Page 12 of Messy AF
Half a dozen different “distractions” flitted through my head in the span of a heartbeat, none of them feasible or appropriate. “What did you have in mind?”
“We could watch a movie and binge on junk food,” he suggested, jerking a thumb over his shoulder toward the television.
I pretended to consider his offer, but my grin gave me away. The idea of sitting close to him in the dark with something scary playing in the background was too good to pass up.
“Okay, but I get to choose the movie.”
“Go ahead,” he answered easily, picking up the remote and tossing it to me. “I’ll go get us drinks.”
“What about the food?” I distinctly remembered snacks being part of the bargain.
The doorbell rang before he could answer, and I tensed, all those warm, flirty feelings disappearing like a puff of smoke.
“Easy,” Warren soothed. “It’s just the pizza I ordered.”
Despite his reassurance, it did nothing to loosen the knot in my chest. “Are you sure?”
“I’m sure.” He pointed to his phone. “I received the notification that the driver was close.”
I nodded slowly, but the muscles in my neck and shoulders remained tight. “Check the monitor before you open the door.”
“I will, but there’s no need to worry.”
While he was probably right, I didn’t relax until I had proof in the form of a pizza box sitting in front of me.
“See?” Warren said, easing down on the cushion beside me. “Nothing to be upset about.”
“This time.”
“Tobi, I want you to listen to me.” Inching closer, he untangled my clenched hands and cradled them in his own. “I didn’t tell you about Peter to scare you. I told you because I want you to be cautious.”
“But what if he comes back?”
“Then I’ll be here.” He rubbed his thumbs in circles across the tops of my hands. “I don’t think he’d hurt you, though.”
A couple of days ago, I would have agreed with him. Now, I wasn’t so sure. “He looked really mad when he left.”
“Let him be mad. I’m not going to let anything happen to you.”
“While you’re here,” I mumbled under my breath.
Of course, Warren heard me. Stupid vampire senses. I didn’t, however, expect what came next.
“I’ll be here as long as you want me.”
I jerked my head up, the breath catching in my throat. Even when I told myself he probably hadn’t meant it the way it sounded, I really didn’t see any other way to interpret his words.
“What are you saying?” I asked, forcing the question past trembling lips.
“We’ve been tapdancing around each other all week, but I’m tired of pretending I don’t feel something for you.”
He still held my hands, gripping them a little tighter now. Or maybe that was me. I didn’t even know anymore.
“I think you feel the same way,” he continued, his voice quieter now. “If I’m wrong, tell me, and I won’t bring it up again, but if—”
“You’re not wrong.” My tongue darted out to wet my dry lips. “I feel it too.”
He moved closer, crowding against me, the feel of his body pressed against my side a welcome weight.
