I give him the meanest glare, showing him I mean business. “I’m going to hurt you in your sleep.”
He laughs at me. I'm talking, throw your head back and let go. “Not the first time someone said that to me, baby, but with you, I'll take my chances. Oh, are your plants going to be okay, or did you want to bring them so you can wash them?” He winks at me, still laughing, and closes my door.
My mouth drops open in shock. I can't believe he brought that up. I’m going to get him back when he least expects it. He better learn to sleep with one eye open.
Chapter 2
AftermakingsureSelenewas secure inside my truck, I take off out of her driveway before she has the chance to jump out and make a run for it, and I wouldn’t put it past her at this point. Hell, if I had it my way, I would have her entire house packed up and moved into mine. Because she is mine, she just doesn’t want to admit it yet. The first time I saw her all those months ago in the breakroom at Landon’s business nearly brought me down to my knees. Her eyes were closed in bliss as she took a sip of her coffee. I never knew someone drinking coffee could be so sexy, but I have a feeling with Selene I’m going to love everything she does. I wanted that look directed at me. Then she opened her eyes and I swear my heart stopped beating for just that moment and I knew I was well and truly fucked. I finally found my forever. Curvy in all the right places, long brown hair that almost reaches her ass and golden brown eyes. God damn, my cock hasn’t gone down yet since meeting her, especially since she brushed it with her fingers when she was trying to clean the coffee off my suit. I had to grit my teeth and will my cock to behave before I scared her.
Then I went stupid and just blurted out that I wanted a date. I didn’t ask, just told her what was going to happen. I felt like a damn teenager on prom night. What shocked me the most was her answer about washing her plants. It took everything in me not to burst out laughing. So I waited and made sure I was at Landon’s business as much as I could. I was running out of excuses as to why I was even there. Landon, the asshole, knew and would just laugh at me anytime he saw me.
Any time I would seek her out, she would hide from me. So when Landon took pity on me and asked if I wanted to have a drink tonight while telling me what the girls were up to tonight, I jumped at the chance. But seeing that fucker think that he could have my Selene and seeing the fear in her eyes was my undoing. It took everything in me not to kill him right then and there for daring to touch what was mine. No one, and I do mean no one, puts their hands on her and gets away with it.
I know she has reservations about me, but she will soon learn that there is no one but her. Women fall all over me trying to get into my bed and wallet, thinking they can climb the social ladder. They’ve dubbed me the billionaire playboy, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. I haven't been with a woman in years. I know what I look like at over 6 foot 4, 250 pounds of muscle with sky- blue eyes. Honestly, it’s tiring trying to push the unwanted advances away. The tabloids have a field day with it. But I want more from life, and that’s starting with making Selene mine.
Selene won’t even look at me as I make my way home. I know she is pissed off at me, but fuck it. I’d rather her be mad at me than have anything happen to her, so I let her have the silence she needs to wrap her head around all this. Ten minutes later, I pull in front of my home. I input the security code and watch as the gate swings open. From the corner of my eye, I see Selene sitting up more, taking in the house, making me wonder what she’s thinking since eventually this will be her home as well. I’m probably getting ahead of myself here, but I don’t give a fuck.
I try to see it through her eyes. Three stories, floor to ceiling windows and a wrap- around porch. The floor plan is open and inviting. When I had it decorated, I wanted it to be inviting, never wanting it to feel like something from a museum.
“Your house is beautiful Alex.” She whispers while looking everywhere as I park the truck.
I hop out and round the front, opening her door and helping her down. She sways a little, and I know she must be exhausted. I grab her bags from the back seat and take her hand in mine. “Let’s get you inside. You must be tired. A tour can wait till tomorrow.”
I open the front door and let her walk ahead of me. She slips off her running shoes and walks around, taking everything in. She has her back towards me, her shoulders scrunched, folding in on herself. “Back at my house, I want to apologize for the way I acted when you were only trying to help, and for that, I’m sorry. Everything was just happening too fast. I didn't know what to do as my entire world turned upside down. I’m used to being independent and trying not to rely on others. So thank you.” Her voice cracks at the last part and I can see her swipe at her face and I know she’s crying.
