“No.”
“I don’t have all day. Get your ass in the truck.”
“You’re an asshole.”
I don’t even know why we’re fighting. I’m looking out for her and she’s being a spoiled, damn brat.
Once we’re in the truck, I turn it on but don’t put it into drive. I turn to her and see she’s focusing on the window. I grip her chin lightly to get her to look at me. “Lily, I’m not going to lock you away. Not that the idea doesn’t sound really exciting, but that’s not what I’m trying to do. I’m trying to keep you safe. I don’t want anything to happen to you; you mean so much to me. I’m sorry if you feel smothered by my feelings.”
“I’m not smothered by them. They scare me.”
“I promise I’ll never do anything to hurt you. I’ve never raised my hand to a woman before.”
“I’m not afraid of you beating my ass. I’m scared that you could take all this away from me at any time. You make me feel special and wanted, and I haven’t felt that way in forever. I’ve always longed to be important to someone. These past few days have been amazing with you, and if you decide you don’t want me anymore, well, it will break me.”
“Fuck, Bunny. Don’t ever think like that. I’m not letting you go. Ever. I’m more likely to lock your ass up with our kids in our home before I’d let you leave me.”
~~~~
I hear his words and absorb them. He’s too good to be true. I’ve been living alone with just a few friends and I’ve come to enjoy that. But ever since I knocked on his door, I have felt a longing for love that I didn’t know I needed. His eyes stare at me so intently and I feel the pull. Our faces move closer in slow motion; our lips connect, his strong mouth softens for me and he kisses me with all his heart. Because I need reassurance, I undo two of his buttons while we kiss and slide my hand to his chest to feel the pounding of his heart. It’s racing just as fast as mine. He moves his head back to get a look at me. I don’t know what he’s looking for, but I know I’ve found what I need in him.
Keeping my hand on his chest, I whisper, “I love you.”
The look in his eyes change. It intensifies and I can see that he’s ready to say it back, but just as he’s about to, there’s a pounding on my window. Both of us jump. I turn around to see the cop that was at the hospital.
Trent lowers the window and asks, “What’s up, Don?”
“Nothing. I just happened to be at the Dunkin right there and saw your truck. Are you going to be in your office today?”
“Yeah, we’re about to head over there.”
“Can I meet with you later— privately?” I see the message that passes between them, but I don’t know what it’s about.
“Sure thing. What time works for you?”
“I have to go check in at the station, then I can stop by.”
“Okay.”
“Hello, Miss Mason. I hope you’re feeling better. I see Trent seems different.” The chief’s tone is almost flirtatious, then he winks at me. I get what he’s up to. He’s teasing and tormenting Trent.
I giggle and reply with a friendly smile. “I am. Thank you, Chief.” I’m not flirting because I don’t want Trent to do that to me, but it doesn’t seem to matter him.
“You’ve got a beautiful smile,” Don remarks.
I hear a low growl come from Trent before he tells the chief in an extremely gruff tone, “I’ll see you later.”
We drive away and the moment we had before is gone. He grabs my hand and holds it the whole way to the office. The touch is simple, but pleasure shoots through my body.
“We’re here.” I feel sad because I thought he would say that he loved me, too. Everything about him says he loves me, but he just dropped the subject. I’m starting to think I’ve made a mistake.
It’s only eleven in the morning and he tells me the staff will be here at noon. We walk through a quiet building and into an elevator. The entire time he’s holding my hand but doesn’t say a word.
Once the doors open, a woman is sitting at the front desk. She looks up at us then at our hands and is immediately annoyed.
“Dana, I didn’t know that you were coming in this early. I told everyone to come in around twelve-thirty.”
“You wanted those documents typed up for Wilcox’s presentation.”
“Yeah, but you didn’t need to come in early for it. Well, since you’re here, I’d like to introduce you to my fiancée. Dana, this is Lily.” Turning to me he says, “Bunny, this is my assistant, Dana Brown.”