Savior Complex: A Small Town Love Triangle Romance

“I don’t think she heard you, Lee. Maybe you should get closer.”

They’re following me, I realize. I do my best not to panic, trying to be aware of my surroundings and the best route for escape should this escalate beyond catcalls. This is nothing. It’s just nothing. They’re drunk tourists having a laugh at my expense. Nothing is going to happen.

A memory from the past pushes its way into my thoughts, and I fight the urge to vomit. A hand on my mouth. A hand pushing down my pants. A hand pulling my legs apart.

A hand grasps my shoulder and I whirl around, backing up out of reach as I face five guys grinning at me like jackals.

“Whoa there, honey. I just want to talk.” The first guy towers over me, a smirk on his face, a look in his eyes that says talking is not what he wants. “We’re here for the weekend and thought you could show us around.”

“I’m not…” I start, almost tripping as my shoulder hits the brick wall of the building beside me. The street is dark, the glow from downtown feeling miles away. “I mean I don’t…” Fuck, Nina. Stop panicking. “I’m…”

“Emily!”

I hear the call to my right, and I turn to see a man jogging across the street. There are visible sweat stains on his jogging suit, his cheeks are flushed, and his dark hair clings to his forehead. Even more, he’s built like a truck. Despite the baggy suit, his muscles are massive, like fucking tree trunks.

And he seems to think I’m someone he knows. Either that, or he’s fucking with me too, and I’m about to get murdered by these assholes.

I remember my pepper spray at that moment, and I slip my hand into my purse as he slows to a stop near us. His eyes stay on mine, but he doesn’t touch me. My hand finds the spray, and I grasp it tightly.

Then I see something in his expression. It’s so subtle, but I see it. A look that says, play along. I got you. I’ll keep you safe.

I pause for a beat, my eyes remaining locked on his. He gives the slightest tilt of his head. I loosen the spray, but my fingers remain on it.

“Didn’t you hear me calling you?” he demands. He moves closer to me, and I realize I’ve made a step towards him, too. “We were supposed to meet at Mission and College half an hour ago. What the hell have you been doing?” He turns to the guys, and I glance over too. They look uncomfortable, almost sober. “Women, right?”

This stranger, my savior I suppose, turns to me again. “Shall we?” He reaches for my hand slowly, as if asking permission. I have a split second to think about who I trust more—the guys who appear to have second thoughts, or this stranger who is calling me by the wrong name.

“I’m sorry, I got turned around,” I say, letting go of the pepper spray and slipping my hand in his. It’s warm, slightly sweaty from his run. But safe. He squeezes my hand and guides me away from the men and across the street. They don’t follow, and when I look over my shoulder, it’s as if they were never there.

Chapter Two

Nina

“Are you okay?” He squeezes my hand before dropping it, and for a moment I forget myself. Because holding his hand felt like the most normal thing that has happened all week. At least, the most comforting. And now that my hand isn’t in his, I strangely miss it.

I don’t even know him.

I nod in answer, but then shoot him a curious look. “How did you know?” I ask. It had only been a minute or two with those guys, and then this knight in sweaty running clothes came up and saved the day. A fucking hot knight. Now that we’re in a better lit area, I can finally get a good view of my rescuer. His face is clean shaven, and he licks his plush lower lip in a way that makes me forget my earlier danger. His shoulders are broad, and I get a much better look at the chiseled definition underneath his clinging, drenched sweatshirt. It feels completely inappropriate to check him out, given the circumstances, and I try to keep my eyes on his. But it’s hard to concentrate when my peripheral vision catches his thick as fuck thighs and the undeniable bulge under his grey sweatpants. Focus, Nina. “You came running like you knew what was going to happen,” I say, hoping he can’t see the flush in my cheeks.

He grimaces, and I note the deep dimples in his cheeks, even as his eyes darken.

“I had a feeling,” he says, his tone tense and tight. “Are you okay? Did they touch you?”

I put my hand on my shoulder where the one guy grabbed me. My skin grows cold, and I shiver involuntarily. But it’s not them, it’s what happened before, and it’s hard to know what’s real and what’s just me being triggered whenever any guy get too handsy.

“It was probably nothing,” I say, shaking my head. “They were just flirting, and I overreacted.”

“They were not flirting,” the stranger says. He’s angry now, his blue eyes flashing under the glow of the streetlights. “What were you even doing walking alone at night? What if I hadn’t been there in time?”

“Hey now.” My admiration slips aside, as I feel the heat rise to my cheeks. “What are you, victim shaming? I can walk anywhere I want. It’s those guys who need to learn boundaries when it comes to approaching women.”

“That’s fine. Why don’t you tell them that?” He winces as the words leave his mouth, then rubs the back of his neck. “I’m sorry, that’s not what I mean.” He holds his hand out. “I’m Brayden, Brayden Winters.” He waits for me to take it, but I fold my arms in front of me. I don’t shake hands with assholes. But I do notice the way his tense expression softens, and the hint of a smile on his lips.

“Nina Chance. Thanks for your help, I got it from here.” I pull my pepper spray out and wave it, then turn to go.

“Wait,” he says, and damnit, I stop. “I’m really sorry. That was a stupid thing for me to say. I was just scared for you.”

“Why? You don’t even know me.” But my body is starting to relax, the tension leaving my shoulders.