He hasn't smiled in three years. She makes a living spreading joy to millions. When a stalker forces them together 24/7, someone's going to crack—and it won't be the threats that break them.
Sloane Martinez has 2.3 million YouTube subscribers who tune in for her infectious positivity, lifestyle tips, and genuine warmth.
"Sunshine with Sloane" is her brand. Her life. Her dream made real.
Then the letters started arriving.
I know where you live.
I know your schedule.
Stop what you're doing or I'll stop you myself.
When a photo of her leaving her apartment shows up with the second letter, Sloane realizes this isn't just another internet troll. Someone is watching her. Following her. And they're escalating.
Enter Dominic Cross: Former special forces. Current bodyguard. Permanent scowl.
Dominic doesn't do sunshine. He doesn't do small talk. He definitely doesn't do social media influencers who film their morning routines and call it "content."
But he does do his job. And his job is keeping Sloane alive.
The rules are simple:
* He goes where she goes (yes, even filming sessions)
* She follows his security protocols (no arguments)
* They maintain professional boundaries (absolutely, definitely, non-negotiable)
The reality is complicated:
Because Sloane's apartment is a security nightmare. Because the stalker is getting bolder. Because Dominic has to move into her bright, plant-filled, inspirational-quote-covered space and protect her 24/7.
And because somewhere between teaching her self-defense moves and arguing about whether protein bars count as real food, professional boundaries start to blur.
Dominic has one rule: never get emotionally involved with a client.
He broke that rule once before. Three years ago. His fiancée was attacked while he was deployed, and he's spent every day since trying to save her through every client he protects.
He doesn't smile. He doesn't relax. He doesn't let himself feel.
Until Sloane.
Bright, stubborn, impossible Sloane who insists on seeing the person beneath the bodyguard. Who makes him coffee the way he likes it. Who falls asleep on his shoulder during security monitoring shifts. Who looks at him like he's not just a weapon—he's a man worth knowing.
When the stalker's attempts turn violent and Dominic takes a knife meant for Sloane, everything changes.
Because she's not just a client anymore. She's his.
And he'll do whatever it takes to keep her safe—even if it means letting her past his walls and risking his heart again.
What You'll Discover:
Grumpy/Sunshine perfection - the protective alpha who softens only for HER
Forced proximity that turns a tactical apartment into a romantic pressure cooker
Slow-burn tension with delicious banter and emotional depth
Protective hero with military background and tragic past
Sunshine heroine who's stronger than she looks
Real danger that raises the stakes beyond romance
Stalker subplot that keeps you turning pages
Emotional growth as grumpy hero learns to smile again
Satisfying HEA that earns its happy ending
Perfect for fans of Mariana Zapata and Lucy Score who want:
✨ Grumpy/sunshine done RIGHT (he's protective, not toxic)
✨ Forced proximity that builds real connection
✨ Alpha hero who respects boundaries while breaking down walls
✨ Modern setting with social media influencer heroine
✨ Bodyguard romance with actual security details
✨ Emotional depth beneath the protective exterior
✨ Banter that crackles with tension
✨ Complete story in one satisfying read
Whether you're a sucker for protective heroes or you just want to see a grump fall hard for his sunshine, this bodyguard romance delivers all the feels without the wait.
He hasn't smiled in three years. She's about to change that.
Scroll up and click "Buy Now" or "Read for Free" in Kobo Plus to discover why readers are calling this "the grumpy/sunshine bodyguard romance I didn't know I needed."
Book 4 in the Avery Thorne Romance Collection. Each book is a complete standalone with its own HEA.
