Page 20 of Broken Promises
“You . . . you didn’t have to do that.”
Rhys leaned close and softly kissed my lips. “It’s my job to take care of you, and that means alleviating stress and worry from your life.” He kept his eyes locked on mine as he asked, “Is that something you could live with, me being overprotective and bossy, because that’s not gonna stop anytime soon?”
I smiled at him and responded, “As long as you can handle my sass from time to time.”
“I can handle everything about you.”
I wanted him to kiss me again, but something told me nothing was going to happen tonight. Part of me was sad, but the other part of me was relieved. I still wasn’t sure how I would react to anything more than a kiss, and I worried Rhys would run for the hills if I freaked out.
“Do you want something to eat or a bottle of water maybe?” My stomach grumbled and I covered it, embarrassed he’d heard the noise. He smiled and said, “Food it is then.”
He pulled out his phone and placed an order for some of those little square burgers with soft buns and tiny onions. He added two fries, two sodas, and two milkshakes to the order and sent it off.
“They said twenty minutes. Why don’t you get comfortable while we wait? That way, if you get sleepy, I don’t have to try and get you dressed for bed.”
“Okay,” I answered and stood from the couch.
My stance was still uneasy from the alcohol, but I carefully walked through the dining room to the bedroom, closing thedoor behind me. My normal pajamas weren’t appropriate for company, so I grabbed a pair of long sleeping pants and my cami with a built-in bra. Sitting on the bed, I slipped my shoes off and, piece by piece, replaced my bar clothes with sleep clothes. Grabbing my lightweight hoodie, I slipped it on and returned to the living room.
Rhys was typing on his phone but lifted his gaze to me as I returned. He smiled and patted the couch next to him as he said, “Damn, you’re beautiful.”
I blushed and ducked my head, not used to compliments, but he lifted my face back to his. I could’ve gotten lost in his deep, soulful eyes as he stared at me with a hunger I wasn’t used to. It said, ‘I want to eat you alive.’
“Can I ask you something?” I inquired as we waited for the food.
“I’ll answer anything I can.”
“Why did you say earlier was a mistake?”
He pinched his lips, and I wanted to take the question back but would not back off. Granny taught me to stand strong, so I waited for his answer.
“I told you that I’ve helped women for years, women who’ve . . .”
“Been raped,” I stated, and he closed his eyes briefly.
“Yes. I’ve helped women who’ve been raped. Throughout that time, not once have I crossed a line with any woman I’ve helped, and I mistakenly lumped you into the same category as them. But you’re not, and I know that now. I’m . . . I’m sorry for causing you any pain.”
“You thought that by kissing me, you were taking advantage of me?” I inquired and he nodded his response. Maybe it was the liquor, or maybe it was him, but I needed to squash those thoughts from his mind. Carefully, I stood from the couch, and he watched me as I turned and sat on his lap with one knee oneither side of his legs. I made sure to keep as far away from his crotch as possible, not wanting to push this too far, too fast.
“What are you doing?” he asked as I grabbed his hands and placed them on my hips.
“I told you that I don’t need to be saved, and while I respect your reasons why you stopped me,” I leaned over and gently kissed him, “I’m not damaged from what happened to me. It’s not the defining moment in my life, and I refuse to allow them any more power over me.”
“Damn,” he started to say, “I don’t know how you’re so strong, but I’m in awe of your strength.”
A knock sounded at the door, and Rhys looked at me and raised his eyebrows. Carefully, I stood from his lap, and when he was up from the couch, he pecked me on the lips before walking to the newly repaired front door. After looking through the peephole, he opened the door and used his body to block the delivery person’s view inside the house while he retrieved the order from them.
I watched him from across the room, and every move he made was calculated. Be it walking on the street to ensuring no one sees me in my pajamas, he seemed to always have safety—specificallymysafety—in mind.
A girl could get used to all this attention, but I feared he and I would be tested to our limits before we found our happily ever after.
I just wished I had known how far we would have to go to reach those limits . . . and how much loyalties would be tested.
Chapter 9
Rhys
We ate in relative silence, and I kept sneaking glances at her. Her beauty was unparalleled, and all I wanted to do was taste her lips, but I kept my needs in check as we finished our late evening dinner. Gathering the trash, I walked into the kitchen and threw it away just as my phone pinged in my pocket.
