Page 28 of Unlocked

“What do you mean by that?” I stare down at her, awaiting her response.

“I’m can’t figure you out,” she states. A cute pout forms on her lips. “You are insanely gorgeous. You could have any woman you want, Bo Robertson.” I bark out a laugh at her assessment, which earns me a glare. “It’s true, and you know it,” she accuses.

“I can have any woman I want, huh?” If looks could kill. I chuckle. “That’s good to know, since the one I want is right here in front of me.” She looks utterly bewildered.

“Why on earth are you showing interest in me?” she whispers.

“Because you fascinate me,” I answer as honestly as I can. “You are beautiful, intelligent, kind, and a very loyal friend, yet I can tell you don’t see any of that in yourself. You’re shy and reserved. Yet your kiss is passionate. You are this mystery I’m dying to solve, but I don’t think I’ll ever be able to do so. I believe every day will prove to be one of discovery with you.” Tears are forming in her eyes again. I wonder what did I say wrong, thistime? “Please don’t cry,” I beg. “It guts me to see you sad.” She gives me a half-smile as the tears fall.

“I’m not sad, Bo,” she says with a shrug, looking away from me. “Not really. It’s just…I’ve never had anyone say such nice things about me.” Her eyes meet mine again. I pull her a little closer needing the contact. She takes my breath every time she looks at me with such intensity.

“I’m happy to be the first, my sweet girl,” I tell her. “I’m just sorry you haven’t heard this many times before.” She is shaking her head to argue with me, but I don’t let her voice her protests. “You are everything I said and more. Don’t be stubborn and argue with me.” She gives me a stern look.

“You are so bossy,” she complains grumpily. Her lower lip pouting, causing me to grin.

“I have to be to compete with your pigheadedness,” I deadpan. She swats at my chest without any malice behind it. “So, are you going to eat, or do I need to hand feed you?” Her eyes widen incredulously. Her mouth forming a perfect ‘O’.

“You wouldn’t dare!” she exclaims. I nod, a serious, demanding look on my face. Her mouth snaps closed. Her face marred with anger, but she reaches for another slice of bacon, chomping off a bite. I chuckle at her childish display, which results in a death glare, but I’m getting my way, so I’ll take it without complaint.

“After you finish eating, I thought we could take a walk,” I tell her. Her head snaps in my direction. “I just thought the fresh air and sunshine would be good for you. If you don’t want to, we can do something else.”

“Where are we?” she asks me, again.

“I told you, my place,” I answer. Her face pinches into another frown. “You are safe here.”

“I know I’m safe,” Shelby grumbles. “I always feel safe with you. What I want to know is where the hell we are! Are we still inVirginia Beach?” I study her face as she glares at me. Even angry, she’s very beautiful, and pride swells in me at her declaration that she feels safe with me.

“Yes, we are still in Virginia Beach, just not on the coast,” I tell her. “I’ve been staying at Luke’s because of the danger Marley has been in. I’ve had this place since I got out of the Navy. Rosco and Enos have their own places, too. As does Kelvin and Dalton, but we stay with each other when needed.” She nods, thoughtfully looking around my small kitchen-dining area. I do the same, wondering what she thinks of my humble abode.

“You have a nice place,” she says, looking back up at me. “I really love your bathroom. It’s amazing.” I grin widely at her. She reaches for a slice of the toast. “What is this? It’s good, but I’ve never had anything like it before.”

“It’s keto bread. Daisy said it’s a good option for you instead of regular wheat bread,” I answer, worrying about how she will react. She looks at the bread thoughtfully a moment.

“I like the flavor, but the texture is weird. It’s not bad, just different,” she admits as she takes another bite. She turns toward me with a look of awe on her face. “You bought this just for me, didn’t you?” I nod. “When?” I debate on how to answer her, concerned she will think I’m a lunatic, but I want to be honest with her. I’m not going to lie.

“While you were gone,” I confess. “I was going insane not know where you were or what they were doing to you…” I wait to see if my words will trigger another flashback, but she just continues to watch me, waiting for the rest of my confession. “I grilled Daisy on your condition and how to manage it so I could help you when we got you back.” Her expression softens, moisture forming in her eyes again. “I needed something to keep my mind off…everything.”

