Page 109 of Under His Protection
“Are you kidding? You had me at ice cream, but the bookstore, too? Somebody’s definitely getting lucky tonight.”
The smile on his face says everything.
* * *
That evening, we eat dinner with Charlie and Mateo, who are staying at the safehouse with us until I officially move back to the dorm tomorrow.
After dinner, we watch a movie in the parlor, the four of us crammed on the sofa. I notice Mateo has his arm across Charlie’s shoulder, and he’s stroking the back of her neck. It’s like we’re on a double date.
When the movie ends, Mateo stands and stretches with a groan. He holds his hand out to Charlie, and when she takes it, he hauls her to her feet. “We’re turning in,” he says. “You kids have a good night. We’ll double-checkdesecurity system on our way out.”
It’s late, and I’m tired after all the stress and drama today. It’s only Wednesday, and it’s already been a stressful week. “I think I’ll get ready for bed, too.”
Philip turns off the TV and stands. He catches my hand and turns me to face him. “Are you doing okay?”
“I think so. It’s been a crazy week, and I can’t seem to shake my anxiety. I feel like I might have PTSD for a while.”
He links our fingers and brings my hand up to kiss. “It’s going to take a while.” He heads for the doorway and tugs me along behind him and up the stairs.
I grab the bathroom first and step into the shower, because lots of hot water cascading over my body sounds really good right now. I stand beneath the spray and let the water flow over me. My throat tightens, and I feel on the verge of tears, but I’m done crying. Christian is in custody, and he’s not going to bother me anymore.
I keep picturing the gun he had tucked inside his jacket. What in the world was he thinking? His sentence is going to be far worse because he was armed.
Despite the hot water heating my skin, I feel a chill crawl down my spine. Was the gun just for show, or would he have used it to threaten me? I shudder at the thought.
When I’m done showering, I brush my teeth and dry my hair.
This is probably the last night I’ll be sharing a bed with Philip, at least here. Tomorrow night, I’ll be back in the dorm room. I’m glad things will be getting back to normal, but I’m sad I won’t be living with Philip. I hope I can stay at his apartment on the weekends. I don’t know how my dad will feel about it, but I think we’re past that now. I’m an adult, and what I do with Philip is my business—no one else’s.
I wrap my damp towel around me and open the door to find Philip sitting on the floor outside the bathroom leaning against the opposite wall.
“Your turn,” I say.
He stands, and as I move to pass by him, he catches me and gazes down at me. “You’ve been through a lot, Hale. It’s okay to feel out of sorts.”
“Is it that obvious?”
He smiles. “I know you well enough to read your moods, so yeah.” He leans down to kiss me. “Do you want to sleep with me tonight?”
Now I have a reason to smile. “Yes.”
“Good. It’ll be our last night here.”
“Are you free this weekend?” I ask, grinning because he’s smiling, too.
“I’ll always be free for you.”
Chapter 33 – Haley
I leave Philip to grab his shower and get ready for bed. I put on a white cami top and a pair of pink panties. Just as I finish brushing my hair, he walks into the bedroom with just a towel around his waist.
I find myself staring at him—all that bare chest, broad shoulders, and those arms! The towel hangs low on his hips, giving me a glimpse of not only his happy trail, but those sexy V’s at his hips.
He’s doing a bit of staring himself. My cami doesn’t conceal much. It shows a fair amount of cleavage, and it doesn’t even cover my butt.
“Haley, you look—jeez!” When he picks me up, I wrap my legs around his waist, and he carries me to the bed.
He sits at the foot of the bed with me on his lap facing him. His fingers gently brush my hair back. “You are so damn beautiful, you take my breath away.”
