“You’re leaving.” Her tone is hushed and it breaks my heart.
“Yes, but I’m making sure people know to look out for him and to not let him near you. All you have to do is call one of them and someone will be there within minutes. And I’m just a call away if you get scared. If I can get to you, I will and if not, I’ll make sure someone can. I promise.”
“Why? You don’t even know me.”
“Why? Well for starters, what asshat did to you is unacceptable. No man has the right to beat a woman. I would stand up for anyone who’s facing an abusive asshole.”
“I wish people back home thought like that.”
The anger rushes up again at the pain in her voice, but I push it back. I won’t show her my anger.
“Good thing you moved to where people do care, isn’t it?”
She looks down at the pot instead of at me.
I lean in, until she’s flush against me and place my chin on top of her head. “And I told you, sweetheart, I’ll be your friend for as long as you need me to. You’re mine. Have been mine since you ran into me and all your shit flew everywhere. I’m a patient man. I can wait for you to be ready for me. But you’ll always be safe with me. That much I hope you know.”
“You do make me feel safe.”
“Good girl,” I whisper, love swelling up inside of me and nearly cutting off my air. The rush of emotions is so unexpected, I almost step back, but good thing my feet ignores my first instinct.
“I’m glad you didn’t let me run you off,” she whispers softly.
“Never.” I do step back, but only to turn her to face me. Tipping her face up, I look down into those beautiful green eyes of hers. “I’m not going anywhere.”
She snorts. “You’ll be gone more than you’re home. You’re a big shot hockey star now.”
“I’m still me and that’s not going to change.”
“Do you promise? You won’t let the fame go to your head and turn you into a self-absorbed asshole?”
“My mother would disown me.” The thought of it is enough to sober me. “She’d kick my ass six ways to Sunday.”
“She’s a good mom.”
“The best,” I agree. I really, really want to kiss her, but if I move to fast, she’ll run.
She sighs. “Collin is probably starving.”
“He’s fine.” I cup her face in my very large hand. It looks so fragile and small cradled in my palm. How could anyone want to hurt her? “Daisy?”
“Hmm?”
“Can I kiss you? I’ve wanted to kiss you since I first met you, but if you’re not ready, I’ll wait.”
“I…”
Smiling gently, I stroke my thumb over her cheek. “I can wait, sweetheart. I understand now why you’re so gun shy about relationships and I can be your friend until you’re ready for more.”
I keep saying that, but every instinct I have screams at me to claim her, to protect her, to show her she never has to be afraid of me and to know I’ll always be there for her when she needs me.
“It’s not that I don’t want to kiss you,” she whispers, her eyes large and guarded. “I’m just afraid.”
I lean my head down until my forehead presses against hers and all I can see is her eyes. “I know, baby, and that’s why I can wait. I never want you to be afraid of me.”
“I’m not afraid ofyou.” Her denial is swift. “Not in a physical way at least.”
“Then how are you afraid of me?”
