Page 60 of My Broken Bodyguard 2: Ritchie & Tori

My eyebrows furrowed. "Is that really necessary, Ritchie?"

“Yes,” he responded.

My lips hovered over his. “I report to work on Monday.”

A scowl covered his face. “Why? You don’t have to work?”

“The job keeps the breakdowns from happening so frequently.”

His brows lifted. “Did you have a breakdown this morning?”

I swallowed. “Yes. It happened while I was in the bathroom.”

His heavy fist came down on the counter. “Why didn’t you tell me.”

Tears pooled in my eyes. “You’re returning to work. I have to deal with this part of my life on my own.”

He palmed my cheek. “No! You’re not alone. When I’m here let me be there for you. When I’m in Jersey, I call or text. Tori, I want to be there for you.”

A tear slipped down my cheek. “I don’t deserve you, Ritchie.”

His lips brushed mine. “You’ve got that backwards. I don’t deserve you.”

At that moment I felt my ovaries jump for this man. He didn’t feel he deserved me. I knew what this was about. He failed his boss. He also felt like he failed Lexis.

“How about we go on a stakeout. Watch over Lexis for a couple of hours.”

His eyes softened. There was relief in his gaze. This man stood by me through all my bullshit. The least I could do was be there for him. After all, she was the reason he was in Chicago.

“We can christen our house later.” I smiled.

TWENTY MINUTES LATER, Ritchie and I sat outside Lexis’s house in the Tahoe under a huge oak tree.

The location was perfect - hidden from view during the day and cloaked in darkness at night. The six streetlamps that dotted the block cast a soft glow over the pavement. Ritchie's car blended seamlessly with the other vehicles parked along the street.

My eyes gravitated to his side profile. His angular jaw and pointy nose had my lip slipping between my teeth. Not sure where I found this newfound self-control. All I wanted to do was climb into his lap and hold his attention. But I understood his guilt ate at him.

“I’ll watch her while you’re away,” I stated.

His gaze left the house caddy corner to where we sat, landing on me. I saw a glimmer of gratitude in them. "Thank you," he said, quietly.

Ritchie grabbed my hand and brought it to his lips. A tingle shot through my body.

"Tonight was supposed to be about me and you," he added, his voice filled with regret.

I smirked. “She’s important to you.”

“Tori, you’re important to me.”

“Well, I hope so. I doubt you start wars for just anyone,” I chuckled.

“This isn’t funny,” he bit out.

I tried pulling my hand from his grip. He squeezed it tighter.

“Ritchie, you’ve shown me how much you care about me through every move you’ve made. I’m just sad. I fell for a man who doesn’t live in Chicago. It’s my doing,” I sniffled. “The last time we really spent time together was at the hotel. I missed having you all to myself.”

“Baby, I’ll return every other weekend.” The large pad of his thumb swiped the tear from my face.

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