Page 27 of Saffron and Secrets

John squeezes my hand. “Are you okay?”

“No. I’m fine.”

His stare is intense, as if reading every line on my face.

“I promise.” To assure him, I try to crack a smile.

He nods and pulls me into him, embracing my shoulders. I wrap my arm around his waist, his body covering me and offering the comfort I need to calm down from the state of shock I’ve found myself in.

This is nice. This is really nice.

Sally hands me the saffron, and we leave the shop, leaving her wondering what’s going on between us. To be honest, I don’t know how I could answer that, because I don’t have any idea what we're doing.

13

Jonathan

Paul is arrested and taken away. Grabbing Ruby’s hand, I walk her toward my car. She is indeed pale, and I don’t want her driving home in a state of shock. I can’t imagine what she must be feeling to have someone follow, and even worse…to be an ex-client.

I feel this deep, protective nature coming out of me. The way I vibrated with anger when he had his hand on her and she asked him to remove it, yet the bastard left it on; I have never wanted to hit someone so much in my life. But I’m better than that. I can threaten him with my words and not embarrass her by having a news article about me hitting her stalker. No, I must keep myself in check and remember I’m here to support her. I just want to wrap her in my arms tonight and make sure she won’t be threatened again.

“What's going to happen to my car?” she asks and her sweet voice pulls me away from my thoughts.

“I’ll sort it out,” I say and squeeze her a little tighter, reminding her I’m here for her. And that she will not have to worry about anything again. I want to help any way I can. All she needs to do is relax.

“You don’t have to keep saving me.” She peeks up at me from under her lashes, and I smile down.

It’s an effort to stop myself from kissing her, so instead, I speak, “I want to help you. Please let me. And let’s just get to your grandma’s and we can worry about it later.”

She nods, giving up the fight, and we get into the car.

After a quiet drive, I park outside the house. My palms sweat as I realize I’m meeting her family. I haven’t met anyone’s parents in years.

Getting out of the car, I walk around to her side and grab her hand to go toward the door.

She peers up and holds my gaze with a smirk. “Are you ready to meet Flora?”

“Always.” I give her my charming smirk and then we step through the door.

“Grandma,” she says as we walk in, and I close it behind us.

“Yeah. Come in. I’m in the kitchen,” Flora says.

“Okay, well, I have someone with me,” Ruby yells out.

“Is he handsome?” she asks.

I pinch my lips together to prevent myself from laughing. Ruby’s face isn’t pale anymore. No, there is definitely a change of color to her now, and if I can read her correctly, I’d say she thinks I am.

“How do you know it’s a he?” Ruby challenges.

“I just do,” Flora fires back.

We turn a corner, making our way to a kitchen.

Flora blurts, “Oh, fuck me silly. He’s delicious.”

My lips part, and I can’t help but chuckle even though when I peer down at Ruby, she’s frowning, clearly unimpressed. “Grandma.”

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