Page 18 of Always Watching
“Twenty-eight.”
“Birthday?”
“October twenty-fifth.”
“Favorite color?”
He looks over at me for a few beats, a smile on his lips. “Blue.”
My cheeks heat again. From the way he looked at me, if I had to guess, that’s his favorite color because of me.
“Do you have a boyfriend?”
He shakes his head. “Wouldn’t be staying with you if I did. I’ve never bothered with relationships.”
I gasp, not really believing it. North is… well, he’s hot as fuck to put it mildly. A fucking Greek god if I want to be dramatic. And from what I know about him from the past few days, he’s protective, kind, and thoughtful. Anyone would be lucky to have him.
“Why?” I ask.
He smiles over at me, but doesn’t answer the question. “Where do you want to eat?”
I point to the restaurant up ahead. I want to push for him to answer, but something tells me he wouldn’t, no matter how hard I tried.
We grab our food, then head over to the grocery store to pick up the order. We talk about lighter topics. I’m itching to ask why he’s never been in a relationship, but I know a closed subject when I see one. Maybe when we get to know each other more, he’ll tell me. It’s nice to have something in common with him, even if he doesn’t know it.
Our groceries are loaded into the trunk of North’s car and he points us in the direction of my apartment. “Do you want to go out for dinner?” he asks. “Or do you want me to cook for you?”
My stomach grumbles just thinking about a home cooked meal, even though I just ate. I can cook well enough, my grandfather having taught me as I was growing up, but it’s always nice when someone else cooks. “Cook for me, please. Thank you.”
“Of course.”
Shortly after, we pull up to my apartment. “Go on up,” North says, putting the car in gear. “I’ll grab the groceries from the back. Can you take my drink upstairs?”
“I can help, you know?” I say, walking to the trunk of the car. “I might be hurting, but I’m capable of taking a few bags upstairs.” A strong hand catches my wrist before I can touch anything.
Turning to me, North stares at where his fingers linger on my skin, and I can’t hide the shiver that shoots down my spine at his touch. “I know you can take care of yourself, Ranen, but you don’thaveto while I’m around. You heal, and let me handle the rest.”
My throat goes dry as I get lost in his blue-green eyes. I’m so used to doing everything alone, tobeingalone, that I think I have to take care of everything on my own. Having Northwantto do things for me is a novel experience, but I’m not going to tell him no. I have a feeling he’s used to getting his way, and wouldn’t let me help even if I begged.
Releasing a shuddering breath, I nod and say, “Okay.”
“Okay,” North repeats. “Now go upstairs. It’s warm and I don’t want you to overheat with that shirt on.”
I grin as I nod, turning away from him with a pep in my injured step. A smile is etched on my face, and try as I might, I can’t wipe it away.
Until I get close to the stairs leading up to my apartment and Mr. Barlowe comes out of nowhere. I yelp, jumping back so I don’t bump into him, and hiss when my back hits the wall behind me, my ribs screaming in protest.
“Ranen. Are you okay?” he asks, reaching out for me. Unlike North, Mr. Barlowe’s touch is not welcome.
I dodge his hand, shuffling around him. “I’m fine.”
He hums, looking equal parts sad and creepy. “I told you someone was around here, hurting people. I could have stopped that from happening to you.”
“I’m fine,” I mutter, trying to step around him. “I need to get up to my apartment.”
Mr. Barlowe steps in front of me and I sigh, meeting his calculating brown eyes. “The offer still stands. You can come with me and I’ll keep you safe.”
A deep voice sounds behind me, and I sigh in relief. “He’s plenty safe now that I’m staying with him.”
