Because You Protected Me by Ian Finn

I’m dangerously attracted to the man I was hired to keep safe. As an ex-military private security guard, I know how to be in constantly close proximity with someone while remaining professional and reserved. But my training and experience falls apart once I meet my newest client, Gibson Hughes.

“Gib” isn’t what I was expecting after his uncle hired me to protect a rock star who is receiving threatening emails from a crazed fan, and I find myself loving that and everything else about him a lot more than I should. Sure, Gib is super handsome and has found wild success in his music. But even though he now lives in a mansion in a swanky Los Angeles enclave, he comes from small and quaint Baytown, where he still has loyal friends from high school. While other rock stars are partying like crazy, Gib is more of an introvert, choosing to stay home and immerse himself in writing music and reading books. While they’re swooping up a variety of women who throw themselves at their feet, Gib has always been more quietly interested in men.

But the stalker is escalating his attacks, and there’s talk that it might even be an inside job, for publicity’s sake. Gibs’ physical well-being is in danger and his reputation is on the line. I know I need to stay focused on my job, and that Gib needs to stay focused on his music, but all I can really seem to focus on are those ripped abs and beautiful blue-green eyes of his. I’m not supposed to hook up with my clients, and Gib hasn’t exactly come out as the gay front man of his rock band. If word were to get around that we’re together, Gib’s career- and safety- would be in jeopardy, not to mention my own. As we try to figure out who is trying to cause Gib harm and why, and as the stalker’s antics ramp up even more, my heart is racing for all the wrong reasons.