Page 28 of My Bodyguard Neighbor
He did, finally, and the emptiness in his gaze made her chest ache.
"Are you okay?"she asked, even though it was a stupid question.
"I'm fine."
"You killed someone tonight."
"Three someones."His tone was flat."And I'd do it again.They came to kill you.I won't apologize for stopping them."
"I'm not asking you to apologize."Holly moved closer."I'm asking if you're okay."
"No.I'm not okay.Someone on my team is injured because of me.Because I put personal feelings ahead of—"
"Don't."Holly's voice was sharp."Don't you dare blame yourself for this.You didn't attack us.They did."
"I should have moved us as soon as your father left.”
"You're not God.You can't anticipate everything."She reached for him, her hands on his face, forcing him to focus on her."You saved my life tonight.Again.You don't get to feel guilty about that."
He pulled her against him, his grip almost painful, his face buried in her hair.Holly held him back, feeling the tremors running through his body.
"I thought I was too late," he said into her neck."When I heard you scream, I thought—"
"But you weren't.You got there."Holly pulled back enough to look at him."I'm alive because of you."
"You shouldn't have to live like this.Running, hiding, watching people die—"
"I know.But this is temporary.The threat won't last forever."
Jonah's laugh was bitter."And what happens when it's over?You go back to your life, try to forget you ever met the man who killed people in front of you?"
"Is that what you think?"Holly stared at him."That I'm going to run away from you when this is done?"
"You should."
"Well, I'm not."She stepped closer, her hands fisting in his blood-stained shirt."I love you.That doesn't change because you did what you had to do to keep us alive."
Jonah's expression crumbled."Holly—"
"I love you," she repeated, meaning it with everything she had."The man who brought me coffee, the man who respected my choices, the man who quit his job because I said no.That's who you are.Not just the violence."
"The violence is part of me."
"I know.And I love you anyway."
***
HE KISSED HER.SLOWand deep, tasting the sweetness of her mouth.Holly's hands slid under his shirt, her fingers tracing the scars on his back.The marks of violence that had defined his life until now.
Jonah pulled back long enough to strip off his shirt.Holly's gaze traveled over his chest, taking in every scar, every imperfection.Instead of revulsion, he saw acceptance.Maybe even appreciation.
"Your turn," he said.
Holly sat up, pulling her shirt over her head.She wasn't wearing a bra.Pale skin dusted with freckles.Small, perfect breasts with pink nipples that tightened under his gaze.
"You're staring," Holly said, but she was smiling.
"Can you blame me?"
