Romeo

“?” Her breath catches as she flutters her eyes in shock. I’m getting a hint of deja vu. In the meeting room, she looked at me just the same. Right before she ran away.

“You remembered me, I’m flattered.” Leaning in closer, I inhale sharply. Smelling like the frosting coating her apron, there’s something richer beneath. Something I’ve missed for months now.

If it wouldn’t be so frowned upon, I’d draw this woman to my chest and breathe her in enough to make up for all of the lost time.

I never forgot about Charity. A woman like her, full of life with a laugh that heals a man’s soul, is unforgettable .

I won’t hold it against her if she believes I abandoned her. If she knew the truth, she wouldn’t entertain a conversation.

However, discovering the bump of her belly has changed everything. I can no longer watch this woman from a safe distance.

All my efforts to keep her away from the dangers that come with my life were made in vain.

Always watching her, I know well enough the baby growing within her is mine. Hell, they’re both mine. Charity doesn’t realize how tightly our lives have been wound together since the moment she bumped into me that fateful night.

“Do you have time to catch up?” Never mind the length of the line at my side, I can’t possibly imagine this bakery can’t survive without this woman for five minutes.

Much to my dismay, she shakes her head. Without even taking longer than a second to think, she tells me no.

“Probably not a good idea.” Those brown orbs shift toward the woman taking orders. “You picked a terrible time to make an appearance. We’re super busy.” She won’t meet my gaze.

What is stopping her? Does she not feel this same pull that has kept me locked in place this entire time?

“Charity.” She jerks at her name, looking just as surprised that I remembered. I really shouldn’t have kept myself away for so long.

There’s so much I want to say to her. My thoughts are overflowing with so many confessions. There’s a reason why I’ve had to stay in the background. Doing nothing but watching, she’d be understanding.

“Not even five minutes of your time?” Tilting my head, I picture coaxing her toward somewhere quiet. Somewhere I can graze my fingers against her cheeks and see how flushed they become.

As if remembering we’re meant to be one step away from being called strangers, she shakes out of her stare. Even going as far as taking a step back, her hand instinctively goes to her stomach.

“I should get back, actually.” Throwing a thumb behind her, her body doesn’t automatically move. Almost like she has to be more manual about making her escape, she forces her body back. “Have a nice day.”

Her words leave a bitter taste in my mouth. Treating me like no one different than the customers waiting in line, I swallow down the urge to demand her to stay. She doesn’t offer a different time or any invitation to return sometime later. From my view, she might as well be dusting her hands free of me.

I want to take her out of here and remind her how fitting we are for each other. However, the last thing I need is for security to be called. That sort of attention is not needed.

Taking my cue to leave, I force my body away from the counter and make my exit.

While I may have no intention of returning to this business, I am nowhere near being done with Charity. She may not be as accepting of me now, but I’ll make up every minute I stay away down the line.

After leaving StartBit Tech , my driver takes me to an all-familiar address. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve sat outside of her apartment complex. How often have I sacrificed my free time waiting, hoping to catch a glimpse of Charity? At least three times a week. Four months of this torture and I can confidently say I know her schedule.

Most of the time, I’m on my own. Always watching by my lonesome, I know today I’ll need a driver. My hands need to be free.

“You’re sure you don’t want any help?” Seth throws a glance in my direction. “Even if it’s to simply watch your back.”

“All you’ll do is bring more attention my way.” Not wanting to risk the unwanted looks, I decline his offer. Leaving him in the car, I get out with more than enough time to play it safe. Making my way into the building, I go as far as shooting the guy up front a smile. All natural. Blending in with the rest of those who move in and out of the complex, I take a short elevator ride up to her floor.

In my pocket, a spare key. Hand slipping inside, I twirl the metal between my fingers as I make my way to her home.

Charity felt safe enough to keep her spare beneath her rug. I snagged it months ago, quickly making one for myself and returning the original to its rightful place in the span of a few hours.

Anyone could’ve found the key. Even in a secure place like this, anything could happen. Hell, look at me moving about so freely. If another man had decided to take advantage of her lowered guard…

Blood would coat my hands if such a scenario happened.

Looking both ways, I slip inside her apartment. Once the door is shut, I’m free to do as I please.

She doesn’t have any cameras. After a previous problem of stalking, she should know better how to protect herself. Especially now. Her move to Seattle must’ve made her feel safe.

Making my way to her room, I groan at the same sweet smell I’ve grown addicted to. Distracting myself for only a moment, I grab one of the pillows on the bed and breathe her in.

My cock automatically thickens. This ache to have another taste of her is brutal.

