Page 33 of Let Me Protect You

She nods in my sister’s direction. “I should have a couple of pairs like that over where Serenity is.”

After saying my thanks, I maneuver around a few racks that have a variety of cute tops and jeans and head over to where my sister sorts through shoes. Some are boots—definitely not a winter pair—and some are strappy heels. I’ll twist my ankle in them. I turn toward the tennis shoes and start my search.

Serenity wanders off toward the bra section. Hers are probably ten years old, so she needs a new one.

At the end of this row of shoes, I find a pair of black shoes with arch support, and the bottom are more slip resistant than most. I do a little victory dance and pick up the box.

My sister pops up beside me. “You need to get this bra. I haven’t had one this sexy since my honeymoon.”

I glance around our surroundings to make sure Elias isn’t nearby and whisper, “Put that away. Do you want me to die from embarrassment?”

“No, but you could wear it out. It might do you some good to go on a date. And then maybe you can get over Elias.”

“Seriously?” I signal for my sister to put down the bra.

Instead, she motions toward the changing rooms in the back corner of the store. Both of us are glaring at each other. Something beyond Serenity’s shoulder catches my attention. Elias choses that moment to watch us. His gaze goes from Serenity and the lacy bra to me. Our eyes collide, and he gives a single nod of his head. His eyes turn to molten lava as his gaze rakes down my curves. I push my legs together as my body betrays me. A small smile tips his lips up.

He winks and then turns away, facing the door, as if he remembers that he’s my bodyguard and not my boyfriend.

Serenity finally lowers the bra—a little late—and shoots me an apologetic smile. “Sorry, but it’s probably a good thing he heard. At least try it on. You never know when you might need it.”

I shake my head.“I can’t believe you.”

“What? You both needed the reminder.” She juts her chin in Elias’s direction. “Don’t think I’m oblivious when you aren’t even trying to hide the fact that you’re both eye fucking each other.”

Slapping my sister’s arm, I glance around our surroundings, and say, “Shhhhh!”

Elias isn’t within earshot anymore, but my sister’s voice practically echoes throughout the store. Shoving the bra away, I whisper, “I’m not checking him out, and I’m not going on a date. I just need a regular bra. Now, please don’t make me try this on.”

“Fine, fine. Whatever you say.” Serenity grabs a stiletto box from under her arm. “Try these on then.”

If it will make her happy and forget about the bra, I’ll happily try them on. I slip the stilettos onto my feet. High heels and I don’t often agree, but it’s too late now. I try to walk in as straight a line as I can, but my legs wobble and are awkward without a huge wedding gown covering them.

I take a few more steps, and my right ankle gives out. I fall, seemingly in slow motion. Elias bolts across the small store. His strong arms catch me before my face smacks the hard floor.

He looks down at me, his chest heaving against me. My heart thumps. His scent—pine trees with a hint of coffee—wafts in my nose, and I almost crumble. Does it make me a horrible person to wish he’ll finish what we started yesterday? Something unreadable flashes in his dark eyes before he releases me. Is it … regret? A sudden coldness seeps in where his warmth had just been. For a moment, it was almost like a missing puzzle piece found its way back to me.

This is why I pulled back yesterday. It’s too easy to fall into him, and now he’s rejecting me. Stumbling back a step, I steady myself.

A real smile tips his lips up. “Do you remember the first time you wore heels?”

I roll my eyes but can’t resist grinning back. My raging heart still pounds wildly, but I ignore that traitorous organ. “Already bringing up another embarrassing moment, huh?”

He raises his hands in front of him. “Hey, I did what I could to prevent your fall, but we were lucky you were on the bottom step of your sister’s staircase or else we would have ended up at the ER and not prom.”

“I should’ve gotten ready at my mom’s.” My heart swoops at the mention of my mom, but I have to learn to think about her without getting instantly sad. She brought me too much happiness to not remember her. “But at least I didn’t fall when we danced.”

He had saved up all year to rent his tux. Since it was prom season, the store only had one left, and it was two sizes too big. It hung loosely on his thin frame, but he was so proud of it that he didn’t care. And I didn’t either. He was still the cutest guy there.

His smile falls suddenly, and his dark eyes shutter. “Us dancing. That’s something I haven’t thought about in a while.”

So many whispered promises were made at prom as we danced the night away. All of them broken when he ghosted me. Or, we ghosted each other … But, now what? Even though we explained ourselves to each other, the hurt will always linger.

Turning away, I move to the undergarments section and grab two bras in my size. I don’t care about the style or color. All I need right now is to get out of here. I hurry to the counter where Lana stands behind the register. Her blue eyes are glued to the scene in front of her. “You ready to checkout, hun?”

She makes a gesture toward Elias, but I ignore it.

“Yes. I found exactly what I wanted.”