Page 84 of Protecting Christina

“Yeah. Will mentioned this place, and I wanted to see it for myself. So far, it’s exceeded my expectations.”

Her smile returned, and Will exhaled beside me. Just then, the other server arrived with our drinks and set them on the table.

“Well, if you guys need anything else,” said Tina, “just holler.”

“Thanks,” said Will and passed me my drink.

He picked up his glass and clinked it with mine. “To new beginnings?”

I licked my lips and nodded.

The problem was, meeting Tina may have eased my suspicions of Will seeing other women, but it also confirmed what I suspected about him. He had a hero complex. He liked to save women.

And I wasn’t sure how I felt about that. I knew I didn’t like it when he tried to insert himself into my life. Did it bother me that he did that with other women?

I wasn’t sure.

“Do you want to dance?”

I eyed him suspiciously. “Here?”

He smirked. “Yes. Here.”

“But no one else is dancing.”

“Are you going to let that stop you?”

I shook my head. “No, thanks. I don’t dance.”

My shoulders tensed at the thought of people watching us dance.

“All right.”

He leaned back in his chair and eyed me over his drink. “Are you still mad?”

I sucked at my teeth and mulled over his question. I was never angry with him. I was a little angry with myself. But not him. What I was feeling, frankly, was confused.

I shook my head. “I’m not angry.”

He smiled. “Good. Then come here.” He grabbed the bottom of my chair and dragged it closer to him. I teetered, and he circled my waist, pulling me closer with my leg practically over his.

“What are you doing?” I asked, surprised.

“I didn’t get to hold you last night, and I don’t like the distance between us now, so I’m taking matters into my own hands.”

He wrapped his arm around my shoulder and pulled me toward him until my back pressed firmly against his chest. The heat from his body soothed me and I relaxed into his arms.

“I love this song,” he whispered in my ear. It was a few years old, but I recognized the bluesy sound.

My heart pounded as I sat there with him.

My body wanted to get closer, but my head warned me to be careful. Will was moving way more quickly than I had expected. He pushed my boundaries and comforted me at the same time. It was confusing as hell and I didn’t know what to make of it.

Sex, I understood.

Friendship, I understood.

Sex, friendship, and intimacy. I had no idea how to navigate that.

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