The Bodyguard

Chapter 15

TORI

"Ari, will you have Daniel or Oliver follow me out so I can get some air?" I asked. I didn't want Theo around me right now. I need a second. Don't let him worry, okay?"

Arianna patted me on the shoulder and fetched Daniel for me. I felt Theo's eyes on me as I exited the room with Daniel into the hallway, and I knew he knew something was up.

"What's going on?" Daniel asked.

I sighed. "I knew you were going to ask that. Can we not talk about it right now?"

"You can have five minutes of peace, but then you must tell me. Theo is like my brother, and when Arianna had to come get me and not you, that tells me something."

I groaned out of frustration. "Fine! Jordan Chase told me Theo used to work for his sister Alyssa when she attempted to have an acting career. He said Theo slept around with a lot of his female clients and basically that I shouldn't get too comfortable."

Daniel laughed. "Jordan Chase is an idiot. He's a good actor, so you fell for that line he threw at you. What else did he say? Something about Alec Hall?"

I was taken aback. "How did you know that?"

"Again, Jordan Chase is an idiot. He reuses the same stories all the time. Most people believe him, which is why his friend circle is so big. He's a good guy in general, but don't believe the crap that falls out of his mouth."

"Noted. What's so bad about Alec Hall, though? I thought Jordan and Alec are best friends. He's a good actor, too," I said.

Daniel nodded. "Alec is, but his problem is not getting what he wants. For example, he tried to date Alyssa Chase. Jordan and Alec got in a huge fight because Alec kept pestering Alyssa to go out with him."

"Woah, does this mean I shouldn't work with Alec on this upcoming movie?"

"I'm not saying that; however, I suggest you watch out for him among everyone else you already have to watch out for."

"What's this about Alec Hall?"

Daniel and I turned heads to find Theo standing in the doorway. "I'm going to go," Daniel said.

Theo came out and took Daniel's place next to me. "Tori, what's going on?"

"I should have come to you, but I wanted to hear it from someone else, I guess, to believe it. Jordan filled my head with lies about your relationship with his sister."

Theo rolled his eyes. "Jordan uses that story to cover up that Alec Hall, who is supposed to be his best friend, was the reason Alyssa's parents hired me to be Alyssa's bodyguard. It had nothing to do with the fans or attention. It was all Alec."

"Are you saying that Alec stalked Alyssa?"

"Pretty much. Alyssa wanted nothing to do with him, so I was constantly with her to keep Alec away, not because we were sleeping together. That never happened. I swear you were the first client I have ever slept with."

Theo's eyes locked onto mine, and I searched him, waiting to find the lie, but I didn't. He was being honest with me. "Do you think I should bail on this new movie that is in the works? Miranda and Jordan were talking about getting Alec the part. We'd be a couple in the movie."

"I won't tell you what you should or should not do. I will tell you that you must be careful of Alec if you ever cross paths. As I overheard Daniel say, Alec isn't afraid to go for the things he wants. If that's you, he won't stop until he has you. He's one of those celebrities who thinks he's better than everyone else." Theo sighed.

"Jordan already told him I would be in the movie because he bragged about working with me. I guess Miranda changed her mind about me auditioning. Word travels fast in the celebrity world."

"Let's promise each other that no matter what, if Alec tries to interfere, we won't allow it. I love you, Tori, and that comes from the heart. However, if your feelings shift, I implore you to be honest with me. I wish to see you joyful, whether with me or someone else, because your happiness matters most."

I wrapped my arms around Theo, feeling the strength of his embrace. "I will always be honest with you," I vowed. Stepping back, I rose onto my toes to kiss his lips. Even in my heels, he towered over me. "Do you want to get out of here?"

"Sure, let's go tell the guys."

I shook my head. "Text them or let them figure it out. I want to escape from this world and be with you. We never get that opportunity."

"There's a nice hotel nearby. Do you want to get a room for the night?"

My face lit up. "That sounds like the perfect way to end the night."

Theo grabbed my hand, and we walked toward the limousine. It was dark, like when I first met Theo, and men stood outside the limousines.

I stopped dead in my tracks, remembering everything that had happened that night a little over a month ago. My heart started racing. I couldn't move any closer to the vehicles or those men after what had transpired.

"Sweetheart." Theo's words echoed in my ears, but I was frozen until Theo stood before me, blocking my view. "We can take a cab. Don't look over there. Look at me. I am not going to let anything happen to you, understand?"

I stared into Theo's eyes and nodded. I shouldn't have been scared, but that small part of me was. I didn't look back in the other direction; instead, I kept my focus on Theo and felt all of the bottled-up awful memories wash deep back down inside of me.

Theo called for a cab, which arrived shortly after. Instead of going to a nearby hotel, Theo insisted we go to Beverly Hills in hopes that fewer paparazzi would find me, and he was right.

We booked the Terrace Suite under Theo's name at The May Bourne in Beverly Hills. The room was gorgeous, and the view was excellent too. I felt so relaxed when I flopped onto the bed like a kid.

"You don't know how much I needed this, even if it is for one night. It's a one-night vacation, and I am so glad I get to spend it with you," I said.

Theo chuckled. "The minibar and mini fridge are stocked. Do you want anything?"

I shook my head, "No, I want to sleep. You don't mind, do you?"

Theo removed his suit jacket and unbuttoned his shirt to hang on the hotel room chair. "Of course, I don't mind. I'm here with you, which is what I wanted."

I smiled. "I'm glad." I sat up and walked to the bathroom. Two white robes hung on the wall, and I knew I would be more comfortable sleeping in that than this dress. I didn't want to ruin the gown either because it was Paulie's favorite, mine too, but it still cost a fortune, and I was lucky enough to wear it. Holding one of the robes up, I poked my head out of the bathroom. "Want to wear one?" I asked.

Theo shrugged as he sat on the edge of the bed. "Sure." I exited the room, now wearing the white robe, and Theo's eyes slowly traveled up and down my body.

"What are you looking at? Is the robe too big on me or something?"

He chuckled, "No, it's not too big. Come here." I walked toward him, and he put his hands on my waist, pulling me close, his head leaning on my chest.

I laughed, "What are you doing?"

"I'm Thinking about how beautiful you are." Theo stood, rising over me, and cupped his hands around my face. His blueish-green eyes stared into my blue ones, and he slowly leaned in for a kiss. "It's just you and me."