Free Keep Me (Beggar's Choice #3) by Lily Morton Page A

chin to catch my attention. “It’s
just a bunch of asshole paparazzi Alys. Think it’s something to do with that
actress that I shagged last week.” I grimace and he half smiles but he looks
worried. “I’m so sorry that I didn’t think of this. I don’t want you to be
hassled or get your picture taken because that’ll destroy your privacy at
university, so go with Matt and keep your head down.”
    I nod, catching his worried eyes. “I’ll be fine. Besides no
one will recognise me dressed like this with all this hair.”
    He gives me his sudden sunny smile, the one that lights his
eyes up and makes them golden. “Yes but still sexy. Told you so. Everyone is sexy
at Halloween.” Then he grabs my head and kisses me hard on the forehead. “Take
it easy.” He looks at Matt. “Take good care of her. She won’t be able to hear
if someone comes up behind her and I don’t want her frightened.” Matt stares at
him hard but Bram doesn’t seem to notice. “I’ll delay them a bit until you’re
inside and I’ll meet you in there.”
    He slowly unwinds himself and gets out of the car buttoning
his coat, and while the flashbulbs go off Matt and I seize our chance and scoot
out of the other side. I cling tight to him and we traverse the scrum. I’ve
seen it happen millions of times on TV as stars get out of their cars but in
reality it’s actually a bit frightening. The atmosphere is almost feral and
there’s a nasty, fevered energy about it as they shout things at Bram.
    Apart from a few glances no one pays us much attention, and
as Matt pulls us clear of the mob I get a quick glimpse of Bram standing in the
spotlight. His shoulders are back, his posture relaxed and that easy grin is on
his face as he patently charms the press. It occurs to me to wonder how much of
that easy going nature is actually camouflage, but then we’re up the stairs and
into the venue and the thought leaves me.
    We both pause for a second before I glance worriedly back
outside. “Will he be okay?” I ask Matt who instantly nods his head.
    “He’ll be fine babe. They’ll take their pictures, he’ll give
them some sound bites and then the next star will be along. Business as usual.”
    I’m about to answer him when a voice shouts ‘Matty’ and I
turn just in time to see one of the most beautiful men that I’ve ever seen
throw himself onto Matt, giving him a hug and ruffling his hair. It takes me a
second because he’s dressed as a highwayman with a mask and his shoulder
length, shaggy, blonde hair is pulled back in a ponytail, but then I recognise
the figure of Charlie Hudson, the lead singer of Beggar’s Choice.
    He and Matt exchange a few words that I can’t hear and then
he turns to me making me blink at the blue of his eyes. He smiles at me. “You’ve
got to be Alys. Bram said that he was bringing you. I’m Charlie.”
    I smile and reach out to shake his hand shyly, resisting the
urge to check if I’ve got drool on my chin. “Yes, I’m Alys. Nice to meet you.”
    He shoots a quick look behind me where I can detect the
sound of someone arriving with a lot of noise, and then I squeak slightly as he
tugs my hand sharply bringing me very close to him. “I like your dress,” he
says in a honeyed drawl staring hard at my breasts and I gulp. I see Matt shake
his head at Charlie before firm hands grab my arms pulling me back against a
lean body, and I relax as I recognise Bram’s warm, spicy scent.
    “For fuck’s sake Charlie,” Bram says crossly. “Fuck off with
your hands all over Alys. Did we not all have this conversation yesterday when
I explicitly told you that none of you were allowed to touch her? Were
you present for that fucking chat or did I imagine it?”
    Charlie instantly laughs, throwing his head back in
hilarity. “I remember it. It just didn’t seem real to me mate. I don’t think
that I’ve ever had that conversation with you before so it slipped my
mind.”
    “Well don’t let it slip again,”