Protect Me: Oakville Series:Book Three (11 page)

W
HILE
I walk upstairs to get Marcus and Angel, I realize I never got the name of the beautiful redhead. I’m not shy or nervous when it comes to women. I have no reason to be. I’m not out to impress them. I’ll never even see them again. But…there’s something about this woman. There was this spark that ran through my body the second our skin touched. Just being close to her causes my stomach to flip flop and my palms to sweat. Then, when she opened her smartass little mouth, I was instantly hard. Never have I been turned on from just hearing a woman talk. Unfortunately, I can’t let these feelings go anywhere. Even though I’d love to know what it would feel like to be with her, especially if just grazing her causes me to feel like I’ve been electrocuted, I just can’t.

I gather the guys and tell them about the girl downstairs. To my surprise, I even end up spilling how it felt when I touched her. After they get the jokes out of their systems, they are understanding.

“Well, since you’re not going for it, does that mean I can?” Angel asks. Clenching my fists, I slowly step up close to Angel.

“Don’t even fucking think about it,” I snarl while jabbing my finger into his chest. When he bursts out laughing, I get the strong urge to knock him on his ass.

“Yeah, that’s what I thought. This may possibly be the one to break your whole no relationship rule. And since you already look like you want to throttle me, let me add that I think it will be a good thing. You are not your dad and the sooner you realize it, the happier you’ll be,” he states and quickly moves away in case I decide to swing. What the fuck does he know about any of it? Absolutely nothing.

“Keep your mouth shut about shit you know nothing about,” I tell him as I start to walk toward the stairs. “Now, let’s go and help this girl get her shit into her apartment.” They both nod and follow behind. I know Angel means well, but he doesn’t understand the hell my mother went through. I watched the man who loved her beat her, over and over again. Though my dad was a monster, there’s no doubt in my mind that he loved my mom. The monster in him was just stronger than the instinct to protect her. Maybe I’m not like him. I don’t think I’m capable of hurting a woman like that, but he may have thought the same thing at some point, too. I’ll be damned if it takes hurting someone I love to find out whether or not I really am like him.

With our arms full of boxes, we walk to her door. I lightly bang on it with my foot so she’ll open up. I really need to find out her name. I wonder if it’s as beautiful as she is. I shake my head, trying to will the thoughts away. I cannot allow myself to fall for this girl. I need to control it. Just… don’t think about her. Easy enough. Sure. I’m snapped out of my thoughts when she opens the door holding a Ziploc bag filled with ice to the back of her head. It physically hurts me to think she’s in pain. But…why do I care? I just met this girl, but it feels like I’ve known her my whole life. This isn’t good. Marcus nudges me in the back, forcing me to realize I’ve just been standing here like an ass staring at her. I’m so glad Kyle’s opening the bar soon. I’ll be much safer at work.

“Ya going to introduce us to our new neighbor?” Angel jokes.

“Mr. Thinks-every-woman-on-the-planet-wants-him doesn’t need introductions,” she says with a smirk. The second the smartass comment comes out of her mouth, I’m left in great need of readjusting myself, which is impossible with a hand full of boxes. “I’m Holly. Why don’t you all come in and put those down? Over there against the wall is fine. Thank you, by the way, for getting them.” I look up just in time to see the shy smile grace her blushed face. She’s cute when she looks shy and embarrassed. We all empty our arms and Angel strides right up to her with his hand out. When he gets close to her, she flinches and fear quickly flash in her eyes. I don’t think the guys notice, but it’s a look I’m all too familiar with. I used to see it in my mother’s eyes all the time.

“Hi, I’m Angel. He thinks every woman on the planet wants him, but I know they all want me,” Angel tells her with a wink and a small chuckle. Holly throws her head back and lets out the sexiest laugh I’ve ever heard. This woman is gonna wreck me. I just know it.

“I’m Marcus. My fiancé, Taryn, and I live right above you. Don’t mind these two. They both think their God’s gift to women,” Marcus says as he shakes her hand. “Let’s go get the rest of her things, dipshits.” We go and grab the rest of the stuff from her car. I can’t help but notice she doesn’t have a whole lot and pretty much everything she does have is brand new. I wonder what her story is. The twisting in the pit of my stomach tells me I already have a pretty good idea. When I see a bag full of new deadbolts, I know I’m probably right. Here I was being a bit of an ass earlier and it’s the last thing this girl needs right now — especially if she’s running from someone.

As soon as we walk through the doorway to her apartment, a delicious scent assaults my nose. She must be cooking. She sees us come in and stops putting the dishes into her cabinet.

“Would you all, and Taryn, like to stay for dinner? I’d love to thank you for all your help. I prepared lasagna last night so I could just throw it in the oven. I figured I’d be exhausted from lugging boxes in. I have plenty here for everyone,” she offers shyly. Definitely cute when she’s being shy. Marcus and Angel look to me as if they’re asking my permission.
Geez, just because I said I didn’t want to get involved doesn’t mean I won’t be friends with her.
I give them a slight nod to let them know I’m fine with it.