That shit does something to me. She should never feel one ounce of pain or sadness. I split the distance between us and have her in my arms, and that’s her undoing. She clutches my shirt and cries, letting out everything she’s been holding in. “Hey. It’s going to be okay, Selene. I won’t allow anything to happen to you. You're safe with me. We will get this guy, I promise you that.” I rub her back, trying to ease her fears.
She pulls back and I gently wipe the last remaining tears, and not being able to help myself, I place a lingering kiss on her forehead. “I’m sorry for crying on you like that. I got your shirt all wet again.” She looks up at me, smiling shyly.
She’s going to soon realize she could do anything to me and I would gladly take it. But I don’t think she's ready to hear that yet, so I keep that to myself. “Can I get you anything? Are you hungry?”
“No, I think I just need to sleep.”
“Alright, let me grab your bags and show you to your room. Tomorrow we will head down to the police station and get a restraining order put out.” She just nods her head, saying nothing to me. I pick up her bags and lead her up the stairs towards the guest bedroom. What I want is to just put her stuff in my room, but I think that might be pushing her too much right now. I just have to keep telling myself in time, it will happen.
I push open the door next to mine and deposit her bags in the closet. “The bathroom is through there and there are towels and anything you will need. I’m going to let you get some sleep. I’m just next door if you need anything. Try to get some rest, Selene.” She’s looking at me with vulnerability in her eyes and it’s taking everything in me to walk out of this door and not to pull her into my arms right now. Before I close the door, I hear her whispered words.
“Good night, Alexander.”
“Good night, Selene. Sleep well.” I close the door and walk away, knowing if I stay any longer, my good values are going to fly out the window and I know that’s the last thing she needs right now. So I head down to my office and pour myself a drink. I pull out my phone and do something that probably will get me killed by Selene come morning and dial the one person who I know will help me.
The phone rings 4 times before the grumpy bastard picks up. “You do know what time it is, brother?”
“I need you, Adrian.” That seems to get his attention. I blow out a breath and tell my brother everything that has happened and I know by morning my brother will be here. I just hope Selene forgives me for what I’m going to do.
***
“What do you mean, you got me a bodyguard?” Selene is mad. Scratch that, she’s pissed the fuck off. Her arms are crossed and her foot is tapping on the floor. She looks cute as hell when she’s mad. Not that I will tell her that. I like my balls where they are. She came down the stairs freshly showered and ready for the day just as I was talking to Adrian about what has been going on and what I need from him and she heard everything. Not exactly how I wanted this conversation to go. I can hear my brother trying not to laugh, which just makes me want to punch him, but I don’t think that will win me any points with Selene. I know the fucker is enjoying this. I can’t wait till he finds his woman. When she does, I hope she gives him all kinds of hell.
I pinch the bridge of my nose, knowing this is going to be a fight, one I don’t plan on losing. “Yes, I hired a bodyguard to watch over you when I can’t be with you. I know you want to go back to work and would have my balls for suggesting you stay with me all day, so this assures me you will be safe until that fucker is caught. I won’t back down from this, Selene. Your safety means everything to me. My brother and his team are the best at what they do, and I already cleared it with Landon.” I won’t budge on this, not about keeping her safe. And it’s not a lie. Adrian is the damn best at what he does, and I’m damn proud of him for all that he’s accomplished. Being a former Army Ranger, then starting his own security business with the men that served with him.
I can see the moment she finally gives in, though I still don’t think she’s happy about it, which just means I’m going to have to make this up to her somehow. She throws her hands in the air, narrowing her eyes at me. “Fine, but just until this is over Alexander, I mean it.”
Thank fuck. Now that I think about it, it wouldn’t be an awful idea to have a bodyguard permanently. That way, no fuckers will sniff around her. But I don’t voice those thoughts. Instead, I pull her to me and wrap my arms around her. She’s stiff for all of two seconds before she sighs and buries her head in my chest. “Thank you for agreeing. I can’t have anything happen to you, Selene. Now let me introduce you to my brother. Then we will head down to the police station.” I kiss the top of her head because I can’t help myself. She smells like strawberries, my new favorite smell.
She pulls back and looks up at me. “Fine, but you owe me lots and lots of coffee.” She pouts, which just makes me laugh.
It seems Selene has a coffee addiction. Which is just as fine. I will give her anything that she wants just to see her happy. “Deal.” Before I can introduce her to Adrian, he has her up in his arms, swinging her around, pissing me the fuck off.
