“Um, yes, for a split second, but then I made the call. I didn’t want to bother you during the grand opening.” He steps closer to me, his hand outstretched, and says, “Can you come here?”
I throw my hands up and say, “You realize you decided for me. I didn’t even have a chance to have a conversation with you. I have a problem with people making decisions for me.”
As I continue to process, I remind myself that he has my best interests at heart. Still, I also acknowledge that, as much as I want to pin this on anger, I’m hurt. Hurt that he didn’t consider my feelings, what I wanted, and it felt a lot like how Jake used the excuse that he knew what was best for me.
I have to remind myself that this is a different situation. I need to give Dane the benefit of the doubt, just like I asked him to do for me. I’m not his ex-girlfriend, and he’s not Jake.
He takes another step closer. “Please come here.”
I drop my guard a little more with his sincere tone. “Do you have any idea what I’m feeling right now?”
He shakes his head and says, “No, I guess I don’t.”
“It hurts me to think you’d do something without asking me first. This isn’t grabbing takeout and hoping I like it.”
Taking my hand, he hugs me tight. I want to shove him away. Instead, I tilt my head to the side and rest it on his chest as he envelopes me in an embrace that washes relief through my body. The comfort of his arms and his presence. It’s like a warm blanket wrapping around me. I didn’t see this coming. He showed up in my life when I didn’t even know I was looking for something more, anything at all. Someone to share memories with and someone who would be by my side.
He’s here with me, rubbing his hands up and down my back. I’m taken aback by his sensitive side. Kissing the top of my head and squeezing me, he says, “I’m sorry. I should have asked you first.”
His fingers come to my chin and lift my head so our eyes can meet. He stares into my eyes. It sends a shiver through my body, and he holds me even tighter. I don’t think I’ve been held in such strong, powerful arms before, not like this. He grounds me.
He moves his head so close to mine; I don’t know what to expect. “You’re a strong, independent woman. That’s what attracted me to you all those weeks ago and keeps me here now. I really am sorry. I don’t even have an excuse, except that I want to protect you. I don’t regret it, but I regret not talking to you first. You’re right.” He lets out a quick breath. “And…I’m sorry I didn’t tell you yesterday, but…there was a note on your car that I snagged. It was from Jake.”
I stiffen. “Wait! What?” He pulls a piece of paper from his back pocket and hands it to me. I read it, and my stomach tightens, nausea rolling up my throat. “Jake left this on my car? I might throw up.” Shaking my head, I try to comprehend that Dane took the note off my car, didn’t tell me, and I was almost prey to Jake. “Why wouldn't you tell me?”
“I thought I was protecting you. But really, Kendall. I’m sorry. I should have told you right away. It was your grand opening, and I didn’t want you worrying about him. I was on high alert, and that’s when I called for security.”
Processing everything that’s happened, I want to be angry with Dane, but I’m torn. He is protective, and it makes me feel safe. Geez, can he please tell me things without taking it upon himself to do what he thinks is right and best for me?
“Jake showing up, leaving me notes, has me rattled. I don’t appreciate being kept in the dark about these things. Please tell me; ask me when things come up.” She lets out a sigh. “Thank you for having security on the property.”
Those words were hard to say, but they're the truth. I’m shocked at Jake showing up at the salon. It actually scares methat he is back around. Not just hanging across the street, but leaving notes for me. It’s scary.
“I have you, Kendall.” And his arms wrap around me. Scooping me up, my legs wrap around his waist.
He gazes up at me like I’m the only person in the world he wants. I’m lost in those caramel eyes that are begging me for something. And then he says, “Let me protect you.”
I fight the urge to say I can protect myself because that’s a flat-out lie. Instead, I slide my hand to hold his face and say, “Okay, Dane Walsh. You’re diving in deep for someone who usually only has one-night stands.”
He relaxes and closes his eyes. When he opens them again, it’s like he went somewhere I’m not privy to. I say to him as I press a gentle kiss to his lips, “Why me?”
Kissing me back, he stares at me. His eyes captivate me, and I know I’m right where I want to be—with him.
“It’s like you anchored yourself to me. I can’t stop thinking about you. And for the record, you were my last one-night stand.”
My mouth drops open, and I look at him with my eyebrows raised; I can’t speak. He hasn’t been with anyone else but me in the last few weeks.
I gather myself enough to choke out, “No one?!”
His guttural laugh makes me giggle. He says with conviction, “No one, sweetheart. The morning after we met, and you walked out that hotel room door, I regretted letting you leave. I knew you were going to be mine. Hook, line, and sinker. It was just a matter of when.”
He walks us over to the couch with me still wrapped around him.
“And I walked out that door thinking I’d never see you again. You were that kind of guy, and I came to terms with it…even though I felt a magnetic pull to you.”
His beautiful smile spreads across his face as he takes me in. “And look at us now.”
“Yeah,” I whisper. “So what are we going to do about Jake, this note?”
