I was still so fucking mad. I had finally stopped shaking, thank God, but every time I thought about how hard I’d tried to get away from that prick and physically just couldn’t, the anger started up again.
I was so,somad. And I didn’t even know at what anymore. At the asshole that tried to mug me, yes. That watch was a birthday present from my sister years ago. We all had matching ones and now I was going to have to buy a new one to replace it.
But that couldn’t be the real reason I felt this aching feeling to get out and do something. To go out and do anything that made me feel like myself again. Was it because someone had preyed on me, or was it because I had been stupid enough to let myself become prey?
I mean, I had never been in a situation I couldn’t get out of. I had never been so cornered or out of options orhelpless. I felt ridiculous even thinking back on it. I felt stupid. I felt…I justfelt.And there were way too many emotions swirling around at the same time to make sense of them all. I didn’t know what to do with any of it.
It was still dark outside when my shoes began crunching on the sandy front driveway of Connor’s beach adjacent property. I didn’t check the time before leaving, and I didn’t have a fucking watch to look at now but judging by the way the sun was breaking up the sky in a line of dim gold just underneath the sea of dark, I’d guess it was dawn.
“Where the hell are you going?” A voice called from so close behind me I jumped. How had I not heard his footsteps? Was I really so carelessallthe time?
“Home,” I grit, feeling stupid once again for letting a man sneak up on me. I didn’t feel threatened though. Not with Connor who seemed to be chasing after me barefoot and shirtless. Thin gray pajama pants being the only thing keeping him from being naked in his front drive.
“It’s six in the morning.”
“Didn’t know there was a time restriction on when I could go to my own apartment,” I muttered and continued walking.
“There isn’t.” He walked briskly, catching up much quicker than I thought he would barefoot.
“Great, then get off my ass.”
“How are you getting home? You gonna walk?” he asked.
My steps faltered a second. Had I really not thought of that either?What was wrong with me?
“I’m getting an Uber to my car,” I recovered, trying not to let it show that hadnotbeen my intention. I had been intent to walk.
He read me like a book, jogging up and blocking my path. With serious eyes he stared down at my face, searching.
“You’re not going back to your car alone. In fact, you’re not fucking leaving here at six in the damn morning to do anything. Ceci,take a break. Did you even sleep last night?” he asked.
I did, but only when I was curled up against him. I didn’t tell him that though, instead I just clipped, “I slept enough.”
“You didn’t. Come back in and sleep until eight at least. Then I’ll go take care of the car and the police and—”
“Police!”
He looked at me weirdly. “Yes, police. I don’t want you or anyone else being targeted again.”
“Con—” I shook my head, wanting nothing to do with the police.
“I’ll take care of it, okay? Just come inside,” he said, completely reading my mind. Taking a cautious step toward me he tried to reassure me with gestures since I wasn’t reacting well to his words.
“No. I’m going home,” I said, breaking free of him and pushing on down the driveway.
“Ceci,” he said, walking right there with me. Making sure I wasn’t alone.
“What?”
“Look at me.”
I didn’t even turn my head.
“Fine.”
He sounded normal. His deep voice the same as it always was. Casual. But unlike normal, I was on the ground one moment and the next I was being swept into the air with the ease of someone grabbing a cardboard box off the ground.
Circling an arm around my legs, Con lifted me high against his chest. In a second flat, he was pivoting and walking back toward the house. I had to prop my hands up along his tight shoulder muscles to avoid doubling over him like a sack of potatoes.
