pte

although she had tried to keep her distance, he always seemed to be looking for ways to reappear in her

intensity that she found unsettling. She took a step back, looking for a

trying to keep her voice steady despi

lied with a shrug, a sick smile floating

ons far less innocent than he let on. She tried to step back, but he foll

ng the fear that was gradually paralyzing her. She knew she

nse? You're acting proud now, but you know you can't do a

r heart was beating faster and faster. It was then that she saw him reach out his hand towards her, h

aze, frozen and filled with anger, rested on the man. He didn't need t

voice low and sharp, his every

s grip, but his arrogance did not fade. He tried to st

» he called out, but his voice lacke

romising. "I'm the one who calls the shots here. And yo

realizing that he had no chance against this man. Without another wor

glimmer of worry she'd never seen in him. He approached slow

d, his low voice betrayin

oat felt tight, and she tried to catch her breath. Jimmy's

er eyes downcast, suddenly feel

t made her feel strangely warm. "These kinds of guys have no place her

g within her in an unexpected way. She wondered if it was the shock of

again, realizing she couldn't

onding in a firmer voice. "Now you are under m" protection. I d

pect him to make such a commitment to her. She didn't know whether to rejoice or worry about this new

g her like a wolf watching over its pack. She found herself thinking t

spoke, breaking the silence. "Go back and

ut before leaving the room, she took one last look back. Jimmy stood there, h

mmy's intense gaze, his strength, his natural authority... She wondered why he was so keen to protect her. But a

he knew their conversation was going to redefine the terms of their relationship, one way or another. But she