Slater

Damn, it was good to see Izzy smile as she played with Lola. There was something special about animals and the way they could touch someone and ease their pain. And to me, that always felt even more true when it came to shelter animals, since they frequently carried their own heartaches, and yet were still willing to trust and love with patience and kindness.

Izzy tossed the ball and then turned to me, her smile lighting up her eyes as her red hair caught in the wind. “Thank you so much for bringing me here. For the first time in weeks, I feel like I can breathe again. Lola…she’s just so perfect.”

“Do you want to play with some of the other dogs?” It was always nice to get them out to play, though even if we didn’t get to it, the other volunteers would. “Or check out some of the cats?”

“Is it bad that I want to take them all home with me?” She bit her bottom lip, looking so fucking adorable, it made it impossible to resist her, even though I knew I should be keeping my distance. Yet I couldn’t. With each passing moment, it became more obvious to me that I was falling for her. Hard.

“Not bad at all. In fact, I’d say it’s perfectly normal.” I tipped her chin up and brushed my lips over hers in a tease of a kiss as I fought off the urge to drag her back to my apartment.

“Maybe I could meet Winston.” A smile tugged at her lips, and it became clear what she was thinking.

Bringing Izzy to the shelter felt like I’d taken a page out of the Blackthorn brothers’ handbook, since more than a few of them had won over their girl by softening them up with a furry friend. I figured why the hell not? It had worked for my brothers, and clearly Izzy could do with a bit of unconditional love and loyal companionship.

“There’s no pressure, love.” I slipped my arm around her waist and pulled her close when my phone buzzed. A quick look at the screen told me it was work related, so I answered the call. “Emerson…what’s going on?”

“The police caught the shooter—and they have enough evidence that a judge will keep him from getting out on bail, especially since he could still be a threat to Isabelle. It was some guy named Ray Billings. He was an employee at one of the Rutherfords’ companies. Looks like he had some mental health issues and had recently been fired from his job. He’d tried to sue, claiming he’d been fired wrongfully, but his case got buried under legal fees and he was forced to drop the lawsuit. He felt he’d been wronged, and…you know the rest. The threat’s over.”

“I’ll let her know. Call if anything changes.” Fucking hell…that was a relief. I hung up and kissed Izzy, unable to keep from smiling. “They caught the shooter, Izzy. A guy named Billings. Looks like he was mentally ill and had recently been fired. The police already have him in custody, and he won’t be getting out on bail with the amount of evidence they have on him.”

“Oh. Are they sure it’s him?” Her brow furrowed in question, and I could imagine that the constant fear she’d been living with had taken its toll. “And he didn’t have anyone else he was working with?”

“No, love. The police don’t believe so, though they’re still questioning him. They’ll let us know if there’s any reason to think that there’s still reason to be worried. But for now, there doesn’t seem to be any additional threat.” I leaned in and kissed her, needing to distract her from concerns. “I don’t want you worrying about this. The shooter is behind bars, and you’re now free to live your life.”

“It just feels so odd not to have the threat hanging over me.” Her smile was tentative—but it was still there. “It’s great news that they figured out who was behind the shooting, though… I do hope they’ll get him the help he needs.”

Always such a kind heart.

“I’m sure they’ll make sure he gets some help, though I don’t think he’ll be getting out anytime soon. And if, for some reason, they do let them out, the authorities will contact you well in advance.” Yet she still looked hesitant and worried. I cupped her cheek and ran my thumb over her skin, hating that something was still bothering her when she should be feeling relieved that the threat to her life had been eliminated. “What’s going on? What are you worried about?”

She let out a sigh and chewed her bottom lip before looking up at me, her eyes darkened with worry. “Does this mean you’ll be leaving?”

“Well…I guess that’s up to you, and whether or not you feel safe. You likely don’t need around-the-clock protection any longer, so it doesn’t make sense to keep us on the payroll. That said, you could also simply cut back on the amount of security you have—maybe until this goes to trial?” Not that there wasn’t one more option. “Or maybe, you could just let me take care of you.”

“You mean hire you as my sole bodyguard?” Her eyes avoided mine and her freckles disappeared against the blush of her cheeks. “Wouldn’t you need to go home? Not to mention, take time off away from me?”

“I don’t want to be your bodyguard, Izzy. I want to be your boyfriend—and your lover.” It might be forward of me, but I didn’t care. I needed her to know how I felt about her.

If I thought I’d seen her blush before, it was nothing in comparison to the heat that was now flaming her skin. “Oh! I…um…”

“I’m not trying to pressure you, love. I just wanted to make it clear that I like you. You know…in case you hadn’t already figured it out.” I slowly slipped my arm around her waist, reeling her toward me until she was in my arms, her curves pressing against my body. And fucking hell…she made it damn hard for me to behave myself, even though I knew I had to take things slow with her.

“Slater… I really like you. But…” She blushed yet again, even as my heart sank.

I let her go, trying not to feel heartbroken, since I wasn’t giving up. I knew she liked me—or she wouldn’t have kissed me. Repeatedly. But…clearly my timing could be better, given all she’d been through. “I know you’ve been through so much as of late. It was stupid of me…”

Fucking hell, I hated this. What had I been thinking? Not to mention, she was a client. And I was clearly an idiot.

“No, it’s not that. I like you, Slater. A lot. But…” She took a deep breath and let out a long sigh, looking defeated.

“Hey, love…what’s going on? What has you looking so down? Because if you need more time, I get it.” I might be an asshole, but I wasn’t completely dense.

“I can’t do this, Slater—not because I don’t want to. But because…I don’t know how.” She squeezed her eyes shut, as if unable to look at me. “I’m a virgin. A clueless and pathetic twenty-six-year-old virgin.”

Oh…

Now it all made sense.

Fucking hell…

A virgin.

She should run. Far, far away from me.

“Would you bloody say something, Slater?” There was panic in her eyes, even as I took her by the hand.

“First of all, you’re not pathetic, and even if you’re not that experienced, I’m happy to help—but only if that’s what you truly want.” This was such a bad idea. “There’s no pressure here, love.”

This was all going to go horribly wrong.

I was the sort of guy you went to if you wanted crazy sex. Or a threesome. Or a bit of tie you down, pull your hair, and slap your ass sort of action.

Not the type of guy you went to for slow and sweet and innocent sex.

Though for Izzy? I didn’t want anyone else touching her—and I wanted her first time to be perfect.

I just hoped I didn’t fuck this up for her.