Page 64 of Texting My Valentine

Alex sighs heavily. “It’s costing five thousand per day.”

I gasp. “Alex!”

He stands up. Even wearing his work dress shirt and slacks, there’s something savage about him.

“You’re worth it,” he growls. “I’m not going to let anybody hurt you. Ever.”

Want to know how messed up I am? When he says this, there’s a pessimistic part of me that whispers he’s doing this, so I owe him, and I feel like I have to do what he wants, be the woman he wants.

Thanks, Mom.

Get it together, Tori.

“That’s it for now,” Gray says. “Otherwise, you’re free to get on with your lives. In situations like this, the perpetrators often lose interest. Once Damien realizes you’re willing to hire protection, I’m sure he’ll back off.”

“He’d better,” I grumble. “We can’t do this forever.”

“Does that mean I can go home and shower?” Mom asks.

“Yes, ma’am… Sorry, Monica.” Gray smiles tightly. “You can go about your day as you normally would.”

“I’ve got work at midday,” I mutter. “I need to shower and change too. I’ll grab my things, and we’ll go together, Mom?”

Alex follows me down the hallway, taking my hand and turning me toward him. The heat that burns between us is primal, confusing, tempting, unwanted, and the only thing I want all at once.

“I’m doing this because it’s the right thing to do,” he says, full of certainty. “Because I want to keep you, your mom, and my nephew safe.”

“I know, Alex…”

“I don’t think you do,” he says intensely. “I think a part of you thinks I’m trying to make it so you owe me. But you don’t. If you ended things now, my perfect Valentine, I’d be crushed, but I’d still keep you safe.”

How the heck can he read me as easily as a text?

He pulls me close to him, kissing me passionately.

“I’m taking you to dinner after work,” he says. “Your mom will be safe with the security watching her. Elliot will be safe. Let’s forget about this mess. It’s about time I took you on an actual date.”

“I’ve never been on an actual date before,” I admit.

“You deserve it, angel,” he says. “I want to walk into a restaurant with you on my arm and make everybody jealous.”

My cheeks heat up with his compliment. “I don’t think people will be jealous, Alex…”

“You seriously don’t know how perfect you are, do you?”

“I don’t think anybody else sees me like you do.”

“Good,” he says fiercely. “That means I get you all to myself.”

These possessive words should freak me out. Maybe they do. A little. But not as much as they would have just one day ago.

I throw my arms around his shoulders and pull him in for another kiss.

CHAPTER 22

ALEX

After a long day of work, I’m glad to shower and change into a clean shirt, ready for my date. Elliot is at a friend’s house, and security has told me so far, so good. I’ve got nothing to do this evening except spend time with my voluptuous Valentine.

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