Page 51 of Protect

“No, I was just giving King instructions on his home care,” Violette says, clearing her throat as my mother moves in to get a hug from her.

“Thank you for taking such good care of him, honey.”

Violette smiles—a forced smile.

“You’re welcome. He’ll be just fine if he follows the doctor’s orders.” Violette’s eyes move back to mine.

“I’ll get you a few more supplies to take home,” she says to me, and turns to leave.

My mother puts her hands on her hips, and I know I’m in for it.

“What, ma?” I ask.

“I told you that you need to straighten things out with her, butnotin the middle of her workday, Ro.”

Fair enough.

“Look, I’ve seen the way you look at her. If you’ve felt the same way about a girl forthislong, it’s worth fighting for. But you’re lucky I came in when I did. Take your time, tell her how you feel, but not when she’s at work.”

I breathe out a sigh; she’s right.

“I just have no clue how to make her trust me again, she was about to try to disappear, and I panicked.”

“That takes time, but lucky for you, you both have lots of that. Now, say thank you to her and wait until the poor girl is done with her shift before you try to woo her.” She moves toward me and smiles, patting her palm on my face. “And make it snappy, your dad is double parked,” she says just as Violette comes back into the room.

“You know, I think I’ll go thank the doctor quickly before we leave, I saw her at the desk.” My mother winks as she walks out of the room.

Violette begins packing extra gauze, and ointment, and pulls a prescription from her pocket that the doctor left, handing it to me. She shrugs and it feels awkward as hell between us.

“I gotta go, my shift was over ten minutes ago and I have to get Hollie ready. Troy will be at my place in an hour,” she says, half to herself, flustered.

“Vi. I know you have to go but I just want to say this.” I reach out and grab her wrist, gently turning her to face me. “You can be afraid of whatever was between us, and whatever still is between us…”

She looks so fucking beautiful and vulnerable that I fight with every fiber of my being not to tell her everything right here and now. Not only is my mother right, but I also need time to think about how I can get Vi to give me another chance without telling her things about her brother that will be too hard for her to hear. All she has left are her memories of Jacob.

“I know I’m asking for a lot, but the ball is in your court.” I slide my hand down and take her pinky finger between my finger and thumb, tugging her closer. I can’t help it, I tip my forehead to hers and breathe her in, just for a second.

“I just want you to let me back in, Vi. Give me a chance to explain,” I whisper.

Her breath is warm, and she smells sugary and sweet. The feeling of any part of her near me is overwhelming and goes straight to my cock. I wish I could control it but it’s unstoppable.

“Rowan…” she whispers, and, fuck, my name on her lips in any capacity for the first time in years, sends more shockwaves down to my already hardening cock.

I’m so goddamn desperate to kiss her. It takes a sort of superhuman strength not to. I swallow down the urge because I know Ihaveto let her come to me.

“I need to go,” she says, her voice shaky as her pinkie slips away and she backs up.

I nod.

She says nothing else as she turns on her heel and leaves the room with a last glance over her shoulder. I flex my fists the second I’m alone. I’m ready to hit something. I want with everything in me to go after her. I want to haul her back in here and press her up against the wall and kiss her until both of us are breathless, but I don’t.

I let her go, because I should’ve told her the truth a long time ago and even though her being home now offers me the shot I never thought I’d get, that doesn’t mean I deserve it.

I pull my phone out and open our chat. I know she’s alone for part of the night tonight while Hollie is with Troy. The ball is in her court but that doesn’t mean I won’t make it easier for her to come to me.

I type out only my address, then I take a deep breath and send it to her.

I don’t even know how I managed to get home, pack a bag for Hollie, and get her ready. The address Rowan sent me stares back at me from my phone screen.

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