Honestly, though, I’m not sure how much longer I can hold on to my control. It’s slipping by the fucking second just being here in her place, around her. I want nothing more than to feel her naked body against mine. The memories of being inside her are almost too much for me to manage.
CIDNEY
After I clean up the dishes from dinner, I wipe down the counters, clean out the sink, then pour myself a glass of water before I force myself to turn around and look into the living room, where I know Goose is. He’s sitting on the sofa, his back to me, his phone in his hand. He’s scrolling, but I have no idea what he’s looking at.
“I’m going to put in a grocery order for delivery tomorrow morning. You got anything you want me to grab?”
I stare at him in silence for a moment, too long of one, because he turns his head to look over his shoulder, and his eyes find mine.
“Babe?”
Shaking my head once, I clear my throat. “My plan was to go to the store tomorrow,” I say, reminding him of what I mentioned a little while ago.
Goose snorts. Clearly, he’s made some sort of decision and decided not to inform me of it. But I wait for him to tell me what he’s thinking. Also, I’m not sure I want someone else fondling my produce for me. I’d like to fondle my own and choose the firmness of my own kiwis.
“You’re not going anywhere, Cidney. I have some shit being delivered here tomorrow so I can outfit your place with the proper surveillance equipment. I also need to work on who this fucker Jeffery is, and that’s going to take research and phone calls. I do not have the time to fuck around at the grocery store.”
I blink. Then blink again as he stands up from the sofa before he turns to face me. I watch as he crosses his arms over his chest and dips his chin slightly. He’s attempting to look intimidating, or maybe he just is that.
It’s working.
I want to shrink back into myself, but I don’t allow myself to do that. Biting the inside of my cheek, I work the skin there for a beat before I speak.
“I can’t stay locked in my apartment forever. It’s been months, and nothing else has happened. I refuse to sit around scared to death that this asshole might come after me again.”
Goose shakes his head slowly. “It’s not if, Cidney. It’s when.”
Rolling my eyes to the ceiling, I let out a heavy exhale. “Same difference,” I snap, shifting my gaze to connect with his.
“You might not give a fuck about your life, but I sure as shit do. So no. You aren’t going anywhere, not yet anyway.”
I want to tell him to stop treating me like a child, because it’s clear to me that’s what he’s doing, but I don’t say that. Instead, I lift my chin and look down my nose at him. I’m pissed but mostly embarrassed.
“I’ll text you my list,” I snap.
“Good girl,” he murmurs. Which is still sexy as shit, but I’m too annoyed to allow the words to sink in.
Since my phone is in my hand, I send him a screenshot of the list I already began working on earlier. And without a word, I walk away from him and to my bedroom. Slipping into the bathroom, I lock the door behind me and start the shower. I’m going to bed early, and I don’t care if I’m being a little childish. He pissed me off.
CHAPTER FOUR
CIDNEY
My nightof sleep was nonexistent. I tossed and turned. I stared at the door and willed it to open. Willed that asshole to come into my room and slip between my sheets next to me. I all but begged for it to happen.
It didn’t.
Flopping onto my back, I stare at the ceiling, wishing for the first time that I had a television in my bedroom. I never saw the need before now. I have one in the living room, and usually, I read in bed before falling asleep, but my brain just isn't focused enough to read anything at this point. Mindless television would be nice, but there is no way in hell I’m going out to that living room, whereheis.
So I lie in my bed, wide awake. Staring at the ceiling, my mind wanders all over the place without a moment’s rest until I see the sun shining from behind my curtain. I hear my little single-cup coffee maker start spitting out a cup of scalding-hot coffee, signaling that Goose is awake.
Giving up the internal struggle, I throw my legs over the side of the bed, place my feet on the floor, and slowly stand. I don’t know what to expect for the day, but I’m sure it will be a lot more of him treating me like a child and a lot more of me trying not to shift between slapping and kissing him.
I’m really not sure how long he can be here in my space before I go completely crazy. After using the bathroom, I wash my hands and chance a glance at my reflection in the mirror. Yikes. I look exactly like I feel… like I didn’t sleep for shit last night.
Walking over to my closet, I tug one of my oversized sweaters off a hanger and slip it on to cover myself, not that Goose hasn’t already seen every part of me, because he has. I try to ignore the man in question as I walk past the living area and straight into the kitchen, but he is impossible to ignore.
There he is, standing with his back to me. Just a few feet out of the kitchen, next to the small dining room table. He’s barefoot, his jeans resting against his hips, his torso naked… and huge.
