“Are you ready to tell me what happened today?“
Sage lets out a heavy sigh and nods defeatedly. “I got another email today.” I grit my teeth and take a measured breath, pushing the rage down until I hear more details. “It said,just because he ran away, doesn’t mean you’re safe.”
“Talking about your father, I assume?“
Sage nods, her eyes meeting mine briefly before darting away again. I know she has more to say, and it takes all of my self-control to give her the space to tell me on her own instead of me prying it out of her. I said I would try to be more gentle with her, and I meant every word.
“The email ended with my address,“ she whispers.
A growl escapes from deep in my chest at the thought of anyone harming her. Sage flinches at the loud noise, and I take a deep breath, trying not to let my anger and worry show.
“You know you can’t stay here, right, Sage?”
“But I’ll be safe if you’re here,” she reasons.
“It’s too big a risk. You’ll be staying with me until the threat has passed.” I realize I’m coming across as controlling, but when I look at Sage, she nods her head and lets out a little sigh of relief. She wants to be taken care of, but she’s not sure how to accept it. That’s okay. She’ll get used to it soon.
I urge Sage to pack up the essentials and a few days' worth of clothes. The more I picture Sage in my space at home, the more tension releases from my shoulders. She can work from my home office, and I’ll feel better knowing she’s behind several extra layers of security.
When Sage returns to the living room with her duffel bag in hand, she looks absolutely deflated. I can’t keep my hands to myself any longer. My sweet girl’s head is bowed, her arms circling around herself like she’s trying to hold it all together. I want to be the one she feels safe enough to fall apart in front of.
I take her bag from her hand and set it on the floor before gently pulling her into my arms. Sage melts against me, her entire body relaxing as she snuggles further into my embrace. I run my fingers up and down her back in a calming gesture, and Sage wraps her arms around my torso, clinging to me like I’m her life raft. I know the feeling. I had no idea I was lost at sea, living each day with no real purpose or direction. Until I saw Sage. Now she’s my reason for breathing.
I nuzzle into the top of Sage’s head, breathing in her sweet strawberry and cream scent before pressing a kiss there. “Thank you for trusting me,“ I whisper. “You’re always safe with me. “
Sage nods, her hair tickling my nostrils. As much as I’d like to stay here in this moment forever, we need to get out of here as soon as possible.
I pick up her duffel bag from the floor and offer my hand. Sage slips her hand in mine, lacing our fingers together and giving me a light squeeze. As we step outside, I get the sense that nothing will ever be the same.
5
SAGE
Icrack open the door of the guest room I stayed in last night, peering to the left, then to the right to make sure I’m the only one awake. I want to do something nice for Jackson after he insisted I stay with him.
I tried, half-heartedly, to protest, but he took control of the situation. Honestly, it was a relief to hand it over to him, knowing Jackson wasn’t going to give up until I was safe. I’ve never had that before.
Tiptoeing out into the kitchen with my French press in hand, I take stock of the breakfast supplies. I have everything I need to make omelettes and toast, but I scrunch up my nose when I see Jackson’s ancient coffee maker and sad selection of freeze-dried coffee grounds. Good thing I thought to bring my fresh, coarsely ground Ethiopian coffee. I had a feeling my bodyguard wouldn’t be the same level of coffee snob as I am. He has much to learn.
Everything for breakfast comes together quickly, and I’m just finishing placing the full mugs of coffee on the table when Jackson walks into the room. My back is facing the doorway, but I feel his presence whenever he’s near.
“What smells so good in here?” Jackson asks, his deep voice sending a slow pulse through my body.
I turn around to answer, but I can hardly breathe when I see what he’s wearing. Up until now, I’ve only seen him in uniform, but today, he has on jeans and a black T-shirt. The dark fabric clings to his sculpted chest, and the jeans he’s wearing highlight his muscled thighs and tight ass.
Jackson Bennett is gorgeous on any day of the week, but seeing him in casual clothes is downright sinful. He runs his fingers through his dark hair, the muscles in his arm tensing and flexing with the motion.
“You look good in jeans,” I blurt out for some stupid reason. I slap my hand over my mouth to keep more embarrassing words from spilling out.
Jackson winks at me, freakingwinksat me with his mesmerizing hazel eyes and sexy smirk I’m starting to see more often. “Thanks, I’m glad you like what you see.” Jackson takes a couple of steps forward, his eyes never leaving mine. “I have the day off, so I’m in civilian clothes.”
I’m still flustered by my outburst, and I’m not sure how to recover.
“So,” Jackson says, clapping his hands together. “What smells so good in here?” he asks for the second time.
“Breakfast!” I announce, happy to have something else to focus on. “Ham, cheese, and green pepper omelettes, toast, and the best cup of coffee you’ve ever had.”
“Is that right?” Jackson asks before sitting down at the table.
