Page 49 of Tripped By Love

As if she’d sensed me come in, her head swiveled in my direction. I crossed over to her. “Thank you for breakfast, but stop buying my meals.”

She rolled her eyes. “Charging you would be like expecting my parents to pay.”

“I’m not family.”

She flushed at my words, looking away as if they’d hurt her. My stomach twisted because the last thing I ever wanted was to cause her pain.

“Will you wait for me before you go home today?” I asked.

She looked back up at me with surprise in her eyes. “Why?”

“In case that asswipe is there again.”

She grimaced because it was exactly the duty and protection she was adamant she didn’t want.

“I can handle Clayton,” she retorted. Then, she darted an eye around the room. “You haven’t mentioned him to anyone, right? I don’t want my family overreacting.”

My jaw clenched. I didn’t want to lie. Plus, her family knowing could only be a good thing. There’d be more eyes looking out for her, but I also understood just how desperate she was to stand on her own without being guarded. I wanted her to have that, even though I was unable to ignore my own desire to keep her safe.

“I haven’t said anything. They should know, but I won’t be the one to tell them,” I said.

Relief rushed over her face. “Thanks.”

“He thinks I’m your…” my voice dropped to a whisper, “boyfriend. He’ll expect me to be around. We should keep up the front so he’ll stay away.”

“I don’t need to hide behind you or the stupid lie you told,” she said, chin raising, glancing around the kitchen again.

“Please, Angel,” I said, unable to keep the beg from my voice. Her eyes widened, nostrils flaring as we both agonized over the term of endearment I’d dropped.

After a long painful moment, she caved. “Fine. I’ll text you when I’m done for the day.”

It was my turn to feel the relief flooding my veins. “Thank you.” My voice was guttural and deep. Full of things I shouldn’t have felt.

She eyed me and then turned back to the dough in the mixer.

I watched her for one long moment before turning on my heel and heading out, wishing I hadn’t screwed things up the night before. Wishing I didn’t want to repeat the mistake of our lips tangled together. Wishing I could give her what she wanted most?to be loved without being shielded.