. It's faint, but it's everywhere today. It's... calming."

Taylor's eyes widened slightly, a blush creeping up her cheeks. "Oh, that's my perfume. I didn't think it would be so noticeable."

Quin smiled, a rare softness in her expression. "It's nice. Soothing, actually."

Taylor's heart fluttered at the compliment, a mixture of pride and something more intimate swirling in her chest. "Thanks, Quincy."

As the morning progressed, the scent of sandalwood and mango continued to weave through their interactions, a quiet thread that seemed to draw them closer. Quin remained vigilant, her dedication unwavering, but there was a new warmth in her eyes whenever she glanced at Taylor.

The day of the first big show was a whirlwind of excitement and nerves. The crew bustled around, setting up the stage, conducting sound checks, and ironing out last-minute details. Taylor moved through it all, a mixture of determination and anxiety in her eyes. Quin shadowed her, focused on security and keeping a watchful eye on everything and everyone.

Throughout the day, Quin noticed that Taylor seemed off. She was quieter than usual, her usual spark dampened by something unseen. During a break, as they stood backstage, Quin couldn't help but ask, her voice gentle but concerned. "Everything alright, Miss Swift?"