He picks up on the first ring, but he doesn’t say a word.
“Preacher,” I say. “I need a favor.”
“That’s a first,” he says. “You’ll owe me.” He knows I hate owing people, but I need him to do this for me. I could do it myself, but this is his area of expertise.
“Come to my house. Two hours.” I end the call.
Chapter 21
Eden
The house is quiet when I turn off the shower. I wrap the towel around me and take the shower cap off my head. I’m already late for work, and I have no idea how I’m going to get there. I’ll have to suck it up and take a ride share, which I have not budgeted for. I yank the bathroom door open and go across the hall to my room.
I expected to find it empty, but he’s still here, taking up space in my bedroom.
“Are you shitting me?” I snap while he irons my scrubs. Too frazzled to argue, I grab my lotions and return to the bathroom. By the time I lather it on and return to the bedroom, he’s gone, but I’m not foolish enough to believe he left.
The scrubs, now wrinkle-free, are laid out for me. He also made the bed. I dress quickly, grab my phone, and return to the living room. I almost trip over my feet when I see that he’s set the table. I get closer, and he’s made scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast. My stomach growls, and despite how late I am, I pick upmy plate and inhale it in under two minutes. He takes the plate from my hand and washes it.
“I’ll take you to work,” he says. “My car’s behind the library, so we need to go before they open.”
“No,” is all I say. “You were supposed to leave. Hell, why did you come here to begin with?”
“Why do you think I came here?” he snaps.
I purse my lips and face him for the first time. For someone who slept in his clothes, he looks so well put together. His clothes are crisp, and the ribbed shirt he’s wearing makes him look so sexy. Clearing my throat, I look away from his pecs and into his eyes.
That was a mistake, too, because I am not ready to see what he is trying to show me. His beautiful eyes practically penetrate me. They were so intense that I take a step back.
I walk away to find my shoes, but he snatches my elbow. He doesn’t turn me around, nor does he speak. The room has gotten hot, and I can hear my heart pounding in my chest.
I face him, and it’s on the tip of my tongue to tell him to get the hell out of my life and that there will never be anything between us, but the words die on my tongue. All I can do is stare.
“I’ll take you to work,” he says again, softer and less commanding this time. His thumb rubs around my elbow, and he inches closer to me.
“I can’t be seen with you,” is all I can think of to say.
He chuckles as if that’s absurd. “It’s too late for that, Eden.”
He’s never said my name before, and hearing it from his lips makes my heart beat fast.
“What the hell do you mean it’s too late? It’s not too late. No one has seen us together.”
“It’s too late,” he repeats. His words are softer this time. “Accept it.”
“Accept what?” I ask.
“This. Us.” He gestures between us. “I have.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. There is no us.” I mimic his moves and gestures between us, just as he did. “Are you nuts? I’m trying to get my life back on track. There’s no room in it for you.”
“I’m already here.” He speaks as if I’m slow.
“Then leave,” I say just as slowly as he.
He scoffs and says, “No.”
“My dad’s the sheriff, and you’re—” The word dies before I can get it out. Can you be a criminal if you don’t have a record?
