Read To Be With You for Free Online Page B

to stay down.
    Sean moved to him and crouched down. He murmured something to Jake and all Nicole heard was ‘cut it off. ’
    Sean turned back to her, and she slid down the wall and scooted away from him.
    “Nicole.” He knelt, took her by the shoulders and when she tried to shake him off, held tighter. “Nicole it’s me.”
    “I know it’s you,” she said. “And now you know.”
    “Know what?” He moved back but kept his solid, warm hands on her.
    “That something’s wrong with me,” she said. “That I attract that.”
    “That?” He exhaled slowly through his nose.
    “Men,” she said. “Like they can sense I deserve it.”
    “No.” He pulled her close. “No, you don’t deserve it. And I’ll kick their butts if they try it when I’m around. Even if I’m not around just tell me and I’ll find them.”
    “Kind of a lot to do for just being a male escort?” She let the accusation hang in the air and waited for his move.
    He looked from one of her eyes to the other, and bit his cheek. Then he exhaled. “Well, we are the best agency in town.” He looked as disappointed with his answer as she was.
    He stood and pulled her to her feet. He took her arm and when she turned to see where her purse was, he motioned to his shoulder where he held it. Could little Sean really have grown into someone this capable? And if so, what was he doing here as part of this charade?
    “Are you okay?” he asked when they stepped outside into fresh air.
    “Stupid Jake. I’m sorry you had to see that,” she said, pushing his hand off her shoulder and turning to the street. She was starting to calm down. Starting to be more aware of the way Sean had moved Jake like he was nothing. The way he’d tenderly held her. It blurred the hard lines in her world.
    “Sorry I wasn’t there sooner. I shouldn’t have danced with your friend.”
    “I told you to.” She rubbed her arms because the air had turned cold outside. “Plus you were there really quick. Were you watching us?”
    “Yes. That’s my job right?” He pulled off his jacket and put it around her. “Nicole, I’m glad I got to be there this time.”
    “This time?” She studied him.
    “I mean. I mean I’m glad I was there.”
    She turned away from him again. “Thank you.” She walked a little down the road and he followed her. She checked the bus schedule. She’d been molested on a bus once and hadn’t taken them since, but it still seemed safer than walking.
    “Can I give you a ride home?” he asked.
    “That’s not necessary.” She didn’t need any more help from him. He already confused her.
    “You’d be doing me a favor if you’d let me.” He came up beside her and put an arm up for her to curl under. “I’ll worry if you don’t.”
    “Okay.” She put an arm around his waist and let him lead her to the car garage. “But only because it makes you feel better.”
    “Thanks.” He laughed. “My hero.” He gave her a small squeeze, then cleared his throat and removed his hand to reach in his pocket and pull out keys. “And don’t worry, my Jeep’s the best.”
    “A Jeep? Oh man. Luxurious.”
    “Only the best.”
    She snorted, and felt it hadn’t been such an awful day after all. Maybe Sean out of the box wasn’t so terrible. Maybe she should have let him out of the box a long time ago. Something to think about.
    ~ ~ ~
    Later that night:
    CHAT
    N: Thanks for getting online.
    S: No problem.
    S: Rough day?
    N: You could say that …
    S: Sorry to hear it. Want to talk about it?
    N: Not really. But I think I need to.
    S: What happened?
    N: I went on my first escort date.
    S: Oh. How did it go?
    N: The date was fine, that wasn’t the problem.
    S: What was then?
    N: It was a friend from high school that was getting married.
    S: Okay. And?
    N: And Jake was there.
    S: >:(
    N: I know.
    S: Did you punch him right in the face?
    N: It was a wedding.
    S: I know. It sucks that those people always benefit from functions where manners prevent