Page 23 of Saved from Obsession

“I’m not feeling well.” She takes another few steps, her gaze darting everywhere but at me. “I think I’m going to lie down.”

My chest feels like something has been carved out of it. “Georgia . . .”

“Please, Leo.“ Sitting on the bed, Georgia wraps her arms around herself, staring down at her knees. “I need to be alone. It’s fine. Okay?”

How did I screw this up so badly? I don’t want to make things worse—if that’s possible—so I dip my head at her and say, “Okay. I’ll be downstairs if you need anything.”

She doesn’t respond, so I let myself out of the room, softly shutting the door behind me. Once in the hall, I lean against a wall and take a moment to mentally castigate myself.Why didn’t I stop her before she kissed me?And why did I kiss her back?

Now I’ve ruined the bond between us and hurt Georgia when that’s the last thing I wanted to do. And I feel worse than ever. Worse than wanting her but never making a move. Thinking about her every day but telling myself we can only be friends. It’s a hundred times worse than that.

Because now I know the reality of kissing Georgia is so much more than what I imagined. I’ve touched her before, even held her, but this was different. This time… her body fitting against mine like a piece I’ve been missing, hearing her soft little sighs and feeling her arousal for me… in all of my years, I’ve never experienced anything like it.

And I just pushed her away. Thewrongnessof it is suffocating.

I want her. Not just as a friend. Not only for a night. And definitely not only as a client. I wantmore.

As I stand in the hallway, only a dozen feet and one door apart, I realize I can’t deny my feelings for Georgia any longer. I can be her protector andalsoher partner. That is, if she’ll let me after I messed up so badly.

Maybe it’s not as complicated as I’m making it. I’ll go downstairs, find out if there’s any more information about the guy who delivered the package, and then I’ll talk to Cole. He met Maya on a case—just because they started dating after it was technically over doesn’t mean he won’t understand.

And then, once I’ve hopefully gotten Cole’s blessing, I’ll talk to Georgia. Beg her forgiveness. Tell her how I feel about her. And hope that she’ll give me a chance.

CHAPTEREIGHT

GEORGIA

I can’t even bring myself to look in the mirror tonight.

Over the last couple of weeks, I’ve been doing better at trying to accept my new appearance. Forcing myself to look at the raised pink line stretching across my face and trying not to cry at the sight of it. I’ve been looking in the mirror each night and reminding myself that I should feel lucky considering how much worse it could have been.

And I’ve thought about how Leo looks at me, almost like he doesn’t notice my scar. Sometimes I catch him watching me like a man looks at a woman he’s attracted to. At least, I thought so. But clearly I was wrong, and now I’m not just stressed and scared about my stalker, I’m also feeling rejected and embarrassed.

I’m not sure which is worse.

I mean, rationally I know the stalker and his sinister package are more dangerous. But my heart doesn’t seem to agree. Which is why I’m sitting on my bed hunched into a ball of misery, my heart and pride both cracked and bleeding. I can’t bring myself to go back downstairs—to face Leo and his inevitable look of pity.

And if he tries to explain why he doesn’t want me again, I might end up doing the stalker a favor myself and dying from humiliation.

I’ve only known Leo for a few weeks. It shouldn’t hurt this much. I keep saying it in my head, but it’s not sinking in. Because in my heart I know I was already falling for him—this big, quietly intimidating man who’s so sweet and gentle on the inside. And his eyes, his smile, hismuscles… even his touch makes me shiver in the most amazing of ways.

Argh. I grab a pillow and shove my face in it, muffling my cry of helpless frustration. Flopping back onto the mattress, I stare at a spot on the ceiling and realize it’s a tiny spider. Normally I would freak about a spider even being in the same room as me, but right now, I can’t muster up the energy.

I stare at the spider for a few minutes, and I’m actually contemplating talking to it—the spider won’t judge my impulsive kiss, will it—when my phone rings. At the first sound, I tense up, but my pulse settles as I recognize the familiar ringtone. Someone is calling that I actuallywantto hear from, though I’m not sure I feel like talking to anyone right now.

But if I don’t answer, she’ll worry and think something is wrong. Then she’ll call Leo, or Cole, and one of them will come charging up here to make sure I’m okay, and I’d rather just answer the phone than deal withthat.

Grabbing the phone, I swipe across the screen and sigh at it. “Hi, Hayden.”

“Georgia. What’s wrong?” She’s using hermom-copvoice, as I call it, worried and authoritative at the same time. “Did something happen?”

“No. Everything is fine.” Ugh. I was trying for a light, reassuring tone, but it comes out sounding like I’m attending a funeral.

“G.” Hayden’s tone softens. “Don’t tell me that. What happened?”

I wasn’t going to tell her about the packageorLeo, but something in her voice cracks the dam inside me, and the truth comes spilling out. “I hate how I look, Hayden. No one will ever want me now.”

Tears press against the back of my eyes, and I’msotired of crying.

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