Page 34 of Catch My Fall

The hairs on the back of my neck stand on end when his gaze drifts over me, warmth filling my belly and despite my reluctance to be babysat, it’s a comfort to have him here.

It’s my first time out of the house since I left the hospital and the crowds and noise is a little overwhelming. I’ve grown accustomed to the peace and the quietness of late, and I’m not going to lie and say that the hustle and bustle of the mall isn’t somewhat triggering.

I hate small spaces and feeling constricted. I hate having to squeeze my way through the throngs of people especially when Reese and Della momentarily disappear from my sight and a wave of panic crashes over me, but then I remember that Alec is a few steps behind me, and it eases my fears.

I look around at all the faces that pass by me. The men who abused me could be one of these people’s father, or brother, or their husband. They probably have no idea about their sick extra-curricular activities, their loved one’s secret double lives. That’s the scary thought. They look like regular people, but they’re the wolf in sheep’s clothing and as I know all too well, appearances are often deceiving.

“What do you think, Si?” Della asks, snapping me from my thoughts.

“Huh?” I’ve been so in my thoughts that I hadn’t even realised I’d followed them into a lingerie boutique. I’ve been on autopilot all the way here.

Della holds up a matching black bra and panty set to her chest. “Do you like it?”

“Yeah, it looks great,” I reply flatly, but I do my best to look interested.

This is the last place I want to be right now. Why did they drag me in here?

As Della and Reese gush over different coloured outfits, I notice Alec touching a sexy rose red lace bra with matching panties, his fingers dusting over the delicate fabric, and before I know it, my feet are moving.

“See something you like?” I quiz.

Alec squares his shoulders, turning his attention back to the door. “No.”

“Oh. I just thought I saw you taking a fancy to that red lingerie set. It’s a nice colour, it’d suit you. I can go and check if they have it in your size…?” I tease.

The smile tugging on his lips turns into a full-on laugh, a sound I don’t think I’ve ever heard before. I love it. His eyes find mine, staring down at me, his gaze turning heated.

“I think it’s more your colour than it is mine, princess. And I know for a fact it would look better on you than it ever would on me.” I don’t miss the flirty undertone of his words, and he clears his throat like he’s said too much.

The look he’s giving me has butterflies fluttering in my belly, my mind carrying me to a scenario in which he’d see me wearing such a thing, but then my brain kicks back in and my stomach sinks.

My scars.

I don’t think I could ever wear something as skimpy and sexy as that lingerie set, not with my imperfections.

I want to be able to feel sexy again.

Desirable.

I haven’t felt that way in so long. It’s a feeling I want to feel again, and the thought of Alec seeing me in something like that has my belly doing somersaults. But right now, I can’t imagine wearing anything of the sort.

Too much skin on show. Too many marks visible on my body that has my self-esteem on the floor.

“Are you alright?” Alec asks, his eyes flicking between mine, examining me.

“I’m fine.”

I can tell by his face that he knows I’m lying but he doesn’t press. “I haven’t seen you around in a while, not since you got back from the hospital. I wanted to check on you, but I didn’t want to push you or make you uncomfortable.”

“You could never make me uncomfortable, Alec, in fact you have the opposite effect,” I say, reaching for his hand, catching his little finger with my index, linking them together. The smallest of touches feel the most significant, the most intimate.

His jaw clenches. “Sierra. I’m sorry you feel like I’m your babysitter. My main priority is to ensure your safety, nothing more. I—”

“Alec, stop. It wasn’t you who pissed me off earlier, it was Gage. I get he’s protective but sometimes he’s too overbearing. I know it’s your job to protect me and to be honest, it gives me comfort when you’re close. It means I’m safe.”

He relaxes at my words. “I will always keep you safe, princess.”

Something passes between us, an unspoken promise woven within his words, because I know he’d never let anybody hurt me.

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