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It’s hard to believe she’s never been on a date before. I’m sure it’s not due to a lack of suitors. I imagine guys ask her out left and right. I’ve only been on campus with her one day, and already someone’s asked her out twice.
On impulse, I reach out to touch her cheek, but I pull my hand back at the last second. I have no business touching her. That’s crossing a line. I made a vow to her parents to protect her—to earn her trust—and I won’t ever break that vow.
I sit quietly for a while, just taking in her extraordinary beauty. It breaks my heart that her life is filled with such difficulties. Because of her diabetes, everything she eats and drinks is scrutinized. Her glucose levels could crash dangerously low if she’s not careful. Her waking moments are haunted by a voice that feeds on her insecurities and is determined to tear her down.
My gaze locks onto the faint bruises that linger on her face and throat. When I think of what those bastards did to her, I seethe inside. I want to hit something.
It’s getting pretty late, and no matter how much I enjoy having her here with me, she needs to be in bed. I don’t think her parents would appreciate finding her in my room this late, no matter how innocent. No matter how platonic.
And it is platonic—regardless of what I feel for this girl. Regardless of what I want. Or even what she might want.
I’m her protector.
And that’s all I can ever be.
With a soft moan, Layla turns toward me. We’re just inches apart now, almost face-to-face. I feel her warm breath on my skin, and it sends shivers down my spine. When my dick begins to respond, I move back, regret swamping me.
“Layla?” I shake her gently. “Bedtime, honey. It’s late.”
Her dark lashes flutter open, and she smiles sleepily up at me. In that moment, she’s just a girl, and I’m just a guy. My heart stutters, and my chest tightens as my breath catches in my throat.
Reality comes crashing back, and I sit back to put distance between us.
“What time is it?” she murmurs sleepily.
“Almost midnight.”
“Oh, sorry. I guess I fell asleep.”
“It’s okay. But you’d better get to bed.”
She straightens and lowers her feet to the floor.
“I’m curious,” I say as she rises. “Why did you want to hang out in my room tonight? I mean, I’m glad you did—don’t get me wrong. But you ignored me all afternoon and evening. What changed?”
“I didn’t want to be alone. There aren’t many people I can relax around—my parents, my brother and Tyler, and now you. You’re like family.”
Oh, great. She sees me as another brother.
But this is an important step for her—for us as a team. “I’m glad you can relax around me. It means a lot.”
As she smiles, I find myself staring at her mouth. It’s a good thing I’m still sitting, because those lush pink lips make me weak in the knees. “Come on. I’ll walk you to your room.”
After I return to my own room, I wash up, turn off the light, and climb into bed. I try to think about anything other than Layla, but I’m failing miserably. My head is spinning with impossible scenarios.
There’s no way in hell I can allow myself to fall for this girl.
But the problem is, I’m afraid it’s already happening, and I don’t know how to stop it.
And to top it off, I’m going to have to encourage her to go out on a date with another man.
Chapter 24
Layla Alexander
Today is Tuesday, and that means I don’t have to go to campus. It’s my day to stay home and do homework. Back when Sean was my bodyguard, I could go all day on Tuesdays and Thursdays without ever having to see him. I’d stay in those days so there wasn’t anything he needed to do with me, or for me.
This morning after breakfast, I head for the sunroom to readJane Eyrein preparation to write a paper on symbolism for my English class.
