8. Faith #2
“You didn’t have to do that. I had it under control.”
“Clearly.” He chuckled, only pissing me off more.
“Again, what the hell are you doing here?”
“I saw your sister’s story, and thank God, I did.”
My brows dipped as I waited for him to elaborate. “What?”
“Hope posted a clip of you two taking shots with a bunch of men hovering over you like vultures waiting for you to be incapacitated.”
“So you came running down here to babysit me?”
“Thank goodness!” he emphasized.
I rolled my eyes. “I didn’t need a babysitter, Reed.”
“I say you did. I’ve been sitting across the room for the past hour watching a group of drunk fools watch you two unsuspecting women like they were starving. It’s a good thing I follow my instincts.”
“Not only does that sound psychotic, but I’m also pretty sure that’s classified as stalking.”
He shrugged like what I’d said was nothing. “I’ll be psychotic for you any day. You already know that.”
“I don’t need you trying to be all protective over me, Reed. I’m not a little, innocent college girl anymore.”
He stepped closer, causing me to take a step back.
“I don’t give a fuck about any of that. I don’t like strange men looking at you.
You know damn well that shit could have went way left out there.
I don’t need you to thank me for being there.
I just need you to understand that you can’t stop me from protecting you. I don’t give a damn what you say.”
“You don’t own me,” I challenged.
“I know,” he stated flatly, dropping his eyes from mine.
Why was his despondence so disheartening? It didn’t matter. Maybe now he would take the hint and understand that our temporary relationship was just business. I was only dealing with him because I had to.
“Then stop trying to act like it. Please.”
“I can’t, baby.”
Reed took another step, closing the last bit of space between us. The room felt too small. Why was it so damn hot in the bathroom? It felt like a sauna with Reed staring down at me like I was his last meal. That thought made heat crawl up my neck.
“You don’t get to swoop in out of the blue acting like you’re some kind of protector after all this time. You’re the only thing I need protection from. You’re the only thing I’ve ever needed protection from,” I vowed.
I didn’t realize that I was retreating from him until my back hit the wall.
I held my hands up to stop him from moving any closer.
They landed on his hard chest. He groaned as soon as I touched him, causing his chest to vibrate under the palms of my hands.
I instantly realized what a huge mistake touching him was.
“I never stopped protecting you, Faith. I never once stopped watching over you, even when I couldn’t see you.”
I rolled my eyes. “Whatever. You have been MIA for years. Some protector you are.”
“I stayed away. It’s not the same as going away. It’s just that now that you know I’m still here, there’s no use in me hiding it. I’m never going to stop protecting you. If you didn’t want me in your life, you should have never come back. I’m taking it as a sign to get my woman back.”
I hated the way those words made me feel. Reed was not to be trusted. I knew that better than anyone. The way he looked at me said otherwise. The sincerity in his voice said otherwise.
“You should go, Reed. This is a lady’s bathroom. Plus, you literally just knocked a dude out in the hall. He has a whole crew of drunk belligerent friends right at the end of the hall.”
“Why would I give a fuck about them?”
“Either way, you should go.”
“You going with me?”
“Reed, be serious. I rode with my sister anyway.”
“Sawyer already took her home.”
“Who?” I asked, bunching my brows together at his revelation.
“He’s cool. He runs security at the casino. You’ll meet him if you haven’t already.”
“Wait, so Hope just left me here to be raped and killed?”
That made him smirk. “She knew you were in good hands.”
“I’m kicking her ass in the morning.”
“You can do that. Tonight, let me make sure you get home safe. I promise not to try anything,” he said.
I was pissed with myself for missing the warmth of his body pressed against mine after I pushed him away. Was I such a glutton for punishment that I walked myself right back into the clutches of the one man who could destroy me? Apparently so.
“I am not drunk,” I said, holding on to the one thing that I cared to talk about.
“You’re drunk, irritable, and trying hard as hell to pretend that you don’t feel anything between us.”
“There’s nothing to feel.”
“I beg to differ,” he countered, pressing his body even closer to mine this time. His breath was warm on my face as he waited for my response.
“I guess you really haven’t left me any choice. You can give me a ride, but this is not a thing. As soon as I’m done with my report, I’m also done with you.”
He chuckled under his breath as he took a step back. “If you say so.”
“Now can you get out so I can use the bathroom.”
He nodded. “OK, I’ll be right by the door.”