He nods.
“And do you like what you found?”
He nods again.
“Then that’s all that matters. Don’t let anyone take that away from you. Don’t let anyone tell you who to be, beautiful boy.” I press a kiss to his forehead and it feels so right. I hear his intake of breath, and he relaxes at my touch.
A smile forms on his face and my chest constricts with how beautiful it is. Pride swells in me knowing that I was the one to put it there. I promise I’ll do anything to make him happy. Anything.
ChapterFive
CHARLIE
“You hungry?” Paul asks as we make our way out of Macy’s. I’m so unbelievably giddy about all my new clothes that I can’t keep the smile from my face. The way he supported and encouraged me in there meant the world to me. My parents never would have let me buy those clothes. Okay, except for the underwear. But “girls” clothes, never, and my mom would have never even let me try on high heels even for fun, let alone purchase them. Paul not only allowed it but encouraged it. I’ve never felt that kind of support and acceptance my entire life. The bitch in the shoe aisle needs to get the stick out of her ass, but I’m trying to focus less on what she said,“Disgusting perverts. What is this world coming to?” and more on what Paul said. He’s right. I have a right to wear what I want and I won’t let anyone take that from me anymore. Not my parents, and certainly not a total stranger.
“Yeah,” I say, “starving.” He smiles at me and we make our way to the food court, but before we get in line, he turns to me.
“You wanna change?” he asks, holding the bags out to me.
I smile and nod. I’m dying to get out of these tacky, too-big-for-me clothes and into something that makes me feel like myself.
I take the bags and head for the bathrooms. I decide on the family restroom because it’s bigger and because guys' bathrooms are disgusting. Not to mention there can be some real jerks in there who might not appreciate my attire and decide to harass me for it, or worse. I’m not in the mood to deal with that today.
I slip inside and strip out of my jeans, T-shirt, and hoodie, and into my skinny jeans and a black and white striped cropped T-shirt. I wish I wasn’t quite so skinny. You can practically see my ribs, but the shirt covers all but my belly button and about an inch above it, so unless I raise my arms above my head no one can see my ribs anyway.
I slide my new Keds on and try to decide what to do with my old clothes. I toss the jeans and shoes in the trash but hang on to the T-shirt and hoodie, and place them in the Macy’s bag with the new things. They aren’t my go-to style but they still fit, and besides that, Paul got them for me, so I can’t bring myself to get rid of them.
Taking one last peak at myself in the mirror, I run a hand through my red curls, and then out of habit because I’m in a bathroom, I wash my hands before stepping out into the crazy bustle of the mall once more.
My pulse skyrockets when the burly, bearded man lurking outside the men’s room grins at me, his gaze raking me over, eyes gleaming. I’ve seen that look way too many times. I try to side-step him, but he cuts in front of me and grins down at me. “You’re a pretty thing,” he says, backing me against the wall. “Where you headed, pretty boy? You here alone?”
I swallow. I can’t breathe. I’m frozen stiff, which is the only explanation for me not batting his hand away when he reaches up and brushes his finger over my cheek. I’m mortified when tears spring to my eyes, but then the man is flying away from me, and his back hits the opposite wall. The large man blinks as Paul steps into his line of vision, his eyes going wide.
“No, he’s not here alone,” Paul growls. “And if you so much as glance in his direction again, I will break every bone in your body.” Holy hell, I think my cock twitched at that. Papa Bear can be fierce when he wants to be, and he’s doing it for me. Fuck, that’s hot. I’m trembling when he turns to me and the other man scampers off.
“Fuck, are you okay?” he asks, and I don’t think twice before I fall into his arms, shaking, as the tears slide down my cheeks. “I’m so sorry, Charlie.” His arms come around me, holding me tight. “Did he hurt you?”
I shake my head. “I’m okay.” His big strong hands rub up and down my back. I can feel his T-shirt against the expanse of my bare skin. It’s warm and soft, and it comforts me somehow.
“I should have come with you,” he says, and I can hear how upset he is with himself.
“It’s okay,” I assure him. He pulls back and his crystal blue eyes lock with mine.
“It’s not okay.” He wipes my tears. “Nobody has the right to treat you like that, Charlie. Nobody. Do you hear me?” More tears come and I nod, falling back into his embrace. People are moving around us and the music is playing through the speakers, the conversations in the food court carrying through the open space, but all I hear is the sound of his heartbeat.
“Do you want to leave?” he asks me. I shake my head.
“No. I do that and he wins. I won’t let that happen. I’m fine. Really.” My gaze meets his again. “Thank you.”
He gives me a soft smile and brushes the hair away from my eyes. “Always.” His lips press to my forehead. God, I want to melt into this man, let him hold me and feel his lips against my skin for an eternity. I didn’t think I’d ever want anyone to touch me again after my parents and my time on the streets, but his touches are different; gentle, kind, and tender. I’ve never had that before. Like he actually cares for me.
“You look wonderful, by the way,” he tells me, and I blush. My cheeks heat even more, and I’m sure I’m the color of a tomato when he steps back and holds his hand out to me. I don’t hesitate to take it. Then he reaches over and grabs the bags from my other hand, and I don’t mind at all. I’m more than willing to let him treat me like a princess. Just give me a tiara and call me Cinderella. Or maybe Belle. I like her better.
My heart beats wildly when he links our fingers together and squeezes.
We stand in line at the Chinese place, holding hands the entire time, until Paul has to pay. We’re getting some looks, and I honestly don’t know if they are approving or reproving, but I don’t care. I’m happier than I’ve ever been and I feel safe.
We take our number to our table and wait for our food, as we sit down across from each other. Paul sets the bags on the chair next to him instead of on the floor.
