I should’ve thought through these worries last night, but I’d been exhausted. Anne vouched for the guy, but how much could I really trust…anyone?
I convinced myself that if he hadn’t touched me last night or tried anything, then he probably wasn’t interested, at the very least.
And I’d take a quick shower. In and out before he even knew I’d been naked.
But then I stepped inside the shower.
The smooth, round stones under my feet almost felt like a massage. When I stepped under the spray, the sound I let out was almost primal. It felt so good. This was officially my new favorite place in the whole wide world. And all my tension melted away.
In less than a minute, I was humming under my breath while I scrubbed at the paint on my hands and arms. The comforting scent from his truck last night enveloped me as I used his shower products, and all the tension drained from my body.
A few minutes later, I was full out belting Taylor Swift’s ‘Anti-Hero’ under the shower spray as I washed my hair.
So, I felt lighter as I stepped out of the shower several long minutes later. It had been nice to take a long shower without getting sprayed intermittently with cold water or wondering why the water had a slightly red tinge.
Not even putting on my crusty clothes from last night could spoil my mood. And when I grabbed a toothbrush, my smile returned full force. Gah, that guy.
I bundled up his t-shirt and sweats, then unlocked and opened the bathroom door. The bacon popping sounds had stopped.
Actually, all sounds had stopped.
Where was he?
The hair prickled along the back of my neck.
My earlier fear returned full force.
Why was it so quiet?
What had I gotten myself into?
Why hadn’t I just slept on Anne’s couch like a sane person? At least there I’d know there wouldn’t be any danger of the male variety. Anne’s roommate was another female teacher.
Stupid.
So stupid.
“Breakfast is ready.”
I jumped and a squeal left me involuntarily. Dylan’s voice had been soft and so close.
I whipped around and found him standing a few feet away, staring at me with a concerned expression.
“Everything okay? You look—and sound—kinda freaked.”
Clutching at my chest with a handful of his clothing, I tried to calm my racing heart. “You scared me.”
“Sorry?” He winced and shook his head. “I, uh, made breakfast if you’re hungry.”
“You made breakfast for me?” I don’t know why, but I hadn’t expected to be included in whatever he’d been making. He definitely didn’t owe me anything.Ishould be the one makinghimbreakfast.
“Of course. I always make plenty. Come on.” He exuded total golden retriever energy, and I felt silly for being so twitchy earlier.
“Sure.” I gave him a little smile. “I just need to put these away. I’ll meet you in the kitchen?”
“Sounds good.” Dylan gave me another one of those wide smiles of his then headed down the hall toward the living area.
I took a deep, shuddery breath and headed across the hall. I didn’t want to like the guy, but he was making it so damn hard.
