Page 54 of Dearest Protector

It was hot for early spring, and had been all week long.

We’d used that gorgeous pool of Ben’s after work yesterday, and I’d probably be in there all day tomorrow if I could swing it.

I let out an exasperated breath as I walked beside him. “Please,” I said drily. “You’ve either been home early from work every day or on time. You’ve taken me out for two movie nights and we had a pool night last night. You’ve also taken me out for dinner twice. I know they’re distractions so I don’t have time to think about the surgery Monday morning. Admit it.”

“Nope,” he said succinctly. “I would have taken you anywhere you wanted to go, regardless. They weren’t necessarilydistractions.”

I bumped his shoulder in reply.

Yeah, he probably would have taken me anywhere I wanted to go.

But it hadn’t been me who had suggested these evening outings.

His desire to make me forget that I was going under the knife on was glaringly obvious.

“But,” he added. “If these were, in fact, supposed to be distractions, are they working?”

I snorted as I let him change directions so we were headed back toward his house. “I knew it,” I said with a chuckle. “They were distractions, and yes, they’re working. It’s been a very entertaining week. Now can I thank you for them?”

“Not necessary,” he said abruptly. “We’re friends. You’d do exactly the same for me.”

I definitely would, but I wasn’t Ben Blackwood, busy CEO of Blackwood Technologies.

I knew it wasn’t easy for Ben to break away from work, but he was doing it.

Every day.

For me.

And he never accepted a thank you for any of the nice things he did.

“It is necessary,” I argued as I relished the feel of the cool water on my bare feet. “I never want you to think I don’t appreciate you or the things you do for me. This whole surgery thing is a major inconvenience for you.”

He suddenly stopped and turned me toward him, his hands on my shoulders as he growled, “Don’t ever say that. You are not and never will be an inconvenience. Ever. Christ! I care about you, Ariel. I care what happens. I care if you’re in pain or uncomfortable.”

His fierceness threw me off-guard for a moment, but it probably shouldn’t.

This was Ben, and going out of his way for someone he cared about was never a pain in his ass.

I couldn’t see his eyes. In fact, I could barely make out his face in the dim light, but I knew from his tone of voice that he was tense.

Sometimes, I got the feeling he was almost more worried than I was about my upcoming procedure.

“I’m sorry,” I said, instinctively reaching out to run my palm along his jaw. “I shouldn’t have said that. You’ve never made me feel that way. I guess I’m just not used to having someone this supportive beside me. I’ve never had to rely on someone to help me get through fear. I’m probably not comfortable with it, either, even though I couldn’t have gotten through this without you. I’m used to taking care of myself.”

It felt amazing to have someone care about me, but there was also a part of me that felt incredibly…guilty.

He put his arms around my waist and tugged me close to his hard body.

I relaxed and put my head against his shoulder.

“Get used to someone giving a shit,” he grumbled and ran a rough hand through my curls. “It’s not something I can control when it comes to you. You make me a little crazy sometimes.”

I smiled against the thin cotton of his shirt, knowing he meant every word he said.

This whole situation seemed to be driving him crazy, and that’s probably why I felt so guilty.

I put my arms around his neck and hugged him, wishing he’d kiss me again, but I knew that wouldn’t happen.