Sweet Temptation: A Players Rockstar Romance (Players, Book 3)

of the bag.
“Sure,” he said, and headed outside. The door closed softly behind him, and I looked over. I saw his dark form heading away from the house through the frosted window.
I took a look at the sandwich. Egg and back bacon. Yum.
Points for Ronan.
I put on coffee and enjoyed my sandwich, in the sliver of peace and quiet that I got the distinct feeling might be the only one I’d get today.
When I was done, I headed out to the driveway with two travel mugs filled with coffee for us. I found Ronan standing next to his car, talking on his phone.
As I approached, I checked out his ride. It was a late-model black Camaro, very nice. Powerful. Sexy…
Suited him.
I had a thing for hot cars. When they were driven by hot men, all the better.
I held out his coffee to him. “Thanks, brother,” he said, to whoever he was talking to, then hung up. “Thanks for the coffee,” he said to me, eying the travel mug I’d handed him. It was pink and said Queen Bitch on it. I’d kept the plain black one for myself.
He didn’t even crack a hint of a smile. What was it with security guys and the ultra serious thing?
I turned and headed for the garage, opening the door with my remote. “I drive fast,” I told him. “Try to keep up.”
“I can drive you,” he said, from somewhere behind me.
“I’m sure you can.” I tossed him a half-smile. He was still standing by his car, watching me. “You have Brody’s address?”
“I do.”
“Great.” I got in my car, started it up and cranked some cruising tunes. Missy Elliot would do.
By the time I pulled out of the garage, Ronan had already backed out of the driveway so I could get out, and waited on the street. I took off down the street and he followed me in his car.
Closely.
A few times, as I headed down through Kitsilano to the Burrard Bridge, I increased the pressure on the accelerator, testing. He accelerated right along with me.
Every time.
I changed lanes. He changed lanes.
Already, he was cramping my style. As my car vibrated with bass at a red light, I wondered if he even had music on in his car.
Probably not. Way too serious for that.
On the way through downtown, I turned the music down and called Elle again.
“I don’t know how you can stand having a bodyguard watching your every move,” I complained. “They’re all over my ass with this thing.”
“This thing? Are you kidding me?” Her voice filled the car through the speakers. “Summer, some creep tried to break into your bedroom last night. I’d feel better if you had a whole army of bodyguards on your ass right now.”
“The police arrested him, Elle. They took care of it.”
“I know, babe,” she said, and I could hear her frustration with me. “Where’s your security right now? You sound like you’re in the car.”
“I am in the car. I’m on my way to Brody’s for some Super Important Meeting. And trust me, I’m not alone. Brody put this Ronan guy on me, and he’s in his car right behind me.”
“Good. Flynn tells me he’s one of the best guys in town, if not the best.”
“Uh… you talked to Flynn about this? About Ronan?”
“Of course. Everyone’s talking about it.”
“Fucking great.”
“I meant, everyone’s concerned about your safety right now.”
“I’m safe. There’s no need for concern. And how does Flynn know Ronan?”
“They worked together. Flynn said he worked for Ronan’s company years ago, before Jude and Brody hired him onto our crew full-time.”
I considered that. “Ronan was Flynn’s boss?”
“Yes.”
Well, that was interesting. Not that I wanted gossip or dirt or anything on my temporary bodyguard, but… I totally did. “What did Flynn have to say about him?”
“He said you’re in good hands. He seemed relieved to hear that Ronan was with you. He’s been on the phone with Brody a bit this morning. I made him call and get me an update.”
I groaned.
“I know this whole thing sucks,” Elle said, gentling her tone. “I know you don’t like being… managed… this way—”
“You mean bossed around?”
“And I know you had an epically bad day yesterday, but…” She faded off.
“Uh, hello? Are you there…?”
“Summer. Shit. Do you think your break-in has anything to do with the break-in at your neighbor’s place the other night? And your stuff getting stolen after your show…?”
“She didn’t have a break-in…” I said slowly. “Something just set off her alarm.”
We both went silent a moment as I thought about it, though.
Were any of these events related?
“Look,” Elle said softly. “Just… let the guys do their thing, okay?” I could hear the concern in her voice. “It will be better if you just let them do their thing. For me,” she added.
“Fine. For you.”
“Thank you.”
“Am I really your best friend?” I probed.
“Of course you’re my best friend.”
“Do I get to be your maid of honor?”
She snickered. “I have zero plans for a wedding, and Seth hasn’t proposed yet, and you’re asking me this?”
“Shit, yes, I’m asking.”
“Yes,” she said. “You’re my maid of honor. If I ever get married.”
“I’ll talk to Seth.”
She laughed. “Just take all the love you’re offered today, okay?”
“Is this love?” I said. “It’s rather… stifling.”
“Summer…”
“Alright,” I promised. “For you.”
When I got off the call, I glanced in my rearview mirror, and sure enough, there was Ronan.
I picked up speed and zig-zagged through traffic a bit, heading onto the Lions Gate Bridge. Then I really sped up. I may have tried to lose him, just to see if I could.
I couldn’t, apparently. My Benz could move, but his Camaro held its own, and besides, it wasn’t just the car that mattered, it was the driver. He kept that thing right up my ass.
It was kind of exhilarating, actually. Like foreplay or something.
When I pulled into Brody’s driveway in North Vancouver, the brief high totally crashed and burned, though. I got out of my car and fucking sighed.
The driveway wasn’t empty. Both Ash’s truck and