Page 29 of Let Me Protect You

She shoots me a wary look but enters. Positioning myself in front of the mirror, I raise my shirt. The light flickers as I take in my pink skin. My stomach stings, but it isn’t something to worry over right now. My back, on the other hand? It’s as if it has been stabbed with a hot poker.

I stick my hand out for the ointment. Harmony keeps the packet gripped in her hand, well out of my reach.

“Can I have it?”

“Let me help.” She takes a step forward. “It’s my fault.”

Her hands on my body? No, thank you. I’ve already had to live the past two weeks with a permanent hard-on seeing her in her short shorts pajamas and tight tops. Doesn’t she realize it’s winter? “I’ve got it.” My voice comes out gruffer than I intend.

“The spot on your back will be really hard to reach,” she argues, unable to meet my eyes.

“I’ll manage. I barely feel anything.” Lie. “It’s fine.”

“Are you sure? Just let me have a peek at it.” She moves closer, and my mouth turns dry. “That is if you’re okay with it.”

“Do I have a choice?”

She blows out a laugh. “Absolutely not. I was just trying to be nice.” Then she winks.

I bite my tongue. If I listen, this will be over much faster. I spin away from her and motion to the lower part of my back. My hands tremble as I lift my shirt to allow her access.

She clears her throat and rips open the package. I shift as her breath dances on my back. Her fingers graze my sensitive skin as she rubs in the ointment. A chill that has nothing to do with the gel Harmony is spreading onto my burn and everything to do with the person touching me climbs up my spine. My entire body clenches as she rubs in circles, leaving a trail of goose bumps.

Has it been a minute? An hour? Time stops when Harmony’s so close I can inhale her citrusy scent. Fuck. Is that my body wash? Until now, I’ve kept enough distance between us that I never realized.

The bathroom closes in around us while I look at her in the mirror. She bites her lip as she swipes her fingers across my back one more time. My eyes are still on her mouth when I realize she’s done and already looking up at me.

Our gazes collide, and neither of us looks away. Her chest rises and falls in rapid succession. If I don’t back away now, I’m not sure I’ll be able to stop myself from pulling her to me. I turn around. We’re mere inches from each other.

“Thanks. I got it from here.” My words come out huskier than I want.

Harmony looks down at her gel-covered fingers. “Does it feel better?” Then she blinks up at me with doe eyes. “Or do you need more?”

Or do you need more? Her hushed words ripple through me, sending a jolt straight to my dick.

Don’t get distracted. Stay aware of the surroundings. That’s why I brought her in here with me. To protect her, not to touch her.

But what harm will one taste bring? At this point, I can’t even remember why I’m resisting this tug between us.

Gripping her waist, I pull her into me. Her steps don’t hesitate as she wraps her arms around my neck. Her minty breath dances on my neck as our faces come closer together. We’re so close I can already imagine tasting her. Right as our lips are about to meet, a noise in the break room makes me jump back.

Harmony pushes up against the closed bathroom door, creating a valley between us. Her copper-flecked eyes narrow, glaring daggers at me.

Then she flees.

Chapter 16

Elias

Calm down, raging heart. I take one more deep breath and head out of the bathroom. A quick glance around the break room reveals there’s no Harmony.

Is she back in the cafe without me? My feet move on their own. The bell over the door rings, and I narrow my gaze at the entrance. A customer enters, blinking owl eyes at me. Two more customers stand in line, chatting in hushed voices as Barb works alone behind the counter.

My heartbeat thrashes in my ears when I don’t find her. I turn on my heel and charge toward the storage room. The door is open a crack, and I go inside. Harmony is meticulously organizing boxes in order to fit our new boxes that we’ve neglected to put away while Abigail, our co-worker, is on vacation.

Harmony hasn’t seen me, and I can’t help but notice the way her jeans hug her waist. She bends over, and I look away. That’s a whole other level of torture.

Just because we almost kissed, doesn’t mean I can look at her in a sexual way, and I can’t forget it. What happened in the bathroom shouldn’t have happened. But her running away from me can’t continue. I had a single lapse in judgment. That’s all. I went on a few dates, but it never led anywhere, especially not the bedroom. Now the moment Harmony’s back, my self-control snaps, but no more.