Page 24 of Trusting Her Bear
Quinn walks to the edge of the desk. “I doubt it, especially after what happened here. She could hear him yelling. It wasn’t the best advertisement for us keeping her safe.” He cups the back of my head. “Are you alright?”
“Yes.” I tilt my head back. “Are you?” He looks so disappointed; I want to console him.
“I’m fine, but it’s unfortunate.”
“Am I allowed to come out now?” Micah’s voice floats down the hallway.
“Yes,” Quinn sighs.
Micah peaks around the corner. “Are you done pretending that you don’t know me?”
“I don’t pretend,” Quinn denies.
“Seemed like pretending a few months ago,” Micah says dryly. He winks at Sally and leans beside her. I never thought I would see the rabbit blush, but her cheeks flush red.
“I don’t tell everyone about the people in my life.” Quinn runs his hand down my arm and plays with my fingers.
It’s my turn to blush. I know everyone can smell how his touch affects me.
“How about I take Steph to the bakery? She barely got here, and you have her stuck in the office,” Sally chides, and Quinn growls. “I think you and Micah have things to discuss.” She lifts her eyebrows.
“Quinn,” I say, and he looks down.
He pulls me from the chair. “Wait here, Micah.” I follow him into his office.
“Breeane has been texting me all morning. She’s at the bakery, and there are things we need to talk about,” I say as he sits on the edge of his desk, guiding me to stand before him.
“Did you hurt yourself when he came charging in?” he asks, his fingertips touching my hip.
“You don’t miss much, do you?” I smile.
“Not when it comes to you.”
“It’s fine now. It hurt and bruised but is healed now.”
“Good. I’m sorry you had to see all of that.”
“Does that happen a lot?”
“Not all the time, but it does happen. We need to have a discussion about my work.”
“We have many things to discuss, but we can’t do it in a day. Don’t worry. I won’t run away,” I assure him.
He watches me for so long I shift around and slip my hands in my pockets.
“If you ran, I would follow,” he says softly. “Even if you didn’t choose me, I would still follow until I convinced you to. Do you believe me?”
“I do. I believe every word.” I have no doubt how dedicated he is to making this work.
“After I speak with Micah, I will come to you. I would like to eat lunch with you.”
“I would like that.”
He holds his arms wide. “It’s your choice to walk into them.”
My heart speeds up. Every minute since we met, this man has given me a choice. I don’t know if he realizes how much it means. Why would I walk away from him?
I take a step and then another. On the third step, I hit his chest, and his arms wrapped around me, holding me tight. I sigh and bury my face in his neck. I have been searching for a safe place to land. Could it be in his arms?