He shifts on his feet. “I offered my place, but she insisted?—”
“Yeah, because she’s a stubborn little thing.” I shake my head and climb into the cab of my truck, wave at Birdie, and pull out of my lot.
I have a feeling that my wildfire has been staying in that attic,with water damage, because she’s too fucking stubborn to ask for help.
I’m going to spank her perfect ass.
After I take her home with me, where she belongs.
It takes seconds to get down the street. It’s fully dark now and still raining. When I pull into a parking space in front of the restaurant, I see that the lights are on inside.
There’s a note taped to the door.
Dear Customers,
We are closed due to plumbing issues. We are working on this matter and will reopen ASAP. Don’t worry, this is temporary!
Thank you for your patience,
Juliet
I don’t see anyone inside. Big fans are blowing, and the chairs are on top of the tables.
I can see from here that the floor is ruined. All that original hardwood bubbled up and will need to be ripped out and replaced.
Fuck, baby. I’m so sorry.
Circling to the alley, I climb her stairs and knock on the door of her apartment. I’m impatient to get to her.
I need to see her and make sure she’s okay.
When she opens the door, humid air hits me, and I’m so damn …pissed.
“Are you staying up here?” I ask as I muscle my way inside. The floor is still squishy under my feet. My eyes scan the area, and I see the water line on the walls, as well as the clothes she has hanging from the wire she strung to dry them out.
“Of course I am,” she says. “I live here.”
“No, Wildfire.” I turn to her and can’t keep my hands to myself. I frame her face, and she doesn’t pull away. Christ, she looks exhausted. She has bruises under her eyes from the lack of sleep, her hair is a mess, and I’d swear that she’s lost weight in the few days since I last saw her. “I’m taking you home with me.”
“Brooks—”
I lean into her andalmostrest my forehead against hers.
“Let me help you. You shouldn’t be staying up here, Juliet. It’s too wet, and you could get mold. It’s not safe. It’s definitely not comfortable. Come home with me.”
She bites her lower lip, and I can see that she wants to cry, but she swallows the tears down.
She’s going to refuse me.
“Please, baby.” I tug her into me, wrap my arms around her, and hug her close. “I can’t stand the thought of you here.”
She takes a deep, ragged breath, and her arms circle around me, and I feel like I can breathe.
“I would love to get out of here for the night.” Her voice is small, and I don’t have to be told twice.
“Grab what you need.”
She hurries to retrieve her handbag and phone, then opens a drawer to pull out some clothes that look as if they have escaped the water, and tosses them into a grocery bag.
