But from the concern he showed on the phone, it's safe to say Miller doesn't think they're just friends. Or at least, he doesn't want to be only that. And how could I blame him? I've known this girl for a total of five minutes, and she has me questioning everything.
"Right. Friends." I loosen the fist my hand had made and tap my fingers along the armrest of the chair.
"You don't think so?"
"That's none of my business." I exhale. "I spoke to him while you were asleep."
"You did?" It's not lost on me that her eyes sparkle a bit more at the very mention of him.
"He wants me to look after you until he gets back."
"Where did he go?"
"I don’t know. I didn't ask."
"When will he be back?"
"He said he’ll be gone forty-eight hours," I tell her the limited information I have for no other reason than because I can. It's not like it will put her in danger or risk whatever Miller has going on. If anything, maybe it will convince Cora that she's safe here with me and follow along with his plan of me keeping an eye on her.
"That's oddly specific." Cora's shoulders slump, and it's obvious that it's caused by disappointment.
They're both clearly interested in each other, yet neither one of them seems to realize the other is.
How foolish of them to be so oblivious.
And how foolish of me for sticking my nose where it doesn't belong.
"You didn't answer me."
"About what?" Cora remains there, a beautiful addition to my apartment.
For a split second, I'm lost in the thought of her always belonging there, here, with me. But as soon as it comes on, I realize even quicker how irrational and stupid that thought was. She's a fucking stranger, and if I'm not mistaken, she's spoken for. And even if she wasn't, who's to say she's interested in me? I'm twice her age and much more corrupt a man than she deserves.
No, Cora deserves someone good and kind and gentle—not brutal and vindictive and malicious like me—like Miller. Neither one of us is deserving of her, and the sooner she sees that, the better.
"Silver." Cora tilts her head toward me.
I blink and look at her, my brain and my heart and my dick all tugging me in different directions over what they want. "Are you hungry or thirsty?" I rise from the chair. "I have water, coffee, tea. And if you want to take a shower, I can order takeout."
She brings herself to her feet too, and I'm reminded of just how small she really is. Sure, I could tell when I held her in my arms, but to stand here and tower over her...
The very caveman nature in me rises to the surface. That I could protect her. Provide for her. Satisfy her every desire.
"Okay. Yeah." Cora glances around the room again. "Where's the bathroom? Did you say you had something I could change into?"
"Mmhm." I point toward the door past the living room. "Through there. I set some things on the counter in the bathroom. Just toss your clothes out to me when you're done, and I'll dispose of them."
Cora shrugs off the blanket and grips the oversized jacket she's wearing. "This is Miller's, though."
"I'll take care of it."
"Okay," she says with a bit of reluctance. "Are you going to eat?"
I hadn't been hungry until she questioned it, but now that she did, I'm starving...in more than one way.
"If you'd like me to," I answer.
"Can we get pizza?"