“Sounds good to us. Taryn is at work, though. She’ll be sorry she missed it,” Marcus explains.

“Would you like us to put these on for you while you cook?” I ask, holding up the bag of locks. There’s that look again. Someone has hurt her and she hasn’t been away from him for long. Luckily, she seems to know she’s safe with us. Even though we’ve all just met her, the three of us wouldn’t let the asshole hurt her if he showed up.

“That would be really great. Thank you,” she says, giving me the most beautiful smile I’ve ever seen. How could anyone hurt someone so beautiful and sweet? Just like my mother, Holly hides all of her pain so well, nobody would ever know.

“Angel and I will go get my tools,” Marcus says while ushering Angel out the door. Angel has a confused look on his face until Marcus gives him a wink. I don’t know what these two think they’ll accomplish by leaving me alone with her. My mind is made on the subject of relationships and it’s not going to change for anyone. And even if I wanted to change it, I couldn’t. Not with her. I know she’s been hurt. There’s no way in hell I’d chance putting her through that again.

I shove my left hand in the front pocket of my jeans and pick up one of the new locks with the right. I pretend to read the instructions on the back because, honestly, I have no idea what else to do. My heart is racing and my hands are a sweaty mess. What is it about this girl that makes me feel like a thirteen year old whose never been laid? I sneak a glance her way and smile when she’s doing the same.

“Would you like something to drink?” she asks while poking her head into the fridge. When she bends down to reach something on the bottom shelf, I notice how perfect her ass is and I can’t stop staring at it. Then, I have this image of the two of us. We’re both naked in bed and I’m holding her. What the fuck is that all about? When did I turn into such a pussy? Holly loudly clears her throat and I realize I’m still staring. Slowly, I lift my eyes to meet hers. “If you need some privacy to finish, the bathroom is over there. Just make sure you clean it all up with tissues, not a hand towel,” she says then hands me a beer and goes back to making a salad.

“That won’t be necessary. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a nice ass, but why do manual labor when there are so many willing women to do it for me?” I shoot back. If I keep saying stupid shit like that, I’ll have no problem keeping my distance from her. She’ll think I’m a grade A asshole and want nothing to do with me. When I hear her giggle, I wonder whether I need to rethink the trip to the bathroom. I know I want her to be repulsed, but at the same time, the fact that she found that remark funny turns me on. With all of these back and forth feelings I’m having, I’m going to end up with fucking whiplash.

When the boys get back, we install the three deadbolts and the latch lock for her. I honestly thought she bought extras. When she said she wanted them all on, it took everything I had not to bombard her with questions. There’s definitely someone she’s afraid of. Hopefully she’ll tell us who it is so we can help keep an eye out.

Dinner is excellent. The girl can cook. I’ll have to move boxes for her more often. We’ve all tried asking different questions to find out where she’s from and why she moved to Oakville, but she’s smart enough to evade them or quickly find a way to change the subject. I’m even more convinced now that she’s running from someone. And since she doesn’t strike me as the outlaw type, I would say an ex-boyfriend or husband. I have so many questions I’d like answered, but pushing her to talk to a total stranger would do more harm than good. I’ll just have to tell the boys so they can help me make sure whoever he is, he doesn’t get to her.

T
HIS LAST
month has been sweet torture. Every time I see Paul, my stomach fills with butterflies and my lady parts tingle like never before. I’m not used to these feelings. The torture of it all is knowing the last thing I need is a relationship. And even if I were ready, who would want someone who comes with the kind of baggage I bring? As bad for each other as I think we are, being near him is like a drug. A drug I can’t seem to stay away from, no matter how hard I try.

Every time I need my fix, I make up an excuse to ask Paul for help. By now, he must think I’m completely incapable of doing anything on my own. Once he finishes the task I ask him to help with, I tell myself I’m not going to call him again. But…a day or two later, I need help hanging a picture, fixing a leaky faucet, or moving a heavy piece of furniture. If I run out of things to fix or move, I invite everyone over for dinner.

This small group has quickly become my only friends. All of them are great. Not once have they pushed me to talk about my past. They’ve asked questions here and there, but if I don’t want to answer, that’s okay with them. Paul sometimes looks at me as if he knows all I’ve been through and I keep telling myself it’s not possible. How could he have any idea?

Today is my first day working at KC’s and I finally have the distraction I need to keep me off the crack that is Paul. I have to admit, I’m a little nervous. This is the first time I’ve ever been a waitress before and the fact that I’ll be the only one for now doesn’t help. Hopefully I’ll catch on quickly. How difficult can it be? At least the dress code is something I can live with. Jeans and a KC’s Bar & Grille t-shirt. After checking my appearance for the tenth time, I figure it’s time to get going. I don’t want to be late on my first day.