Page 15 of Falling for Her Protector

“Not now,” I warn and he nods in understanding. I want Vanessa to know that she’s free, but not like this. I can’t tell her here. I don’t want her to know that all the boys know how she suffered.

“There’s my man,” Lacey coos at Mikey as she skips across the room and into his arms. “Where’ve you boys been hiding?”

“Just a little club business we had to handle ASAP,” he says, pulling her in tight.

I find Vanessa’s wide eyes focused on me, but they drop quickly to the table when I make eye contact. Shit. I really fucked everything up when I kissed her at the party. This is her home now, we’re her family. I don’t want her to feel uncomfortable around me and the boys.

I let my feet hit the floor as I move towards the table and drop into the seat opposite her. I lean back, casually waiting for her to look at me again. Her big brown eyes lift and her face flushes a soft pink when she finds me clearly staring at her.

“Everything good?” I question, raising my eyebrows and cracking a grin. She squares off slightly. It’s barely noticeable, but I catch it.

“I’m good,” she replies, her voice barely above a whisper. She glances over my shoulder and I see her eyes roll. Turning back, I find my sister and V.P. in a full on make-out session for the whole clubhouse to witness.

“Hey, Lace,” I have no problem interrupting. “Why the fuck aren't you at work?” I question roughly.

“I’m working the late shift this week, which completely sucks. I just stopped by to see Mikey before I go home to get changed for my shift,” she shares.

“Well, take that shit back into a bedroom. None of us want to see the show,” I joke.

“Speak for yourself, boss,” Griz laughs and I see Vanessa flush a new shade at the thought. We’ve definitely seen our share in this clubhouse, but there is no way I would ever watch my sister. That’s a level of sickness I don’t ever want to fucking reach. I turn back to Vanessa, and the real reason I came to sit with her.

“What are your plans for tonight?” I ask.

“Oh...um...” she stutters, clearly caught off guard. “Since Lacey's working, I’ll probably just hang out at the apartment and watch a movie or something,” she answers.

“How about dinner? Can I take you somewhere? I should really explain and apologize,” I offer.

“You really don’t need to. You and Lacey have already done so much, I’ll never be able to repay you,” she says and I sit forward, dropping my elbow to my knee and resting my chin in my hand.

“No one’s asking to be repaid, sweetheart. C’mon, have dinner with me. How’s pizza sound?” I ask and her eyes light up.

“I haven’t had pizza in a while,” she smiles and I know I’ve said the magic word.

“So, is that a yes?” I ask for clarification.

“Sure,” she gives me the green light and I feel my chest swell as I sit back in my chair again.

“You can hang out here, if you want. I just need a quick shower, then we can leave, or I can pick you up a little later at the apartment,” I offer.

“Actually, I should probably shower too. Would you mind picking me up?” she questions softly, biting her plump bottom lip and making me want to pull it into my mouth and suck on it.

My first instinct is to offer to share my shower. I picture her wet and soapy as I press her up against the glass, our bodies sliding together. I bite my tongue, trying to focus.

Fuck. I’ve got to get this shit under control.

“I don’t mind at all, sweetheart. I’ll pick you up around seven,” I tell her, attempting to shift my junk before standing. I think this shower is going to be colder than usual.

11

Dinner…

Vanessa

It’s just dinner, nothing more, I try reminding myself as I watch my hands shake. After the kiss, and my repeated fantasies about Xavier, I don’t know if I can handle being alone with him. Lacey let me borrow her make-up bag before she went off to work, but there’s no way I’m going to get this eyeliner on if I don’t calm down.

X. told me that he wants to‘explain and apologize’, but for what? For the kiss? For leaving me alone in the bathroom afterward? What is he going to say? My mind is racing with the possibilities. I pull a fresh breath in through my nose, filling my lungs, before pushing it back out through my lips.

I focus on my reflection in the mirror and lift the black pencil. I touch the tip to my lashes and slowly start to move, carefully lining my eyes. When I’m finished with the pencil, I drop it back inside the bag and grab the mascara, quickly dragging the wand through my lashes. Once I’m happy with how they look, I zip the bag and tighten my towel.

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