Chapter 9: GIDEON

At lunchtime, I made my excuses and headed for her tree. Today I will be bringing her lunch. I didn't even want to think about why she hadn't been eating anything the last time I saw her.

If I found out his neglect went farther than just being careless with her feelings, like he was abusing her in any way, I will put a fucking hurting on him, the likes of which this town has never seen. I clenched my fists at the thought of her being hurt. Put it away, Gideon, don't go borrowing trouble.

I watched her for a few seconds before exiting the car, so beautiful, so innocent. It was amazing that she could be this, after dealing with what she must've been dealing with behind closed doors her whole life.

She looked around as if sensing my eyes on her, and it made me smile. Yes, I wanted her as attuned to me as I was becoming to her.

I climbed out of the car after telling my driver to stay seated. In my hands were her lunch and a bunch of flowers. They were a chaotic blend of beauty in shapes and color that reminded me of her. No boring roses for my girl; they weren't exotic enough, her lips alone called for more.

"Gideon..."

She jumped off the table where she'd been sitting reading one of her classics and ran to me. She did this as if she had been doing it for a long time, so natural. On her face was the widest, brightest smile, and it went right through me. Damn, she packed a punch.

I caught her to me and kissed her brow while running my hand softly through her hair.

"Hello beautiful, I've come to share lunch with you."

She blushed; I wasn't sure if it was because of my attention or because I had figured out that her piece of shit father hadn't sent her to school with lunch or any way to get something to eat.

I let it go; for now, there will be plenty of time for that; later, right now, I wanted my complete focus on her. I wanted to see her smile again. Her face does amazing things when she smiles, not to mention what it does to me.

I'd gotten us Caesar salads with grilled salmon, fresh fruit salad, and water to drink.

I watched to make sure she was eating before I began to tell her of my morning's activities.

"I saw your father today."

I kept my eyes on her watching closely for her reaction. Was the fear that entered her eyes the normal fear any teenaged girl would have in this situation or was it something more?

Tread carefully, Gideon, do not push, not yet, no matter what has come before, you're here now, just see to it that her life is better for having you in it. I had to repeat that shit to myself when the fear on her face grew palpable.

"What happened?" Her voice was so soft, so...fearful, one day soon I will take that all away.

"He gave us his blessing."

I saw the disbelief in her eyes when she finally picked her head up to look at me. Fear mixed with hope, a sad combination in one so young. She made me want to weep. What is this? Was she my penance? How could she make me feel when I never had before? Why her, why now? This whole situation felt beyond my control, which was never a favorite of mine.

"He...Are you sure?" For fuck sake, Gideon, you can't pick her up and sit her on your lap with a schoolyard full of teens walking around. They're probably wondering who the fuck you are in the first place; no need to make a spectacle of yourself and her. But that hopeful sadness in her voice pierced me to the quick.

"One hundred percent, in fact, I'm picking you up from school this evening, and you're going to spend some time with me before I take you home later. Would you like that?"

"Oh yes, please."

So innocently eager to be with me; please don't let me fuck this up.

"Go ahead, finish your lunch, Blossom; we'll talk later. Just know that your dad knows about us, and although he was a little worried in the beginning, I guess that had more to do with my age than anything. He came around in the end, though; you can call him and check if you'd like."

I held out my phone to her, but she refused.

"I believe you."

Now she's back to blushing and ducking her head. I lifted her head with a finger under her chin.

"Why so shy?"

She just shook her head and blushed even harder. I wanted to kiss that amazing mouth of hers, but not here. Too many prying eyes, last time I'd forgotten myself, not today. There will be plenty of time for that later. I'll make sure of it.

When lunch was over, I had her stand in front of me so we could talk. It was almost time for her to return to classes, but there was one more thing before I let her go.

"Look at me, little Blossom."

She looked up at me, so fucking beautiful, damn. Will I ever get used to it? I hope not. I hope I never lose this feeling of awe whenever I look at her.

"I need to know, need to hear you say it, do you want this, with me?"

She bit into her lip in that way that was bound to make me crazy before long before nodding her head.

"No, baby, say it."

"Yes, I want...this with you..." Done deal, the last hurdle crossed. Now I can forge full steam ahead.

"Good, now is there anything you need before I leave you? I'll be back to get you later. Should I meet you here?"

"Here's fine, and no, I don't need anything, just..."

"Just what, baby?"

"Don't hurt me."

Fuck, those words in that soft, hesitant, almost tearful voice was my undoing. How could someone hurt such a thing of beauty?

"Come here, Ashley."

She came to me without hesitation, head down, looking at her feet. I wonder if I should work on that or if that was a big part of her appeal? I didn't want her to be this way with anyone else, though. As my woman, she would be queen of the fucking city.

I didn't want her being shy and meek with anyone else. The sharks I swam with would see that as a weakness and go for the jugular. Then I'd have to get blood on my hands, and that's never good. There you go again, getting ahead of yourself, Gideon.

You've lost all sense of propriety and what little bit of civility you had seems to have disappeared entirely. Well, that's what happens when a lion has to protect his mate. I imagine that's exactly how the king of beast feels.

"Look at me; you have nothing to fear from me. I will never hurt you, not in any way, and from now on, no one else ever will."

She swallowed deeply, and I knew what she was thinking. Okay, then Gloves off, begin as you mean to go on. I didn't plan on keeping anything from her, and ain't that a kick in the head? Me Mr. Tight-lipped Thorpe wanted to be transparent.

"I know...do you understand?" I spoke the words softly, trying to take some of the sting from them. I didn't want to embarrass her after all, far from it.

She'd looked into my eyes fearfully when I said I know. She knew what I meant; it was evident by the sudden tears that sprang to her eyes. Fucking bastard, I should just make him pay for the hell of it. As it stood, I'm tempted to go back on my word for the first time in my life.

I don't think I will be leaving her in his house after all.