Page 11 of Unexpected Love - A Steamy Instalove

He begins to pull away and I feel a tug on my heartstrings when he does. His icy eyes meet mine and check me over. I feel breathless as his eyes drag over my body.

“Are you alright? Are you hurt?” he asks concerned.

I shake my head.

“No…he just…scared me.”

“I’m so sorry,” he rumbles. “I heard you talking…and I thought he was your lover. I didn’t want to pry but when he threatened you, that’s when I couldn’t take it for a second longer. I had to come out here and get him away from you. Maybe it’s not my place or I overstepped but I couldn’t allow him to hurt you.”

“You didn’t overstep. I…I’m glad you came out to help,” I whisper. There’s a short silence. I swallow, looking him in the eyes. “I-I don’t want to be alone.”

“Like I’d allow that right now,” he growls.

His big hand cups my face for a moment, making me gasp. His touch is surprisingly gentle after all the violence. It feels good. I can’t look away from his gaze.

“Let’s get you inside.”

Chapter Six

Will

I keep my hand on Elle’s back protectively as I lead her inside my apartment. There’s no way I’m allowing her to be on her own after what she just went through. She must be pretty shaken up, after all. She deserves to be around someone who is going to take care of her, not someone who is going to scare her to death with his antics.

Just thinking about that asshole makes me furious. I could’ve killed him for being such an asshole to Elle.

She seems okay, but she’s trembling and who can blame her? A man like that has no business being allowed out on the streets, terrorizing innocent women. But now that I know Elle isn’t safe, there’s no way I’m leaving her side again. I’ll be her own personal bodyguard if I have to. So long as she’s safe, that’s what matters.

I sit her down and get her some water. She takes it from me with a sad look in her eyes, sipping from the glass.

“Thank you. You’re being so kind to me,” she whispers.

I guess she’s not used to common decency when she’s had run-ins with men like this Matt. I sit down beside her, pressing my body close to hers. I want her to feel my presence, to know I’m right here beside her. I’m her own personal shield and I won’t let anything touch her. She never needs to be afraid again.

“It’s not kindness. It’s just being a good person, a gentleman,” I tell her. “Something that asshole clearly doesn’t understand. Who is he? What was he doing here?”

I watch Elle’s bottom lip tremble. “He…he’s been stalking me for a long time. I met him at a diner last year ago when I worked. He started coming around every day just to see me. He showed up in places he shouldn't, claiming just to be passing by, but he was always there for me. He’s been a real menace in my life.”

“Have you tried calling the police? Seeing what they can do?”

Elle nods tearfully. “They never do anything about him. I feel like I’ve spent my life living in fear of him, just waiting for him to show up. But I never expected that he’d find me here. I don’t come here often. But I guess he can find me anywhere. I’m not safe anywhere…”

A growl rumbles in my chest filled with anger. Angry at the system, that women like Elle have to suffer because they’re not taken seriously when they report abusive men like him. He may claim to love her, but no man in love does what he did to her. I wrap my arms around Elle and hold her tight.

“You don’t need to be scared anymore,” I tell her, voice firm. “I won’t let anyone hurt you ever again. You can rely on me. If he shows his face again, he’s going to regret it.”

“But how can you keep him at bay?” Elle sniffs. “You won’t always be around to help me. You're my dad’s neighbor and I don’t even live here.”

“It doesn’t matter,” I growl. “Wherever you are. Wherever you need me, I’ll be there. I’m not going to let a single person take advantage of you, hurt you, or scare you. You don’t deserve it, Elle. I’m going to make sure to keep you safe. That’s a promise.”

She sniffs, looking up at me. God, she’s so beautiful. I shouldn’t even be thinking about her like this right now when she’s been through such an ordeal, but I feel my cock twitching in my pants. I can’t help it when she’s so close. It’s no wonder she drives all these guys crazy. I know I’ll go crazy if I never get to have her. But if she chooses she doesn’t want me, then I’ll never try to force her. I won’t ever be the reason she’s scared or hurt. I’m not like that other guy. I’m not a monster.

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