Unleashing Sin - A. M. Wilson Page 0,48
his eyes hold nothing but pure rage. The fist of his right hand loosens, and he runs his fingers over his head twice before muttering another, “Fuck.”
Feeling brave, I try to press my point. “So you see, I can’t leave, I can’t go anywhere, I can’t be normal because they’re everywhere. In disguise. Men are the obvious ones. The women… the children…” I trail off because I know he understands.
He conveys this by stepping closer and dropping to his knees in front of me. My heart stutters at the look of determination etched onto his face. He lifts his hand palm up to me, and I glance at it before placing mine in his. “You are safe. Goddammit, I’m not much of anything, but I’m a man of his word. I would die than let someone take you away from me. If that means we go out in public, and I can’t take my hand off you, then you better get used to my touch. If that means you need to try on some jeans with me in the dressing room, then I’ll turn my back to give you privacy. If you have to use the damn restroom, I’ll clear everyone out and stand guard at the door if that’s what it takes for you to feel it. When you stand beside me, you’re safe. Your life is far more precious than my own.”
My fingers tighten reflexively around his.
“I’m taking that as a yes.” He leans down and presses a gentle kiss on the back of my hand, tickling my sensitive skin with his beard. The man practically just swore death to anyone who looks at me funny yet is capable of touching me with such care.
And after that thought, I realize I didn’t need him to say any of those things because I already knew. I’ve felt safe with him since the very beginning. Since I opened my eyes to his big brown ones gazing at me. Since I jumped on the back of his motorcycle. Since I showed up at his apartment without a key. I’ve known without a doubt in my heart that Alex will take care of me.
“Yes, let’s go, but I’m paying.” I respond finally as he moves to his feet.
“Fuck no, blossom.” He smiles at the end to take the sting away, and he moves a piece of hair behind my ear.
“Alex, please. I can’t have you spending money on me.”
“This ain’t some caveman war, darling, but I also distribute your paycheck, and I know as of now I’ve only given you two. And those two weren’t even close enough to help you afford buying a new wardrobe, so no. Pay me back when you’re back on your feet, but right now, I have this.”
I suck in a deep breath and attempt to strengthen my tone when he speaks again. And what he says shuts me up.
“I have over six figures in the bank,” he shares softly. “Inherited all my pop’s money when he died, and honestly Shelby, I don’t want it, so if I can spend some of it on you, it’ll make me a hundred times happier than if I let it sit in the bank collectin’ interest.”
I stare back, completely lost for words. “I’ll pay you back,” I answer stupidly.
He grins. “You do that when the time is right. Though instead of money, I’d love to teach you how to cook me a steak.”
“Done.”
His smile deepens so much the corners of his eyes crinkle. “Done.”
Chapter Twelve
Shelby
We skipped making lunch at the house and swung by a deli place for sandwiches that we ate in the car on the way to the store. I just barely managed to talk Alex out of going to an outlet mall and opted for a single department store in a nearby suburb instead. He said the brands were good here, nowhere near high-end, but not the lowest either. Even though I would have preferred to spend the least amount of money possible, he argued that I wasn’t wearing “that cheap shit,” and I was done arguing.
He swung the car into a parking space nearest to the doors, and as I reached over for a final drink of my lemonade, he barked out, “Wait here,” and climbed from the driver’s seat. I nearly swallowed my drink wrong and watched nervously as he rounded the hood of the car and stopped outside my door. He waited until I set the drink down and unbuckled my seat belt before