“We only did sandwiches and fruit due to the generator. Is that okay?”
“It’s more than okay. What do I owe you?”
“Not a thing, son. You just wait right here, and I’ll bring enough for the three of you.”
I pace the lobby while the kind Innkeeper prepares dinner for the three of us. The room Harry secured has one bedroom for Pops and a sitting room. I’ll gladly sleep on the floor or head back to Mom’s house if need be. Ellie will need to take the couch.
“Here you go, Matthew. There’s bottled water in the bag along with some potato salad.”
“You’re a gem. Thank you. Are there extra sheets in the room for the couch? Ellie’s grandpa is settled in the bed.”
“Yes. It’s a pull-out sofa. There are sheets, extra pillows, and a blanket in the closet.”
“Thanks.”
I return to the room, and a sense of calm takes over that I haven’t felt in ages. Knowing they’re okay has had a bigger impact than I expected when I first started driving in their direction tonight. I knock on the door before reaching for the knob. “Hey, it’s me. I’ve got dinner.”
Ellie turns, and I stand frozen to my spot on the floor. I notice she’s changed. Her hair is still damp, but her skin is clear of the makeup that was smeared under her eyes earlier. I can see a few extra freckles that I hadn’t noticed before. She’s wearing a dry Rolling Stones T-shirt and a pair of sleep shorts. She’s like a wet dream come to life.
She slowly walks over and takes the bag from my hands before placing it on the table beside her. I expect her to start taking inventory of what’s packed inside, but instead, she spins back to me and circles her arms around my waist before burying her face in my chest. “I don’t know what I would’ve done.” She chokes out a sob. “If something had happened to him and-”
“Shhh. You do so much. You’re only human, El.” I bury my nose in her damp hair and hold her close, hoping to offer comfort to this strong-willed superhero. “It’s okay to let someone else help once in a while.” I kiss her temple before I realize what I’m doing and quickly try to change the subject. “I’m afraid you’re going to have to sleep on the pull-out tonight, though.”
“That’s okay. I’m sure it’s better than the one I have at home.”
My heart squeezes. I should’ve known.
She abruptly pulls back from me. “Where are you sleeping? Do you have to go back out in this mess?”
“I’ll be okay. Or I can sleep on the floor.”
“No, of course not. I’d do that before I’d let you. Not after all you’ve done for us.”
“Well, let’s get you fed before we worry about that.” I walk over to the bag the Innkeeper packed, retrieve a sandwich, some fruit, and a bottle of water, and give it to Ellie. “Take this to Pops. We can eat after he’s settled.”
She returns moments later, and we eat in comfortable silence, the sound of the rain hitting the inn’s metal roof creating the perfect accompaniment to our meal. I have to keep my eyes trained on my food. It’s hard to swallow when the sight of her nearly steals my breath.
“I’m going to hop in the shower real quick. I was leaving work when the storm hit, and I’m pretty gross.”
“Of course,” she reassures me.
Grabbing the bag, I keep in my car with a spare set of clothes for when I’m so hot from working on the construction site with Harry that I can’t even stand to smell myself for my ride home, I head to the bathroom and try not to disturb her grandpa. Looking toward the bed, it appears he’s already succumbed to sleep. I’m sure all of the commotion tonight has completely worn him out.
I make quick work of showering and don a clean T-shirt and shorts. I have to go commando, as I don’t typically have an extra pair of boxers in my car. But if I’m sleeping on the floor tonight, I’m not pushing it by wearing wet boxer briefs all night.
As I walk back into the sitting room, I find Ellie has set up the sofa bed and is curled on her side under the blanket. Scanning the room, I decide to use the extra pillow and crash near the bookshelves in the corner until I hear her.
“It’s a double. I trust you, Matt. Please don’t sleep on the floor.”
Holy shit. It might be easier to sleep on the floor.How am I supposed to lie next to the one girl I’ve dreamed of more than any other? “Um. Okay. If you’re sure.”
“I’m sure.” She reaches for the lamp on the table beside her, and I climb in as the room goes dark.
My heart is thudding in my chest. God. Can she hear it? The lightning intermittently flashing through the blinds illuminates her silhouette and causes my dick to swell. I clamp my eyes closed and try to think about Jimmy Dean. Anything to make my cock behave next to this sweet, beautiful girl.
Ellie rolls to face me. I try to lie still, not wanting to make her uncomfortable after she’s just told me she trusts me. After a few moments, she leans forward and lets the pads of her fingers tease the stubble on my jaw. “You might need a trim soon.”
I gulp. The feel of her stroking my chin is causing my breath to catch.
