Harmony looked at Damien.She felt so dumb for believing the word of a random woman in the bathroom.That woman was the real threat, not Damien.
He showed up.She ran out on him with no explanation, and instead of writing her off, he made sure she was safe.He…
“How did you know where I lived?”
“Uh…” He rubbed the back of his neck, his bicep flexing with the move.
“You knew all along, didn’t you?”
“Yeah.When I looked up where you worked, I found your address.It was the first thing I had deleted from online, though.And if it wasn’t for that woman following you?—”
“Thank you.”Harmony couldn’t let him continue to defend his actions when his actions possibly saved her.She wrapped her arms around herself as the reality sank in once more.Someone followed her home.
“I’ll head out.”Damien took a step away.“Lock your door, and?—”
“You’re leaving?”Harmony blurted.
Damien stopped.“I… That is up to you.It’s been a rough evening for you.I don’t want to overstep.”
“I think I’d feel better if you stayed,” Harmony whispered, dropping her gaze to the floor instead of the man she was asking to protect her.What was wrong with her?She’d been on her own most of her life, and one threat and she was begging a near stranger to stay in her apartment.
“Are you sure you feel comfortable having me in your apartment?”
She drew a breath and nodded.“I am.I… This isn’t like me to feel so…”
“Vulnerable?”
She exhaled a laugh.“Yeah.That’s a good word for it.”
“I won’t let anything happen to you, Harmony.”
She looked up at him.“I know.”
His lips lifted in a smile he tried to hide.He nibbled his lower lip, then nodded to her apartment.“Should we go in?”
“Yeah.Um.Yeah.It’s not much.”
“But it’s yours,” Damien said.
Harmony’s chest swelled with pride.He got it.“It is.”
Damien smiled at her, both of them hovering at the threshold.She let herself sink into his gaze, get lost in him.She was drawn to him from the day they met because he was kind and insightful.She hadn’t been able to stop thinking about him and had used him as inspiration in more than a few private moments when she couldn’t sleep.
Having him in her space, filling her apartment with his scent and his presence, was going to add even more ammunition to her unbanked desire.Desire she felt swelling inside as she looked at him.Not pushing.Not rushing.Letting her lead.
A door down the hall slammed as a neighbor left their apartment.Harmony jumped at the sound, her hands shaking and heart pounding.
“Let’s go inside,” Damien whispered, urging her backward.He followed her into the apartment, closing the door behind him and locking it.
Harmony couldn’t stop shaking.Her hands trembled, her body flushed hot with fear.She hated how close that woman came to getting to her.
“Can I do anything to help?”Damien asked softly.
Harmony wrapped her arms around her middle.“I’m fine.”
“Okay.”
“I’ll be fine.”
