CHAPTER 4 : HOT STRANGER DANGER.

JASON’S POV

I watched her from behind the bar, pretending not to notice the way she kept glancing in my direction. She was trying to be discreet, but the nervous energy in her movements gave her away.

Something was off.

The way she looked over her shoulder glancing at the bar — which I had left—before heading to the exit, the hesitation in her steps—yeah, something was definitely wrong.

I didn’t like it.

But then, she was gone.

I exhaled, running a hand through my hair. She wasn’t my problem. I had my own damn problems to deal with.

And yet…

I found myself moving, stepping out from the door behind the counter that I watched her from and making my way toward the front.

Not following her, just… checking.

That’s when I saw him. From afar but I could see him. The stalker.

Leaning against her car.

Motherf—

I clenched my jaw, forcing myself to stay put in the shadows, just observing. He was waiting for her. Enjoying it. And the way her entire body tensed when she saw him?

Yeah, I’d seen that reaction before. It was fear.

And then she ran.

Smart girl.

I turned around, about to head over to my car and head home as I had nothing else doing at the speakeasy that I disguised as a bar/restaurant.

As much as I felt attracted to her, I knew better than to involve myself in unnecessary matters.

But was she unnecessary matters?

I heard a faint "hey" and u turned around.

She was already sprinting in my direction, her eyes wide with panic as she spotted me. She didn’t slow down. Just ran straight into me, slamming into my chest with the force of a damn hurricane.

"Whoa."

I barely had time to react before my hands were on her, steadying her.

She was trembling.

I could feel it through her thin dress, feel the way her fingers curled into my shirt, gripping it like I was the only thing keeping her from falling apart.

"He's still following you?" I asked and she nodded frantically.

My first instinct?

Break the bastard’s nose.

I knew men like him. They thrived on confrontation, on the idea that they had control. He wanted her to be afraid.

So I did the one thing he wouldn’t expect.

I slid my arms around her waist and on the small of her back, arching her back to press her chest into me and I leaned down.

I kissed her.

Sparks shot and tingled everywhere around my body and for a second I lost myself in the kiss.

Her entire body stiffened at first, but then—then she melted.

And fuck.

For a moment, I forgot this was all an act.

She tasted like whiskey and something sweet, something uniquely her, and I had to remind myself to keep it controlled, to keep my grip on her waist firm but not too tight. To not let it get to me.

Because it was getting to me.

I pulled away first, inhaling sharply as I plastered a smug smirk onto my face.

"You're okay, darling? If you missed me so much, you could've just come home with me earlier, babe. But I see you want to now, huh?" I said, my voice loud enough for our unwanted guest to hear.

Fuck this woman affected me in ways u never expected.

Her eyes widened slightly, and then she nodded.

Good girl.

"Let’s go home."

I kept my arm around her, guiding her away, my entire body on high alert as the bastard behind us hesitated.

"Fuck! you with her?" he finally called out.

I didn’t bother looking back. "Yeah," I said flatly. "And she’s not interested in whatever the hell you’re trying to pull. Get the fuck away from us."

A pause. Then a scoff. And finally, his footsteps faded.

I didn’t relax until I was sure he was gone.

And neither did she.

Her knees nearly buckled, and I had to tighten my hold on her to keep her from collapsing.

"Hey," I murmured, steadying her. "It’s okay. You’re safe now."

She let out a shaky breath, her fingers still curled into my shirt.

"Thank you," she whispered.

Something in my chest twisted.

I ignored it.

"Come on," I said instead. "Let’s get you home. Did you drive?"

She nodded, then shook her head.

"He slashed my tires."

Motherfu—

I exhaled through my nose, pushing down the surge of irritation. "Oh… do you mind me dropping you off?"

She looked up at me then, really looked at me.

And then she smiled.

Wow.

If only she knew how much she affected me,right from the very first day I set my eyes on her in that alley.

I quickly turned away before I could react to that.

…

The car ride was quiet.

She sat in the passenger seat, her hands clasped tightly together in her lap, her shoulders still tense.

I didn’t push her to talk.

Didn’t ask questions.

I just drove.

After a while, she shifted slightly, her breathing slowing, like the exhaustion was finally catching up to her.

Then, almost too quietly, she murmured, "I think I need some air."

I barely had time to react before she unbuckled her seatbelt.

"Shit," I muttered, pulling over.

The second I stopped the car, she opened the door and stepped out.

And then—

She wobbled.

My entire body tensed.

"Hey—"

She went down before I could catch her.

I cursed, moving quickly, kneeling beside her and checking her pulse. She was out cold.

Just great.

J couldn't leave her alone. I drove to my villa, I could take care of her there. No hospital…

…

I got to my villa, carried her soft lightweight body into one of the guest rooms, she was asleep thankfully it wasn't something else but just exhaustion.

I brought in her bag too and kept all her belongings on the side chair. I carefully took off her shoes.

I rubbed on her legs, gently massaging her soft feet. Then I went to take a shower and to catch some sleep myself.

…

When she woke up, I was watching her from a chair beside my couch, arms crossed, head tilted back slightly.

She groaned, shifting.

"Easy," I muttered.

She blinked up at me groggily, her gaze flickering around. "Where…?"

"My place," I said. "You fainted. The hospital was too far, and I wasn’t about to leave you on the side of the road."

Her lips parted slightly, like she wasn’t sure how to respond.

I sighed, pushing to my feet. "You need food? Or at least water. Can you sit up?"

She nodded, though I could tell she was still weak.

She struggled to push herself upright, and I watched her carefully.

"You're really bad at taking care of yourself, huh?" I muttered.

She let out a weak laugh. "Apparently."

I smirked.

Then I disappeared into the kitchen, grabbed a glass of water, and brought it back to her.

She took it, murmuring a small thanks.

I sat back down, watching her.

"You live alone?"

"Yeah."

I frowned. "You shouldn’t."

She raised a brow at me. "You offering to move in?"

That actually made me chuckle and made my heart skip.

She's got jokes and sarcasm… lovely.

"Not quite."

She sipped her water, hesitating for a moment.

"You never told me your name."

I exhaled slowly.

"No," I said. "I didn’t."

And I wasn’t planning on it.

At least not yet.