Page 31 of A New Days Don

I can’t trust myself and my judgment.

I slam my mind shut from the blurred images that try to invade my mind. Like a bucket of ice water, I am brought back to the reality of the situation. Even if I was, in some ludicrous way, attracted to Massimo, there is no way he would even be an option. Because I am an officer of the law, and he is a multi-billionaire club owner. At least, that is the only reason, as if the difference in careers matters, I want to acknowledge.

Yet the small voice in the back of my mind murmurs:

A man like him doesn’t want damaged goods.

It’s a joke. Laughable really. Why am I even considering it? I had accepted that men and dating would never be an option for me after that all went down. I tried and failed miserably to even talk with a man romantically years ago. I am fine with devoting my life to saving others from this fate. I am fine.

And alone…

The same voice whispers, making my heart sink.

I deflate and shrink back against the pearly walls. Keeping my eyes on the only two people in the room as they speak in hushed tones. The woman retreats to one of the lockers, coming back with what looks to be barely a thong. Massimo glares at her, a look that would be frightening if I were on the other end. The woman doesn’t flinch. She smirks so subtly like she knows something he and I don’t, then retreats once more and brings back a pair of shorts.

Massimo snatches them out of her hand. The fabric is dwarfed by his massive hand. He approaches me, his dark, cold gaze trailing down my face as if he is trying to read me, but I keep my gaze blank, or at least I thought it was.

“Everything okay?” He tilts his head, and my cheeks ignite in heat as if I were caught with my hand in a cookie jar.

“Mhmm,” I squeak with a nod, but his eyes narrow. He doesn’t believe me.

So, I start to spin a semi-truthful response, “Your club is… Overwhelming.”

Massimo nods, his striking face softening as he says, “It can be, yes. Takes some getting used to, but everyone who walks through my doors understands the rules. You will always be safe under this roof.”

I nod, shifting under his heavy gaze. I don’t know how Massimo always seems to know what to say, but it makes the awful wires crossed in my mind want him more.

His hand gently brushes a loose, stray hair from my forehead before he adds, “Here, change into these and then we can head out.”

“What’s wrong with my pants?” I place my hand on my hips, straightening my back to gain a measly inch, even though he stands what must be almost a foot taller than me.

His lips quirk, taking note of my attempt, and finding my sudden snappy response amusing, “You look like an undercover cop. We are canvassing drug addicts, sex workers, and some petty criminals. The last thing we need is any one of them realizing you are.”

I glare at him but accept the shorts and walk over to where I saw the woman disappear. As predicted, behind the curtain is a smaller changing room where I quickly remove my combat boots and slip out of my pants before shimmying into the stressed jean shorts. I tuck my shirt into the waistband and put the boots back on.

When I look in the mirror, I won’t lie, the outfit is hot. I don’t know the last time I wore shorts or anything super form fitting without additional clothing to cover my body up. These shorts are dark, stressed denim with stitching along the front pockets that adds to their rough feel. The cool air from the air conditioner wraps around my legs as I hold my pants close to my body.

A smile pulls on my lips as I admire myself. The slow thrum of panic in my veins is staying put and not attempting to overflow and make my mind scream.

I pop my head out of the curtained room expecting to see Massimo distracted, but his coffee-coloured eyes are on me faster than lightning. My cheeks flush as I hide behind the curtain.

“Ready to go?”

I hesitate, about to shake my head, but instead, I step out of the changing room. Only when the openness of the room dawns on me do I slowly shift to cover my legs with the pants I am currently holding.

Massimo pauses, standing in the middle of the room with his hands clasped together behind his back. There is something intense about Massimo, and his presence demands the attention of the room. It’s his air of confidence and certainty whenever he walks into any situation. Yet, for the first time since we met, he looks stunned.

I twist my hands in front of me nervously, “I-it’s a bit much, isn’t it? Is there maybe a sweater or something else?”

Massimo shakes his head as he regains his composure. He clears his throat, but it doesn’t help the raspiness of his voice as he says, “No, no. Don’t do that. You look wonderful.”

The hoarseness in his voice sends a trail of awareness down my spine, making my toes curl in my boots.

He murmurs something breathlessly that I can’t quite make out. In the mere minutes it took me to change into shorts, he has unbuttoned his shirt an extra button, showing off a light dusting of chest hair, and his usually styled hair is messier than usual, making him look… wild.

As I approach the man, his shadow swallowing me whole, he holds his hand out to take the pants from me. I let him, silently following his lead, as we have done from day one. His power and control over any situation we are in are unparalleled, and it is that same power and control that calms the raging panic inside me. I should be terrified. I should fight the calm he brings, but I can’t.

Or rather… I don’t want to.