Page 16 of Bound By Valor

God, these sweatpants won’t stop from tenting.

As I approached her, my eyes involuntarily drifted to the bruise on her neck—a vivid reminder of yesterday’s fuck up. A surge of fury washed over me again, momentarily overshadowing the fact that she was half-naked in my bedroom, on the verge of leaving.

Gently, I brushed the back of my hand against her throat, tracing the line down to the bruise on her shoulder. Leaning in close, my jaw brushed her arm as I picked up my T-shirt from the bed and draped it over her, covering her. Her eyes held mine in a steady gaze, and when she finally closed them as the fabric settled over her skin, I nearly lost it.

Thoughts of pressing my lips to hers left me momentarily dizzy with longing.

“You’re not going anywhere, Leora. Not until this case is wrapped up,” I said, my voice tight with an effort to keep steady.

“And what about my work? I have a job, youknow?”

I nodded. “For now, you need to stay hidden. They were probably following you this whole time.”

“And what about you? Have you been following me these past few weeks, too?” Her question was direct.

“Yes,” I admitted, feeling the weight of the confession.

She just nodded, her expression unreadable.

I rushed to justify my actions, “I needed to ensure—”

“Did you trash my apartment, too?”

I slowly shook my head, averting her icy gaze. “No. That was Calzone. One of the guys from that night.”

“And the car, tailing me?”

“That was me.” I said. “Leora. You need to understand—”

She raised her hand, silencing me. “I need to know what all you did. Were you following me prior to that night?”

“No. That was the first time I met you.” Then I corrected myself. “Saw you.”

“And after that?”

I took a deep breath, ready to take the plunge. “After that night, I followed you around work and tailed you during your commute. Then I saw Calzone entering your apartment and we had a…disagreement at your place. I’m sorry for the mess, by the way.”

“Continue.” She said blankly.

I cleared my throat off the lump that was lodged there. I knew my next words would make her hate me. Well, more than she already did. “I installed a camera in your living room.” I heard her gasp, but Iforced myself to continue. “And your balcony. And your bedroom.”

She was shaking with anger, now. Her nostrils flared. “So, you saw me. Heard me calling you a fucking coward, which you are, by the way.”

I closed my eyes and nodded, cursing myself for admitting that I’d been watching her.

Fuck.Stalkingher.

“Why? You said you weren’t flirting. So, why did you go to all these lengths? In the name of protection?”

“It started out that way.” I said, the guilt becoming unbearable. “But I wanted to see you more. Protect you. Because it was my fault you were in this mess.”

Her nod was contemplative. She studied my face for a bit and then, out of nowhere, threw me a curveball. “Do you have 14oz boxing gloves?”

Her question was so unexpected it momentarily wiped the guilt from my face.

“I’m sorry?” I blinked, confused.

“Boxing gloves. I want to punch this anger away. Or would you rather me punch your face right now?” she hissed.

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