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I sucked in a wobbly breath and tried to make eye contact, but he was focused on my lips.
“You make staying professional nearly impossible.”
Triumph soared through me, even though I knew I was playing with fire. “Yeah?”
“Yes.” He sounded pained now as he grabbed my wrist, holding my hand captive. “What do you want from me?”
“I don’t know,” I admitted. “But you’ve been so distant the last few days and I hate it. I just thought...”
“You thought what?” he snapped. “That we were playing house? Don’t forget why I’m here.”
I yanked my hand away, feeling like I’d been slapped. “Right. Thanks for reminding me.” I took a step back. “Again.”
He nodded, his expression painfully relieved as he moved to shut the door, though I would’ve sworn I saw regret in his eyes. But I guess I was just imagining that, because the next morning he strode into the kitchen, full ice man mode back in place, and announced that he was moving out.
“I’m sorry, what?”
“Man Jusin!”
His eyes flitted between me and Elizabeth, who was grinning at him from her high chair with her face covered in syrup, cut up waffle smooshed on the tray in front of her.
He didn’t greet her, which was unlike him, instead turning his full attention back to me, his tone all business. “I’ve got your security up and running, no need for me to stay here underfoot. I’ve found a place nearby, so I can still keep an eye on things as long as I need to.”
“You mean until we catch whoever has been harassing me.”
“Yes.”
Rather than have any stupid feelings, when I definitely had no right to, I turned back to wipe Elizabeth’s face and offer her some milk. “Okay,” I mumbled. “Sounds good. The sooner we can get back to normal, the better.”
“Things won’t be normal until I put down this mother—” I glanced up when he self-corrected his language in front of little ears. “Until I catch them.” Big arms folded across his chest as he stared me down, making sure I got his meaning. “But I swear on my life that until that time, I will do everything in my power to keep both of you safe.”
My stupid heart swooned, not caring that he was being paid to say those things. “Well...” I lifted my wiggly toddler from her chair to get her dressed for the day. “I appreciate that, but no need to be dramatic. Just do me one favor?”
“What’s that?”
“Hurry the hell up.”
I’d give it to the man, he was fast.
He got the security up and running and the cleaning crew did a stellar job at the studio. You’d never know anything happened, and the president could probably come for a state visit, the system he had installed was so state-of-the-art.
I was so well protected, I felt like I was in witness protection.
We were able to get classes started again by Monday and life was back to normal. Sort of.
I came home to find he had packed up and moved out, but he’d left me a note on the dining room table.
Olivia,
I’m staying close by, so I can be here in less than five minutes. I’ll also be coming by often to keep an eye on the place, so don’t be alarmed if you see me parked outside. Keep your doors locked and systems armed at all times, and call or text me anytime if you need something. Day or night.
J.
My heart sank. I didn’t know what to do without him there. And maybe it was stupid that I was lonely.
I put Elizabeth in her room with some toys to keep her busy, then unable to help myself, I padded to the front window and peered through the blinds, stupidly looking to see if he was outside... He was not. It made me wonder where he was, what he was doing, if he was thinking about me the way I was thinking about him. It was seriously sad how quickly I’d gotten used to having him around.
I knew I’d go crazy if I kept this up, so I got busy making dinner and forcing away all thoughts of Justin Ashford.
