Surprise flicks through his eyes, and do I imagine the way his shoulders relax?
“Noah is in security. This is what he does every day. He’s a professional,” Jeff assures me. “He doesn't mind helping out at all.”
I peek at Noah shyly, and he nods his head. “That's right. I'll do whatever it takes to keep you safe.”
My breath hitches as he speaks the words. He says them so solemnly it’s almost as if he's making a vow.
My heart flutters in my chest like a butterfly taking wing. I'm sure he just meant the words as they pertain to his job, but I'd like to believe that there's more to it than that.
My crush on my stepbrother is still going strong. In fact, it's probably deepening right now with the way he's rushing to my offense, eager to be my savior. I've always been a sucker for the knight in shining armor who rescues the damsel in distress. They're my favorite types of books.
I shake my head as if to clear my ridiculous thoughts from my mind. This isn't a book. This is real life, and there's no time for my silly little daydreams.
I tell Noah genuinely, “I appreciate your help. It'll make me feel safer until…” I trail off.
Noah smiles at me kindly, those brown eyes smoldering at me like melted chocolate. “No problem at all, Cynthia, I promise you. I’ll stay with you as long as you want. You don’t have to be alone or scared ever.
I smile as relief floods me. I glance at Mom and Jeff who are both nodding their heads in approval, obviously pleased at Noah’s diligence.
I feel worse than ever for having such naughty thoughts about my stepbrother and here he is being utterly amazing to step in and protect me like this. I know I'll feel safe and that he won't let anything happen to me.
I smile at him again, and he smiles back and me, causing my heart to turn a little flip in my chest.
four
Noah
I feellike an ass as I pretend to run security to find out who was in Cynthia's house, knowing damn well that it wasme.
My father and her mother continued to soothe her, but I feel her wide-eyed gaze trained on me.
My chest squeezes painfully every time I look at her and she's staring at me with those innocent,trustinggreen eyes. Shetrustsme to protect her.
I don't know what I did to gain her trust, but she's looking at me with hero worship in her eyes, and it both humbles and flays me because I'm the reason she’s so scared to begin with.
“It looks like the coast is clear,” I announce to all of them. I look at Cynthia. “Do you think you're ready for me to take you home?”
My dad and Karen share a look before they look at her worriedly. She takes a deep breath and nods at me. “As long as you'll take me, then yes, I think I'll be fine.”
She hugs her mom and my dad before she walks over to me.
I was right. Her head barely comes up to the middle of my chest. She's such a tiny little thing, and I hate that I scared her.
As we walk toward my suburban, I notice the way she presses close against me. Not quite touching me but seeking comfort from my closeness, using me as a shield.
A surge of protectiveness rushes through me. I love having her look to me for protection like this.
I open the passenger-side door of the vehicle and wait for her to get in. I don't even ask permission before I lean in and buckle her up, my eyes flicking up to find her wide-eyed, green gaze staring down at me.
My breath hitches. I'm so close to her that her flowery scent wraps around me, and all it would take is a couple of inches to close the gap between our lips.
I pull back from her with everything in me, my cock suddenly pressing insistently against the band of my pants, trying to break free. I discreetly adjust myself on my way around to the driver's side before I get in and turn on the vehicle.
“Thank you for doing this,” she murmurs as I back out of my dad's driveway. “You must think I'm a big baby.”
“I don't,” I insist. “You did the right thing reaching out for help.”
I feel like the lowest of the low. I'm essentially lying to her, but I'm in too deep now to turn back. Besides, I'd be lying to myself if I said that I don't relish being in her presence like this.