Page 5 of Stalking in the Holidays

Four

Bryan

I meant when I told Bonnie I'm going to protect her from everything in this world—even myself.

Even if it kills me.

I feed my princess first and foremost, and then I have some clothes delivered for her. As much as I love seeing her walk around in nothing but my T-shirt, I know she's going to need some clothes if she ever goes out anywhere, and as much as I would love to keep her locked up here forever, safe from everything, I don't want her to become a caged bird. On top of that, when I told her she could have the spare room for as long as she needed, she looked at me with grateful eyes before she firmly said that she wanted to do something to earn her keep.

I can respect that. But what she doesn't realize is that I will let her stay here forever. I want her to stay here forever. And I don't require her to do anything in return.

I don't know what it is about this girl, but I'm completely attached to her already. I want to honor her wishes, though, so that's why I've got her working the desk at my gym.

Yeah, I don't really need a receptionist. I usually book everything myself, but I put her in charge of answering the phones and doing other things in my small office space—anything to make her feel useful and to keep her in my sights all day.

It's hard for me to focus on training my clients when I keep sneaking glances over at her to make sure she's okay.

When I break for lunch, I eat with her, and maybe I'm making her uncomfortable with the way I'm staring at her, but I can't help it. I love the way her fingers move. I love the way her eyelashes flutter against her pale cheeks. I love the way she flips those long, dark dresses over her shoulder. Fuck, I love everything about her. I could just watch the girl all day long. She doesn't even need to say a word. I'm mesmerized by her.

At the end of the day, I give her her first paycheck and watch her eyes widen when she sees the amount written on it.

She shakes her head and tries to pass the check back to me. “I can't possibly accept this. This is way more than what I did today is worth.”

I refuse to take the check back. “Consider it an advance, Bonnie. This way, you feel like you're earning your keep.”

She bites her lip before she smiles up at me shyly and says, “Okay, thank you.”

I intend for her to come upstairs to my apartment with me, but she heads for the door instead. “I'll catch you later?” She raises an eyebrow at me as if she's questioning if it's okay for her to go out.

I swallow and against my better judgment nod and try to play it cool. “Yeah, sure thing.” She probably wants to go cash her check or put it in the bank. “You want me to go with you?” I can't stop myself from asking.

She hesitates before she shakes her head firmly. “No, I'll be okay. I promise.”

I see the determination in her eyes, and I reluctantly concede. It's amazing that after only one day, I can already read her so well. She's determined to not be a victim. She doesn't want to feel dependent on me any more than she already is, but my chest squeezes when I watch her walk out the door alone.

Sweet baby, don't you know that you can always depend on me for anything?

I stand there for a moment indecisively before my feet start moving of their own accord. Fuck it. I can't let her go out alone. Not after the shape I found her in yesterday.

I'll follow her and be her silent guardian. She never needs to know anything about it. I'll stay in the shadows and just walk behind her and make sure she's okay.

I know that what I'm doing is technically stalking, but ask me if I give a fuck. I'll go to any extreme to protect her because I know one thing deep in my bones after spending all day with her.

Bonnie Belmont is mine.

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