Bennett
A few hours later, I finally close the door behind the cops. It’s been a night. To say I was scared earlier when I answered the phone would be an understatement. A fear like I’ve only felt once before gripped me and when I heard her scream down the line, I swear I damn near had a heart attack.
I walk back into the kitchen to find Peyton sitting on one of the barstools at her breakfast bar, the cat in her lap, both of them in a trance. I walk over to her and lift them both, sitting down on the stool and placing them in my lap.
“You don’t have to keep holding me, you know? I won’t break,” she says as she nuzzles into me.
“Yeah, I do.” I need to hold her as much as she needs to be held. “I need you to come and stay with me.” She lifts her head from where it was buried in my chest, her eyes wide as she stares at me.
“Bennett, I’m not just coming to stay with you. Everything is here, and I will not leave D’Artagnan.”
“Did it sound like a question to you? Peyton, you will be moving in with me for the foreseeable future. There is not a chance in hell you’re staying here when you have a stalker.” The one good thing to come out of tonight, apart from the fact that she called me — when she needed someone it wasmeshe called; I’ll be analyzing the fuck out of that later — but the good thing to come from tonight, is that I was here when she told the police everything. About the note, about feeling like she’s being watched. I don’t have to make out I don’t know anything about it anymore. My protective side can really show itself with her now. Starting with her staying with me.
“Before you say anything else,” I say as I place my finger over her lips, “the cat comes too, anything you need comes with you. I need you with me, Peyton. I need to know you’re safe. Tonight wasn’t just scary for you, sweetheart.”
“Bennett, I can’t impose on you like that. We barely know each other, and I’m still not sure I actually like you. You’re right, though, I won’t be staying here alone, but I’ll move in with Harry not you.”
“No, Peyton, you won’t. Harry doesn’t own a global security firm. Harry can’t protect you like I can when you’re in danger. I won’t play around with your life because you think staying with me is somehow giving up your independence, because let’s be honest, that’s what this is really about.”
“Bennett, it’s too soon. I can’t move in with someone I just met.”For fuck sake! This is happening, she needs to get on fucking board with it.
“Don’t give me that shit, Peyton. You calledme. Tonight, when you were scared out of your mind; you didn’t phone the cops first, you didn’t phone your friends, you phoned me.” I take a deep breath, trying to calm my agitation at her belittling us. “That means something. We mean something. I’m not asking you to marry me, Peyton, I’m asking you to let me keep you safe.”
“Okay, that’s fair,” she concedes. “Fine. I’m not happy about it, but I guess it makes sense. I need my car for work tomorrow, though — well, today actually.” I bark out a laugh.
“Sweetheart, you’ve got another thing coming, if you think you’re going to work after what you’ve just been through.” She raises her eyebrows at me.
“Did it sound like a question to you?” She throws my own words right back at me.Little brat.
Chapter Six
Bennett
Ipull through the gates of High Tides, with two more in the car than when I pulled out a few hours earlier. Peyton and her cat, D’Artagnan — who calls a cat D’Artagnan, for fucks sake? — are huddled together in the front seat. I don’t think she’s quite registered where we are yet. She’s in shock, and I can’t say I blame her. I think I am too. When I heard her screaming and then banging coming through the phone, I didn’t think I was going to get to her in time. I might have known her days, but I already wouldn’t be able to handle anything happening to her.
“What on earth?” she mutters as I pull up outside the house. I’ll give Peyton credit; it’s a fucking stunning place, and even if it hadn’tbeen her favorite, I think I probably would have put an offer in. “How are we here?” she asks, her body turning to face me in the small space.
“I bought it yesterday. It’s not technically mine for about another week, but — well, money talks.” I shrug.
“So they just gave you the keys?”
“Yeah, I can’t start any building work until everything is signed, but it’s mine.”Ours.
“Wow,” she mumbles under her breath.
“Come on, let’s get you inside your new home,” her gaze darts to me.
“For now,” she states. I smile at her; she can think she’s moving back to hers all she wants. It’s never fucking happening though.
I open her car door and scoop her and the fluff ball into my arms carrying them into the house.
“Bennett,” she cries “put me down. You can’t keep carrying me everywhere. You’ll hurt your back.” I can’t help the belly laugh that leaves me. Is she serious right now? I lift heavier weights in the gym than her.
“Peyton, you’re half my height, sweetheart. You’re the size of a pixie,” her little body shifts as she huffs at my words. “Plus, I like carrying you around. I love feeling you in my arms, your body pressed against mine is one of the best feelings.”
“Oh,” she mumbles.
“Yeah, oh,” I chuckle, “so let me hold you as often as I want.” I place a gentle kiss to the top of her head as I walk us up the stairs.
