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I look into his eyes and see the all the horrors flashing through them that are flashing through mine. I know he needs me to be safe and a large part of me just wants to let him care for me, but my mind keeps interrupting that feeling.
“I want you to care for me too, but to what extent? My life has to be my own, Cole. I can’t be locked in a tower like some kind of city Rapunzel,” I counter, taking a bite of my burger.
“Obviously Mia, I’m not trying to turn you into a kept woman. All I’m saying is quit the job where the possible sociopath works. Is that so unreasonable?”
“Yes! Yes, it is when I have a whole security detail that is on me every day. I promise not to be alone with him and I promise not to keep you in the dark, but I’m not hiding away,” I emphasize, shaking my head.
“You are the most pigheaded person,” he grunts, tossing the bag from his lap.
“Oh, don’t take it out on the food, big baby,” I laugh, handing him back his bag and watching him open it and start eating, begrudgingly.
“This feels too easy, Parker,” my disbelief obvious as I raise my eyebrows.
“Well, Mrs. Parker, we are at an impasse, so it seems it’s every man for themselves. You won’t listen to reason, so I will just have to try another method.”
“What does that mean exactly?”
“I guess we will find out, won’t we?”
“If you interfere with my career, I will be beyond pissed off, Cole.”
“If you interfere with your own safety, then I am left with no other alternative but to handle it myself. I love you and I will take on even the likes of you if it means I’m protecting you. I’m starting to think I need to protect you from yourself, too!”
“What exactly does that mean, Cole?” I ask through gritted teeth.
“None of your goddamn business, my love.”
“So help me God… I will not pu—” Before I can finish, I am lifted and placed into his lap, our mouths becoming a tangle. Pulling away, I look into his eyes and see desperation.
“Are you going to try and fuck some sense into me?” I ask with a smile.
“If it were only that easy,” he winks, “To answer your question, no, but I’m going to ask you to check those messages, because if he is as crazy as I think, he may prove my point.”
Looking down at my phone, a feeling in my gut tells me he is probably right. Shit, I can’t even begin to think about leaving my position, but if he is a psycho what are my choices. He did leave a lot of messages and voicemails.Here we go…
Shifting back into my own seat, I slide my finger across the screen to open my phone and take a last look at Cole. Seeing him eyeing me, the tension radiating off his body. Despite myself, I put the phone down.
“Cole, this is ridiculous.”
“How can you say that, Mia? Why do you act like I’m being some kind of controlling caveman? You know me better than that, I love you. You are my every reason for everything and I have to protect you, even from your own stubborn pride.” He runs his fingers through his hair frustrated, leaning his head back, blowing out air.
I scoot closer to him and remove his hands from his head, making sure I look directly into his eyes for what I’m about to say. I want him to see how sincere I am being.
“Cole, that’s why I said, this was ridiculous. I trust you and you would never ask me to do something on a whim. You are not impulsive or controlling. I love you and if I need to leave that place for my safety, well then, we better get home so I can give my notice. I’m sorry for even waiting a beat. I feel like my senses are dulled. I’m so focused on getting through all of this insanity that I think I may be living in a bit of denial. I really just wanted this to be the happy ever after part. I like the job, but I really like feeling normal and boring, even if it was for ten seconds. I know you understand, thank you for being in my corner while I spun my wheels! I love you.”
Cole picks up my hands and kisses the palms. “Thank you,” is all he whispers and pulls me into his side, wrapping his arms around me.
We stayed like that, silent and cuddled until we pull up to our new home.
“Let’s go, baby.”
As I exit the car, the exhaustion from the day catches up and my feet feel like lead. Cole takes one look at me, sensing my exhaustion, dips down and swoops me up, kissing my neck as he does.
“Come on, princess.” The twinkle in his eye is too adorable to resist.
I laugh, just happy not to have to walk the steps up to our new home. Squeezing him extra tight, I whisper sweet little, dirty nothings in his ear. His growl and nip at my ear tells me he likes what he hears.
“Baby, stand up for a minute, I need to open the door.” Cole rights me before letting go to open the door of our new home. He walks through the door and turns on the lights and that’s when I notice his face is beaming.
