Page 109 of Penalty to the Heart

“Good. I’m glad. And now that you’re a part of the Guardians family, you should know we take care of our own. If you need anything, and I mean anything, just give me a shout. And I’ll be there.”

His eyebrows raise in surprise, his eyes widen with astonishment, and his mouth slightly drops in awe, touched by the words he just heard.

“I have to say… this is not how I expected our second interaction would go down.”

“Yeah, well, I’m full of surprises. You’ll get used to it,” I joke lightheartedly.

“If you don’t have any more surprises for me, I think I’ll return to the party. I don’t intend to stay much longer, but I’d like to talk with Rex before I leave. Care to join me?”

I follow Bellamy’s outstretched finger to the door leading into the ballroom, and my heart skips a beat when I see Roxanne standing there, her eyes locked with mine.

“Actually, I’m going to stay right here for a while.”

Bellamy gazes at me, then turns to look at Roxanne and breaks into a smile

“Okay. I hope you and your friend have a good night.”

A good night would be if she allowed me to kiss her tonight.

Roxanne waits for Bellamy to leave before she takes his spot in front of me.

“That was quite impressive,” she says, her golden eyes shining with pride.

“Yeah? Does that mean you’re proud of me, Roxie?”

“It shouldn’t interest you how I feel on the matter.”

I take a step closer to her, my gaze scanning every inch of her perfect face.

“Oh, believe me, Roxie. I’m definitely interested.”

I watch her swallow dryly at the not-so-subtle insinuation before she diverts her attention off me and onto the Boston skyline.

“It really is a beautiful night, isn’t it?”

“I’ve never seen anything more beautiful,” I reply, eating up the rest of the distance between us until our chests are practically touching.

“Stop,” she demands, placing her palms on my chest to keep me from coming any closer.

“Stop what?” I grab her wrists gently, pressing her body against mine.

“You know what.”

“No. I don’t. Enlighten me,” I rebuke coyly, loving every second of watching her cheeks turn bright pink.

“I’m your therapist.”

“I’m aware.”

“So you can’t say things like that to me.”

“What things?” I smirk while drawing circles on her inner wrist with my thumb.

“Things like… like…”

“Yes?” I whisper in her ear, causing goosebumps to rise all over her fair skin. “Like what, Roxie? What can’t I say to you? Should I not tell you that I find you to be the most exquisite woman I’ve ever met? Or that every time you open that beautiful mouth of yours, you blow me away with your intelligence?”

“All of it,” she stammers.

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