Flora took a deep breath of relief at the sight of Dylan before starting to explain. “I saw someone-outside my window.”
“How did you know someone was there if the curtains were closed?” Dylan asked, confusion clear in his voice.
“Tapping. They were throwing rocks at the window. I went looking for what was making that noise.”
“First problem: next time, just call me.”
“I just told you someone was outside my window. Shouldn’t you go look for them?” Flora snapped. She closed her eyes, but immediately re-opened them, realizing that not being able to see just made her feel worse.
“I would if I could smell them. I opened the windows during my search to catch a scent. I didn’t,” Dylan grimaced, dropping his head in disappointment. If only he’d been faster getting up the steps, or if he’d searched the outside first maybe he would’ve caught the guy. Knowing that neither option would lead to success, and that he took the correct steps to handle the situation, Flora stopped trying to blame him. She couldn’t help her Negative Nancy thoughts getting louder and louder in these situations.
“Well thank you, Dylan, for rushing to my aid. This is more serious than I’ve been letting myself believe.”
“Anytime. It's my job.”
The digital clock on her countertop ticked away the silence that passed by, neither making a move. Flora stared at Dylan then, hot emotions taking a hold of her throat. She needed to take all this more seriously. Someone was out to get her, for what she had no idea. The sooner she accepted that, the better she’d be prepared.
“I think you should come with me tonight,” Dylan said, getting up. He checked the time on his phone. It was 8:45 pm, time for his shift bodyguarding the strip club.
“I agree, being alone is the last thing I want right now.” Flora's smile didn't reach her eyes, but she made an attempt.
Standing, Flora reached her hand out to Dylan. She was going to be out late, and for once she wanted to be comfy.
“I wanna change.”
“Be my guest.”
“Will you stand outside my door?” Flora asked, tapping her hand against her hip, nervous to even ask her bodyguard to do such a thing.
“Was going to.” He grabbed her hand and followed her to her room, dutifully stopping outside the door to wait as he said he would.
With that, she went to change out of her office attire. She dressed down, in a matching black sports bra and leggings, paired with leg warmers bunched up at her ankles. In her foyer, Flora laced up her black and white high-top sneakers and stared at his black boots as he walked out the door. How long did germs take to transfer from the bottom of a boot to the carpet?
Dylan abruptly stopped just in front of the door with his hand on the knob. He stood still for a second, contemplating something. All she could think about was getting out of her apartment.
“You need a jacket,” Dylan insisted, leaning against the door, crossing his arms as if ready for a fight. “It's cold as shit out there. The last thing Miss CEO needs is to catch a cold. ‘I don’t need no protection’ Flora is annoying already; imagine taking care of a sick Flora.” She felt like Dylan was staring at the bags under her eyes and she couldn’t keep her shoulders upright anymore let alone be bothered with being insecure about her face.
Shock colored Dylan’s face as Flora agreed to wear a jacket without a fight. She was still frazzled and listening was just easier. Taking off her shoes, she re-entered her bedroom and grabbed a baby pink zip-up hoodie.
“Wait dumbass, Shifters don’t get sick like humans do,” Flora said as she slid the oversized jacket on. Meeting him back at the door
“Wrong. Normal human diseases and germs don’tusuallyharm us, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t protect ourselves; Shifters can still get a cold.”
“What do you mean, wrong? I’ve never heard of a Shifter getting a cold or any other human diseases,” Flora claimed, thinking he was just pulling her leg.
“Wrong,” Dylan said again. Taking a deep breath, “My dad died from cancer.”
“Cancer?” Flora whispered, reaching for his hand. His eyes filled with emptiness. Flora took her fingers and interlocked them with his, pressing the back of his hand to her face. “I’m so sorry.”
She couldn’t help the pity and sadness that filled her. She wanted to ask why his dad’s Shifter body didn’t cure his cancer but figured she shouldn’t. It happened and that was reason enough to be careful.
“It's okay. Just wear the jacket,” he said shortly, moving his eyes away from hers. “Please.”
Without a word, Dylan zipped up the soft hoodie, being extra careful to not make contact with the exposed skin of her stomach. Flora could see his cheeks turning red. It made her feel better, distracted even from her fear of being watched. Their heavy breaths and the sound of her zipper broke the silence. Dylan refused to make eye contact as he swiftly turned around and left the apartment.
Flora smirked, following close behind him. Flora was an attractive person, from the way she looked and dressed, to the way she carried herself. She knew the attraction other people had for her. The problem was the attraction she’d never had towards them. Picky was an understatement when it came to the people she chose in her life. Batting for both sides of the team, she once thought she would have more potential lovers but that simply wasn’t true. A small giggle escaped her as she remembered telling her extremely attractive friends that yes, they were hot but no, they weren’t her type and no, she wouldn’t go out with them if they were into girls. Standards, types, interests all still played huge factors for bisexuals and everyone else in the dating game.
“What’s so funny, kitty cat?” Dylan half-smiled, opening the car door for Flora, a show of chivalry from the big scary man himself.
