“You can sleep in the guest room,” he said. “And don’t worry about anything. You’re safe here.”
“It doesn’t matter,” I whispered. “He knows where I am now. He will come back, and he will eventually get me.”
At that moment, I wasn’t even thinking about myself. I was thinking about Erica. If he managed to find out where I was living, he would find Erica too. He might hurt her just to get to me. She could be in danger.Maybe, I should report this to the police?But it would be no use. I chastised myself a little for thinking about that.
“As a part of your employment package, I am offering you a company car to pick you up and drop you back home to ensure that you don’t have to walk the streets alone,” he said. “And I know a secure apartment complex where you could be safe. I will take the rental from your bonus.”
I thought over what he said, looking at him. He had his face turned away as he unbuttoned his cuffs, looking out of the window.He couldn’t mean it, could he?Would he really do all that for me?
“And if you ever decide you need to get help, which I strongly suggest you do,” he said, “tell me. He might have contacts in the police, but the ones I have are better. I will do everything in my power to have him arrested. I assure you, you have nothing to worry about, Hillary. You are safe.”
I didn’t know why my heart was swelling up with so much emotion or why I felt the way I did. When I looked at him, all I could see was the man who saved me. The man who had protected me.My savior.
My legs moved of their own accord as I went over to him. I placed my hand on his chest, looking into his beautiful green eyes. Our eyes met, and I could see that he was startled and confused…but longing. I could feel the desire in the depths of those cold eyes. I had never had anyone protect me or look after me before. At that moment, recovering from the adrenaline rush and the panic, my mind could only think of Gale. I leaned over and pressed my lips to his, a small part of me expecting him to push me away.
He didn’t. Instead, he stood there, letting me kiss him in the moonlight.
Chapter 10
No Strings Attached
Gale Fears
Ilet her kiss me, her soft lips pressing against mine gently. I wanted to kiss her back, to pull her body against mine, and feel those curves against me. And yet, I couldn’t. I knew if I caved, I would fall down a path I couldn’t get out of. Not after what had happened with Stella. I couldn’t get hurt like that.
“Thank you,” she whispered, pulling away.
I nodded, unable to speak. I had lied to her, of course. There was no such employment package or company bonus. The rent was coming out of my pocket, and the car would be one of my own personal vehicles. But it didn’t matter. I knew she was involved in something dangerous, and my immediate thought was to keep her secure without getting too involved. I needed to know what was going on, and I would get the information I needed eventually. Until then, I had to make sure she was safe.
I looked at her. Before this, I had only felt attraction and desire for her. Suddenly, when I looked at her worn features and vulnerable form, I felt something else. Something different. My heart softened towards her, and I couldn’t fight it.
“I have a room-mate,” she said softly. “If he finds out where I live, he will use her to—”
“She can stay with you,” I said. “The money is coming out of your bonus and salary. I don’t care who you keep there.”
She looked at me with those soft eyes, and I resisted the urge to reach over and cup her cheek. I couldn’t. If I let myself cave in to my emotions even once, I would never be able to fight them again. And I couldn’t risk it. Not after Stella.
“Thank you,” she whispered again, looking at me with those wide eyes. She stood so close to me that if I leaned over, I could press my lips against hers. I remembered how they tasted, and the desire in me grew stronger. It was as if a lion was roaring inside me, ready to lash out and take her.
I turned away from her, clenching my fists. I was drunk. Too drunk.
“Am I so awful that you won’t even look at me?” she whispered.
“No,” I found myself saying. “It’s the opposite.”
“Is wanting me so bad then?” she asked, laughing. “Am I so horrible that you resist your feelings for me with such passion?”
“I didn’t say that,” I answered cooly.
“Look at you,” she said. “Your body language, the way you’re clenching your fists, the way you are standing. Why do you hate me so much?”
“Why?” I whispered. “It doesn’t matter.”
She laughed again and turned away, going to sit down on the couch.
“I won’t lie,” she said. “I want you. I feel attracted to you, and I think you want me to. It doesn’t have to mean anything. It’s probably just lust anyway. Probably just mad, crazy attraction, that’s all. We should just bang for a while and get it out of our systems and go on our own ways.”
I turned to look at her, surprised.
