Twisted Perfection (Rosemary Beach #5)(27)

He wanted to know me. My chest felt like it might burst. Tears stung my eyes and I blinked them back. I couldn’t cry on him now. “Okay,” I replied hoarsely.

Woods’ hand reached over and covered mine, holding it firmly in his. He didn’t look at me. His eyes stared straight ahead at the waves crashing on the shore. When his fingers threaded through mine I let him. That simple touch was all I needed. Being here with him pushed back all the darkness. All the pain and sorrow was forgotten. I was okay. It felt good.

“Woods? Is she okay?” Bethy’s voice called out and we both turned to look back at her walking out of the club and toward us.

“She thinks you had too much to drink,” Woods said quietly beside me. I had forgotten about what everyone else thought of me.

“I’m fine,” I told her as she walked up to us.

“Oh thank God. I was sure I’d made you sick with those lemon shots. They can be fierce if you aren’t used to them.”

“She just got overheated. That mixed with the alcohol. The cool air brought her around,” Woods explained for me.

Bethy’s relief was all over her face. “Thanks Woods. I can stay with her if you want to go back inside.”

Woods’ hand tightened around mine. “No, I’m good right here. I needed a break too.”

Bethy looked worried but finally nodded and went back inside.

Once she was gone I glanced up at Woods. He was watching me. “Thank you for your help tonight. If you hadn’t stepped in that could have been really embarrassing.”

Woods’ frown was etched with concern. “I’m glad I was there. What’s bothering me is the fact that you’re traveling all alone. What happens when you’re by yourself and this… this happens. Who helps you then?”

No one. I managed. “I normally get away before it hits me hard and I deal with it.”

Woods pulled my hand closer to his leg and instead of saying more or arguing with me about that being a bad idea he turned his attention back to the dark water.





Woods



“You need to get back into Jace’s party and I think I’m going to go back to the condo. I’m tired.” Della’s soft voice broke into my thoughts.

I wanted to keep her here with me so I could watch her and make sure she was okay. But I knew that wasn’t an option.

“I’ll drive you. Grant and I will get your car back to the condo for you later.” I wasn’t letting her drive back alone tonight. For my own sanity I needed to see her safely inside.

“You don’t have to do that. I’m okay. Really I am,” she argued letting go of my hand and standing up.

She might be okay but I wasn’t. “I’m driving you,” I repeated and stood up to tower in front of her. “Please. I’ll worry all night if you don’t let me.”

A smile touched her pink lips and she nodded. “All right. Thank you.”

I touched the small of her back because I needed to touch her somehow. The connection reminded me that she was fine now. I led her to my truck and helped her get in on the passenger side. The memory of throwing her inside once before only served to make me even more obsessive to keep her safe.

She wasn’t mine and she never would be but that didn’t change the way I felt. I’d become possessive of her. I wanted her safe and happy. Tonight had scared the shit out of me. Something wasn’t right with Della. The desire to fix it for her was strong and impossible to ignore. What could have happened to her to make her withdraw like that? She’d been completely unresponsive. Like she was just checked out.

Once I was inside the truck, I glanced over at her to make sure she was buckled up. Seeing her tonight was going to haunt me. I wasn’t sure how the hell I was supposed to move on after that.

“Thanks for your help tonight. I hope I didn’t freak you out too bad,” Della said glancing over at me.

I needed to respond but what did I say? You’re welcome and you completely f*cked with my head? I couldn’t say that but I needed to say something.

“I’ll always help you but I’m not going to lie to you. After tonight, I’m concerned. I don’t want to drop you off and leave you alone in that damn condo. I want to take you back to my place and take care of you.”

I chanced a quick peek at her before looking back at the road. She was biting her bottom lip nervously. She didn’t say anything right away. I waited for her to say something. Anything. But she remained quiet. I tried not to think about it and that was proving impossible. I was never going to get the image of her face out of my head.

“I have to learn to live on my own. Live without help. That’s why I’m on this road trip. I need to find myself and make a life for me…” she trailed off before finishing.

Who told her she needed to figure out how to handle this by herself and what the f*ck had happened to her to make her like this?

I reached over and grabbed her hand with mine. “Call me. Anytime. If you need someone, call me.”

She nodded. Her hand flipped over in mine and she squeezed it. “Thank you.”

I pulled in front of Tripp’s condo wishing I’d taken a longer route. Della slipped her hand from mine and opened the door.

“I had fun dancing,” she said before stepping out of my truck and closing the door behind her. I waited until I saw her safely inside the condo before pulling away.