Page 31 of Stalked By the Cornerback

I had no idea how or why the three of them had rushed down to the trainers’ room the way they had, but I was glad. While I gave my statement, the school police shared a couple of things about Tucker Pearson. It seemed I wasn’t the only one he had ever cornered that way. Unfortunately for those others, no one had stopped him before it was too late. Somehow, those incident reports female students had reported had mysteriously been swept under the rug or blocked by his attorneys.

By the time I was done with everything, my boss offered to drive me home, but I shook my head, telling her I was okay walking back.

Not that I had to.

I wasn’t surprised when I saw him standing there, his arms crossed over his massive chest while he was waiting.

Dylan stood just outside the conference room where I had been questioned and my statement had been taken. Dressed in gray joggers and a U of D blue shirt with his hair damp from a shower. When our eyes connected, something inside of me loosened up. He was exactly what my soul needed to look at.

Without saying a word, Dylan took a step forward, then stopped. Emotions got the better of me, and I blinked away tears. I knew exactly why he wasn’t rushing towards me. I’dasked for space, and he was still giving it to me, respecting my needs above his.

Ask him about the black phone.I shook away the thought and ran towards him, slamming my front to his, but Dylan didn’t seem to mind. His arms wrapped around me, and I felt so safe.Loved. Protected and cherished.

What if he has been watching you? Stalking you like Tucker said?I glanced up, and his hand cupped my face.

“You okay? What do you need?”Do I care if he has been doing all the things Tucker accused him of?

“I’m okay,” I whispered. My nose stung with unshed tears. “Can we go home?” He nodded, and before I knew what he was doing, he lifted me up like a groom would his bride.

“Dyl!” I squeaked. “What are you doing? You’re going to hurt yourself!” I hissed, looking around. If anyone was surprised by his antics, they didn’t show it. Hetskedand pressed his lips against my temple.

“Shh, relax. Put your head on my shoulder and breathe. I got you,” he promised, and I knew he did. No matter what, I was safe with Dylan. He wouldn’t let anything happen to me, and today proved it. I was his, and he was mine.

Even if there was a possibility of him stalking me.

CHAPTER 15

DYLAN

For two days,I was keeping a close eye on Mattie.

Closer than usual.

After that mess with Tucker, she had been off. Quiet and deep in her head. Not that I blamed her. That fucker was lucky that Bridges had followed me in just as her boss went to go look for her.

I still couldn’t believe what the asshole had tried to do. There was no missing the fact he had been half dressed, with his pants untied like he was ready to tear them off. If he had, I would have ripped off his dick and shoved it down his throat. Thankfully, we didn’t have to worry about him any longer. He had not only been suspended, but the dick was behind bars, waiting, since bail hadn’t been granted. It looked like Tucker’s past caught up to him. Just the thought of what he had wanted to do to my shortcake, what he had intended to do, made me see red.

For my girl’s sake, I didn’t let my mind wander down that path too much.

But for the last two days, something else had been going on. Hell, I’d expected her to be quiet, but it was something more. Something my gut kept yelling at me about. There weremoments when she would look at me in a way she hadn’t done before. Almost like she was seeing me in a different light.

I’d asked her time and time again if she was okay, if we were okay, and she would just smile and say we were. Now I was in my bed waiting on pins and needles for her to text me. As if reading my mind from down the hall, my phone pinged.

My Shortcake: Hey, I was wondering if you would like to go to dinner? I’m just going to shower first, and we can go, if you would like to join me.

My nose flared. That obsessed possessive being inside of me rolled his neck. He had been harder and harder to temper down after what went down. She’d all but pushed me out of her dorm, telling me my roommates probably missed me with how I had been hovering over her. It still didn’t stop me from sneaking into her place last night while she was sleeping. I’d knelt by her bed for almost two hours.

Just watching her sleep.

Listening to her breathe.

Taking pictures of her resting and dreaming about me.

Me: Of course, baby. See you at six.

I hitSendand stayed lying on my bed.

The ceiling fan whirred above me as I counted to a hundred. Then again. I fought the need to get up and head over, to wait for her in the shower to watch her. Fuck, I missed her. We hadn’t slept together the night before, and I missed her. I missed holding her. Being in her space, having her eyes on me.

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