PART 2 OF 3

Testing His Limits

How do you make an immovable bodyguard quit? And what happens when you realize you don’t want him to?

Chapter 9: Operation: Make Him Quit

The next day at lunch, I pulled Tessa aside and poured out my frustration.

“I can’t take this anymore. He follows me everywhere. He ruined my concert. My parents think he’s a hero. I need him gone, Tessa.”

Tessa grinned mischievously, her eyes lighting up. “Then we make him quit.”

“How? He’s like a robot. Nothing phases him.”

“Test his patience. Annoy him. Do everything you can to make him realize this job isn’t worth it. You’re good at that, you gorgeous brat.”

I laughed. “I love the sound of that. You’re the best.”

“Of course I am.”

That night, I stayed up until 4 AM just to disturb Damon. I crept downstairs expecting to find him asleep or at least groggy. Instead, he was already up, standing by the window, looking as alert as if it were noon.

Of course he was.

“I need you to get my favorite Starbucks coffee.”

He turned to me, his expression unreadable. “That’s not part of my job description.”

“Do it, or I’ll make your job a lot harder.”

He stared at me for a long moment, then finally said, “Fine. What’s your order?”

I smiled sweetly. “One iced venti caramel macchiato with six shots of mocha, one-quarter oat milk, one-eighth almond milk, medium whipped cream with a caramel drizzle, a rose design on top, in a biodegradable takeaway cup with a pink straw.”

“Got it.”

“Wait—you actually got all that?”

He was already walking out the door.

Thirty minutes later, he returned with my exact order. Down to the rose design. Down to the pink straw.

I stared at the cup in disbelief. “How did you—”

“Anything else?”

“That’s… that’s all for now.”

Chapter 10: The Shopping Marathon

Later that day, I dragged Damon to the most expensive mall in the city. My plan was simple: shop until he dropped. Literally.

I went from store to store, trying on every outfit I could find. Designer dresses, shoes, accessories, you name it. And every single bag? Damon carried them all.

After three hours and probably fifty bags, I glanced back at him. He was carrying everything effortlessly, his expression as neutral as ever. Not even breathing hard.

Was he even human?

I entered a high-end boutique and started trying on clothes. I’d step out of the fitting room, do a little twirl, and ask, “What do you think? Does this make me look pretty?”

He’d barely glance up. “Giving an opinion about your outfits is not part of my job, ma’am.”

“Any normal guy would be drooling over me by now.”

Silence.

Frustrated, I decided to try a different tactic. As we were leaving the mall, I faked a sprain, clutching my ankle dramatically.

“Ow! I think I twisted something. I can’t walk.”

Without a word, Damon set down all the bags, turned around, and crouched down. “Get on.”

“What?”

“I’ll carry you. Get on my back.”

I climbed onto his back, and he lifted me like I weighed absolutely nothing. For the next twenty minutes, he carried me through the parking lot, loaded all the bags into the car, and drove us home—all while I was still on his back.

He didn’t even break a sweat.

I was officially out of ideas.

Chapter 11: The Great Escape

Desperate times called for desperate measures. While Damon was loading the shopping bags into the car, I snuck back into the mall and escaped through a back exit.

Freedom!

I went to a local orphanage that I regularly donated to and spent the afternoon giving away all the clothes I’d bought to the kids. Seeing their faces light up made me forget about Damon for a while.

Until my phone buzzed.

It was a text from Tessa with several photos attached. My heart sank as I opened them.

Theo. Kissing some blonde girl. In a restaurant. Looking very cozy.

The betrayal should have hurt more than it did. But honestly? I felt relieved. Theo was trash, and now I had concrete proof.

I immediately sent him a message: We’re done. Don’t contact me again.

He started calling instantly. I blocked his number. Problem solved.

Later that evening, I decided to celebrate my newfound singleness at a local club. I was dancing, feeling free and alive, when I noticed someone watching me from the bar.

Damon. Of course.

He’d tracked me down. Again.

Chapter 12: The Dance

A cute guy approached me on the dance floor, and we started dancing together. It was harmless fun, nothing serious. But suddenly, Damon appeared and pushed the guy away.

“Hey! Listen, buddy, I’m sick of this. If you’re going to keep scaring away all the other guys, then you dance with me.”

