Page 21 of Beneath the Midnight Sky
“Let’s do it.” I smiled and nodded my head toward the entrance.
She’d done betteron my bike this time. We drove back to her apartment, and when I took the helmet off her head, she had a soft smile on her face. Almost as if she were enjoying herself.
I wasn’t sure what was going on in that beautiful head of hers, but whatever it was, I could tell it was still bothering her. I was going to assume it wasn’t me since she was here with me and seemed pleased to be. But I was still on edge, just waiting to rescue her from her own thoughts.
Now that I’d read all the reports Wyatt had accumulated for me, I had some idea of what she’d left behind in her past. I wasn’t sure if it was still an issue or not. Did her ex know where she was? Should I be worried about him dropping in or causing her any issues? I knew it wasn’t my place to ask—at least not yet. Not until she told me herself.
But that didn’t mean I couldn’t worry about her, right? Taking a deep breath, I tried to work on focusing on the here and now. I couldn’t even understand why I had the insane urge to protect this woman from the world. She could clearly protect herself, right? But then those hospital photos and police reports popped into my head, and I was suddenly wrapping my arm around her shoulders and pulling her closer as we walked into her apartment building. I’d protect her—even if it killed me.
Aspen walked a step ahead of me and unlocked her front door. Letting her walk ahead of me, I sat down on the couch, making myself comfortable.
“So, little angel, do you want to talk about whatever is bothering you now? Or should I wait till later to drag it outof you?” I smiled knowingly when she glanced back at me, so she knew I was mostly teasing her. But at the same time, I desperately wanted her to know she could talk to me. This was new, yes, but I was here for her. I needed her to get used to the idea. I also needed to tell my brain to chill the fuck out and not rush anything on her.
She looked away from me as she grabbed a backpack out of her closet and started to toss some clothes into it, along with her phone charger and toiletries. She zipped up the bag and then dropped her arms down to her side and let out a long breath.
Walking over, she sat down next to me on the couch, her hands in her lap. “I think my ex has been calling me.” She glanced up at me, trying to gauge my reaction.
I slowly nodded my head, keeping my best poker face in place. “I’m assuming you don’t want to hear from him?”
“I left and moved here to get away from him. I changed my number; it isn’t even under my name. But it’s been an unknown number…it’s calling more and more each day. I don’t answer it. I let it ring. I just know it’s him. I know that sounds crazy, but…I know it’s him.” She was rambling and picking at her fingers, the more she talked.
I reached over and took her hand into mine, gently squeezing it. “You don’t sound crazy, Aspen. Do you want me to have my brother look into it?”
She looked over at me, her brow scrunched a bit. “Your brother?”
I smiled. “Yeah, Wyatt. I mentioned before, but he does all that tech stuff and security shit. Maybe he could look into the calls and see if it’s really your ex calling or maybe some spam caller.” I shrugged. This is the least I can do for her, honestly, after majorly invading her privacy the way I had. Although I’d have Wyatt do it either way for her if it would make her feel safer.
She nodded. “If he has the time. I’m not trying to add to his plate or anything. I’m sure he’s plenty busy as it is.”
I shook my head. This girl never wanted to bother anyone or ask for help with anything. We weren’t doing that anymore, though—she had me. I reached over and scooped her up, bringing her into my lap. She wrapped her arms around my neck, and I wrapped mine around her waist, keeping her close against me.
I leaned in and pressed her lips to mine in a slow, gentle kiss, telling her everything my words couldn’t—that I was here to help. I was here to protect her and help her gather the strength to protect herself, too. I was in her corner. I could feel the tension slowly dissipating from her body as I deepened the kiss.
My hands slowly ran up her sides until I buried them in her long hair, keeping her close as I devoured her mouth with my own. There wasn’t anything like kissing Aspen Woodluck. At least nothing I’d experienced in this life.
I pulled away, keeping her face close to mine with my hands still in her hair. “Let’s get out of here, little angel,” I whispered, both of us now slightly breathless.
Aspen nodded as a blush sank into her cheeks. “Let’s.”
9
THE VIEW IS GREAT
Rowan
The driveback to my house was a quiet one. Mostly because we were on my bike, and I knew she had a lot on her mind tonight. I wanted to pry, dig into her head, and find out what exactly was going on in there, but I gave her space. I felt as if I was on this tightrope of going all in on this girl and also holding myself back, so I didn’t scare her away. She wanted day by day, and I knew I needed to respect that.
I’m not sure what her ex put her through, not really anyway. I knew what the file said, sure. But that didn’t fully tell me what went on behind the scenes. That’s something only she could tell me, and I didn’t think she was ready for that just yet. I didn’t feel as if I’d proven myself—at least notyet.
Pulling up to my house, I turned off my bike, and she used my shoulders to push herself over the side. I fucking love when she touched me, and I wondered if the same thrill went through her body when she did so.
I grabbed the helmet from her and then took her hand in mine, pulling her toward the front door.
“Thisis your house?” she asked. I glanced back and saw how wide her eyes were as they ran over what was visible right now.
“Yes? Why? Do you not like it?” I looked back over at my house. I’d left a light on inside because I knew I wouldn’t be back until after dark. “We can change whatever you don’t like, little angel. I don’t mind.”
“No! I mean—yes! I mean, I’m sorry. That came out sort of rude. No, I love your house, Rowan. It’s stunning,” she stumbled over her words, a light pink covering her cheeks again. Fuck, I loved making her blush. However, it brought a smile to my face, and my heart felt lighter having her approval. I needed her to feel comfortable here. Safe. I didn’t want her to leave, ever really, so this was important to me—to us, and our future.
