Page 17 of Jealous Bodyguard

11

STEVE

It doesn’t take much to convince Stacey to show me just how she pictured us both when we first met, all those hours ago. Feels like years already and every moment with her is never enough for me.

After showing me her newfound love-making skills on top instead of underneath me, it’s clear we’ve only scratched the surface of just how deep this connection between us really is.

I’ve got twenty-four hours before Shulton’s gonna call in the authorities, but it’s Stacey’s concern about her father’s own worry that makes me realize I can’t put her or her dad through a whole day of anxiety over it. No matter how much we’re enjoying ourselves.

It hits me like a nine-iron once we’re lying tangled in each other’s arms for a second time. I just can’t put the name ‘Shulton’ to Stacey either.

If she’s gotta have a surname, it’s gotta be mine. Stacey Slade. As in Mrs. Stacey Slade.

No mother of my children is gonna be without a ring on her finger and my name as a brand. Our name. Our family.

The idea makes me smile to myself, but Stacey’s a girl who’s just escaped a terrible fate and lost her virginity all in the same afternoon. As much as it’s natural for me to want to seal the deal permanently, I don’t know if now is the time to ask her the only question that matters and it’s one already churning in my thoughts.

Will you be my wife?

An easier question for me to ask and get an answer I can predict is whether or not she wants to wait twenty-four hours before I take her home. But her feelings show in her face as well as what I can feel broadcasting from her body against mine.

“I… I want this, Steve… But I dunno… I can’t just up and leave my dad after everything he's been through. I mean, we’ve only just met, and you might get sick of me before-”

I don’t let her finish. I don’t even want her having the thought, not even for a second. Taking her face in my palm, I look deep into her eyes. Knowing she’s got some decisions to make but I don’t want her thinking I could ever lose interest.

Not ever.

“Stacey. I knew the second I saw you that you had to be mine. ThatIhad to be the one putting a baby in you, and not just because someone else threatened to,” I remind her.

Her eyes widen a little and her face falls at the mention of the ‘B’ word, but if she thinks I wanted to bed her just for the pleasure of her perfect body, she’s got another thing coming.

“I’ll take you to your dad anytime you want, but surely you can see for yourself that everything I’ve ever wanted is looking right at me…”

I know she feels the same way. But I can’t keep her against her will and the thought of trying for some kind of ‘relationship’ where I have to wait to see her again isn’t gonna happen.

“I’m an all-or-nothing guy, Stacey. And you’re everything to me, don’t you get it?”

She goes quiet. Not hurt or upset at my tone, but looking like she’s made her mind up about a lot of things in a single moment.

“We can go back in a few hours… I- I just don’t know how I can even begin to explain any of this to my dad is all…” she murmurs.

“Which is harder, Stacey?” I ask her. “Telling him how you feel or trying to function, trying to live every day from now on without this? Without us?”

I don’t mean to upset her, but it’s clear the thought of us not being joined together permanently is a fate worse than death for her, and I agree.

“Stacey, if I trusted anyone else—which I don’t—to watch over you, I’d be tearing Sean Castor’s eyes out right now,” I growl, feeling all my protective instincts for her boiling over.

She looks taken aback, frightened even by my sudden outburst, but it’s the truth.

“Dammit, Stacey. Can’t you see? I- I need you and you need me. The idea of just taking you home again will never work because your place is with me now.”

I catch myself, reining in my aggression because I’m not angry with Stacey. I’m mad as hell at anything or anyone that wants to keep her from me, real or imaginary.

Madder still at the thought that the man who even dared to think he could breed what’s mine is still on the loose. I’ve crossed the line of my professional conduct so many times today, it’s no surprise to me that I sound more like a maniac myself than her hired bodyguard.

There’s no way Shulton is just gonna roll over and thank me for bringing her home then let me walk straight back out again with her in my arms.

There’s a long silence between us, but I can’t apologize for telling her the truth, no matter how crazy it makes me sound.

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