Stay By My Side

“Leonard, I appreciate everything you’ve done for me, but I don’t want to be a bother and…”

I look down at my empty plate, too embarrassed to meet his eyes.

“As you well know, I don’t have enough money to pay you back for everything you’ve… provided for me. It’s better if I go home and…”

“Don’t even think about being alone for a single second without me.”

Our eyes meet.

My heart skips a beat.

“No… it isn’t necessary to go this far. I…”

“You were attacked by a disgusting son of a bitch who worked for me. In my building. In my office.” His nostrils flare, and his hands clench into fists. “He touched you. He touched you too much. And if it’s up to me, that was the last time he touched you.”

My eyes burn.

I don’t want to talk about it.

I feel dirty.

Too dirty.

I can still feel those hands on me.

I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to suppress the memories.

But then I feel a strong, warm hand covering mine. I shudder.

“Blair, look at me.”

I slowly open my eyes.

“You’re safe here. Until everything is properly resolved, you’ll stay here, by my side. You don’t have to worry about your job. I’ll keep paying you…”

Hearing that, I feel annoyed and angry. I don’t want him to do this out of pity. Nor because he’s afraid I’ll sue the company.

“I don’t need your pity, and you don’t need to worry that I’ll make a scene or sue the company. I’m not that kind of woman. I know how to distinguish things clearly.”

“But what…”

I prepare to get up from the table, I’m going to pack my bags immediately. Or at least take what is truly mine.

But he’s faster.

He stands up and pulls me toward him. I bump into his strong, defined chest and inhale sharply. His hand settles against my back, preventing me from moving away.

I look up.

His gaze is already fixed on me.

He looks upset.

“Never think I’m doing this out of pity, Blair.”

His voice is firm.

“I’m not a man who feels pity for anyone, in case you haven’t noticed.” He pauses. “I don’t even know why I brought you here, but…”

His hand moves over my face, his thumb lightly brushing beneath my lips.

My lips part slightly.

“But one thing I do know…”

His eyes remain fixed on mine.

“I want you close to me. I want to be the one taking care of you. No one else.”

His voice becomes even more demanding.

“And no one else will take care of you.”

I almost melt.

His demanding tone. His warm skin. His firmness. His eyes.

I don’t know what to do.

I’m not strong enough to keep myself from falling at his feet.

“No… you don’t have to.”

He pulls me closer.

“But I want to.”

I’m speechless.

The tension between us is palpable. This man is known as the Heartbreaker.

What does he want from me?

His gaze falls to my lips before returning to my eyes.

My heart is racing too fast.

“Do you trust me, Blair?”

My brain is in a state of shock. Will I trust him?

I don’t know.

But I’m not afraid of him.

Not of his touch. Quite the opposite.

I want him to touch me.

I nod.

For him, that is enough.

Slowly, he draws closer.

I feel his cool breath against my lips.

His hand moves from my face to my neck and my arms rise until they rest on his broad shoulders, my hands wrapping around the back of his neck.

I stand on tiptoe.

My entire body wants to feel his.

His contact. I want his lips on mine.

I slowly close my eyes as we come within mere millimeters of each other.

And then—

the front door opens.