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“Nope,” he replied. “I don’t do what other people tell me to.”
“That must be nice. Maybe I should try that.”
“You can do that.” He nodded.
She gave him a suspicious look. Oh, she was smart. He liked that.
“With anyone but me,” he added.
“I didn’t agree to anything.”
“Maybe not yet. But I’m a patient man.” He thought he’d proven that. He’d watched over her for a long time. He’d fought this pull toward her. For her own sake more than his.
But fighting it had become impossible.
“So whydoyou watch me?” she whispered.
“Because you belong to me. And I take care of my own.”
9
Because you belong to me. And I take care of my own.
Those words were still playing over and over in her head hours later. She’d burned the batch of cupcakes baking in the oven while they were talking. Which had completely frazzled her. He’d had to calm her down by telling her that she didn’t have to do anything right now about the two of them.
That he would wait for her to be ready.
Although he hadn’t told her that she could think about whether she wanted to be with him or not.
Because Isa got the feeling that he didn’t intend to let her say no.
And how did that make her feel?
You’ve got a man who wants you . . . who says you’re his. And he doesn’t seem like he intends to take no for an answer.
Red flag.
And yet, she hadn’t kicked him out. Hadn’t threatened to call the cops. She hadn’t done anything for the last few hours but work next to him as they made cupcakes.
He was surprisingly good at taking orders for a guy who seemed more inclined to give them. She’d mixed up batter and he’d poured everything out, taking over most of the cleaning while she’d then iced some.
God, she wasn’t sure she could think about all of this now. There was too much going on in her brain.
“Isa? Isa?”
“What?” she snapped. Then she winced. What was she doing? “Sorry. I’m sorry. Didn’t mean to snap.”
“Hey, it’s all right. Just breathe. Breathe.” He placed his large hand on the back of her neck and squeezed lightly. “That’s it. Good girl.”
It was then that she realized she was shaking. What was wrong with her? She was making a fool of herself.
“Sorry.”
“Baby, you need to stop saying that.”
“Why?”
He turned her to face him. “Because if anyone should be apologizing, it’s me.”
