Page 23 of Protecting Player #73
And I know exactly what that something nicer is–the new dress she bought today, which I spent way too much time obsessing over. It hugs her figure in ways that only my hands should know.
After helping her into my car and making sure she's buckled in, I move around to the driver’s seat. As I back out of the parking space in the garage, I ask, “Alex coming, too?”
Brea hesitates, nibbling on that plump lower lip that I'd like to sink my teeth into, before finally answering me. “No, it will just be us tonight. But only if you're okay with my parents knowing we're together.” She peeks over at me, looking for confirmation, so I nod my head and encourage her to continue speaking. “I'm not sure if I'm ready for an Alex lecture just yet.” She gives a hollow laugh, but it’s apparent that she's worried about her sister's approval.
Reaching over, I grip her thigh, squeezing gently. “I get the feeling Alex will be more okay with it once she understands that I make you happy. At least I hope I make you happy….” I sort of let it hang, and her hesitation makes my heart stutter.
“You really do.” She reassures me. “Alex can be kind of judgmental sometimes,” she explains, and it feels like she's not just talking about her love life.
“Do you plan on keeping us a secret?” I'm not entirely sure what response I expected, but I was not ready for her next words.
Her hand covers the one I still have holding her thigh. “I don't want to keep us a secret, T.K. I'd love for the whole world to know about us. But I have something to tell you.”
She becomes shy and won't look me in the eye. Her head turns towards the window as we drive through the streets. When her leg begins bouncing, worry weasels its way through my veins.
“You know you can tell me anything, pup.” I keep my voice light.
“I know I can. And that's what worries me.”
Frowning, I ask, “Why would it worry you?”
She releases a deep sigh, as if carrying the world on her shoulders, and I wonder, could it really be that bad?
Chapter 16
Brea
How do I tell this man I’m scared to death that once he knows, he’ll commit a felony or two? There are times when a bone-chilling darkness enters his gaze if Thor is mentioned, or one of his teammates flirts a little too much, or if he catches someone eyeing me up. That concerns me.
“Brea?”
Raising my eyes slowly, I meet his inquiring look. “I’ve been getting...messages.” His jaw tenses. “Possessive ones.”
“Fucking Thor,” he snarls viciously.
I shake my head before he can continue on. “Not Thor.” He frowns at my hesitation.
“Brea, who?”
“Erika Morris.” I spit out the name, and from how wide his eyes get, I can tell he’s surprised.
“Erika.” I nod as he slowly repeats her name.
The rest of the drive passes in silence–T.K. battling his anger, and me, terrified that I shouldn’t have told him.
Nothing is said as he parks in the underground garage, or as he opens my door and takes my hand to help me from his car,holding it for the walk to the elevators and up to his condo. Or is itourcondo? It’s still so confusing and overwhelming.
He keeps me close all the way inside and to the couch where he sits me down, then drops in beside me. Scrubbing both hands up and down his face, T.K. groans before gripping my thigh and dragging me right against his body.
“I’m sorry.” It's a solemn apology; one he doesn’t need to make to me.
“Why? You aren’t the one making me feel unsafe.”
He studies me carefully, searching for something I'm sure he won’t find. I remain silent while waiting for his next move.
“You really don't blame me.” He seems amazed, like he thought I would hate him.
Sighing, I blurt out, “Look, T.K., I know what happened and why I was hired. Do I like it? No. However, I'm mature enough to understand you don't control others’ actions.”
