Page 42 of Protecting Olivia

“I do when you’re close. I know I’m safe.”

His lips stilled on my forehead, and he squeezed my hand. “You have no idea how much I like hearing that.”

“It’s the truth. I don’t think I’ve ever in my life slept so soundly. Even when I knew someone was trying to kill me, the moment you got into bed with me and held me, I could sleep.”

“Come on. We need to get off this plane before you say anything else sweet that will make me want to lay you across these seats and finally take you.” Yes, please! I quickly tried to come up with something else to say. “Up you go, troublemaker. I can hear the wheels in your head turning.”

“How’d you know?” I laughed.

“I saw the smoke coming out of your ears.”

With a quick peck on my lips, he was standing. I wholeheartedly agreed, we had to get off the plane. That was the second time he had pressed his lips against mine and neither time had I gotten to taste him.

We got off the plane, and two SUVs were waiting on the tarmac for us.

“Your truck?” It dawned on me that we drove his truck to California, all the guys drove.

“Already being shipped back,” he answered.

“Just like that?” What in the world? We could’ve driven it back to Maryland.

“Yep. Just like that.”

He helped me in the front passenger side of one of the SUVs and buckled me in. Holy hell, this man takes seat belt safety seriously, he is constantly strapping me down. My mind wandered, and I wondered what it would be like to have him strap me down if I was naked.

“What was that thought?” he asked.

“Umm. I don’t know? Why?”

“Your cheeks are pink, and you have the sexiest blush across the top of your cleavage. What were you just thinking about?”

“About how you take seat belt safety seriously and you like to strap me down,” I admitted.

“You have no idea, tesorino. I hope to God you are ready for this. Give me five minutes with Zane, and we’ll be on our way.”

Leo shut the door and walked a few feet away from our car to where Zane was standing with Garrett and Jaxon. I still hadn’t asked where we were going or what was happening. I didn’t want to know. I wanted to continue to live in my happy bubble where he would be with me every night to hold me. I didn’t want to think about what was going to happen when he dropped me off at my apartment. He only lived forty minutes away from me, but right now that sounded like an eternity. I wished I had my cell phone, I wanted to text Caroline and tell her she had been right. I wondered if big badass navy SEALs liked cookies? I needed to send them something to thank them for helping me. I’d ask Caroline when I talked to her. I bet she’d tell me to send a fruit basket or something equally as healthy. None of the guys had an ounce of fat on them, I doubted they indulged in cookies.

Leo got into the car and started to pull away. I looked out the window, and Zane was staring at the car with what would be considered a smile for Zane. The man always looked grumpy, but one side of his mouth was tipped up. I waved goodbye, and his face broke out into a wide grin. Wow, he was hot when he actually smiled and didn’t look like he was waiting to kill something.

“I called your mom and told her we were back in town and you were safe. I also told her I’d bring you by her place tomorrow to talk to her. She argued and wanted you tonight. I figured you needed another night to get your head straight before you saw her. I explained that to her, but she still wanted you tonight. So, I told her she no longer got to make demands on you. That I was making the decisions. Babe, I don’t think your ma likes me.”

There really wasn’t anything funny about anything that Leo had just said, yet I couldn’t stop myself from giggling. I could picture my mom blowing a gasket at Leo.

“I’m sorry. I could’ve called her.”

“Yes, you could have. Two things. One I called her because selfishly I do not want you stressed out tonight. I want you all to myself without a bunch of crap swirling around in your head. Second, I don’t want you stressed – ever. If I can ease the burden, I will. I made the call, it’s done. Your ma is pissed at me. She’ll figure out soon enough what you mean to me, and where we’re headed, and I assume she’ll get over it.”

There was so much there he just said that made me want to burst into tears. I had never had anyone want to ease the burden for me. It was always me and my mom. She worked hard and long hours and had her own stress to deal with. Don’t get me wrong, she was a good mom. She provided for me, and I knew she loved me. But, she never had much time for me. Before she was Mrs. Anderson’s White House aide, she had worked for a senator and had even less time for me.

“Thank you.”

“Are you hungry?” he asked.

“Starving.”

I was happy to report I had my appetite back, and I was making up for lost time. I couldn’t stop eating. I still had to take antibiotics for the infection, but my wrist felt better. I was no longer keeping it covered. The red open sores had scabbed over, and it was healing. At first, I was worried about it leaving a scar. But now, I wouldn’t mind if it did. I would use the scar as a reminder of what I had lived through.

We left the airport lot, but instead of heading toward the Beltway into DC, Leo followed the signs to Annapolis. I really wanted to ask Leo what happened while I was in the closet, who was downstairs, and how they worked everything out. But I knew he wouldn’t tell me, and somehow, I knew he’d be disappointed in me if I asked. I trusted him. If he said it was safe to come home, then it was. I didn’t need to know the details.