His to Protect: Book 1 in the Bound to Him Series by Sandra Antoni (the reading list TXT) 📗

look pass between the two men, but I had no idea what it meant. Instead of trying to decipher it, I kept my attention on the food in my lap. It wasn’t anything fancy, but it was perfect for me.

There was a lot of conversation while we ate. The guys told me about their security company and some of the celebrities they had provided security for. I told them about my work in marketing. They were both really nice guys, and personable, but I kept stealing glances at Zeke. Something about him just pulled me in, and it wasn’t only his eyes.

It was just a couple hours later that I heard what sounded like a doorbell chime. Zeke excused himself and disappeared around the corner. A few minutes later he returned to the living room, carrying a pair of crutches. My jaw dropped open in surprise.

“These are for you,” he said as he approached. I was speechless.

He reached for my hand and helped me up from the couch and onto my good foot. Once he adjusted the crutches to my height, he helped me slip them under my arms.

“I really don’t mind carrying you, but I figured this would be better for going to the bathroom,” he said with a grin. I could not help laughing again as I thought about him carrying me to the bathroom earlier that morning.

“I don’t know what to say. Thank you. Again. These will definitely make things a little easier. How did you manage to get them so quickly?” I asked him.

“A magician never reveals his secrets,” he said on a chuckle. I just smiled back at him. He held my gaze for several long moments, and I just could not look away. Brady’s voice broke into my thoughts.

“Well, I’m going to head back home now. Let me know if you need anything else,” he said to Zeke. Then he held out his hand to me.

“It was really good to meet you, Chelsea. Maybe I will see you again before you head back to Kansas City,” he said to me. I shook his outstretched hand.

“Thank you for your help with my car. It was good to meet you as well,” I replied honestly.

Zeke walked with him to the door, and I sat back down on the couch and laid the crutches next to me. I could hear the two men’s voices, but I could not tell what was being said. Then I heard the front door open and close, and Zeke walked back into the room and sat down beside me.

“How are you feeling?” he asked softly. His expression was so sincere, and I knew that he was truly concerned.

“The ankle still stings a bit, but I’m much better than last night. I know I keep saying it, but honestly, I don’t think I can say it enough. You probably saved my life, and ‘thanks’ just doesn’t seem to cover it,” I told him. He reached over and took my hand in his.

“I accept your thanks, and like I said, I’m glad I was there as well,” he replied. Then he turned quiet, but he did not release my hand. It seemed that he had something else on his mind, and I waited to see if he would say something.

“I am actually looking forward to spending some time with you,” he surprised me by saying. “I’ve already admitted that I think you are a beautiful woman, but more than that, I’ve sensed your honesty and kind heart. If nothing else, I can at least keep you company so that you aren’t stuck in your resort room,” he continued. I had to smile at that.

“I think hanging out with you would definitely be better than being stuck alone in my room,” I replied with a chuckle. His expression turned to one of mock offense.

“I hope you aren’t just accepting the better of two evils,” he joked, and I laughed.

“Can I be honest?” I asked him, turning serious once again.

“Didn’t I just say that I appreciate your honesty?” he said with a grin, pulling another smile from me.

“This is going to sound corny,” I said softly, dropping my eyes to our joined hands.

“That never stopped anyone from saying the truth before,” he said tenderly. Then he reached up and lifted my chin, turning my head until our eyes met again.

“It just…I feel like there’s some kind of connection between us. I…I can’t describe it because I’ve never felt like this before. It’s like I’ve known you for a long time, like we met in another life. It’s odd, and you probably think I’m nuts now. I have a bad habit of saying exactly what’s on my mind. I’ll understand if you want to take me back now,” I said quietly.

I pulled my chin from his hand and looked down at my lap again, embarrassed at what I had just admitted. I looked anywhere but his eyes. They just drew me in, and I didn’t think I could take it after what had just slipped out of my mouth. It still surprised me that I had said it, but I was definitely known for my blatant honesty. It was like I just couldn’t help myself.

“I don’t think you’re crazy, Chelsea, because I feel the same thing,” he said softly, pulling my eyes to his once more.

“But that’s impossible, isn’t it? I mean, we don’t even know each other. It’s crazy,” I whispered.

“No, it’s not crazy if that’s what you feel,” he replied, and then he leaned towards me.

I knew that he was going to kiss me, and I knew that I should stop it, but his eyes held me frozen in place. His eyes seemed to swallow me whole, and then his lips met mine. My eyes fell closed and then light exploded behind my eyelids. I melted into him, and I felt him arms going around my back, crushing me to his chest.

He nipped my bottom lip with his teeth, and I gasped. Then his tongue