Page 47 of Wine & Whiskey
“Just like you. You didn’t put it on speaker in case it was something bad. You always want to protect me.”
“Yes.”
“That’s why Max put another gun in the glove compartment.”
He sighs before nodding. Too smart to get it past her, she confirms her realization of the risks she faces being with him.
She sits down into her seat. “We’d better go.”
Silence welcomes them when they arrive at his house. Once inside the bedroom, he drops the bag she hastily packed at her house. Grateful Carrie wasn’t there to hear what happened. Otherwise, Shae might not be here.
He slides his arm around her waist. For the first time all night, he relaxes, confident she’s safe in the well-guarded house, all his men on high alert. “I never had the chance to tell you how beautiful you look tonight. I like your hair up.”
“I did it for you.”
Tipping his head down, he kisses behind her ear and nuzzles her throat. Heat courses through him at the thought of his tongue trailing along the soft, sweet-smelling skin of her shoulders. “I better let you get changed.”
Her slight nod confirms he deserves his guilty conscience for his growing desire. “Okay. I’ll be right back.”
His groin throbs at her lips brushing his cheek before she takes her suitcase into the bathroom. He releases a long, slow breath as he shrugs off his tuxedo jacket. A full bottle of whiskey sits on the bar, enticing him, steeling him for what he’s about to do. He downs two long gulps before the door opens.
The dim light in the bedroom doesn’t diminish any of her delicate beauty as she moves to the bed wrapped in a silky pink robe. He’s still in awe this angel lets him love her, at least for now. His heart pounds as he sits down next to her with a black velvet box in his hands. “There isn’t a doubt in my mind I love you.”
Her eyes widen at the realization of his intentions, and she shakes her head. “Please don’t do this.”
“You have to know how much you mean to me. It about killed me when you said I might fall for someone else and you’d be in the way.”
She grasps his arm and shakes it. “I was scared, and I panicked. I didn’t mean it.”
“You’re not here just because I need to protect you.”
“I don’t want to hurt you. You know I can’t say yes.”
Her whisper stabs his heart. He nods his head as he palms the tiny box. “Sometimes, I feel like we’re just a bubble waiting to burst. I will somehow fuck this up, and you’ll leave me. But before that happens, there’s something you have to know.” He looks up to meet her gaze, her expression filled with what he hopes is love. “You bring me the only happiness I’ve ever known.”
Her lips part in a small gasp. “What?”
“I was dead inside before I met you. I just existed. Then, you came into my life and changed everything. You have given me joy I never expected and sure as hell don’t deserve. I know it’s too soon, but if you ever have even the slightest doubt in your mind about my love for you, think of this ring.” He lifts the lid, revealing a white diamond solitaire with pink diamonds on each side, the meaning behind it more powerful than the money used to buy it. “I had it made for you, because I love you and want to be with you. That will never change.”
“It’s beautiful.” She lays her hand on top of his, entwining their fingers. “I’m staying with you because I want to, not because I have to.”
“When you were with Juan and I couldn’t get to you, I almost went out of my mind. I didn’t know if he was—” He shakes his head, pushing out the thoughts of what that motherfucker might have done to her. “What was happening. I promise I won’t let him near you again.”
“I know.” She leans forward and kisses him lightly before resting her head on his shoulder.
As one hand slides to the nape of her neck and the other around her waist, his phone buzzes on the nightstand. “Damn.” He picks it up and presses it to his ear. “Give me two minutes.”
He taps ‘end’ and lays his head against hers. “Max needs me. I’ll be right back.”
“I’m coming with you.”
“No, stay here. I don’t want you involved in this.”
Twisting the belt of her robe around her finger, she shakes her head, her hair rustling against his dress shirt. “But I’m scared to be by myself.”
His stomach clenches at her fear. Telling her isn’t enough. He has to figure out how to make her feel safe, especially in his own home. Rising from the bed, he pulls her up with him, and they walk together, meeting Max at the bottom of the stairs. Max’s eyebrows rise at Shae standing next to him. “Nick? I…”
“Go ahead…carefully.”
