“You’re welcome,” he retorted.
“I didn’t thank you for anything. I asked you what you were doing here.”
“Did you drive here?”
“What does that matter?” I asked, placing my hands on my hips. I was grateful for Reed saving me, but he wasn’t my daddy.
“You’re drunk, Faith.”
“I’m not drunk, and I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself.” I protested.
“Yet, I just had to tear some random man off of you in a club hallway.”
“You didn’t have to do that. I had it under control.”
“Clearly.” He chuckled, only pissing me off more.
“Again, what the hell are you doing here?”
“I saw your sister’s story, and thank God, I did.”
My brows dipped as I waited for him to elaborate. “What?”
“Hope posted a clip of you two taking shots with a bunch of men hovering over you like vultures waiting for you to be incapacitated.”
“So you came running down here to babysit me?”
“Thank goodness!” he emphasized.
I rolled my eyes. “I didn’t need a babysitter, Reed.”
“I say you did. I’ve been sitting across the room for the past hour watching a group of drunk fools watch you two unsuspecting women like they were starving. It’s a good thing I follow my instincts.”
“Not only does that sound psychotic, but I’m also pretty sure that’s classified as stalking.”
He shrugged like what I’d said was nothing. “I’ll be psychotic for you any day. You already know that.”
“I don’t need you trying to be all protective over me, Reed. I’m not a little, innocent college girl anymore.”
He stepped closer, causing me to take a step back. “I don’t give a fuck about any of that. I don’t like strange men looking at you. You know damn well that shit could have went way left out there. I don’t need you to thank me for being there. I just needyou to understand that you can’t stop me from protecting you. I don’t give a damn what you say.”
“You don’t own me,” I challenged.
“I know,” he stated flatly, dropping his eyes from mine.
Why was his despondence so disheartening? It didn’t matter. Maybe now he would take the hint and understand that our temporary relationship was just business. I was only dealing with him because I had to.
“Then stop trying to act like it.Please.”
“I can’t, baby.”
Reed took another step, closing the last bit of space between us. The room felt too small. Why was it so damn hot in the bathroom? It felt like a sauna with Reed staring down at me like I was his last meal. That thought made heat crawl up my neck.
“You don’t get to swoop in out of the blue acting like you’re some kind of protector after all this time. You’re the only thing I need protection from. You’re the only thing I’ve ever needed protection from,” I vowed.
I didn’t realize that I was retreating from him until my back hit the wall. I held my hands up to stop him from moving any closer. They landed on his hard chest. He groaned as soon as I touched him, causing his chest to vibrate under the palms of my hands. I instantly realized what a huge mistake touching him was.
“I never stopped protecting you, Faith. I never once stopped watching over you, even when I couldn’t see you.”
