Page 99 of Perfect Distraction
Chapter Eighteen
Gavin twisted around and Lauren’s head jerked to the end of the hallway, where Andrew stood with his legs planted, one slightly in front of the other, his arms at his sides. He took a deep breath and tried to stay calm, but one wrong move on that asshole’s part and Andrew would lose his shit.
He and Jeni had been headed to Mandi’s section for his treatment. Andrew had to stop in the restroom, and on his way back through the infusion center, he thought he heard Lauren’s voice. His heart had leapt because he’d missed her this morning, and he wanted to see her.
When he’d turned down the short hallway in the back corner of the infusion center, the scene in front of him had made him see red. The woman he loved stood with her back against the wall, her beautiful face pale and her posture tense. A man hovered over her, one arm appearing to block her exit, the other touching her hair, and his head bent close to hers.
Too damn close.
Images of Isla’s injuries flashed through his mind—photographs of bruises and lacerations, proof of the things a man could do to a woman when he wanted control and possession.
Andrew didn’t understand the desire to control this woman, but he sure as hell wanted to protect her. If anyone tried to hurt her, they’d have to get through him first.
Gavin wasn’t stupid and did as he was told. “Relax, buddy. We’re just talking.”
Andrew took three purposeful steps forward.
Gavin remained where he was, having given Lauren space but still within arm’s reach.
The adrenaline coursing through Andrew’s body clouded his vision, and he held his jaw so tight the muscles burned. “The hell it isn’t. If I ever hear about you bothering her again—”
“Andrew,” Lauren said, widening her eyes at him. He stopped short at her tone and turned his head in her direction. Don’t, she mouthed.
Gavin looked between them. “There is something going on between you two, isn’t there?”
Andrew crossed his arms in front of his chest. “Fuck off.”
Lauren closed her eyes and sighed.
Gavin smirked. “Got it. Well, good for you two.” He looked at Andrew. “Sorry I stepped on your toes, dude. I didn’t know.”
Andrew’s arms twitched with the need to grab the guy and shove him against the wall. He focused on taking measured breaths and rolled his shoulders. “It’s not my feet I’m worried about. It was pretty clear she was saying no before I happened to walk by. I suggest you move on, now and for good.”
Gavin raised his eyebrows and made a slight bow before he sauntered off. The slight grin on his face concerned Andrew, but he had something more important to focus on right now. He went to Lauren immediately. “Are you okay?”
“Why did you do that?” she snapped.
His head jerked back. “Seriously? He was basically forcing himself on you.”
“There are fifty people right outside the hallway. He wouldn’t have done anything, and I was handling it.”
“You were handling it? Is that why he had his hand on you, touching your hair? That asshole doesn’t deserve to breathe the same air as you.” Andrew moved closer to her, a fire consuming his entire being. Despite her angry tone, she swayed toward him, her green eyes locked on his. Her body language, the opposite of what he’d seen in response to Gavin standing near her, encouraged him to surge on. “That’s my hair he was stroking. My breath he was stealing. You’re not the only territorial one here, Lauren.”
Her face softened, but then she lifted a hand and rubbed her eyes. “He’s a petty man, Andrew. He’s the last person I wanted to find out about us. When I thought your chemo was done I kind of let my guard down, but now that you need more treatment…” She shook her head. “Just to be a jerk he could report me, and my job could be in jeopardy. You can’t go around making a scene like that here.”
Andrew gently cupped a hand around her elbow. “I—I’m sorry. I didn’t know we still needed to be so careful, but no one else was even around.” His eyes searched hers, back and forth. A thick strand of her vibrant hair fell across her shoulder, and he thought of Gavin’s fingers touching it. “Actually, no. I’m sorry for how I went about it, but I won’t apologize for stepping in to defend you. I’ll always do that, no matter what.”
“I don’t need you to protect me. I can take care of myself. I’ve been doing things on my own my whole life.”
He slid his hand down her arm to take her hand. “But now you don’t have to. I’m here.”
She yanked her hand back. “I don’t need you, don’t you understand? I want you, Andrew. But I don’t need you.”
Wow.
Andrew felt that like a punch in the gut, and he swayed back a few inches. “You don’t need me,” he repeated.
“What I need is to keep my job here, so I don’t end up back in Oklahoma at a job I’ll hate. And you may have just ruined that.”