He raised an eyebrow. “I don’t mix business with pleasure.”

“Dance with me, or go sit quietly in a corner while I find someone else.”

I reached toward another guy nearby, but before I could even touch his shoulder, Damon grabbed my hand and pulled me toward him.

The song shifted to a slow, romantic melody. He placed one hand on my waist and held my other hand gently but firmly.

We started to move together, and I was suddenly hyperaware of everything. The warmth of his hand on my waist. The way he smelled—woodsy and clean. The steadiness of his heartbeat as he held me close.

“It’s not so bad, is it?” I whispered.

“If you say so, ma’am.”

“You can say my name, you know.”

He looked down at me, and for the first time, I saw his expression soften. “If you say so… Sasha.”

My heart skipped a beat. The way he said my name—low and careful, like it meant something—made my stomach flip.

He had the faintest smile on his face, and we slow-danced as he looked deep into my eyes. The club, the music, the other people—everything faded away until it was just us.

His face moved closer to mine. I could feel his breath. My heart was racing, and I was certain he was about to—

Suddenly, he pulled away like he’d been electrocuted.

“We need to go home.”

“What? But it’s still early—”

“Safety reasons. Let’s go.”

Just like that, the moment was gone. His professional mask was back in place, and I was left standing there confused and frustrated.

Chapter 13: The Threat Escalates

When we got home, I went straight to my room, still reeling from the dance. But the moment I opened my door, I screamed.

There was a box on my bed. An unmarked cardboard box.

Damon was beside me instantly. “Don’t touch it.”

But it was too late. I’d already lifted the lid.

Rats. Dozens of them, live and squirming, poured out of the box and scattered across my room. I shrieked and jumped back into Damon’s arms as they scurried in every direction.

He held me steady with one arm while reaching into the box with the other. There was a note inside, written in the same angry red marker as before:

“You can’t hide forever. I’m watching.”

For the first time since this all started, real fear gripped me. Someone had broken into my house. Into my room. My safe space.

“Someone broke into your room,” Damon said, his voice tight. “This person means business. We have to be more careful, ma’am.”

I was shaking. He held me closer, and I didn’t pull away.

“I think… I think maybe you should stay closer to me. For a while.”

“That’s what I’ve been trying to do.”

Chapter 14: Paris Calling

The next morning, my manager called to remind me about my Paris concert. It was one of my biggest shows yet—a sold-out arena, international press, the works. I’d been planning it for months.

When I told Damon, his expression darkened. “I don’t think you should be making public appearances until we find out who’s trying to hurt you.”

“No. I’m not going to let some creep scare me into hiding. This was planned in advance. All the tickets are sold out. I’m not canceling.”

“Sasha—”

“I said no, Damon.”

He stared at me for a long moment, then finally nodded. “Fine. But there’s one condition.”

“What?”

“We share a hotel room. I need to keep a constant eye on you.”

My cheeks flushed. “Share a room? That’s—”

“Non-negotiable.”

Chapter 15: The Parisian Suite

When we arrived in Paris, the hotel suite was stunning. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Eiffel Tower, a king-size bed, elegant furniture.

One bed.

“I’ll take the couch,” Damon said immediately.

“That’s not necessary—”

“I’ll take the couch.”

That night, I rehearsed my songs while Damon stood by the window, constantly scanning the streets below. He was tense, on edge, like he was expecting danger at any moment.

“You should get some rest,” I said. “You’ve been up for hours.”

“I’m fine.”

“Damon, seriously. You’re going to burn out.”

He turned to look at me, and something in his expression made my breath catch. “I can’t rest until I know you’re safe.”

The intensity in his eyes made my heart race. I looked away, suddenly shy.

“Then… at least sit down. You’re making me nervous.”

He finally sat on the couch, but his posture remained alert, ready to spring into action at the slightest sound.

Eventually, exhaustion won. I fell asleep to the sound of his steady breathing across the room.

Chapter 16: The Morning After

The next morning, I woke up to an amazing smell. Coffee and… was that French toast?

I peeked into the suite’s kitchenette and stopped in my tracks.

Damon was cooking breakfast. And dancing. Actually dancing, humming along to some song in his head, completely relaxed.

