All Chapters of GUARDED HEAT: Chapter 61 - Chapter 70

But despite my soft touch and gentle hold on his hips, Layland remained surprised. Then that surprised expression on his face turned stoic, a clear sign that he's not ready to be honest with me any time now, and I can't have that.I knew I was supposed to wait and let him tell me on his own accord because that's the right thing to do. But I've already learned a long time ago that Layland wasn't good at being honest and would rather keep his feelings and his pain to himself, and I didn't want that. It's not healthy.So I decided to use the most effective way I know to get him relaxed and comfortable enough that would make him open up to me.And that was by claiming his lips for a gentle but also hot enough kiss for him to know how much I want him.I tugged his lower lip. And when I let go of it, he did the same thing to me. And unlike our past kisses, the kiss we were having was slow and gentle but sensual and passionate. It's like we both know we don't want it to escalate. Like, we bo

I smiled in bitterness.Anyone in their right mind and who has a conscience would be having the same reaction with Gunner. But sadly and unluckily, the people surrounding me, with the exception of Zach, Raul, and Annie, who knew about what happened, seemed to not have either of the two because none of them reacted the same way as Gunner. In fact, they reacted in a very completely opposite way."Did you tell anyone about it?" Gunner asked after a few moments, his voice becoming gentle and soft again while his hand that I was holding became the one that was holding both of mine and was squeezing both of them ever so gently as if he were comforting me. And you know what? It worked. It comforted me somehow, making it enough for me to gather more strength to answer his questions.Thinking that the reason I did not answer right away was because I was hesitating, Gunner then quickly added, "You don't have to answer. We can stop this conversation now and—""No," I interjected. "It's fine. I'm

"That's your agency's building?" Layland asked right after I parked my car in the parking lot of RPA."Yep. Come on," I said as I got out of my car.Layland followed right after and made his way towards me while his eyes were still fixed on our building."It looked so fancy," he commented when he was finally right beside me. We were both standing right in front of the RPA building."Nah. It looked ordinary to me," I replied.He glanced at me and clicked his tongue. "I wonder what fancy is to you. It must be something that is made of gold, huh?"I grinned at him. "Probably."Layland just rolled his eyes and scoffed in disbelief, which made me chuckle."So, what are we doing here?" he asked."My brother wanted to see me. And," I took a glance at my wristwatch, "we're already late, so we better get inside already before he comes to pick me up himself and give me an earful in public."Layland nodded. "Lead the way then," he said.And so I did.We went inside the building, still walking si

As I expected, my brother did not have to think much longer and definitely did not need any more necessary words to know what was going on between me and Layland. In fact, he probably had already guessed it the moment he saw me holding Layland’s hand, and his question to me was just his way of hearing the confirmation straight from my mouth.“You son of a bitch,” he uttered through gritted teeth; anger could be clearly heard in his voice. He also balled his fists, clenching them so tightly that the veins on them had already become visible. He then added, “I know you tend to act recklessly and do stupid things, but this is beyond just being stupid, Layland. Just what the fuck were you thinking? Have you lost your goddamn mind?”“Hey, be careful with your words. In case it’s not obvious, he can clearly hear you. And I don't want to give Layland the bad impression and make him believe your words. It isn't just plain stupidity, alright?”Shawn turned his gaze on Layland, who had his head

“I don't even know what the right word is to use to describe them. Because I don't think calling them terrible parents will be enough,” Shawn said a couple of minutes after I told him all the things Layland had been through in the hands of his parents. That also meant I had already talked to him about Annie and the bullying Layland was experiencing at his college.As for Luke, I did not tell Shawn anything about him except that he was one of Layland's bullies too, as I felt like that would be too much already. Not that the things I've shared are any better.I know it's wrong to share Layland's personal life and troubles without asking his permission, especially when he trusted me so much to the point that he even opened his heart to me, which he has never done to other people. But I needed to do this. I have to protect him and put a stop to the pain he's experiencing, and it's something that I can't do all by myself. I will be needing my brother's help. And no, I don't think wanting t