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“Never,” I deny as I close her trunk. I walk to both doors, locking the manual locks before grabbing her hand. “Come on, baby. Let’s get you home.”
Chapter13
Callan
Pullingup outside of Zoe's house, I frown when I notice she doesn't have a porch light on. It's clear this woman needs a man to look after her. Now she has one, and I’m more than happy to step up to the plate. I look over at a sleeping Zoe. She’s curled up in the passenger seat with her head against the window, snoring softly. My girl passed out as soon as I pulled into traffic.
I know that speaks more to her working seventeen hours on her feet, but I want to think that she also feels safe enough with me to let her guard down. I didn't need to ask for directions since I already have her address. Niko has extensive files on anyone in Emilia’s life and in this case, it worked to my advantage.
I sit in the driveway, hating that I need to wake her up. I want to let her sleep but can't. I'm ready to lock this woman down to ensure she's taken care of. That means she wouldn't have to push herself this hard by working such long hours. That would also mean Zoe could go to sleep with me in my bed—which is exactly where she belongs.
"Zoe, baby, time to wake up," I croon softly as I gently tuck some hair behind her ear.God, she's so beautiful.
She took her hair down and combed her fingers through it when she got in the car. It was all I could do to concentrate on driving as she did it. It was a hell of a show. Now, it's fanning around her beautiful face like liquid fire. The woman damn near takes my breath away. She catches me staring at her when she opens her green eyes, blinking the sleep away.
I lean over and capture her mouth in a soft kiss. I tease her lips open as her tongue shyly dances with mine. The kiss is so full of emotion that I groan. I’ve never experienced anything like this before. I don't want to stop kissing her. I tighten my fingers into her hair, pulling her to me, wanting to devour her sweetness.
"Wow," she breathes when we pull apart. I barely stop from moaning as she nibbles at the corner of her lip. Something about just being close to Zoe brings me peace. I'm not worried about work or anything else when I'm with her. There’s just the two of us. That feeling warms me completely. It's heavy, consuming, and life changing. When a man finds that, he doesn’t let go.
"Let's get you inside," I tell her, hopping out of the car and half-jogging around to her door to help her out before guiding her up to her porch.
"Thank you for the ride," Zoe tells me.
I smile as I take the keys from her hand. She's still half asleep, but I can see the frown brewing on her face like she wants to argue, but she doesn't. I open the door and guide her inside with my hand on her back, turning to lock the door behind me. When I turn around, she's staring at me.
“Shouldn't I be doing that with you on the other side?”
I grin. I love the way she pops her hip out and tilts her head dramatically when she’s about to give me hell.
“You don't really want me to leave, sweetheart.”
“You're not staying,” Zoe counters.
"We'll discuss it,” I compromise. “Where is your room?”
“You don't need to know because you're not staying.”
“Relax,” I coax, grinning at the incredulous look on her face. “I just want to know because I need to make sure it's safe. Then, if you want me to go, I will leave you to a nice, hot shower and your bed.”
“Oh,” Zoe says. I can hear both surprise and disappointment laced in that one word. She might be nervous that I'm here, but she really doesn't want me to leave, and I can build on that. "It's upstairs and on the right. I'll show you.” I follow her up the stairs but move in front of her when she stops at her door. She's frowning at me again.“You’re crazy.”
“I just want to ensure everything is as it should be."
“Fine. But I'm not sure what kind of life you lead that makes you afraid to come home to your own bed every night. I'm not even sure I want to know.”
“You can't be too careful, especially if you're a beautiful woman in the house alone. Being vigilant is a lesson I learned when I was barely seven, and my foster father at the time would come home from drinking all night, looking to find a reason to punish me.”
"You grew up in foster care?" Zoe asks, her voice filled with surprise.
I open her door and flip on the light with her walking closely behind me as I check out her room. I'm not surprised to find it is the opposite of mine. While mine is still set up the way it was when I bought it, hers is homey and comfortable. I bought the furniture that the realtor staged my home with because that was just easier. Everything in Zoe’s room is meaningful. Her bed is covered in what looks like a homemade quilt with vibrant colors. Her bookshelf holds knick-knacks and books. Her dresser has candles and a small jewelry box on it. I look over everything carefully, trying to gain more insight into the woman she is.
"I was in foster care for a while, but after getting into trouble a few times, I was sent to live in a state facility which was more like an orphanage of sorts but for troubled kids. That's where I met Niko." I turn to see the look of shock on her face as she comes to a complete stop.
"Niko was in an orphanage?" she asks. "How did I not know that? I don't think Emilia has ever mentioned it to me."
"Chances are that she doesn't know. Niko doesn't talk about his private life. Not easily, anyway."
Zoe nods in understanding. I know Niko would be pissed that I shared that information, but I can’t deny that I did it on purpose. I’m hoping that Zoe will share it with Emilia. Maybe it will soften her toward Niko a bit. Someone needs to do something because Niko won’t allow himself to give more to Emilia easily and I know he cares for her.
