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“Let’s go. I need to return the top from yesterday.” I typed in the code to disarm the alarm, then quickly left, ensuring the locks were in place behind us.
Zayne slid into the driver’s seat, his concerned gaze cutting over to me before he slipped on his sunglasses. “The mall?”
“Yes. Donovan says the color of the top is all wrong for me.” I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, my hand slightly trembling.
“I could have told you that before you ever left the store,” he grumbled. “Now we’re wasting hours going back.”
My head whipped around, drilling a hole into the side of his head. “I’m sorry, bodyguard, I don’t recall asking for your opinion.”
“Maybe you should. It seems that Donovan and I have similar taste. Next time just ask me.”
Furious with Zayne’s tone, I tapped my manicured nails on the armrest of the Mercedes. “I will do no such thing. You need to remember your place.” The words zinged out of my mouth before I had time to think it through, but I swear Zayne Wilson almost cracked a smile.
“And you would do well remembering yours,” he said.
Seething, I protectively folded my arms over my chest.What in the hell was this guy’s problem?Recalling that Donovan had called Zayne last night, I suspected by Zayne’s abrupt change in temperament that Donovan had gotten to him.
Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!
Zayne turned onto Division Street, then pulled into the parking lot of Home Depot. “I need to pick up an order.”
I frowned so hard I thought I might have permanent indents on my face. The second Zayne shifted into park and turned off the engine, I barreled out of the car, wincing from the pain. My sandals scuffed against the pavement, then a hand gently grabbed my arm.
“Giselle.” Zayne’s voice was gentle, worry saturating the air around us. “I’m sorry. I had to play it up for Donovan. I think he’s going to be listening every chance he has.”
My brows shot up while I jabbed my finger into his pec. “That was for his benefit?” Zayne needed to respond to me carefully, or I would have his balls.
“Yes. I would never speak to you like that. But …” He removed his sunglasses, his heated, green-eyed stare breaking through my fear. “Are you all right? I called last night, and you didn’t answer. I was worried that Donovan had learned about the scrambler or the visit to the school.”
My stupid legs betrayed me as they began to wobble. I shook my head, swallowing over the lump in my throat. “He never brought either of those up. If he knew, he would have said something.” I covered my mouth with my fingertips, willing the tears brewing to stand down, but it was too late. Zayne had first-row seats to a rare occasion—witnessing me falling apart in front of someone other than Donovan.
“Jesus,” Zayne responded softly.
Before I realized what had happened, Zayne wrapped his muscular arms around me and drew me to him. I sobbed against his shirt, unable to hide the onslaught of emotions I struggled to control.
“Giselle, talk to me. I can protect you.” His large hand felt comforting against the middle of my back, but I knew in my heart that Zayne couldn’t keep me safe. No one could.
I pulled away, embarrassed at my public display. Using my fingers, I wiped the moisture from beneath my eyes. “We won’t ever speak about my emotional outburst. This never happened, bodyguard.”
I spun around on my heel and marched to the store’s entrance.
“Giselle.”
I peeked over my shoulder at him. “What?” I snapped.
“I don’t need to pick up anything at Home Depot. That was just to get you out of the car where we could talk.”
I pressed my lips together. Under different circumstances, I might have laughed. I smoothed a stray hair from my ponytail, my mind whirling. Zayne had staged everything in order to get us away from the Mercedes so he could ask if I was okay? No one had ever checked on me before.He’s different.My logical side nudged me, reminding me to tread lightly, but Zayne’s actions supported my instincts.
Squaring my shoulders, I looked at him. “The bag has extras clothes and shoes with the price tags in case Donovan ever asks again. I’m not sure whose shirt and candle you gave me but thank you.”
Zayne held his arm out, motioning me forward. “It’s my best friend’s fiancée’s shirt and candle. I told Vaughn I gave it to you but would get it back. Luckily, he’d asked if I could grab Claire’s online order while I was out at one point, and I forgot to give it to her. It all worked out.”
I was pretty sure that my sigh of relief was out loud and not in my head. The lingerie wasn’t for Zayne’s girlfriend, although the information didn’t mean he wasn’t in a relationship. Still, it somehow made me feel better.
Every minute that I spent with him, I wanted more. I wanted morewithhim. His mind, his heart, and I was genuinely attracted to Zayne. Continually being raped and tortured had stripped me from ever being able to want to be with a man ... until now. When I was around Zayne, I didn’t feel numb anymore. I peeked at him, realizing that I’d been honest with myself for the first time since we’d met. I was falling for Zayne Wilson, and I was terrified that he wouldn’t feel the same. Especially if he knew the truth about me.
Zayne glanced around. “Let’s get out of here.”