“I understand, though I’m still having a hard time believing in your interest in me,” Shelby replies, her voice soft and low.

“Why?” I ask in confusion. She’s a beautiful woman. I find it hard to believe she hasn’t been pursued by men before.

“What do you mean why?” she snaps. “Have you looked at me?” She moves her hand up and down her body. I take a slow appraisal of her from head to toe. Her blonde hair is tangled around her heart shaped face, which is still bruised, but the swelling has gone down enough she can open both eyes. She’s in one of my t-shirts that is stretched tight over her ample breasts and abdomen. The length is barely long enough to cover her ass. Her bare legs are full and shapely. My eyes move back up her legs. Her bare flesh makes my mouth water as I can imagine what is hiding at the top of those legs, just under the hem of my shirt. When my eyes once again reach her face, it is flushed a deep shade of red. Her breathing is faster than it had been, and her pulse is pounding in her neck.

“I see you,” I say, and even I can tell my voice has deepened with the desire that is running through me at the sight of her half dressed in my t-shirt. She rolls her eyes in dramatic fashion, shaking her head.

“Stop looking at me like that!” she yells. “I’m not a super model. I’m fat, not desirable!” Her eyes are leaking again. She jumps off the bar stool and runs from the room. I can’t help appreciating the view as she goes, but I know I can’t let her keep thinking she is less than what she is. A beautiful woman who is very desirable to me.

“Shelby!” I call after her as I follow. She slams the door of the bedroom in my face. I take a beat to calm down before I barge in on her. She doesn’t need or deserve my anger. No, that should be directed at whomever has made her feel like she is less than. After a few deep breaths, I feel I can be rational. I knock softly on the door. “Shelby, my sweet girl, may I come in?” I wait with baited breath for her to answer. The seconds tick by with nothing.

Just as I’m about to try the knob, I hear the lock click as she opens the door. She’s turning away as the door swings open. I step inside, but I give her space. I don’t think she will welcome me crowding her, at the moment. She stops in the middle of the room with her back to me. Her arms wrap protectively around her middle, which causes my shirt to hike higher giving me a glimpse of her ass cheeks. I want to make her see what I see when I look at her, but I’m not sure what to say or do.

“Shelby,” I begin, hoping I get this right. “I’m sorry that you’ve been made to feel like your size detracts from your beauty. I see you, sweet girl. I see a beautiful woman who is kind, loving, and deserves to be worshiped like the queen she is.” I see her tense, drawing in on herself even more. I don’t know what else to say.

“What about that walk?” I ask in an effort to lessen the tension. She stands completely still not moving an inch for so long I’m beginning to get concerned, but at long last, she nods. “I’ll get you some clothes if you want to shower…or I can run you a bath if you prefer.” She takes a deep breath before turning to face me.

“A shower would be nice.” She gives me a half-hearted smile. “Thank you.” I turn to the dresser where I have some clothes that I’d had Dalton help me buy for her last night after we’d gotten her from under the boardwalk. I pull out a t-shirt, jeans, a bra, panties, and socks. Shelby’s eyes are wide as she stares at the clothes in my hands. I walk to her slowly because she definitely has a deer in the headlights look, at the moment. I’m afraid she’ll bolt if I move too quickly.

“Come on.” I hold all the clothes on my left side, placing my right hand to her lower back, guiding her to the bathroom. She walks stiffly beside me like she’s being dragged to the gallows. “Relax, sweet girl. It’s just a shower. Nothing bad is going to happen to you in the here.” She snorts before her hand flies upto cover her mouth. I grin but turn my head away so she can’t see my humor. I lay the clothes on the counter by the sink then open the linen closet to get her towels and washcloths out, lying them on the counter next to her clothes. “There is shampoo and other toiletries in the shower. I open a drawer pulling out a new toothbrush, still in the package, and place it on the counter, too. “Is there anything else you need?” I turn to her. She looks in the shower, taking stock of the items inside.

---