Page 30 of Only Ever His

I could feel the tension radiating from her, and I knew she wasn’t going to stay quiet for long.

Finally, she turned to me, her voice soft but edged with hurt.

“Cole, I know you were trying to help, but hiring a bodyguard without telling me?”

I tightened my grip on the wheel.

“Marcus is a threat, Tori. I was just worried about you,” I told her.

She let out a breath, her fingers now fidgeting with the hem of her sleeve.

“I understand that. I do. And I’m not saying I don’t appreciate the gesture. But Cole, don’t you see how this could make me feel like I’m not in control of my own life?” Tori asked.

I sighed, taking in her words. She was right; I could see that now.

“I’m sorry,” I said, my voice softer. “I should have been upfront with you. I should’ve trusted you enough to tell you what I was planning, let you be part of that decision. You have every right to feel betrayed.”

She looked down, biting her lip, and I could tell she was thinking.

Then, after a moment, she said, “I came here, despite how I feel, because I want to hear your side of things, and I want to give you a chance. I just… I need to know that you’re willing to be honest with me.”

I reached over, resting a hand over hers.

“I will be, Tori. I don’t want to keep anything from you again. From now on, it’s total honesty, no more hidden plans. I promise,” I told her.

Her gaze softened, and she nodded, but I could still see the hurt lingering in her eyes.

It wasn’t something that would disappear in a day, but she was here, and she was giving me that chance.

It was more than I deserved, and I wasn’t going to waste it.

The conversation shifted into a heavy silence.

I steered us along the winding road past fields of golden wheat that gave way to dense, tall trees.

I glanced over at her, noting how she’d turned back to the window, watching the trees blur by.

Matters between us had been somewhat settled—for now.

But as we continued driving, I noticed she kept glancing down at her phone.

She was doing her best to hide it, but every few minutes, she’d pick it up, swipe the screen.

Then she’d set it back down, only to reach for it again.

I couldn’t hold back my curiosity any longer.

“Everything okay?” I asked.

She hesitated, her fingers resting on her phone before she turned to me, her expression a mix of hesitation and something else I couldn’t quite place.

“It’s… Candy. I’m just reminding her about a big shipment coming in for the boutique. I don’t want her to feel overwhelmed with everything while I’m gone,” she explained.

I chuckled softly.

“Candy seems capable. I’m sure the store will be fine without you for a weekend,” I said.

She let out a small laugh, but I could tell she was still a little on edge.

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