I Just Need You - J. Nathan Page 0,67
you have any idea how hard it is for me to hear what Marco just told me and not want to go out there and hurt any person involved in this?”
I took his hand in mine, knowing he meant what he said. He’d told me he’d been taught not to have feelings while away at military school. So, this had to be all new for him—having feelings for me while worrying about me at the same time. “But I’m okay.”
“I know. I just can’t stop thinking about what could’ve happened if he got to you.”
My eyes dropped away from his, the thought a terrifying one. What if he had gotten to me?
“What are you thinking?”
I glanced up at him, pushing any fears I had aside. “I’m thinking I’m happy my bodyguard gets to sleep in my bed.”
His own worries seemed to disappear. “Oh yeah?”
I nodded.
He pushed off the desk and stepped forward, the hunger in his eyes impossible to ignore. I backpedaled, as if it were a game, until my back hit the door. He caged me in and dropped his forehead to mine. “Do you know how hard it is following you around all day without being able to touch you?”
I swallowed down the knot that suddenly jumped to my throat.
He grabbed my ass with both hands and lifted me right off the floor.
I wrapped my legs around his hips and dangled my arms over his shoulders, expecting him to carry me to the bed. But he didn’t. He held me against the door and captured my mouth with his. He tipped his head, giving himself the best angle to devour my lips—and he did. His tongue pushed inside, tousling with mine in a slow and steady chase.
He pulled back once we were both good and breathless. “There are so many things I want to do with you, Kresley Hastings.”
My brows shot up. “Like?”
“Oh, I think you know.”
I laughed.
“But I also wanna take you out.”
“Oh yeah?”
He nodded. “What do you say?”
“A date?”
“Yes.”
I stifled the giant grin fighting to overtake my face. “Where will we go?”
“Not an Italian restaurant or lame open mic night, that’s for sure.”
“Someone jealous?” I teased.
“Fucking Chris. He’s lucky I didn’t hurt him.”
I rolled my eyes. “So, how will a date work? Will Briggs have to come with us?”
His eyes pinched tightly for a second. I knew all the details of us trying to go out together would be a frustrating situation for him. “I have no fucking idea how it’s gonna work,” he admitted. “All I know is the guys will never let me live it down that I was the one to break rule number one.”
“Who cares,” I said. “You ended up with the girl.”
He smiled. “I did, didn’t I?”
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Tristan
I paced the floor in Marco’s room as sunlight was just beginning to push through the blinds. “We’ll meet you downstairs at the car,” I informed Briggs who sat on Marco’s bed, still looking half asleep. “You are not to chime in on our conversation or give us any looks or I’ll use my weapon on you.”
Briggs held up his hands in surrender. “Dude, I’m not saying anything.”
“And you’re to hang back. Promise me you’ll stay with the car. I’m obviously armed and I’ve already secured the location.”
“Yes. For the tenth time, I’ve got it,” Briggs said.
I nodded, pulling in a deep breath before walking to the door. “Get to the car. We’ll be down in five minutes.”
“Yes, sir,” Briggs said.
I flipped him the bird and walked out of the room, more nervous for this date than I’d expected to be. It’s not like Kresley and I hadn’t spent time alone together. It was more about everyone else butting into our business.
This definitely wasn’t easy for me. I was going from her bodyguard to someone who needed security while with her. It was going to be a slippery slope to maneuver. And, if I wanted to be with her, I’d have to endure the jests as well as my own anxiety about it.
I stopped in front of her door, checked my jeans and collared navy shirt, then knocked. When I heard her feet shuffle inside, I said, “It’s me.”
She opened the door and my eyes widened.
Holy shit.
She glanced down at her green dress. “Am I overdressed?”
I thought the red dress she wore on her date with the tool was hot. But this short strapless sun dress was in a league of its own. “God, no. You look gorgeous.”
She smiled.
I stepped forward and cupped her