Page 162 of Where We Bloom

“Long,” he replies and pulls his glasses off to rub his eyes with his free hand.

I decide to keep my mouth shut until we’re alone in the house, and I can ask what in the hell is going on.

I don’t like that it feels like he’s shut me out again. It feels like it did months ago, when we were fightingthe attraction between us, and he was always so broody and growly.

Something’s wrong, and he’s not going to tell me what it is.

“Boss, the house and perimeter are secure. Jones and Weston have eyes on our approach.”

I don’t even know who Jones and Weston are.

Connor nods but otherwise stays silent.

Finally, Miller pulls up at our front door. I push out of the vehicle and walk inside after punching in the code to disarm the house alarm.

Connor walks in behind me, rubs his hand down my back, and marches to his office.

And I’m right behind him.

“I’ll be upstairs in a few,” he says, obviously dismissing me. “Go get comfortable, and I’ll come hold you.”

“Not until you tell me what’s going on.”

He takes off his suit coat, watching me with cool green eyes as he drapes it over the back of his chair. I prop my hands on my hips as he unfastens the buttons on his cuffs and rolls them up his forearms.

“I’d like you to let me do some work, and then I’ll come upstairs,” he tries again, obviously doing his best to rein in his frustration.

“And I’d likeyouto talk to me.” I soften my tone slightly because I can see the torment in his eyes, and it makes my chest ache.

He’s barely touched me.

He’s so fucking distant, I hate it.

He’s shut me out, and he looks exhausted. His hair is in disarray from his hands diving through it in agitation.

“Ineedyou to talk to me,” I try again.

“And I need you to do as you’re bloody told,” he retorts, fisting his hands at his sides.

I feel my eyebrows wing up at that. “I’m not a dog trained to obey you.”

“Fuck,” he growls and begins to pace the office.

“Something is obviouslyverywrong, and we’re in a relationship, Connor. This is a partnership, not a dictatorship. I can help, you know. I tell you everything, so it’s a slap in the face that you’d keep something from me. Something obviously bad enough that it has you pulling away from me and not even touching me. It’s not fair. Who was that man? And why did Simon run after him with his gun drawn?”

He stomps to me, he grips either side of my jawline and throat, and he kisses me hungrily, drinks from me as if he’s dying of thirst.

“Goddammit, you’re not a fecking dog,” he growls, still holding me, staring into my eyes. “You’re my future wife. You’re everything. My life doesn’t work without you, and I won’t apologize or ask your permission to use everything in my power to protect you like you’re the most important person in the world because youare.”

“I’mfine,” I assure him, but he shakes his head. “Tell me who that man was, Connor.”

“I don’t know for sure who he is. I received threats.” He swallows hard as if the words taste like ash on his tongue. “Christ, I received threats against you. They’rehere in Montana and had photos of you. Recent photos of you from the recital and around town, and I suspect that was the arsehole taking the goddamn pictures. I don’t know if he was going to try to do worse. I don’t know if he’s alone or if he has a team with him.I don’t fucking know, angel.”

My stomach drops. God, no wonder he’s been so worried about my safety.

“Why?” I ask him. “Why against me?”

“Because the threats againstmedidn’t get them anywhere,” he replies, and the fatigue in his face deepens.

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