Page 7 of The Hero I Can't Resist
He walks over to me and puts his hands on the counter, one on each side of me, caging me in. “Okay, let’s get a few things straight.”
I suck in a breath, my head tilted backwards so I can look up at him. He’s so close I can smell his woodsy cologne. God, is it cologne, or does he just smell like that?
He leans down, and his nose is just a few inches from mine. “Until we find the creep, you and I are going to be joined at the hip. I’m staying here inyour house. I’m going to monitor your emails, messages, and visitors. Until I know you’re safe, I’m not going to let you out of my sight.”
Speechless, I just stare up at him.
He looks almost pained as stands up to his full height. He’s still close but no longer leaning into me. His hands are fisted at his side. “Sky.”
I croak. “Yeah?”
“Do you have a boyfriend?”
My throat feels as if it’s closed up. “What?”
His jaw tightens. “It’s best if you tell me now instead of me finding out later.” He backs up, leaning on the counter behind him. “You know what? Let’s just make this easy. Break up with him.”
My mouth drops open. “Wait. You want me to break up with my boyfriend?”
He growls. “Yes. Now. Today.”
I blink in surprise and then shake my head. “Uh, if I do have a boyfriend, you can’t just tell me to break up with him.”
He gives me one terse nod. “Yes, I can.”
Confused, I shake my head. “What is happening right now? Look, I agreed to protection, but I’m not going to just let you boss me around.”
“Do. You. Have. A. Boyfriend?” he asks, enunciating each word.
I shake my head. “No, but that’s not the point.”
He points toward the front of the house. “I’m going to finish checking windows. I’ll let you get set up.”
I stare at him open-mouthed as he walks out of the kitchen. What just happened? I swear for one second there, it was like Zach was jealous. But just as quickly as the thought comes, I shake my head. Nope, there’s no way. I’m sure it’s wishful thinking on my part.
My phone dings, letting me know I have fifteen minutes until my live starts.
I finish cleaning up, wiping down the counters, and then I get all the ingredients out for the cupcakes I had planned to make tonight.
I’ve done this so many times, I don’t even have to think about it. I grab all the ingredients, thinking about Zach.
Salt, baking powder, egg, brown sugar, oil, vanilla, baking soda, butter, sour cream, powdered sugar, peanut butter, flour, heavy cream, milk, and a bag of peanut butter cups. I measure everything out and put them in aesthetically pretty bowls so I can just dump it all in on the live.
My five minute till live time dings.
I set up my camera, make sure the lighting is up and ready, and then turn on my microphone. I spend the rest of my time pacing back and forth until it’s time to go on.
I’m wondering where Zach is, but I’m thankful that he hasn’t made his way back to the kitchen. I’m not sure if I can do my show with him watching.
Right on time, I turn the camera on and push the Go Live button.
“Hey, Cookie Crew, I’m back, and do I have something sinfully sweet for you tonight. I looked at all your votes, and I’m excited to say that peanut butter cupcakes had the most.”
I pump my hands in the air as if I’m cheering.
Right at that moment, Zach walks into the kitchen.
I try not to stumble, but there’s no way I can’t look at him. It should be a sin to be as handsome as he is.
