“Adelaide,” he said softly, like we were sharing something intimate, something private, something I absolutely had not agreed to, “you let me in.”
My grip tightened the containers I’d been stacking into a box.
“Yeah … because youofferedto help.”
More like forced his way in here, but it didn’t feel smart to point this out right now.
“And I did,” he said quickly. “I am helping.”
I shifted, pushing myself up from the floor, crossing my arms again. “I think I’ve got it from here, actually—”
Eric stood as well, his movements too fast. Suddenly, he was too close.
“You don’t have to pretend,” he said, stepping toward me. “I know you’re overwhelmed. I can see it. You don’t have to do everything on your own.”
“I’m not—”
His hand came up to rest against my arm, its weight uncomfortable.
I froze. “Stop.”
He didn’t move.
“You don’t mean that,” he murmured. “You just don’t know how to ask for help.”
My stomach dropped. “I asked you to stop.”
Of how close he was standing. Of how he was lookingat me.
“You’re scared,” he said softly.
I blinked, still half in my own head. “What? No, I—”
“It’s okay,” he cut in gently, misreading everything. “Anyone would be in your situation.”
My brain lagged behind the words as he stepped closer.
“But I’m here to help you. I can take care of you.”
Something twisted in my chest.
“If you let me.”
This was wrong. So fucking wrong.
“I’m not scared,” I said, trying to pull my arm back.
His grip tightened just slightly. “You don’t have to lie.”
Okay.Nope. This wasnothappening.
“I don’t need—”
His other hand came up and brushed across my cheek. That was the moment it clicked, and I went completely still. This man was neither awkward, shy or harmless.
He was dangerous.
“I’ve been watching you,” he said quietly, like it was something good. “You don’t even realize how special you are. How much attention you draw.”