Page 28 of Breaking the Rules
"Hate to break it to you, but Brendon briefed me."
She bites her tongue. "Brendon assigned you as my bodyguard?"
"Basically."
Frustration flares in her expression. It shutters that spark. Drains the bounciness from her voice. "Asshole."
I'm not sure if she's talking about me or him.
We both deserve it.
I'm putting what he's asking before what she wants.
"May I accompany you, Em?" I ask.
Her eyes narrow. "What if I say no?"
I stare back.You know what happens if you say no.
"It's not a request if you're coming either way."
"I'll help. It will go faster."
"Whatever." She moves to the door. Unlocks it. Steps inside.
I follow. "I'll wait here."
She shoots me areallylook, then she marches up the stairs.
It takes a few minutes for her to grab suitcases and make her way to me.
She moves outside. To her car.
Stares at me like I'm the devil.
Like I've betrayed the intimacy we've built in the last twenty-four hours.
It twists something in my gut.
I'm capable of building trust with someone.
Of reaching out.
Understanding.
But I'm fucking it up again.
Classic Hunter Keating destructive shit.
I slide into the passenger seat. Turn the music to something she likes.
She shoots me anice trylook, but she still taps her fingers along with the beat.
This car is her. Bright red and messy.
It's a sedan, yeah, but it still screams with personality.
"I'm sorry your brother is over-protective." Fuck, I don't know how to get through to her. Only that I want to.
