Page 19 of The Hero I Can't Resist
I put a hand on his shoulder. “I don’t want anything to happen to you either.” His face softens, and I know I’m giving away too much. “Look, let’s just put the box out in the hallway and give it away.”
He points at the box. “This box? You want to give it away? The one that we practically raced back to the room to open?”
I shrug. “Well, it’s not worth dying over.”
He moves the detector to his left hand and then puts his right hand on my shoulder. “I’m sure it’s fine. I’m just being cautious.”
I nod, and he gestures to the corner of the room. “Go on. Go stand over there.”
I firmly shake my head. “Nope. If we’re doing this, we’re doing it together.”
He wants to argue but decides against it. He rubs the detector along the box, and the room is silent asI wait for something to alert me. This whole situation is a little overwhelming. It doesn’t take long before Zach is putting away the machine. “Go ahead. Open it.”
I suck in a deep breath and let it out. The joy and excitement from earlier is now gone. I get the first flap open, and Zach apologizes. “I’m sorry. I ruined it for you, and that wasn’t my intention.”
I shake my head, forcing a smile to my face. “You didn’t ruin it. The asshole stalker did.”
Zach smirks at me, and I ask him, “What are you smiling about?”
He crosses his arms over his big chest and shakes his head, still smiling. “You must be really mad because you just cursed.”
I blush. It’s a bad habit of mine, but he’s right. I only curse when I’m mad.
I open the box, and Zach helps me take everything out. He’s really trying to get my mind off things, and he asks me to tell him about every appliance and utensil and what I’d like to make with them.
I’m trying. I really am. I answer all his questions, and I am excited about the PR package from Whisked Away, but it seems like the week is justtaking its toll on me. Emotions are hitting me hard, and I know I’m not going to be able to keep it together much longer.
“I’m going to go shower and get ready for bed.”
He tenses but doesn’t say anything. I grab my pajamas and toiletry bag and then make my way to the bathroom. I can feel Zach’s eyes on me the whole way, and it’s only when I get to the bathroom, shut the door, and turn on the water that I finally let the tears start to fall.
I’m a mess. I know I am.
My stalker is going crazy. I’m spending twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week with a man that I’ve crushed on for what feels like forever. I know I need to stay strong and keep my guard up, but right now, I’m so damn tired, and I just can’t.
CHAPTER 9
ZACH
She’s crying. I knew it was coming. I could tell in the last hour that she was overwhelmed, and I’m kicking myself for not being more discreet when checking the box. Maybe I’m going too far, but Sky’s stalker is unhinged. I found trackers on my truck and her car and removed them both before we left this morning.
There’s no doubt that he knows where she is and is probably following her everywhere she goes. I made sure we weren’t being followed when we drove here, but because of the nature of her business, the world knows she’s here. Every post and image Sky is tagged in from Whisked Away shows the enemy her exact location.
I stand outside the bathroom, listening to her sob softly. There’s steam coming from under the door, and I can smell the scent of her lavender soap. My chest feels so tight that all I can do is stand here and try to breathe.
It guts me, and I’m fighting with myself because more than anything, I want to walk in there and hold her.
As soon as the water shuts off, I move away from the door. I check the deadbolt again, making sure it’s locked. I pull the edge of the curtains tighter, making sure that no one can see in. It’s habit now, double and triple-checking things, but it’s a necessary one.
I hear her shuffling around in there, lids snapping open, more water running, and when the door finally opens, I can’t stop myself.
I slowly walk toward her. I take the contents of her hands and drop them on the dresser before pulling her into my arms.
She’s stiff at first, but I don’t let her go. I slide my hand up and down her back, soothing her the only way I know how.
I haven’t hugged anyone in a long time, but this feels good. Almost too good. The hitch of her breath hits me hard.
Finally, she melts into me, and before I know it, she’s crying again.
