After returning to Xander’s apartment, Xander had walked Bella while Sasha took a shower. They ordered dinner and then Xander showered, too, meeting up with Sasha in the kitchen to eat. All the while, his anger and frustration had continued to rise and was near the boiling point. That someone had gotten into Sasha’s room in the on-set mansion meant the person stalking her was on the crew. Or had a connection with someone there who’d let him or her inside. His gut churned with mixed emotions from the entire day.

They’d moved into the bedroom, and Sasha walked out of his bathroom and stopped, seeing him standing by the dresser, where he’d just put down his phone.

“Hey, are you okay?” she asked. “You were quiet at dinner.”

“After what happened today, I should be asking you that.” He studied her, finding it hard to read her expression.

“I’m more in shock that someone who works with me is behind the notes, but I know now I’ll have a guard outside my dressing room or trailer at all times. I feel better about that. And I know Jared and the police are working on figuring out the identity of the stalker.” She ran her hands up and down her arms. “As far as that goes, I’m okay.” She hesitated, then said, “But you aren’t.”

“I’m fine. Why do you ask?” He was stalling for time.

Her agent’s reminder that he was a hindrance to her career had caused him to distance himself during the day. He hadn’t responded much when she’d caught up with him between takes, and he’d tried to take a step back. For both their sakes. Then her dressing room had been trashed, which only served to pull him back to needing to protect her. How did he explain that?

She folded her arms across her chest. Her damp hair hung in waves around her face, and her long, tanned legs peeked out from beneath the tee shirt.

Her vulnerability touched the part of him that couldn’t keep his distance, and he held out one arm. “Come here,” he said, needing to feel her body against his.

She immediately walked into his embrace, and he wrapped his arms around her, holding her tight.

“What is it?” she asked. “It’s not just the stalker, because I sensed something wrong earlier today, between takes.”

He groaned and led her to the bed, where he sat down and pushed himself against the pillows. Without hesitation, she curled into his side. She trusted him again, and he wished he could let go completely and do the same. But his reasons not to were valid.