Suddenly, Chris is ripped away. I topple forward as his grip releases, gasping. It takes me a few seconds to work out what I’m seeing, but when I do, all the air leaves my lungs.
Chris is lying on his back on the sidewalk, scrambling to get back to his feet as Sean gives me a once-over as though checking I’m all in one piece. Noting that I’m not injured, he turns back to Chris, the other man shaking on his feet. Chris isn’t a small guy. In fact, he’s a similar height and weight to Sean by my guess, and with the anger vibrating off them both, I shiver, choosing to focus my gaze on Sean to try to soothe my nerves.
Sean, my kind, protective, hot-as-hell Sean, is furious.
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” he seethes, fisting Chris’ t-shirt and shaking him. Chris blubbers, waving his hands about.
“It was just a misunderstanding man, that’s all!”
“You had your hands on her.” Sean bares his teeth and shoves Chris away roughly, and he stumbles. “She is not yours to touch. When a woman says no, it fucking means no.”
“It wasn’t like that! Come on, Savannah. Tell him.”
Sean’s hand is around Chris’ throat before I can say anything. He pins him to the side of the building, ignoring the people scurrying around us. Chris’ face is red, his eyes bugging out.
“Keep her name out of your disgusting mouth,” Sean warns.
I think I should be scared, especially when Chris tries to fight again and Sean’s fist hits his face, but I’m not. I’m far less scared now than I was before Sean appeared. With him here, I feel…safe.
Chris doubles over, coughing, and Sean crouches so his next words are whispered into the other man’s ear, just loud enough for me to hear.
“Stay the fuck away from my girl,” Sean snarls, stepping on Chris’ stomach before standing and smoothing his hands down the front of his suit. “Come on, sweetness. Let’s get you home.”
I take his extended hand and together, we leave Chris bent over on the sidewalk, groaning in pain.
When we turn the corner, Sean tugs me to a stop, crowding me with worry in his eyes.
“Christ. Savannah, are you okay? I’m so sorry I wasn’t there sooner. Did he hurt you? I’ll kill him, I swear to god—”
“I’m alright,” I say quickly, leaning into his touch as he cups my face, thumb stroking my cheek. It’s an innocent touch, but it sends sparks spiraling through me regardless. “He only grabbed my wrist. He didn’t hurt me really. He just…” I bite my bottom lip, a sudden rush of sadness rising.
“Are you upset? Did you not want me to hurt him?”
I am upset, but not because Sean beat him up. I’m decidedly not upset about that. At all.
“No, I’m…I kind of liked the way you defended me,” I admit, swallowing. “He just scared me a little. I didn’t think he was like that. Thank you for…what you did.”
He leans down, planting a soft kiss on my forehead that makes me smile.
“I don’t want to think about him anymore,” I decide, stepping away so I can look Sean in the eye. “Take me to your place like you promised?”
“Anything you want, sweetness.”
10
SAVANNAH
“Oh my god, your apartment…” I gasp as we step inside and get my first look at where Sean lives.
“Is that a good gasp or a bad gasp?” Sean chuckles, his hand on the small of my back as he encourages me to walk forward. “Have a look around while I get dinner started.”
I nod dumbly, still in shock. I know Sean’s rich, he’s my boss for God’s sake, but this is on a whole other level. My little apartment must look like a cupboard to him. His whole space is bright and open, with an open-concept living room and kitchen area that makes the floor space look even bigger.
A huge TV takes up one wall, with a black leather sofa and a plush armchair facing it. A fluffy white rug covers the floorboards, making it feel more homey. The kitchen is stunning, with white marble surfaces and shiny silver handles. It smells like Sean’s cologne in here, and I inhale greedily.
He told me to explore, but my feet take me straight to where he stands in the kitchen, already chopping up ingredients. I don’t want him out of my sight.
“I can help—”
