Free Elisa by E. L. Todd

shoulder to check on Elisa and saw her talking to some guy. He was standing very close to her and she kept stepping back, clearly uncomfortable. The sight made my mind snap. I marched over to them then stepped in front of her, blocking her from view. “Can I help you with something?”
    He glared at me. “No, but you can get out of my way.”
    “Back off.”
    “I’m just talking to this beautiful lady.”
    I stepped closer to him. He was the same heig ht as me but not nearly as muscular. I saw him flinch as I approached him. “Leave my girlfriend alone.”
    He glared at me before he backed off and walked down the aisle.
    When I turned back to Elisa , she looked relieved.
    “Thanks,” she whispered.
    I wrapped my arm around her and kissed her forehead. “You never have to be scared when you’re with me.”
    She rested her face against my chest. “I know.”
    “Do you have pepper spray or a tazer?”
    She looked scared. “No.”
    “Do you want one?”
    “Do you think I need it?” She sounded frightened.
    “No, you’ll never need one as long as I’m around, but if it makes you feel better, I’ll get you one.”
    She shook her head. “No. I don’t want one.”
    I was quiet for a moment. “Okay.”
    “Just don’t leave me.”
    “I’m so sorry. I forget how beautiful you are. People must bother you all the time.”
    She said nothing.
    Now I felt like an idiot. I should have figured it out before. What was the point of being so gorgeous when people bothered you all the time? It was a curse, not a blessing. “It won’t happen again.”
    “It’s not your fault, Jared.”
    “Yes, it is,” I said sadly. “Come on. Let’s finish that list.”
    “Okay.” She started to push the cart but I got behind it and guided it for her. She smiled at me then grabbed her items. I trailed behind her and just watched her shop. A few men stared at her, but when they caught my look they looked away.
    When we were done, we went to the checkout counter and met Ethan. He was about to combine his items with hers so he could pay for it, but I stopped him. “I got it.”
    He raised an eyebrow. “You’re sure?”
    “Don’t worry about it.”
    Elisa looked at me. “You don’t have to do that, Jared.”
    “I take care of you now,” I said. “I don’t mind.”
    Elisa fell quiet.
    I grabbed her face and kissed her. “I want to take care of you.”
    She smiled at me. “You’re so sweet, Jared.”
    I paid for the groceries then grabbed the bags. I didn’t let her carry anything. When Ethan was done, we left the store. I noticed he only had one bag. “What did you get?”
    He said nothing for a moment. He grabbed the box and showed it to us.
    “Tampons?” I asked with disgust.
    He shrugged. “Sadie asked me to get some.”
    Elisa smiled. “Tom used to do it for me all the time.”
    “Yeah, but that’s different.”
    “How?” she asked.
    “It just is,” he said.
    “Are you sure you want to get married?” I asked.
    “I’m having second thoughts,” he said with a laugh.
    “It’s not too late,” I said.
    “Stop being jerks,” Elisa said . She looked at me. “You would do it if I asked you to.”
    I smiled at her. “Well, that’s different. I would do anything for you.”
    She smiled at me and Ethan rolled his eyes.
    When we got home, I helped Elisa put all the groceries away while everyone stayed in the living room. When we were done, I looked at her. “I’m really sorry about today. It won’t happen again.”
    “Jared, you didn’t do anything wrong. When you saw someone bothering me, you took care of it.”
    “I t shouldn’t have happened at all.”
    “He didn’t try to hurt me.”
    “That’s beside the point.” I grabbed her face and looked at her. “You never have to worry about your safety with me. I want you to know that.”
    “I believe you, Jared.”
    “I can go to the store for you if you’re more comfortable with that.”
    She sighed. “As much as I would love that , I