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Beckett glanced at me, his eyes narrowed, and then he turned back to Steve, shaking his head. Finally, he let go, and stepped back, blocking Steve’s access to me. “Go the fuck away before I change my mind.”
“You,” Steve said and pointed at Beckett. “You’re a fucking horndog. You don’t deserve her.”
Beckett nodded. “No, I don’t,” he said and adjusted his jacket, which had become bunched up during the altercation. “But I’d never force her to do anything against her will.”
“Yeah, well, she’ll be sorry if she picks you.”
“Get the fuck out of here,” Beckett said. Steve finally complied and staggered off down the street.
Beckett ran his hand through his hair and then turned to me, shaking his head. “I’m so sorry that happened to you.”
I stood there with my eyes filled with tears, relieved that Beckett stepped in and upset that Steve seemed so tone deaf to my rejection. He scared me. I didn’t really think he’d rape me, but he was drunk and was willing to force me into the alley and try to kiss me despite my saying no.
“Thanks,” I said, my eyes filled with tears of fear and shock. “Why were you here?”
“I sensed you were in danger,” he quipped, smiling softly, running his hand over my hair. “It’s one of my super powers.”
I couldn’t help but smile back, although I hid my smile behind my hand.
“Actually, Leah told me you were working late and I wanted to make sure you got home safely,” he said, a guilty look on his handsome face.
I sighed. “That’s what Steve said.”
He closed his eyes. “I’m not Steve,” he said, his voice low. Then he reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a tissue. He handed it to me. “I’d never force you to do anything.”
I nodded and took his tissue, using it to wipe my eyes. “I know. You’d just lie to me.”
“I didn’t lie,” he said, his voice sounding frustrated. “I just didn’t tell you the truth.”
“There’s a difference?” I said, but couldn’t help smiling.
He glanced at my face and smiled back when he saw mine. “There is,” he said. “It’s subtle.”
Of course at that moment, I broke down in tears, overwhelmed suddenly by everything. I held the tissue against my eyes and cried, my arms wrapped around myself. It all became too much – Steve, Beckett, the anniversary of Dan’s death…
Beckett took me in his arms and I didn’t resist. I wasn’t afraid of him or his touch. It was comforting.
“I’m so sorry, Miranda,” he whispered, his face next to mine, his lips near my ear.
“I’m so glad you’re here,” I said and slipped my arms around him.
“So am I,” he replied and squeezed me. “So am I.”
We stood like that for a moment and I realized how easy it would be to just go on from there, to invite him up to my apartment and to fall into his arms. When I felt his body pressed against mine, when I felt so warm and safe in his arms, I knew how I felt about him.
I wanted him despite everything.
I glanced up and our eyes met and in his gaze I saw such tenderness and concern. It made my breath catch in my throat.
He bent down to kiss me just as I was leaning up to kiss him, and when our lips met, I melted into his arms, a thrill coursing through my whole body. The kiss was passionate, almost desperate, and my arms slid around him, squeezing him, my body pressed tightly against his.
He took my hand and pulled me to his car, which was parked just down the street.
“Come with me,” he whispered when he opened the passenger door. I stood still for a moment, but when I saw the expression on his face, I knew I wanted to go with him.
After what happened with Steve, I didn’t want to be alone.
I sat in the seat and fastened my belt while he got in the driver’s side. As soon as he started the car, he took my hand and kissed my knuckles tenderly.
