Page 26 of An Alpha's Romance

Keisha wrapped her arms around his waist and gave him a tight squeeze. Conner rubbed her hair, leaned down, and kissed the side of her neck lovingly.

“How about we get this mess cleaned up, and we can talk about what happened later, okay?” Conner kissed Keisha’s lips again, and she gave him a small smile. He could tell that something else was bothering her, but he would address it later.

Once they got all of the glass swept up, and Carson had installed the locks on the kitchen door, they were all exhausted. It was past midnight, and after Tracy, Sabrina, and April left, Conner knew that the likelihood of him getting to talk to Keisha was slim. But he’d be damned if she spent the night anywhere but in his arms.

Conner threw his keys to Carson. “You can take Bell home in my truck.”

Carson cocked a thick brow, but nodded. “Alright. Bell, you ready?”

“Uh, yeah that’s a negative.” Bell defiantly crossed her arms over her chest. “My sister just went through a traumatic experience because of her asshole ex-husband. If you think I’m…”

“Wait.” Conner cut off Bell’s rant. “Dylan did this?” Conner looked to Keisha, but she turned away. He could feel the fury that he’d tamped down beginning to boil.

“We don’t know that for sure, Bell.” Keisha sighed heavily.

“Who in the hell else would do something like this, Keisha? Let’s be real, he’s been calling and stalking you. It’s him!” Bell’s voice rose with each point she made, and Conner was thoroughly pissed.

He and Keisha would talk for hours about everything, and the only time she mentioned her ex-husband was after their first date. She never told him that the asshole was stalking her. Conner was beyond livid.

“Carson, take Bell. Keisha, where are your keys?” Conner’s voice was hard as steel and it conveyed that he was not to be questioned.

Bell started to protest, but Keisha held up her hand. “I’ll be fine, Bell. I’ll call you tomorrow.”

“Are you sure?” Bell questioned, and Keisha nodded as they hugged their goodbyes.

Conner knew that Bell was an overprotective sister, but he would never do anything to hurt Keisha. And he would never let anyone else hurt her, either. However, there wasn’t a chance in hell that he was letting her go anywhere without him tonight.

Once they started driving Keisha asked, “Where are we going?”

“My place. If Dylan did this, he might show up at yours and I’m not going to take that chance.”

Conner knew if Dylan showed up at Keisha’s house, there was no telling what he would do to the man. He would end anybody that meant to harm his woman. Although he had worked too hard to go to jail at this point in his life, he would definitely go to jail.

Keisha was silent all the way to his house. Conner didn’t bother her; it had been an emotional night for her, so he gave her the space she needed. He wouldn’t crowd her or question her if she wasn’t ready to talk yet, but he just needed to be near her. Conner would always put her needs first, and he would always make sure that she was alright. His meeting with Brooke reminded him of the man that he was. Conner had changed because of the hurt his ex-girlfriend had caused him. He became a grumpy asshole that guarded his heart at all costs.

However, that wasn’t the man his parents had raised him to be. And meeting Keisha had reminded him of who he truly was. She made him want to be the protective, caring, and loving partner to a woman that deserved it. And Keisha more than deserved it.

Conner pulled in front of his house and cut the engine off. When he looked over, he figured out why Keisha was so quiet; she was sleeping with her head leaned against the passenger side window.

Conner climbed out of the SUV, and he was grateful that Keisha had a large enough vehicle for him to drive comfortably. He walked around to the passenger side and pulled Keisha into his arms. She groaned and snuggled into his chest, but she didn’t wake-up.

Conner closed the door and managed to get it locked. He carried Keisha up to his bedroom and placed her gently on the bed. Once he got undressed, he pulled off her coat, shoes, and jeans and tucked her beneath the covers. He climbed in behind her and pulled her into his chest. In his arms is where she belonged, whether she knew it or not.

“I’m falling for you,” Conner whispered into the quiet room. And even though their time together had been extremely short, he believed those words with all of his heart.