Page 116 of I Don't Need Your Protection

“Really? That’s great, Caleb.” I wrap my arms around him and bury my face between his neck and shoulder. “I’m so happy for you.”

“Thanks, but I couldn’t have done it without you. You made me realize that I can have so much more in my life. That I thought I owed it to my mom to follow in her footsteps, like I was keeping her legacy alive. But I know she would want me to follow my heart. She would want me to be happy.” He looks at me and smiles. “Thanks so much for everything you’ve done.”

Grandfather gets up from the bench. “I suppose it’s time I return to my hotel.” He moves closer to Caleb and holds out his hand. Caleb shakes it. “Once again, thank you for looking out for my granddaughter. You saved her life, and I will be forever grateful to you. I’m very glad you two have grown close, but I must emphasize that you behave appropriately with each other.”

“Grandfather!” I gasp, my cheeks burning. He and I are just establishing a relationship and he’s already embarrassing me?

“You are not allowed to be alone together like you were up until now,” he continues. “No getting together or sleeping in Addie’s room anymore, young man. Do you understand me?”

“Someone kill me now,” I mutter as I squish my face into Caleb’s chest.

“Of course, sir. I would never.”

“You are to return to your room and live there from now on,” he says. “Addie will have a new roommate. I believe she’s your friend, Addie? Carly something.”

My head springs up. “Carly? Yes!”

“I understand one hundred percent, Mr. Bradshaw,” Caleb says. “I promise I’ll treat your granddaughter with nothing but respect.”

He nods curtly. “Very well. I’ll return to my hotel now.”

He holds out his arms for me, and I hug him. We remain like this for a few extra seconds, and then he wishes us goodbye and leaves for his hotel.

Caleb smiles, holding out his hand to me. “Let’s gosomewhere private. But not too private,” he adds with a wink.

“Your winks make me feel like silly putty. But oh my gosh,” I grumble as we walk away to a more secluded part of the courtyard. “How mortifying was my grandfather? I swear he might be worse than my dad.”

“I think it’s sweet,” he says as we sit down on a slab of stone. He wraps me in his arms so my back presses to his chest and sweeps his lips across my temple. “He loves you a lot.”

“I think he feels like he’s getting a second chance at life,” I say. “He might not have been able to patch his relationship with his son, but he can make up for it through me. I was worried my dad might be upset if he knew I wanted a relationship with my grandfather, but I think he would be happy. He’d love to learn his dad was trying to make things right.”

“I agree,” he says.

I twist around so I can look into his eyes. “What about you? Is everything okay with your dad?”

He nods with a smile. “Everything is great. My dad felt bad that I didn’t have a normal childhood, but he thought it was what I wanted. But once we discussed how I felt, he was happy to let me embark on my own path. But I’m still going to look after you, my beautiful girlfriend. Even though I know you can take care of yourself, because you’re so strong and brave, I’ll always be there in case you need someone to lean on.”

I lock my arms around his neck, staring into his eyes. “How are you so perfect, my sexy boyfriend?”

“Me, perfect? You’re the perfect one, Addie Hayes.”

I shake my head. “Never.”

“Of course you are. You’re perfect for me. That’s why I love you so much.”

I search his eyes, my heart feeling like it’ll rocket out of my chest.

He nods, gazing at me intensely as he caresses my cheeks. “I love you, Addilyn Hayes.”

I press my lips to his. “I love you, too, Caleb…er, what’s your real last name?”

He chuckles. “Ashton.”

“Caleb Ashton. Sexy.”

He chuckles again before pressing his lips to mine. I know we’re not exactly in private and that anyone can stumble upon us, but neither of us cares. We kiss as though we’re long-lost romantic partners who haven’t seen each other in years. We’re urgent at times, slow and patient at others. Passionate but also sweet. It feels like a million hours pass, but I’m sure it’s only a few minutes. Still, I can kiss this guy for hours.

“Silly putty,” I mutter as I continue devouring his lips.