Chapter Seven—Delani
Normally, I prided myself on being a strong, capable, independent woman.
Normally.
But there was a moment when that weasel of an inspector had me trapped between him and the counter that I panicked. And that panic left me shaken.
I wouldn’t apologize for leaning on Sonny right then. Truth was, I was so damn happy he’d shown up when he did.
After a week of craziness, I needed someone to hold me right then.
I’d been dealing with upturned garbage pails, trash dumped everywhere outside the shop for which I’d received a citation, my mail being tampered with, and lewd messages on the phone—the classic heavy-breathing ones.
I thought Sonny Delgado not only hated me but was exacting revenge in the usual frat boy style. Like a total asshole.
But it wasn’t him. Somewhere deep inside, I already knew that. I was just stubborn and angry and hurt by our last encounter.
Even so, I’d never been so fucking happy to see anyone in my life as I was when he came busting through the doors. Like some sort of superhero just to rescue me.
My cheeks burned just thinking about it. The rage on his face was palpable, and when he punched that jerk, I just about forgave him for all his prior idiocy.
This past week I’d been avoiding him, and it was the longest seven days I’d ever had to get through.
I’d never played the damsel in distress, and yeah, I’d have likely gotten that creep out of there one way or the other. But I couldn’t know for sure.
And that was why I was currently standing in Sonny’s arms, shaking like a leaf on a tree.
“Seriously, thank you for what you did,” I whispered against his chest.
Sonny tightened his hold on me for a moment before using his forefinger to tip my chin upwards.
My gaze ate him up, loving that stubble he couldn’t seem to get rid of and his deep olive-toned skin.
Christ, he was so hot.
His bad boy tattoos were beyond sexy, and his muscular body was temptation itself. He was like a walking cover model.
I had to admit, I’d spent most of my nights this past week replaying the way he’d filled me so well and brought me to orgasm quicker than BOB—my battery-operated-boyfriend.
“Baby, I know we have to talk, but I will always protect you. My sweet Del, I could never let anyone hurt you.”
I cleared my throat, stepping back. Sonny kept his hands on my waist, and I was thrilled he didn’t want to let go.
Was it wrong I craved his touch, too? Especially after all the hijinks this week.
But it was definitely wise to clear the air before I went and did something stupid with him.
Again.
His fingers made circles on my hips where he’d lowered his hands, and I swayed closer.
Like one of those toys where the metal balls sat on this big magnet. That was me. Rolling me forward until I was simply clinging to the man.
“I’ve missed you,” he whispered, so close I was sure he would kiss me.
But first, I had to get this off my chest.
“I missed you, too, and I know it’s my fault for not being adult enough to hash this out. But did you have to unwrap all my trash and mess with my mail?” I asked, needing to know.
“Wait. What?” he asked.
The shock on his face told me what I already knew. Sonny was not behind either mess.
“That wasn’t you. Was it?”
“No! Of course not. Do you really think I would do something like that?” he asked.
He looked both hurt and aghast, and I didn’t blame him. I shook my head. I knew he didn’t do any of that, but I had to make sure.
“I didn’t think you did. And I’m sorry for even suspecting you. I was so messed up this week after we—that is, after everything that happened.”
“I get it, Del. We moved fast, and then I went and fucked it up. I’m so fucking sorry,” he said, and I could see sincerity swimming in his deep brown eyes.
“I should have never asked you to close your store. And I don’t even really know why I did. It was like I was focused on the tasting because I was trying to get you off my mind, and then I had you, and my fucking brain exploded.”
The sheepish grin on his lips as he explained in a rather adorable, bumbling way, how he’d been crushing on me, of all people.
“For months, you were so out of my reach. You had a boyfriend. And I thought you were happy with him, so I left you alone, Del. It was so fucking hard, but I did. I just didn’t think I had a chance.”
“You should’ve told me,” I whispered, but I admired his restraint.
Sonny really was a good man.
Former frat boy hotness aside, he was proving to be more than just my sexy neighbor next door. Maybe there were good men in this world who still had scruples and morals.
And maybe I’d found one for myself.
“Not my style, Del,” he replied with a sexy shrug. “I was gonna bide my time, wait for you to notice me.”
“Notice you? Are you kidding? I mean, look at you, Sonny. I noticed you alright,” I murmured.
I wasn’t going to tell him I didn’t think I stood a chance with a guy like him. I was cute. Pretty even. But Sonny was like sex on legs.
Guys like that never noticed me. Until now.
And did I mention, I was glad.
His body and cover model face might have drawn my attention to him, but it was this right here—this honesty I wasn’t expecting that struck me right in the chest.
Like Cupid’s arrow.
“I’m glad you like what you see,” he said, voice husky as he dropped a kiss on my forehead. “Real glad, Del. But I would have waited however long it took. Lucky for me, I was in the alley that day and heard you were free.”
“Then you came in here?—”
“Yeah, I came in here, like a raging bull,” he growled, a hint of self-deprecation in his voice.
I laughed out loud at the imagery.
Sonny had been rather horny that night, like a bull, but so was I.
Our coming together was the best I ever had, and I needed him to know I had no regrets.
“I am really glad you did. I have no regrets at all about what happened, Sonny. Well, except for maybe what happened after,” I told him.
The look on his face, a heady mixture of need and regret, was enough to melt me into a puddle of goo at his feet. He was deep, this man.
Deep, sexy, dangerous.
If I wasn’t careful, I’d lose my heart to him. But even acknowledging that, told me I was already too far gone.
“I have to tell you something, Del. After that night with you, I haven’t been able to get you out of my mind.”
“Me either,” I said.
“But missing you would never mean hurting you in any way. I am sorry you thought I would stoop so low, but after what I said, I don’t blame you.”
“No, I’m the one who’s sorry. After what that man just tried, I’m sure it must have been him the entire time. Just a way for him to keep coming back here like a gross stalker,” I said, shaking my head.
“Motherfucker,” Sonny growled. “Tell me what he did exactly. Don’t leave anything out.”
Having someone look out for me was new and filled me with a feeling of security I hadn’t known since I was a child.
I wanted to trust Sonny. To continue to lean on him. It wasn’t easy, running my own business. I was sorry to say in the 21st Century people in positions of authority, like that slimy health inspector, still viewed women as fair game.
It would be so nice to share that burden with someone. Especially Sonny, since he owned his own place, too. I knew he would understand.
But were we moving too fast? Was I setting myself up for heartache once again?
I didn’t know if I was strong enough to find out.