Grateful, I accept the drink and take a long sip, keeping my body angled away from him. I drink, waiting to be sure I won’t choke again before answering. “Thank you. And thanks for…bringing me back here, leaving me water and something for my head. Just…everything.”
“Wasn’t like you gave me a choice,” he says in a wry tone, and my cheeks heat with more embarrassment.
I hadn’t given him my parents’ address, but I can’t say I’m sorry. “Well, I appreciate it.”
He studies me intently, as if trying to figure me out. I’m aware of him now firmly keeping his eyes on my face, and I relax. If he finds me attractive, I definitely return the sentiment but I’d rather have more coverage while talking to him.
“Hungry?” he asks. “I have bagels.” He gestures to the counter where a bag of varied flavors sits. “Butter and cream cheese are in the fridge.”
I nod. “Thank you.”
I walk past him and set about choosing my bagel, a cinnamon raisin, and taking a tub of cream cheese from the refrigerator. “Want one?”
“I already ate.”
I shrug. Making myself at home isn’t easy, but I do my best, toasting and making my bagel, pouring a cup of coffee from the pot that he already made, and sitting down at the small kitchen table with him leaning against the counter, watching me the entire time. He is respectful, keeping his gaze off my chest, but Inotice him taking in my tanned legs, and I think I hear a hum of approval before he clears his throat and glances out the window.
“So your house is being renovated?” I ask as I take a bite of my bagel.
He cocks an eyebrow at my interest. “Yeah.”
“I like it here. It’s cozy. I mean, except for the lack of pictures and…feminine touches.” Yes, I’m hinting for an answer as to whether he has a girlfriend.
He frowns in confusion. “Why the hell would I have feminine touches?”
I shrug. “Your girlfriend likes the sparse décor?” Yes, I’m curious and digging for information. He might be a touch grumpy, but I can’t deny the hotness factor. Nobody in my world looks like him.
“I don’t have a girlfriend.”
I grin. “Interesting.” And good to know.
He exhales an exasperated breath and runs a hand through his sexy, somewhat long hair. “Look, can you just finish up so I can take you to the bar to get your car and you can go home?”
I’m obviously irritating him, but for some reason, I like getting under his skin. He might not want me here but from the way he looks at me, he’s not immune.
“I’m not going home. Not while my parents are giving the asshole access to the house and by default, to me.”
His sigh tells me he understands, but his next words are, “Well you can’t stay here,” he says gruffly.
I slowly put the bagel onto the plate, considering my options. All the hotels, motels, and rentals will be booked for the summer. My friends’ parents won’t take me in out of loyalty to my mother and father, who will never believe me if I tell them what Preston did. People in our circle close ranks. I know I’ll find myself on the outside, with our friends helping my parents to push me to return home.
I truly have no other options, which means I’ll have to play on his sympathy and hope his kindness and hospitality continue. Okay, kindness might be stretching how he’s treated me, but he brought me here, gave me a room, clean clothing and breakfast. He might be grumpy, but he hasn’t turned me away. Until now.
“Look, I realize we don’t know each other but you do have an extra room. The one I slept in last night.” I’ve never been so pushy, but I really need more time to figure out my life.
He shakes his head. “It’s about to become a study.”
“But for now, there’s still a bed.” I bat my eyelashes in a futile attempt to flirt, but I’ve never been any good at it.
He studies me, those chocolate brown eyes taking me in. He’s good at hiding his emotions. I’ll just have to be better at breaking through his walls.
***
Maddox
I stare atmy too-innocent looking guest and groan. She gives off a guileless appearance, but Gabby knows just how to work me to get what she wants. I doubt she’s evil or manipulative like many women I’ve been unlucky enough to meet. Just young and desperate, which has her chipping holes in my defenses. Not that I’ll show her as much.
She’s adorably cute and extremely sexy in my overly long T-shirt. I’m not used to women wearing my clothing and seeing her in my thin tee does something for me. Her legs are lean, tanned, and I can imagine them wrapped around my waist as I back her into a wall, kiss her hard and slide my hand beneath the hem of that shirt, stroking her wet sex to make her come.Thoseare the reasons I’m fighting so hard against her staying. I cannot allow myself to get involved with her. She’s too young, which might mean too flighty.
