Roses

Chapter 22

Adam

I open her door and wait for her to get inside first. Once she does, I follow suit and lock the door behind me. She does have a sitting area but that looks way too cozy for the conversation we're about to have. She seems to think so too, walking past it and going into the kitchen. She leans against one of the counters and gives me a pointed stare.

"Who was that man?"

"You forgot about him so quickly?" I ask sarcastically. "He's the guy that threatened you at Bruno's party." I have to try hard to keep the anger out of my voice. She hadn't even blinked an eye while lying to me.

"How did you know him?" She asks, looking away, probably remembering that night.

"I didn't. He was there as security. I asked Bruno for his details." I cross my arms across my chest and lean against the table, mirroring her.

"Why?" She asks after a brief pause. She looks like a million questions are buzzing in her mind. I don't like that look on her. I don't want her to worry.

"Because I could tell he was bothering you, even if you lied about it." The bite in my tone is obvious and the lines between her eyebrows deepen at that. "And I didn't like it."

"And you just killed him for bothering me?" She looks at me like I'm insane. I chuckle at how accurate she may be.

"No. I killed him for wanting to kill you." In all honesty, I had only followed him to the bar to threaten him.

"What?"

"He shared a cell with your father in prison, till his release a year ago." Viktor Bruno has a lot of shady characters working for him. So I wasn't surprised to find an ex-convict on his security detail. But Bob Kirby's best bud from prison in a party that I take his daughter to? What are the odds of that?!

"I... I don't understand," she whispers, her face scrunched up in so much confusion and pain, it physically hurts me. But she needs to know why I did what I did.

"Apparently your father wants you dead," I speak slowly, letting her absorb each word. Her expression stays the same but I watch the light in her eyes dim at the realization. It only makes me want to kill the fucker, and resurrect his buddy so I can kill him again.

"He ruined my life. Why is that not enough for him?" She closes her eyes and shakes her head. I can see her beginning to shut the world off, like she always does. She wears indifference like an armor.

But she doesn't need to. I want her to know she can be vulnerable with me. I will take care of her when she feels weak. She doesn't have to do this alone.

I make my way to her but stop a foot from her. This time, I will wait for her to come to me.

"He is evil, Zoey. And he is rotting in a cell, knowing full well he'll never make it out."

"Rotting?" She gives me a sarcastic laugh. "He may be in a cell but if he can control my life-"

"He cannot," I cut her off. I won't let that thought take root inside her head.

"He wants me dead so his friend comes after me. You think he only made one friend in prison?"

"I'll kill all his friends," I reply calmly. She starts laughing again so I add, "I'm serious."

"It's this stupid town. Coming back here was a big mistake." My heart starts racing inside my chest at her words. "I'll go back to New York-"

"No," I grit my teeth.

"He never bothered me before-"

"NO!" I shout and she visibly gets startled. "You're staying here," I add in a more controlled voice.

"Why?"

"Because I am in love with you."

                                                  ***

Zoey

We stare at each other for an unending moment. His words still permeate the space between us.

I would be lying if I said my breath did not catch upon hearing them. No one has ever said them to me before. Not like this. Not with so much certainty.

But as good as it may feel to be loved like that, I don't believe it. We haven't even known each other for a month. It's not possible for him to feel something like that in such a short amount of time.

"No, you're not," I finally whisper, breaking the silence. I look away and stare at a spot in the corner. "It's not poss-"

"Don't finish that sentence," he says and although his voice sounds calm, I know he isn't. I try to step around him but he blocks my way.

"This conversation is over, Adam," I say, still not looking at him.

"No, it isn't."

"Yes, it is. You need to leave. I won't tell anyone what I saw." I try to move again but this time he steps into me, gripping the counter on either side of me, caging me in.

"Look at me."

His voice sounds controlled, like he's trying really hard to stay calm. He is physically stronger than me. And the way he has me caged in, he could do whatever he wanted. But still he waits for me to give him my eyes. After a moment, I do.

The abyss staring back at me betrays each of his emotions. Desperation, anger, love. Love. I can't deny its presence. Nope, it's right there. Devoted like waves to a shore and boundless like a fucking ocean.

Part of me still doesn't believe it. But it's hard to listen to that part when he's looking at me like that.

"You're not leaving me." Nothing in his voice makes it sound like a question. Yet, I shake my head, agreeing with him.

"Your father won't get to you. I'll keep you safe." I nod.

"I love you." I don't nod and he notices that, his features hardening. I can't tell him that it's not because I doubt his feelings, but because I am terrified. Of accepting love like his.

So I do what I can and slowly press my lips to his.

He is definitely taken aback by that. But he responds immediately, wrapping one arm around me while the other angles my neck just right so he could deepen the kiss. My hands find his hair and I grip tightly, needing something to root myself.

The way this day is turning out, I wouldn't be surprised if I start floating next.

His tongue swirls against mine as he devours my mouth. It's like he is proving how far gone he is in his feelings for me.

My eyes are closed and I can't see him but he makes his presence known through every other sense. His groans, his touch, his cologne.... he is all around me.

I feel his hands travel down my back. He squeezes my ass, getting a wanton moan from me and then goes further down. When his hands nudge the backs of my thighs, I take the cue and wrap my legs around his waist just as he picks me up.

I wait for him to deposit me on the counter. When I feel him moving, I look around. He walks towards the stairs and starts climbing them.

"Where are we going?" I ask.

He looks down at me and smiles, "Your bedroom."