Page 22 of Craving Danger

She didn’t give me that impression at the office, though, which tells me how good she is at pretending.

Mr. Forester sighs, making it clear he’s bored, then mutters, ‘Let’s spice things up.’

The moment he reaches for the zipper of his pants, Miss Blakely’s features tighten with fear.

“Fuck,” I snap as I swing around and make a run for the room they’re in.

I slam the door open and order, “Get him out of here!”

My eyes lock on Miss Blakely, whose breaths are rushing over her parted lips, her eyes wide with terror.

Jesus fucking Christ. She’s having a panic attack.

Crouching in front of her, I keep my tone as gentle as possible as I say, “You’re safe, Miss Blakely.”

Seeing how pale she is stirs something in my chest, and the urge to hold her almost overwhelms me.

Don’t touch her. It’s the only request she has.

Fuck.

“You’re safe,” I repeat. “I won’t let anything happen to you.”

The promise falls over my lips before I can even think about it.

I watch as she fights to regain control over her emotions, and it makes me respect her so much more.

Christ, she’s strong.

Seeing the woman who’s given me attitude at the office in such a vulnerable state makes another wave of protectiveness wash through me.

Samantha

My breaths keep bursting over my lips as my eyes lock with the staff member’s worried brown ones.

There’s something familiar about the man, and when I manage to calm down a little, it sinks in that Kevin is no longer in the room.

“Take your time,” the masked man murmurs, his tone still soft. “Just know that you’re safe.”

I nod as I glance around the room before looking at the man crouching in front of me.

He made himself smaller so he wouldn’t come across as a threat.

The thought has me calming down some more until I’m able to force a trembling smile to my face. “Thank you.”

His dark brown gaze is locked on me as he asks, “Do you feel better?”

Weirdly, I do. There’s just something about the man that makes me feel safe.

Nodding, I whisper, “Yes. Thank you.”

He shakes his head. “No thanks needed. I apologize for what happened with Mr. Forester.”

I nod again before taking a much-needed deep breath.

Rising to his feet, he moves to the bed, where he takes a seat on the edge. “You still have thirty minutes left. I’ll sit with you if that’s okay?”

I nod again, and then the realization sinks in that I didn’t completely lose my shit. There was a hiccup, but I think I can do this as long as the man doesn’t try anything.

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