I watched him for a moment, smiling. This was the most human I’d ever seen him. No walls, no professional distance, just a guy making breakfast and enjoying himself.

When he turned and saw me, I quickly looked away, suddenly embarrassed.

“Good morning,” he said softly. “I made breakfast. I hope you’re hungry.”

“You didn’t have to—”

“I wanted to.”

We ate together in comfortable silence. I wasn’t wearing any makeup, my hair was a mess, and I was in an oversized t-shirt. For the first time in forever, I felt completely comfortable being myself around someone.

“That’s the first time I’ve seen you without makeup,” Damon said, studying my face. “You look even more beautiful than usual.”

My cheeks burned. “Is complimenting me part of your job now?”

“Maybe.”

His lips twitched into a small smile, and my heart did a complete somersault.

“I knew it. No one can resist my charms. Not even my emotionless bodyguard.”

I was about to say more when I remembered something. Last night, before bed, I’d been looking at his wallet—completely by accident, of course—and I’d seen a picture of a beautiful girl.

“I wonder what your girlfriend would say about this,” I said, trying to keep my voice light.

His expression shifted. “I assume you’re talking about the picture of the girl in my wallet.”

I froze. “I wasn’t—I mean, I just—”

“It’s my sister.”

“Oh.”

Chapter 17: The Truth About His Past

Damon’s expression grew distant, sad. “We grew up in an orphanage together. She was the only family I had.”

“Was?”

“She died three years ago. I failed to protect her.”

My heart broke for him. “Damon, I’m so sorry—”

“That’s why I became a bodyguard. To make sure no one else loses someone they love the way I lost her.”

He paused, looking out the window at the Eiffel Tower in the distance. “She always wanted to come to Paris. Wanted to go up the Eiffel Tower and see the whole city. We promised we’d do it together one day.”

Suddenly, I felt brave. “Let’s go there. For her.”

He looked at me in surprise. “After what happened yesterday, there’s no way I’m allowing you to go anywhere public. Also, I know from your file that you’re afraid of heights.”

“I’m not scared when I have you around. I’ll be fine. I promise.”

After a long moment, he finally nodded. “Okay. But we go early, before the crowds.”

Chapter 18: The Concert Incident

But we never made it to the Eiffel Tower that day. Because that evening was the concert, and I needed to rehearse and prepare.

Hours before the show, Damon was pacing the hotel room like a caged animal.

“Can’t you just postpone this? It’s too dangerous.”

“I told you I can’t. Please, Damon.”

“Just listen to me. I care about you, Sasha. More than—” He stopped himself, his jaw tightening. “More than I should.”

My heart stopped. “You… care about me?”

“Of course I do. You’re my client.”

Right. His client. That’s all I was.

“I thought I was just your job,” I said, unable to hide the hurt in my voice.

He looked like he wanted to say something more, but instead he just nodded. “You are.”

“Then do your job, which is to keep me alive. And let me do my job, which is to entertain people.”

“Fine.” His voice was cold again. Professional. “But I prefer it when you call me ma’am, anyway.”

“Whatever you say, ma’am.”

The distance between us felt like an ocean.

Chapter 19: Danger in the Spotlight

The concert was incredible. The arena was packed, thousands of fans singing along to every word. I tried not to think about Damon, about the threats, about anything except the music.

During my fourth song, I spotted him in the crowd. He was watching me intently, and when our eyes met, he smiled.

A real, genuine smile that made my heart ache.

Then I saw it. A hooded figure in the crowd, pushing through people. They raised something—something metallic that glinted under the stage lights.

A gun.

I froze. The music continued, but my voice died in my throat. Everything moved in slow motion as the hooded figure aimed directly at me.

Suddenly, strong arms grabbed me and lifted me off the stage. Damon. He carried me away from the lights, away from the crowd, away from danger.

The arena erupted in chaos. Security rushed toward the hooded figure, but they vanished into the crowd.

Backstage, Damon set me down gently. I was shaking, unable to process what had just happened.

“Stay here. Don’t move.”

He disappeared back into the arena. Minutes felt like hours. Finally, he returned, his expression grim.

“I lost them.”

I was still shaking. He pulled me into his arms, holding me close.

“You’re safe. I’ve got you. You’re safe.”

For the first time since this all began, I broke down and cried.