AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Part of me thought he was bragging, but when we arrived at the hotel, two plates of cheesecake were set on the bar counter.
“Well, damn. You’re growing on me, Mr. Davenport.”
I climbed on a chair, focusing on each spoonful. Reid sat next to me, and astonishingly, that calmed me. Even though I still felt as if I was losing my grip on the situation.
After I practically licked the plate clean, Reid spun my chair so that I was facing him. He slid out of his, leaning into me, propping one hand on the counter, the other on my thigh. He looked down at me with worry and so much warmth that I just wanted to tell him to wrap his arms around me and hold me tight.
“How was the meeting with Cameron?”
“He was just concerned about me. He’s a great boss. I don’t want to let him down.”
I bit my lips, staring at my hands.
“There’s more,” he whispered. “Tell me.”
“Tell you what?”
“What are your fears? I need to know them. It’s the only way I can fight them right along with you.”
“I don’t know exactly. Not being able to fix this. Disappointing Cameron—he’s been more than a mentor to me. And what if I lose my job? What if I won’t find another one in the industry?”
“I will not let this affect anyone I care about. I will protect my family, and I will protect you. Do you understand?” He spoke against my lips.
“Yes.”
It humbled me to be among those few people important enough for him to want to protect.
“I’ll protect you the same way I protect my family, Hailey. No matter what. I won’t let you get caught in the crossfire. If I have to buy every PR company in this town so you have someplace to work, then I will. See? Sounds like the only way I can get you to work for me. Win-win.”
“Oh.”
“Why is that a surprise?”
He watched me intently, but I didn’t reply. What could I say? That I’d never been with someone who gave me so much thought? Who wanted to protect me from crossfires? Ever since I was a kid, I’d never wanted to burden anyone with my issues. But this feeling here, having a partner, was exhilarating, but it also scared me.
The situation with the pics wasn’t the only thing getting out of control. So were my feelings for him. My heartbeat intensified, and I pinned my gaze on the counter.
“What’s on your mind, Hailey?”
I drummed my fingers on my thigh, gathering my courage.
“When we were at your parents’ house, I was thinking about the Friday dinners I have with my family, and I realized that you’re the first man I imagined bringing to Friday dinner forever.”
Oh God, I’d said it out loud, hadn’t I? I glanced at him from the corner of my eye. The perplexed look on his face sent my heart into overdrive, and not for good reasons. I dropped my gaze back to the counter and spoke so fast that I practically jumbled the words.
“And I know this is out of the blue. I’m not expecting.... That’s not—this is all on me.”
“Hailey. Stop talking as if you’re doing something wrong.”
“It’s not that, but I don’t want you to feel pressured.”
“I don’t feel pressured. I feel honored.”
My muscles loosened. I hadn’t even realized I’d been so wound up. I glanced up again.
“I want to be everything you need, Hailey. Fuck, you have no idea how much I want that. To make you happy. To make you mine.” He kissed my cheek, my temple, pulling me to the edge of the seat. “I want all that with you, understand?”
I nodded, and when he kissed me, one large hand already lowering the zipper at my back, I all but melted from the sheer heat radiating from his body. And when we paused, just for a few seconds to regain our breaths, my pulse skittered at the warmth in his eyes. Not just warmth: determination, even a hint of domination.
