I blinked. I thought I was acting normally. At my surprise, Damien smirked.
“I notice things. And your tells are screaming. Something upset you.”
“My tells?”
He leaned forward and touched my cheek. “Your left eye twitches a little when you’re upset. You keep darting your gaze to the windows. You jump at every sound.” He took my hand in his. “Tell me what happened today.”
“Probably just my imagination working overtime.”
“Tell me anyway.”
I told him about the thump and the daisy. What Andy had said to me once. The man disappearing around the corner. I shrugged self-consciously. “Probably nothing, right?”
For a moment, he said nothing, then he huffed out a long breath of air. “I think your first instincts were right, Raven. It was something.” He held up his hand before I could speak. “We are going to err on the side of caution and assume it was Andy smashing a daisy against your window as a passive-aggressive warning. Perhaps he was at the store and disappeared before you could be sure.” He bent forward, resting his elbows on his knees, staring into my eyes. His gaze was intense, determined, and furious. There was no doubt he was angry, yet his voice remained calm and steady. “And you should have called me. Immediately.”
“I didn’t want to bother—”
Again, he held up his hand. “You are not a bother. I would rather react to a hundred coincidences, than not be there the one instance you needed me. Do you understand?”
He cupped my cheek, stroking the skin softly. “I hate thinking of you worried when I could have sent someone to watch over you until I could get there myself.”
“Someone to watch over me?”
He nodded.
“I don’t need a bodyguard, Damien.”
“I disagree. Until I find this asshole and get him away from you, you need someone around so he can’t get to you.”
“You make him sound crazed.”
He sat back with a frown. “From what I saw and what you’ve described, he very well could be. He’s a stalker, Raven. He has you in his sights.”
“Today could have been nothing.”
He dipped his chin in acknowledgment. “Maybe. But it could have been something significant. Promise me next time you will call.”
I shut my eyes, drawing in some deep breaths. Damien moved, shifting his chair closer. “You came to me, Raven. You needed my protection that day. You need it now. I want to give it. Listen to me, please.”
I relented and nodded.
“Okay, good,” he said and pressed a kiss to my forehead. “I’ll come up with a plan and fill you in.”
“Do I get any say in this plan?”
“Sure.” He grinned. “You can choose to sleep in my guest room or my bed. Your choice.”
“I am not staying with you.”
“If I decide it’s necessary, you will.”
I stood. “Anyone ever tell you that you’re bossy and high-handed?” I asked and turned to go to my room. I felt cold suddenly and wanted my shawl. But Damien caught up to me by the sofa, snagging my hand. He pulled me close, engulfing me in his embrace. I wanted to push him away, but he felt so damn good. Warm, solid, safe. He rocked us gently side to side.
“I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you safe, Raven. It’s become paramount to me.”
“Why?” I whispered against the hard muscles of his chest.
He slipped his hand under my chin, meeting my gaze.