The Bodyguard's Fake Fiancé (A Contemporary Interracial Romance): UnReal Marriage, #12

By Tasha Hart

He wasn't just hired to protect her. He was hired to marry her!

 

Grey Jackson is a very big star with a very small amount of privacy. This sucks! Why get rich and famous if the paparazzi are gonna be all up in your business and look for ways to trip you up? So her agent, Samantha, comes up with an idea.

 

Hire a bodyguard to also pretend to be her husband!

 

At first, Grey is like hell no! But then she looks at the tall, strong, white man named Travis with the broad shoulders and she's like okay sure! She and Travis are going to give it a try.

 

But Travis isn't a celebrity. He's just a guy. With worries.

 

He doesn't want to lie in front of all those cameras. He doesn't want to have his whole life broadcasted through the world–especially if he's lying. But he needs the money and Grey assures him that no one will find out.

 

At first it's just a job. But then it becomes real.

 

But what happens when the world finds out that these two with real feelings now started out fake? Will their love be strong enough to survive it?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Summerhouse Publishing
• Release date: Mar 23, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215706879

Book preview

Chapter One

Okay, girl, bye now, I say as I step back into my car and close the door. I watch my seven-year-old, Donna, skip up the ivory steps to her school and marvel at how fast she’s growing up for a moment. When I’m done, I slip my Prussian blue tinted sunglasses back over my eyes and pull off from the elementary school’s pickup/drop-off line.

I’m a singer, a modestly successful one, even, so I don’t have much time during the day and travel a lot. That’s probably why I like to bring Donna to school whenever I am in town. Even though our morning time is relatively short, I know it means a lot to both of us.

In the corner of my eye, I notice a few paparazzi guys standing near the perimeter of the school. Thank God it’s gated and has an armed guard or these cretins would never stay away. They wave at me and try to snap pictures. I only smirk, knowing that we have my windows tinted dark enough that none of what they get will be usable.

You could say I have a privacy problem, but that would probably be the understatement of the century. People, especially the press and paparazzi, are always hounding me, leaving not a stone unturned when it comes to my life. I get that being a public figure -whatever that means—comes with people noticing me more than the average person, but I think they crossed the line with that a while ago.

I try not to get too upset about it most of the time, but I can feel myself getting to my breaking point about this whole thing. Taking a breath, I switch myself into businesswoman mode and turn my signal light on to go left. Now I need to head to my agent Samantha’s office for a meeting.

Soon I’m easing my car into one of the back spots at the place and collecting myself. I check my makeup in the mirror for a moment, but I figure I’m better off getting into the building ASAP. Things are easier when I’m not driving myself, but there’s nothing big going on, so I didn’t see the need to rent out a car.

Putting on my public face, I break into a strut as soon as I get out of my car, entering the back door of the building slyly. Then I take the elevator to my agent’s floor. When I get to her office, I see that the SAMANTHA CARREY sign on her door is new, most definitely the product of her latest commission.

Instead of knocking, I just open the door and let myself inside.

Grey, you’re here, perfect! Samantha says, standing to come around her desk and give me a hug. She flips her hair out of the way as we do air kisses—something I go along with but is definitely more her style than mine. Drop off went smoothly? she asks.

Yep, Donna’s all set for the day. She had a late start today. If this meeting doesn’t take too long, I should be able to pick her up, too. This is a nice way of me asking how long it’ll take. Samantha knows she can be winded when it comes to these things.

Oh, sure. I don’t think it should take too long at all.

Really, Samantha? I ask.

Yes, yes, really. Do I ever waste your time, Grey?

No, but sometimes you take more of it than you need.

I know, I know. Anyway, I want you to sit down for a minute while I tell you my new idea! She sits on the other side of her desk now and kicks the other chair out for me.

Okay, what’s this about, then?

So, I know you have sort of a privacy problem going on. The paparazzi are always there and trying to find the smallest little details about you to use in their shows and whatnot— which, by the way, isn’t the worst thing in the world since people are always talking about you. I think we both agree they take it to another level with you, though.

Tell me something I don’t know, I chuckle, sighing.

Yes, exactly, and I know that it’s getting harder and harder with Donna getting older. I can tell it’s taking a toll… I think it’s time we get this under control somehow, don’t you? Put all the daddy rumors to rest once and for all.

I’d love that, but I feel like we’ve tried everything before. What’s different? Are you offering a solution for that or something?

Yes, actually.

My ears perk up now.

I have this great idea: what if we hired a bodyguard to pretend to be your husband!?

Uh… I want to tell her Yeah, no, straight off the bat, but I know I should probably let her finish before I shoot the idea down. Explain, Samantha.

We’ll beat them at their own game. The paparazzi will have their little bit of gossip from your fake man’s presence, and they’ll stop circling your family like vultures so tightly. It’s perfect.

I don’t know about perfect… You still haven’t given me that much detail, Samantha.

This is going to work, Grey. I know it. Do you know how confident I am? I already hired someone for it.

What?

Yeah, our man in the lobby is perfect.

What guy in the lobby? I come in through the back.

Oh, right. Here, let’s just go meet him right now. Samantha takes my hand and drags me out of her office and down to the lobby.

The only person there besides the secretary is this tall guy in a chair. He’s so bulky that he seems to dwarf the poor leather, but he’s also just as pale as the beige. His hair is a super curly acidic blonde, and the guy seems totally focused on the ground with his reddish-brown eyes. Who is this? As soon as we come all the way inside, he turns and stands to attention, his hands in front of his waist.

Meet Travis! Samantha says, her voice so excited she’s nearly shrieking.

I usually trust Samantha’s judgement when it comes to hiring and booking, but this is all happening way too fast, and I have no idea what’s going on. What has she gotten us into this time?