“I…” she started, but burst into tears again.
It was no use.He sat and pulled her onto his lap where she instantly curled up like one of his nieces.Rubbing her back, he held her tight until her sobs started to subside.
She wiggled in his lap and he prayed he wouldn’t lose control while they were sitting there.It was so not what she needed right now.Comfort was a new thing to him, but he was determined to do his best.
“I’m sorry,” Drea said hoarsely, wiping her face with the hoodie sleeve again.“I’ll wash this for you.”Exhaustion etched her face.
“You don’t need to do that, Shortcake, much as I appreciate the offer.”He shifted her so she was almost facing him.She weighed less than he benched.“I do need to go sort the cars out though.”
“I can’t afford it,” she whispered so quietly he almost missed it.
He kissed the top of her head.“Don’t worry.I got you, Shortcake.Let me help.Okay?”
“I’ll pay you back.I promise.Every penny.As soon as I can.”
She emitted a sigh, which he hoped was relief.“I know you will.’Cos you don’t make promises you can’t keep.”
Drea simply nodded.
The look of utter defeat on her face squeezed his heart.He ran his thumb across her soft cheek, removing the last of the tears.Soft pink lips tempted him, and this time instead of devouring her, he brushed his lips against hers.
The kiss lasted mere moments, but his lips tingled and he craved more.
He placed Drea back onto the grass and pulled out his phone.
A quick call to Devon, and forty minutes later, Drea’s car was being hooked up to the back of a tow truck.
“Give it a full once over, bro.Fix anything that looks bad or looks like it’ll go soon.”
“Sure thing, boss.”Devon pulled on the cables a last time.He got into the truck, and eventually it merged with traffic and disappeared.
Cujo hopped the barrier.Drea had pulled his fleece tight around her and was lying on her side, asleep on the ground.Her mouth was slightly open, her fist clenched up by her face.Even in sleep, she was ready to fight.
He lifted her into his arms.She grabbed a fistful of his T-shirt, holding tight.Somehow, he managed to get her into the passenger seat of the truck and pulled the seatbelt tight across her.Her lips looked so soft and warm, he could barely resist the urge to kiss her again.But he did.
The drive to his house was uneventful.He carried her to his bedroom and tucked her in his bed.Cujo closed the blinds and left the room, trying not to think about how good she had looked with her head onto his pillow.
***
Thump.Thump.Thump.Drea pressed her fingertips to her temples.She ran her tongue along the roof of her mouth, it felt furry and tasted worse.
Disoriented, she sat up slowly.She was still fully dressed.For a moment, she couldn’t place exactly where she was, exhaustion still fogging her brain.
The room was dim, with a small amount of light edging its way around the blinds.
On the bedside table, there was a glass of water and two aspirin.Next to it was a drawing of Drea dressed as Alice in Wonderland, looking at the pill and glass with the words ‘eat me’ written in beautiful script.
Cujo.She was at Cujo’s.Memories of breaking down on the highway, and,oh God.Mortification didn’t come close to covering it.Perhaps Cujo was no longer home so she could escape without ever having to acknowledge the fact he wiped her nose with his sweater.
Drea swallowed the tablets, taking huge gulps of the water to soothe her parched mouth.
The bed was enormous, with a large dark suede headboard.Drea pulled a length of the bedding sheet through her fingers.It was softer than silk.
Jeez.It was nearly three.She’d slept for hours, but felt better for the emotional purge.There wasn’t much time to dash home, primp, and get back to finish the final setup.
She rolled out of bed.Time to face the music, Drea walked into the living room.
“Shit,” he whispered at the television.
