Page 19

GIDEON

I ’m fucked. Completely and utterly fucked.

As hard as I may try to ignore it, I feel an undeniable pull toward this woman.

Even if she might be crazy. Foolishly, I thought I could ice her out and that eventually, the clawing need in my chest would fizzle out and follow suit.

But the second I saw her tear-streaked face, it put a fissure in the gargantuan wall I’ve built around myself.

It’s only a matter of time before the whole fucking thing crumbles.

And I know better than anyone what it’s like to not wanna go back home.

Despite her not going into any detail, I won’t force it from her.

God knows, I sure as shit don’t wanna share anything about my past. There are far too many clawed and vicious skeletons that I’ve spent years burying but remain eager to rise from their unmarked graves and strangle me.

So long as we can co-exist with a healthy amount of respect and build one another’s trust for however long she needs to stay here… I can’t exactly think of a reason I can’t be the helping hand she needs.

So long as you can keep your dick in your pants.

A few of the aforementioned skeletons attempt to wave their bony hands in greeting to the ever-present beast of my anxiety, but somehow, it doesn’t have the intended effect because my mind is so focused on the female in front of me.

Before I can think better of it, I find the words tumbling out of me.

“I know what it’s like to not wanna go home. I won’t force you to do anything you don’t want. All I ask is that you respect me, my dog, and my home. I’ve been alone for a long time, so you might have to be patient with me, but I’ll try my best to be… good. So long as you can do the same.”

Her delicate throat dips as she looks up at me with such open vulnerability, and the gratitude filling her eyes is so palpable it fucking hurts.

It makes every savior-protector instinct in me roar to life.

Christ almighty, if I had a bottle to spray myself in the face with, I would.

Winnow’s tongue sweeps over her lips before she continues to give me that earnest, almost eager-to-please look as she fucking nods and says, “I’ll be good. I promise.”

My cock twitches, dutifully ignoring the fact she’s simply replying to my request that we respect one another. With my jaw clenching hard enough to crack a tooth, I stifle a groan.

“And I’ll do whatever I can to help around your home or… farm.”

“I appreciate the offer more than you know, darlin’, but as I mentioned before, let’s just get you some rest for now, and if you get bored at some point, then we can talk about ways to occupy your time.”