Page 84 of Securing the Pucking Rebound

When he gets close enough, he hesitantly reaches out and cups my face.

His eyes flick between mine. “You don’t need to run from me, darlin’. Whatever it is, I’m right here to catch you.”

Holy shit.

My knees buckle, and he does exactly what he just said. He catches me before I hit the floor.

His strong arms wrap around me, and he holds me tightly. I try to fight the tears, but it’s an impossible feat, and I end up sobbing in his arms and soaking his T-shirt.

It’s safe to say that if this is our second date, I’ve royally fucked it up.

25

CALVIN

My hold on Sienna only tightens as her body trembles against mine. It feels so good to hold her, but I fucking hate that I’m doing it because she’s breaking down.

Thoughts of why she might have freaked out have anger simmering just beneath the surface. The thought of anyone hurting her…Fuck. It makes me murderous.

My own hands tremble with the need to wrap them around some fuck’s throat, squeezing the life out of him for not treating my girl the way she deserves.

I don’t know how much time passes as we stand there, but eventually, Sienna gives one more sniffle before she wriggles out of my hold. I don’t let her escape, though. I can’t. It might be selfish, as she's the one who’s dealing with something, but I fucking need her.

My hands grasp her hips before she has a chance to run away.

She sucks in a shuddering breath, tilts her head back, and looks at me.

Pain sears through my chest at the hurt in her eyes.

“Who hurt you, darlin’?” I rasp.

Her eyes widen as if she wasn’t expecting me to have put two and two together.

She shakes her head. “It was no one. I’m just being stupid.”

“No,” I say firmly. “You’re not stupid for feeling something. You’re allowed to feel however you need to, and you certainly don’t need to apologize for it.”

She blinks hard, trying to force the tears down.

“I-I don’t know who he was,” she confesses quietly.

I swallow thickly. “Did he…did he ra⁠—”

“No,” she cries. “No, he didn’t. It was…it was just a mistake on my part.”

“Bullshit,” I snap fiercely.

Her watery gaze holds mine for a few seconds before she finally turns away from me.

“I need to pack,” she says, picking up the open suitcase that’s been left on the floor and throwing it onto her bed.

“Okay,” I say, watching with concern as she races into her bathroom.

She’s running again. But this time, I don’t chase her.

I let her have a moment to herself, but I don’t walk back out of her bedroom. Instead, I kick my sneakers off and lower myself to her bed.

Unlike mine, which has sheets and a pillow, she’s got at least ten cushions and a comforter; there’s even a stuffed toy nestled in the cushions.