Page 6 of Only Ever His

Something in me wanted to reach across that distance, to strip away the defenses she held up like armor.

But I knew better than to push too hard, especially with someone as guarded as her.

Whoever had hurt her, whoever had made her flinch at the smallest kindness, deserved to pay for it.

But I knew that the last thing she needed was a man trying to play protector, someone ready to sweep in like a hero.

She needed control, her own agency.

And I would give her that, no matter how fiercely my instincts clawed at me to hunt down her demons and rid her of them.

Instead, I shifted tactics, offering her a chance to engage without pressure.

“I have a sister,” I said. “We haven’t spoken in a while, and I’d like to find her something special. She has a similar taste to yours, I think.”

Tori’s eyes softened just slightly, enough that I felt a hint of the woman behind the armor.

“Your sister?” she asked, sounding genuinely curious.

“Yes. She’s the best of us, I’ll admit,” I said, letting a small smile slip through. “She’s strong, independent… a lot like you, I’d imagine.”

For a moment, she looked as if she might let her guard down, a faint smile touching her lips.

But just as quickly, it faded, and she turned back to the dresses, deflecting with practiced ease.

“Well, if you’re looking for something memorable, this would suit her,” she said, pulling a sleek, emerald-green dress off the rack.

I took the dress, nodding thoughtfully.

“She’d like it, I think. It has character, a bit of fire,” I remarked.

She gave a quiet laugh, her gaze dropping to the floor.

“Fire, maybe.” She paused, her tone softer now, almost reflective. “Or maybe just enough to keep people at a distance.”

The words hit me harder than I’d expected.

She might have been talking about the dress, but there was something in her voice.

In the way she looked away when she said it, that hinted at far more.

I wanted to reach out, to tell her she didn’t have to be on guard. But I knew better.

Trust was something I’d have to earn, and Tori Blake wasn’t a woman who handed it out freely.

Instead, I nodded, letting her see that I’d caught her meaning, even if she wasn’t ready to admit it.

“Thank you,” I said, holding her gaze a second longer. “For your recommendation. It means a lot.”

She gave me a polite nod, but there was a glint in her eye now, something that spoke of curiosity, maybe even intrigue.

The first crack in the walls she’d so carefully built.

And I’d be back—I knew that much. Because no matter how many walls she raised, I’d find a way through.

TORI

The bell chimed softly as the door to Velvet & Lace swung open.

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