Despite having tasted torture up close, no pain comes close to the longing I feel for Charity. To have her within my arms again, the place where she belongs, that is what is keeping me sane.

Four fucking months. I’m going to make up for every minute lost.

Despite the ache of my arousal, I won’t relieve myself. Instead, I’ll wait until it’s her hand wrapped around my cock, relieving me of this ache.

Moving to her closet, I drag out the suitcases tucked away in the corner. She’ll need both of them with how many clothes I see packed away in her closet.

Packing her luggage full of everything she will need, the two suitcases will have to be enough. Starting with a few outfits, I grab the clothes I see her wear most often. Not wanting to waste all the space with clothing, I remind myself to order her a new wardrobe.

Clattering around in her bathroom next, I grab everything I think a woman would need.

Once I’m satisfied with all my findings, I drag both suitcases into the living room. With more time on my hands until her return, I sit and stare at the front door. I lie in wait.

There are two directions this can go in. Both will end with her in my arms again. I’m hoping she can put up with reason and will come willingly.

I lose count of the minutes. They become hours at this rate and I’m so lost in my thoughts that I barely register the vibration of my phone. When I take a look at the message, I’m bracing myself. Seth has let me know of her arrival. The warning is more than enough.

When the front door opens, I’m ready.

I won’t scare her. Not more than I already will by my presence. It’s bad for the baby and I’m in no way of wanting to put her under that stress.

The door shuts as I move to my feet. Our eyes meet and once again, I’m distracted. For only a short moment, the hunger floods in, and I’m back to recalling the very first time I came inside her home.

When we were too distracted kissing while knocking into furniture. I had my hand tucked between her thighs before we even made it out of the living room.

The look of fear on her face is enough to snap me out of the past.

“Don’t scream.” The order comes out the moment she sucks in a breath.

She doesn’t, but the horrified look remains on her face. “How did you get in here?”

Nothing I tell her is going to make this run any smoother. One step back against the wall makes her look like she’s a trapped animal. When she spots the luggage by my leg, her eyes grow round.

“I need you to come with me.” Remaining calm for the both of us, I take a cautious step forward. “You are not safe here. You, or the baby.”

The mention of the baby makes her instinctively wrap an arm around her stomach.

“I am perfectly fine, thank you.” Her eyes narrow, and for a moment, agitation surfaces.

If I can break in without getting any attention from her neighbors, what’s to say someone can’t do the very same?

No, she’s not fine. She doesn’t understand how serious the situation has become.

I can tell her that I’m a bad man who does bad things for a living. The truth is, many people want to see me in pain. Charity is an easy ticket to getting just that.

I’d be left in ruins if anything happened to her. If I’d only given her up that night, then this wouldn’t be happening. However, I’m a terrible man. I didn’t let her go.

I’ll never be able to let her go.

“You have two options.” Straightening up, I grab the handles of her luggage and get straight to the point. No need to start beating around the bush. “We can leave here willingly. I’ll take you home and keep you safe.”

The frown that forms on her lips is like a punch to the gut.

“And my other option?” Unmoving, she crosses her arms.

“Or, you put up a fight and I carry you out of here. Either way, you’re coming with me. I’d rather pick the option that will stress the baby less.” Offering a glance toward the door, I silently pray she doesn’t put up a fight.

I want my future wife to be willing in every way possible.

“You don’t even know if he’s yours.” Prickling up, she turns her head.

She’s having a boy. That information is the final nail in the coffin.

Releasing her luggage, I eliminate the space between our bodies. Capturing her chin and taking in her gasp, I look into those brown eyes. “He’s mine.”

I would’ve killed any man brave enough to try to get a taste of her.

“I know you haven’t been with another man since our night together.” Taking in the instant blush on her cheeks, I don’t budge when she flattens her hands against my chest.

Right now, she insists on pushing me away. I will have her pulling me in by the end of the day.

“How-”

“I couldn’t stay away. I tried to be satisfied with watching from afar, but I can’t do it anymore.”

Watching her bite down on her lip, it’s terrible timing to want to kiss her. If I step too close, she’ll realize how affected I am by her. She’ll see that she’s my weakness, my one and only.

“I want you as much as I wanted you that night, Charity.” Lowering my voice to that of a whisper, her body twitches. “Come with me. Everything will make sense once you see what I’m trying to protect you from.”

With a sigh, she attempts to push me away and this time, I let her.

“It’s not like I have much of a choice here.” Refusing to meet my gaze, she grabs things I missed, shoving them in one of the luggage. Her movements are jerky.

Even if she never forgives me, this is for the best. My child and her safety are what’s important to me. There’s no way in hell I’m going to allow anyone near her.