Page 32 of Sweet Madness
No one apart from my family has ever shown me kindness without expecting something in return.
Shaw Banning, the man who just a day ago claimed he was merely a bodyguard and nothing more, surprises me with pink flowers and cooks my favorite dish on a day when I am feeling low. He doesn’t even realize how much happiness he brings me.
He is kind without expecting anything in return.
He watches intently as I lift the fork to my mouth, my lips parting slightly as I take the first bite. As soon as I bite into the first meatball, an explosion of delicious flavors takes over my mouth. I close my eyes in sheer pleasure, a soft sigh escaping my lips. When I open them, it’s to find Shaw sitting back in his chair, staring at my lips. Feeling a rush of boldness, I slowly lick my lips and watch his reaction.
When I think he won’t give me anything, he surprises me. What looks a lot like desire flashes in his eyes for a brief second before it disappears.
Huh! Got you, grumpy.
You’re not that indifferent to my charm after all.
After this dinner, there’s no doubt in my mind about that.
I just need to peel those hard edges of yours and bulldoze my way into that grumpy heart.
We both finish our meal in complete silence, enjoying each other’s company without needing words between us.
While chewing the last bite, I notice Shaw reaching under the table and picking something up before setting it down on the table and pushing it my way. My eyes narrow when I see two white boxes—one bigger than the other.
“For you,” he says, sounding bored, yet his eyes tell a different story.
“But why?” I breathe out.
Shaw shrugs. “Just because you’re stuck here doesn’t mean your life has to be put on hold. You go on posting on social media like nothing is wrong,” he says while I pick up the iPad and its pen, feeling emotion swelling in my chest. Why? Am I dreaming of this? As I wonder if I am stuck in a wonderful dream, Shaw speaks again, this time in a low and lethal tone. “You don’t have to fear that someone is watching your every move. That’s why I’m here, and as long as I’m here, nothing will touch you. No one will touch you.” He vows, and my heart skips a thousand beats.
Thud.
Thud.
Thud.
“I, ah—” I can’t for the life of me find the words. Instead, I stare at him while my heart finds a slow but steady rhythm. It’s almost as if the organ is trying to tell me something.
“I’m sorry,” he murmurs, snapping me out of whatever trance his lovely words put me under. “These are for you too.” Then he stands up and reaches for something on the counter before extending another box my way, this time a light pink one.
Without uttering a word, I grab the small pink box and open it to find macaroons. Pink ones.
As he stands above me in silence, I look at the sweet treats and feel my heart beating stronger than before. All I can think of is how this moment feels very much like pink: sweet, kind, magical.
Such a simple and sweet gesture coming from a man as hard as him makes me think that maybe—just maybe—a genuine smile and belly laughs are not so far away. “You didn’t have to do all of this.”
“I hurt your feelings, and for that, I’m sorry. I messed up. Yes, you are my client and my job, but you’re also someone good and kind, and I should treat you as such.” He clears his throat and then averts his brown eyes for a second before they meet mine again. “Forgive me.”
“I forgive you, Shaw,” I whisper, hiding a smile.
His blond brows furrow as he stares back.
He doesn’t smile, and that’s okay because tonight he gives me something just as good. He shows me the man I used to know: the man whose heart was so big I swore it didn’t fit inside his chest.
My Shaw bear.
And even though he’s now a grump who snarls more than he smiles, I wouldn’t want him any other way.
Because Shaw Banning, the man who gifted me one of my favorite sweets, flowers, and made me my favorite meal just to say he’s sorry, is perfect just as he is.
“I’ll protect you with my life, and I’ll do my job, but I will also try my best to make your stay here, however long it is, pleasant.”