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Ella

As a rule, I don’t trust new people. It was a rule long before I was stalked, but I’m even more staunch about it now.

Something about this man – his name tag says Michael – has me breaking that rule.

I can’t explain it, but just being around him makes me feel safe, safer than I’ve felt in a long time… maybe ever.

So, even though I’m more than capable of getting these cameras connected to the system, I ask for his help.

“I have to admit,” he says, typing away at my computer as he completes his task, “I was surprised to see so many cameras around here.”

“I know it seems like overkill,” I say, hesitating for a moment before deciding I don’t care if Michael knows what happened to me before I came to Blackwood Falls.

Then, he turns those warm, brown eyes on me and I’m spilling my guts before I can think about it any harder.

“I left the city because I was dealing with a… stalker situation. It’s made me a little paranoid. ”

His body freezes up, and I see something flash over his face. Then, he turns back to the screen, and I catch his forearm flexing, the tattoo sleeve there stretching over the muscles beneath. God, this man is ridiculously muscular for a network technician.

“I’m assuming he’s still out there, since you’ve taken all of these precautions,” Michael says after a moment. He’s trying to sound casual, but his voice low and full of something dark. It gives me chills, but I’m not entirely convinced they’re from fear.

“No,” I say, high-pitched and breathless. “He was the prosecutor’s son. Even though I had plenty of evidence against him, they dropped the case as soon as they saw his name.”

“Sounds like someone should take care of him,” Michael growls, his hands balling up into fists.

“You’re right, I didn’t even know his name until the trial.

Up until that point, he was just the guy who always stared at me a little too long at the coffee shop every morning.

I had no idea he’d been following me home every day.

” I sigh, something warm growing in my chest to see how much he cares.

After having half the city against me, it’s nice to see someone in my corner.

“Unfortunately, I don’t think that’s going to happen.

That’s why I moved. There’s no chance of running into him here. ”

“You’re a smart girl,” he tells me, his voice sounding strained – dry, almost.

“Can I get you something to drink?” I ask, scratching the back of my neck. Where are my manners? I was raised better than this. “I’ve only got water and tea, but…”

“Water would be great,” Michael says, the corners of his mouth lifting and making my heart do funny things in my chest.

I scurry out of the room and into the kitchen, fixing him a glass of ice water. By the time I get back into my office, he’s finished on the computer and doing something on his phone. When he notices my presence, he puts the device away and smiles at me, accepting the glass when I offer it to him.

“I appreciate you helping out,” I say, my face flushing when he locks eyes with me. “It takes a lot of stress off of my back.”

“I’m happy to help,” he says, gaze like fire on mine. “With anything you need.”

“Yeah,” I say, swallowing hard when he sets the glass down and stands.

I have to look up to maintain the burning hot eye contact.

My panties start to get wet when I realize how much bigger he is than me.

It should scare me, a big man that I don’t know well in my house looking at me like I’m his next meal, but I love it.

Desire courses through my veins, and for the first time in my life, I find myself wanting to do something about it.

The moment between us is broken when a car backfires outside. I jump, flinching hard and bracing for impact, my heart beating against my ribs for an entirely different reason now. I’ve flung myself forward, directly into Michael’s chest, my face buried between his strong pectoral muscles.

Michael doesn’t seem to mind the contact.

His arms are wrapped around me tightly, enveloping me in a protective embrace.

I relax against him further, breathing in his comforting, spicy scent as he rubs a comforting circle against my back.

Somehow, he’s made me feel even safer around him.

I don’t want him to leave. I don’t ever want him to leave.

“There’s nothing to worry about,” he says soothingly, and I realize that he’s been murmuring words of comfort since I jumped into his arms. “I won’t let anyone hurt you, Ella.”

“Michael,” I say after a moment, his name tasting like honey in my mouth.

I keep myself pressed against him for a few more seconds before I pull away just enough to look at him once again.

“Sorry. I just… I’m not used to the sounds here yet.

It’s usually so quiet, any little noise just feels so much louder. I’ll be okay.”

“Of course you will,” he says with so much conviction that I have no choice but to believe him. “Blackwood Falls is safe. I told you that.”

“I know…” I reply, feeling silly for my outburst.

Still, I can’t seem to extract myself from Michael’s hold.

His touch, his strength, seems to quiet the voices in my head that have been a constant for the last year and a half of my life.

Letting go of him would mean the chatter telling me I’m unsafe, that I’m being watched, will come back with a vengeance.

Michael senses my hesitancy, because his arms get even tighter around me. He makes me feel like he’s the one that doesn’t want to let go. It’s like I’m the thing keeping him steady rather than the other way around.

“How about I stay?” he asks after a moment, his voice close to a whisper. “I’ll make sure you feel safe.”

“I’d like that,” I say, even though I know I’ll be okay alone. I have my cameras now. My phone is always in my hand. There isn’t anything to worry about, not really. Yet, I want him here. “That would make me feel a lot better.”

“Good,” he says as one of his arms drifts up my back to cradle the back of my head. “I would do anything to keep you safe. I swear.”

“I know,” I say, more truth in those words than has been in anything else I’ve said. “I know you will.”

Then, Michael’s leaning in, his intent clear. I should run. I’m not ready for something like this, not after what happened before. I’m damaged goods. I’m afraid of men. But I’m not afraid of Michael. I want him. I want all of him.

So, I stand on my tiptoes, meeting him halfway. Our lips brush together softly at first. His mouth is sure, confident, like everything he does, while mine is more hesitant. I smile into the kiss, feeling silly for doubting myself. Then, I’m returning his attention with fervor.