The Protector: A Brother's Best Friend Romance (The Freemasons Book 4) by Nicole Flockton

Author:Nicole Flockton [Flockton, Nicole]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-09-12T18:30:00+00:00

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Keeping Renee tucked close to his side as they traversed the path to the river, Declan marveled at the fact that she was okay with him touching her. That she’d told him he no longer needed to ask.

His lips still tingled from the kiss they’d shared in his apartment, although the memory was tinged a little with sadness because of the way her body had stiffened in his embrace.

She’d tried to assure him he wasn’t at fault, but he couldn’t help feeling like he was. That he could’ve done something better to make her feel more comfortable with his touch. He would do whatever was necessary to achieve that goal. To achieve a place where being in his arms, his lips on hers, was as natural to her as breathing.

They reached the sandy beach and he bent down to remove his shoes. He should’ve changed into slides or flip-flops before he’d left his home, but all his thoughts had been on getting Renee out into the open.

“Here.” He held out his hands for her shoes.

“What are you going to do? I can carry them. They’re not heavy.”

He inclined his head to a long wooden box tucked against the edge of the path. “This box is for the residents to put their shoes in if they want to take a walk. Your shoes will be safe here.” He wiggled his fingers again, and Renee looked at the box before returning her attention to him and then handing over her shoes.

“That’s a pretty nifty service the building provides,” Renee commented as they started their walk.

“Well, the residents of the building planted the idea and lobbied for it.”

Renee looked up at him and the late afternoon sunshine glinted off her blond hair, creating a halo above her head. “How so?”

“Over the course of a couple of weeks, the management company was inundated with so many suggestions and requests for a safe shoe box that they gave in and arranged for it.”

Renee laughed. “That’s one way to get things done.”

“Yep, and we all make sure we use it. So far, there haven’t been any issues with it either.”

“No stolen shoes?”

“Nope.”

He cupped Renee’s elbow to steer her around a jellyfish that had beached itself, not letting go, even after they’d avoided the slimy creature. He liked being able to connect with her through simple, nonthreatening gestures. “You asked me why I wanted to get to know you. The woman you are now.”

“I did. I’m not sure that the person I am now is worth knowing.”

Declan stopped abruptly, turning her so that she faced him before he dropped his hands to his side. As much as he’d like to hold her, he held back, not wanting to frighten her. While she may say she was okay with him placing his hands on her, as he’d told her, he wouldn’t shatter the precious gift she’d given him.

“I know you probably feel that way, and you have every right to. I’ve no idea what you had to do.

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