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Relief causes my body to sag against the stranger. He turns, wrapping his arm around me.
I want so badly to find the words to thank him for what he did.For saving me.But I’m speechless as I stare at him.
Without warning, my knees buckle, and I begin to collapse, unable to stop my fall.
But I don’t hit the ground.
Instead, powerful arms scoop me up. “I’ve got you,” he whispers against my head as I rest my cheek against his collarbone.
Chapter six
Irelynn
August25,2018,5:15p.m.
The stranger carries me to the steps of the side entrance to the Booth Business building. Embarrassment rocks through me for having a breakdown in front of someone I don’t know.
“I’m so sorry.” Tears brim in my eyes and begin slipping down my cheeks. I turn my head away, trying to regain my composure.
He spins around, sitting down with me on his lap. “It’s okay.” His warm skin is against mine as his arm tightens around me.
Suddenly, like a damn breaking, sobs pour from me. I cling to him, soaking his shirt. A replay of what just occurred shakes me to my core. The horror of my past collides with my present, turning my world on its axis.
I was safe here, but William fucking ruined that.
The stranger pulls me closer, the smell of his woodsy, musky aroma mixing with the taste of my salty tears. Oddly, in my most vulnerable moment, I feel secure with him. Sheltered. Protected.
I hate to cry in front of other people, even those I’m closest to, yet here I am, weeping against the handsome stranger who minutes ago saved me from God only knows what nefarious plan William had up his sleeve.
Once I’m all cried out and my sobs change to hiccups, I slowly pull away, my hands impatiently rubbing over my cheeks, wiping the tears away.
Clearing my throat, my voice is hoarse when I say, “Thank you.” My hands move to my lap, and I stare at my fingernails. After a short beat, I finally gather the strength to meet his eyes.
His baby blues are intense, a look in them that is unfathomable to me. He simply nods and says, “You’re welcome.” After a beat, his hand slides to my hip. “Are you okay?”
Nodding, embarrassment hits me hard as I process that I had a breakdown in front of someone I’ve never met. Until today. The urge to flee hits me hard.
“I really appreciate what you did for me. I’m sorry to have interrupted your Saturday afternoon.” My spine stiffens and I move to stand, but his hand on my arm stops me.
A small smile curls his lips. “You’re welcome.” His hand slides over to mine, squeezing gently. “You didn’t interrupt anything. I’m sorry that asshole put his hands on you.”
The handsome stranger rattles me so much that it takes me longer to regain my composure.
Meanwhile, he peers intently at me, his brows furrowing together, a deep line on his forehead as I turn away from him.
Don’t fucking look at me. Not like that. I can’t deal with that kind of scrutiny right now.
Shooting to my feet, I wobble precariously, my hand reaching for the banister. He’s on his feet, warm hands steadying me, holding onto my waist, as he keeps his blazingly intense gaze glued to my face.
I don’t want him to see… he can’t figure it out. He can’t know.
Yet he’s looking at me like he knows something is really fucking wrong.
Anxiety swells through me as I overheat, my limbs tingling, my chest tightening. My hand clutches my shirt, fisting it in my hand.
“Irelynn, breathe in and out with me.” His hands move to mine; his low, soothing voice against my ear. I hear him taking a deep breath through his nose, then slowly exhaling. Turning my head, my face close to his, I immediately begin mimicking his breathing. We continue this for several beats. Then he tells me to look at the tree beside us and describe it in vivid detail to him. The colors, the texture, the smell.
I know what he’s doing. My therapist taught me this technique to quell my anxiety and keep it from escalating into a panic attack.
