Page 73 of Betrayed

The bed sagged behind me.

“Want to talk about it?” he asked.

Sniffle. No, I didn’t want to admit to the man who was surrounded by loving and supportive friends that I was crying my eyes out because I didn’t think my friends really liked me.

No, I didn’t want to tell the strong, gorgeous man who was being paid to protect me because I’m rich that I didn’t think anyone would care about me if I was poor.

“Blake? Do you want me to leave?”

My arm moved without my permission, reaching for AJ. “No.”

“Can you turn over and talk to me?”

I did him one better, turning over and sitting up.

The light from the hall was enough for me to see the soft expression on his face as he leaned back on the headboard.

Resisting the urge to lean into him, I hugged my knees to my chest.

“Can I ask you a question?”

“Anything,” he answered.

“Why are you being so nice to me?” I avoided looking at his face. “I mean, I know you have to be nice to me because my dad is paying you, but you’re being nicer than required.”

His chest lifted as he sucked in a big breath. It sank as his exhaled breath whistled out.

“Blake, look at me.”

He reached out one hand, holding me captive as I watched his long, muscular finger reach for my face.Good Lord,he has muscles everywhere. He tilted my head up, so I had no choice but to look into his eyes.

My breath caught in my throat at the depth of emotion I saw there.

“We need to get a few things straight. I’m not being nice because I have to. Being friendly isn’t a requirement for me to do my job.”

“Then why?”

“I...” He ran his hand over the stubble on his jaw. “You deserve some kindness in your life.”

I could see the war in his eyes.What’s he hiding from me now?

“What makes you think I don’t have kindness in my life?”

“I’ve seen how some of your friends treat you, and I wouldn’t call it kind.” He sighed.

“Paige isn’t so bad.”

“Maybe, but what’s up with Danny?”

I’d asked myself that more than a few times.

“He befriended Paige. I ignore a lot of his shit for her sake.” Before Danny, Paige and I were a lot closer. If it weren’t for her, I would have already ended my friendship with him.

“Are they dating?”

I laughed at that. “No. He’s never asked her out. Though he’s tried to manipulate me into a date a time or two.”

“Wait, what? How does one manipulate someone into a date?” He sounded skeptical.

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