Page 43 of Falling for Her Protector

“Uh...I don’t think so,” I try to avoid any real eye contact, hoping to get out before she remembers why she recognizes me.

“You don’t look like a golfer. Do you work here?” she pushes.

“Actually, I was just dropping off a cake,” I tell her.

“Oh my God!” she squeals. “That’s my cake,” she turns lunging in the direction of the poor girl who just took the cake from my hands.

“Yes, Miss Morgan. I was just going to bring it back to the kitchen,” the girl answers politely.

“I’ll follow you; I want to check it...,” she starts before turning back and narrowing her eyes on me again. “I remember now,” she breathes out, obviously forgetting about the cake as the girl holding the cake box continues to move out of the room.

“You’re Vanessa,” a knowing grin curls on her lips and I feel my stomach twist. My mouth goes instantly dry and my ability to form words has disappeared. I manage to nod in response, acknowledging her realization.

“Don’t worry,” she says catching my reaction.

“Really?” the word falls from my lips in disbelief.

“I swear, I’m no threat. Whatever X. and I had was over a long time ago. We both knew it. Things between us were never really the same when I came back from school. It was just habit...and convenience, for both of us,” she offers, but I still cringe. I know he has a history with women, but it’s not something I want to think about. “Plus, I’ve seen the way he looks at you and even if I wanted him, I can tell that I’d have no fucking chance. But honestly, I have absolutely no interest in pursuing anything with X.,” she adds.

I’m still completely frozen. My mind is buzzing with everything she just said to me, but I have absolutely no response to offer. I can’t believe this is happening right now.

“Besides, I’m planning my dream wedding right now. In case you haven’t heard, I’m engaged,” she grins flashing a diamond the size of my fist in my face.

“Jess...Jessica,” a voice calls as a middle-aged woman approaches, the sound of her clicking heels echoes around us. “You have to come see this cake. It’s stunning. Diane did a beautiful job. It’s just perfect,” she beams.

“I’ll be right there, Mom,” she replies over her shoulder. “Well, I have to finish getting ready for my party, but thanks for delivering the cake. And good luck,” she offers a softened smile that seems genuine.

“Uh...yeah. You too,” I finally manage to speak.

It takes me a second, but I turn and start to move in the direction of the door. Walking through the bright sun in the parking lot, I still feel in a daze. I sit in the car, taking a few deep breaths to collect myself before driving.

* * *

The oven timer beeps just as I place the last hanger in the bedroom closet. My clothes are all put away. I leave the bedroom and move towards the oven, pulling out a small pan of brownies I whipped up as a surprise for Xavier. The sweet chocolatey scent fills the cabin as I set them down to cool on the counter.

I move across the room and grab a heavy log, dropping it into the low burning fire. I fall against the soft cushions of the couch, watching the flames begin to rise, licking the dried wood. Just as I reach for the remote and flip on the TV, I hear the rumbling of X.’s bike. The thundering roar goes quiet, and the door swings open. X. steps inside, his towering body completely fills the empty frame. My head is light and my heart warms in my chest at the sight of him.

“Damn, something smells good in here,” he observes, closing the door behind him.

“I made brownies,” I smile back proudly as I stand back up to meet him.

“Well, this is definitely something I could get used to,” he says with a grin before closing the distance between us and wrapping his thick arms around me. His words echo in my mind as he holds me. Having him come home like this...is something I could definitely get used to.

I breathe him in, letting his strong scent overpower the lingering smell of chocolate. His lips dip to my neck and I hear his deep inhale, and I know he’s doing the same. A deep pulse settles between my thighs, creating an ache that vibrates through my core.

“How was Lacey when you grabbed the last of your stuff?” he pulls back in question.

“Not as bad as last time. I think she’ll be fine once Mikey starts moving his stuff in,” I tell him.

“I grabbed the last of my stuff today too,” he grins, cocking his eyebrow in the most adorable way.

“But I thought you cleaned out all your stuff last week?” I question.

“There was just one thing I forgot. Luckily it fit nicely in this little box,” he says, holding out his palm and producing a small square shaped box.

I feel my eyes widen and my mouth goes dry. It can’t be. It’s way too soon. My heart pounds, racing in my chest and it feels like a million years have passed in the last ten seconds.

“Do you want to open it?” his deep voice touches my ears. He lets out an easy chuckle as my eyes lift from the box to his face.

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