Guarding Hearts (Living Again #3) by L. L. Collins

he was too close to her. Again. She smiled softly, her eyes searching his face. Oh no. He couldn’t do it again. Stepping up next to her, he smiled back. “Yep. One hour.” With that he walked into the house with her and to his room, eager to escape her all-knowing eyes.
     

     
    Ellis leaned over the railing, looking out at the scene on the beach below. It had been a long day, and he knew she had to be tired. They were on their last take, and she had done amazing, just as he figured. Even though she was on the beach, she looked stunning in a soft white dress, her hair loosely hanging over her shoulder, and her feet bare. The dress blew lightly in the breeze, and the energy around her was tangible. She had a gift that was for sure. They had attracted quite a crowd outside of the shooting area, many of them figuring out who was there very early in the day. Brian had relegated Ellis to the balcony so he could keep watch on the outsides of the marked off area. He was dressed in bodyguard attire, a black shirt and dark pants, dark shades, his handgun hidden from view. So far today there had been no sign of any trouble, but they weren’t taking any chances. Local police stood guard around the area. They were as safe as they could be with her out in the open. It wasn’t going to get any easier tonight as the sun went down, especially with the fans knowing where she was, but Sam was determined to have the bonfire on the beach. She was going to kill him.
    Cameras surrounded her, and the fans stood on the edge of the partitioned area, watching her. Suddenly, her eyes connected to his, and the rest of them disappeared. A bomb could’ve gone off and he wouldn’t have had any reaction. He felt the pull of her, even this far away. He wanted to deny it. He needed to deny it. But he wasn’t sure how much longer he could.
    A voice in his earpiece shook him back to reality, and he turned his eyes from her. “Ellis? You have guests here. Just approving that they are indeed here for you.” The guard at the entrance to the beach house rattled off Ben, Kayley, Rachel, Devin, Emily, Trevor, and Jessica’s names. He approved their entrance and he then radioed to Brian, telling him he was going to go meet them and lead them to the back entrance.
    “We’re wrapping up down here anyway,” he answered.
    Ellis walked through the house and they were being let into the front door by the time he got there.
    “Ellis!” Devin boomed, clapping him on the back. “Nice place! It’s beautiful out here!” He held his sleeping son’s car seat, while Rachel had their daughter’s. Ben and Kayley held the hands of their three children, as did Emily and Trevor. Jessica walked behind them, helping Rachel with diapers bags and supplies for the babies.
    “Hey Jess,” Ellis said warmly, hugging her.
    “Hey yourself,” she answered. “How’s it going?” He looked at her, noticing that something seemed off with her.
    “Are you okay?”
    Jessica laughed, but it sounded forced. “Of course! Why wouldn’t I be? I can’t wait to meet Sam! Where is she?”
    “Goodness, Jess, are you fangirling or what?” Rachel teased, taking the diaper bag from her and setting it on the table.
    The group laughed. “She’s outside finishing her video. Want to go watch the end?”
    The friends made their way out to the large deck overlooking the beach, laughing and catching up. Kayley’s daughter Alexis begged to hold one of the babies, and Rachel helped her, keeping her hands around him at all times.
    “How’s dad life?” Ellis asked.
    Devin turned to him. “Amazing, man. Like nothing I could’ve ever imagined. Those little babies are just everything to me. You need one or two of those,” he teased, ribbing him.
    Ellis laughed. “I most certainly do not.”
    “Oh that’s right,” Devin continued. “You need one of those first.” He indicated Jessica, sitting and holding Faith.
    Ellis shook his head. “Give me a break. Hey, can I ask you