Page 68 of Vengeful Guard

I groan and then open the door, and Paige is in the living room with the movie paused.

“You took forever, and it was scary.”

“I thought you loved scary movies.”

“How did you know that?”

I turn away so she doesn’t see the heat burning my face. “I remember some things from when you were younger.”

“I thought you hated me.”

I scoff. “I hated everyone when I was younger.”

Paige laughs softly. “Come back and sit down.”

I shouldn’t. Tell her no.

“Okay,” is what comes out of my mouth.

You fecking idiot.

I sit down next to her, and she yelps at the next scary scene, grabbing my arm.

I grit my teeth as her breasts press against my arm.

This is going to be the longest movie ever.

“You’re going to protect me, right?”

Suddenly, the gravity of the situation seems to hit her. This is not an easy war. Hasn’t been from the start, but things are escalating. At least now Paige knows what’s waiting for her out there. The stakes. The risk.

“Of course.”

She nods, and then lies her head on my shoulder.

Before I know it, Paige has gone silent.

Thank god.

But this is almost worse. She’s not talking. Somehow, the sound of her breathing, the slight whistle her nose makes—it's cute. It makes my heart feel funny.

I smile at her, and then it turns into a frown.

I stand up suddenly, and she nearly falls over, having been braced against my shoulder.

“I’m going to bed.”

She opens her mouth as if to protest but, in the end, she just nods.

I head to my room, lying in bed and staring at the ceiling.

I do not have feelings for Paige Burke.

I absolutely don’t.

I’ve never had feelings for any woman, and I don’t plan to start with my best friend’s baby sister.

I refuse to.

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