Page 66 of Completely Captivated
“What did he say?”Jared was essentially standing over me.His eyes dropped to my phone, but I hoped his vision was too blurry to see anything.
“It was a private conversation, Jared.You need to leave now.I can’t talk to you when you’re drunk.”I moved away from him again, refusing to be cornered anywhere in my apartment without an escape route.
“Why are you acting so strange?I’d never hurt you, you know that.Just kiss me, Christa.One little kiss, and I guarantee you’ll forget all about what’s his name.”
“The fuck she will.Get the fuck away from my wife.She said no, and she told you to leave.”Aaron’s deep voice resonated through the room, causing Jared’s head to snap in his direction.
Relief covered me, because I knew I was safe.Even though I knew Jared would never physically hurt me, his words and demeanor made me feel very uncomfortable.Jared’s head swung back around toward me, his expression one of disbelief.
“Don’t look at her.I’m warning you one last time.Leave on your own two feet or flat on your back.Whatever you choose is fine with me, because you’ll leave either way.”
Jared replied with a disgusted snort and turned toward the door.Aaron moved over slightly to give him room to pass, but Jared purposely knocked into Aaron’s shoulder on his way out.Except, Aaron didn’t budge and Jared was on unsteady legs, so Jared bounced off the doorframe and stumbled before righting his balance.
Aaron smiled from ear to ear before his laughter broke free.“Nice try, prick.”
He turned his gaze to me, and his expression turned to concern.“Are you okay now, baby?”
I nodded, but for some stupid reason, the tears started when he called me baby.I’d really missed hearing that.He crossed the room in three giant strides and drew me into his arms.
“Did he hurt you?”
I shook my head, because I couldn’t speak.
“Just scared you?”
I nodded against his chest and buried my face tighter against him.He understood what I needed, because his arms curled tighter around me.This was my safe spot; my heart knew that was true.My mind played tricks on me, though.
“I’ve got you now.No one can hurt you.Or scare you.Or come near you.”He rested his cheek against the top of my head, and I felt completely wrapped in love.
When my sniffling subsided, he gradually released his hold and took a half step backward.With his thumb and index finger on my chin, he tilted my face up to look at him.“How do you feel now?”
“Safe and protected,” I blurted out before realizing it.
“Good.”He leaned down and kissed me on the tip of my nose.When I scrunched up my face in confusion, he chuckled.“I can’t kiss your lips and still be the good guy tonight.I know exactly what that motherfucker was thinking of doing to you because I’ve had the same thoughts.But I’ll never give you a reason to look at me like that.”
I shook my head lightly from side to side.“Thank you for rushing over here so fast.”
“I’m glad I was already nearby, leaving from a late meeting.”
An instant pang of jealousy hit me.“A late meeting with a leggy model?”
“No leggy models tonight.But she is a very sly and demanding lady.”
“Sorry I interrupted.”Where was this jealousy coming from?I was the one who was pushing for a divorce, after all.
“You didn’t, but it wouldn’t have mattered who I was in a meeting with anyway.When you need me, I’ll be here.”He brushed his fingertips along my cheek, and chill bumps flared out across my body.“Since he’s gone and you feel safe, I guess I should get going myself.Don’t open the door for him again tonight, even if he says he’s sober.He may be waiting for me to leave.”
I honestly hadn’t even thought of that.
“Do you have to get back to your client?”
He shook his head.“No, we’re finished for the night.”He paused and tilted his head to the side.“Are you afraid to be alone?”
I nodded.It was ridiculous, but I couldn’t help it.After everything that had happened, I didn’t want to be alone that night.
“I’ll stay if you want me to,” he offered.My knight in shining armor.Actually, my knight in a dark blue Armani suit, as the case may be.
“I’d feel so much better if you did.”
