Page 59 of Dark Love

“Vex.” I place a gentle hand on his arm. “I’m fine.” Sort of… sometimes.

“Then why is yourskin pasty?”

“Because I almost had a panic attack in the changing room.”

His arms engulf me. “You’re safe. That monster didn’t lay a hand on you. No one will ever hurt you again. You’re safe.”

I shouldn’t take advantage of his kindness, but I can’t stop my body from melting into his arms, from taking every ounce of the comfort he’s offering, from savoring the sensation of being protected—truly protected from everything in the world even if all of that will disappear the moment I walk away from him. “Why are you doing this?” I whisper into his chest.

“Because you need help.” His voice is even lower than mine when he says, “And because I can’t make myself walk away from you.”

Could I walk away from him? This isn’t who I am. I don’t trust strangers. And I certainly don’t sleep in their beds. Or seek out comfort from one.

Yet that’s exactly what I’m doing. There has to be a rational reason. My therapist would probably say… “It’s the trauma of what almost happened. We’ll go back to normal, eventually.” Though part of me wishes this was my normal. That a man like Vex was always there to pull me close and protect me.

“Most likely.” He gives me a gentle squeeze and steps back, letting his arms fall to his sides.

It takes a second for the world to right itself. What were we talking about?

My clothes! “Vex, you aren’t paying for my clothes.”

“We already had this discussion.”

Yes, but I didn’t win, so we’re going to have it again. “You aren’t paying for my clothing. I am perfectly capable of paying for my own clothing.”

“When a woman is with me, I pay. End of discussion.”

That’s what he thinks. “My mother wouldn’t approve of a man that I’m not engaged to paying for my clothing. It’s not appropriate.”

“You’re a grown woman. Does it really matter what your mother thinks?” He quirks an eyebrow at me.

Sort of. Not really. It wouldn’t if we were in love. “That’s not the point.”

“Dahlia.”

I step up to him. “This is important to me. I don’t like to take personal gifts from people that I don’t have a relationship with.”

Vex’s face gets inscrutable. “When was the last time a man bought you an article of clothing?”

A man I’m not related to? Never. “My brother bought me a sweater a few months ago.” The hideous thing is hidden in the back of my closet, never to be seen again.

“Fine. You can pay for those clothes. As long as you don’t give me any trouble for the rest of the day.”

Me trouble? “Deal.”

A Baby And Lunch

Dahlia

“Are you sure you want to eat here?” Vex eyes the fast-casual restaurant in front of us.

It’s packed.

There are only a couple of empty tables inside.

We just walked a block to find out where the delightful scent was coming from. Of course, I want to eat here. “It’ll be fine.” I pat his arm. “The food smells fantastic.”

“Did you just pat my arm?” His voice gets rough.

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