Page 10 of Guarding Her Heart
“Thank you,” I reply, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. “I haven’t felt this… at ease in a long time.”
“Me neither,” she admits, her voice soft.
We arrive at her apartment parking lot and I run around the front of the truck to open her door but when she climbs out, I stop her by the passenger door, the night air warm and humid against our skin. I turn to face her, my heart racing as I look into her eyes. There’s something there—something real, something I haven’t felt before.
“I don’t want this to end,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper.
“Then don’t let it,” she replies, her gaze holding mine.
Before I can think, before I can second-guess myself, I lean in, capturing her lips in a kiss that feels like coming home. It’s soft, tender, and filled with all the unspoken emotions that have been building between us.
When we finally pull back, our breaths are mingling in the warm night air.
“Damn,” I whisper, my voice full of awe.
“Yeah,” she agrees, her smile lighting up the darkness around us. “Damn.”
We stand there for a moment, just holding each other, before I reluctantly pull away, knowing that the night has to end eventually.
“Can I see you again?” I ask, my hand still holding hers as we walk up to her apartment.
“I’d like that,” she replies, her smile warm and genuine.
I lean in to kiss her one last time, savoring the feel of her honey-soaked lips against mine, before finally letting her go. As I watch her walk into to her apartment, a sense of peace settles over me—like maybe I’ve finally found something worth fighting for.
As I pull into my driveway, my phone buzzes with a message that sends a chill down my spine.
Unknown Number: Stay away from her, West. This is your only warning. Don’t make me hurt her.
I stare at the screen, my heart pounding in my chest. I don’t recognize the number, but the threat is clear. Someone doesn’t want me getting close to Jenny, and they’re willing to go to extreme lengths to make sure I don’t. This has got to be her ex-husband, right?
I grip the phone tightly, my mind racing. I don’t know for sure who sent the message, but I’m not about to back down. Not when I’m finally starting to feel like I have something to look forward to.
Ethan: I don’t know who you are but stay out of my way and stay the FUCK away from Jenny. I’m going nowhere.
I hit send, the adrenaline coursing through my veins. I don’t know what’s coming, but one thing is for sure—I’m not going to let anyone stand in the way of what I want.
And right now, what I want is Jenny.
Chapter 4
Jenny
The cold air conditioning filters through my apartment making the room cool, but my skin is hot as my thoughts keep drifting back to last night. Dinner with Ethan was everything I didn’t know I needed—easy, fun, and full of the kind of connection that’s been missing from my life for so long. As I trace my fingers over my lips, I can still feel the warmth of his kiss, the way it made my heart race and my mind quiet. I didn’t want the night to end, but now, in the stillness of the morning, I’m excited to see where we go from here.
My phone buzzes on the nightstand, pulling me from my thoughts. I reach for it, half expecting it to be Ethan, but instead, I see Brooke’s name flashing on the screen.
Brooke: Morning, sunshine! How’d last night go? I need details!
Brooke: Remember, I’m living vicariously through you, girl.
I smile, rolling onto my back as I type out a reply.
Jenny: Morning! It was... amazing. I’ll tell you all about it when I see you. Coffee before work?
Brooke: You’re on! See you at Bean & Bagel in 20.
My phone buzzes with another text. I expect it to be from Brooke, but this time it’s from Ethan, and I can feel my smile across my face.
