She darts off to her bedroom, and I fight the chuckle, not wanting her to think I’m laughing at her. Don’t remember the last time I was this attracted to someone. That mouth of hers isluring me right in. Now, I’m starting to understand the doctor’s obsession. She’s a unique little bird. And as gorgeous as can be.
12
Izzy
Itiptoe out of my room, trying not to wake him. After I completely embarrassed myself last night, I don’t want to face him this morning. I’m not sure what will come out of my mouth next.
“Morning.” The deep rumble ignites my nerves.
He’s already dressed and drinking a cup of coffee, consuming the entirety of my kitchen with his huge frame and his intimidatingly good looks.
“Good morning.” I rush over to get myself a cup of coffee. Caffeine is definitely going to be needed today. I struggled to get to sleep because my mortification replayed on repeat. Ramblings of an idiot.
“Hope you don’t mind that I made myself a cup?”
Goodness, his voice is like butter. Smooth and rich and melting down my nerves.
“No. Help yourself. Are you hungry? I’m sure you are. I have bagels and cereal. Do you like Cheerios? Or muffins. I think I have some of those.” I’m running around the kitchen like a frantic lunatic, and my mouth is yapping again. I don’t know what it is about this man, but I need a muzzle when I’m around him.
Great. Now, I’m thinking about a ball gag, which is doing wonders on my nerves. I’m breaking out into a sweat and it’s the middle of the winter. I should stick my head into the freezer and numb my tongue.
“I don’t want you to be nervous around me, doll.” He’s at my back, taking up what little space I have to breathe, spiking my nerves further. “It’s darn cute listening to you talk, but I don’t want to make you uncomfortable. And I don’t want you feeling like you have to wait on me hand and foot.”
Darn cute.Out of all that he just said, those are the two words that have glued themselves to my thoughts. He thinks I’m darn cute.
“You want to turn around and look at me?”
There’s that voice again.
I turn slowly, and he lifts my chin, making sure I get direct eye contact. He really does have dreamy eyes. Dark as a night’s sky. Intense as a predator.
“Damn. I totally get it.” He shakes his head. Not sure what he’s talking about, but I can’t form words to ask. “If I’m going to pretend to be your boyfriend, I need you not looking at me like I’m going to kill you.”
“I’m sorry. It’s just…” Thankfully, I stop myself from telling him I think he’s the hottest guy I’ve ever seen. “I’m not used to being around men. I don’t think you’re going to kill me, so I’m sorry if that’s the vibe I’m giving off.”
“Wouldn’t lay a mean finger on you, doll. But I think we should spend some time getting to know each other better; that way you’ll feel more comfortable with me being here.”
I grab my coffee and take a seat at the table, needing to be off my feet so that voice of his doesn’t melt me into a puddle.
“So, tell me. How did you and Shayna meet?” He takes the seat across from me.
“We met at the group home. She was the only one who was nice to me. During the times I wasn’t placed with a foster family, we shared a room.”
“You were raised in the system?” He looks surprised by the fact. I wonder how much he knows about Shayna’s past.
“Yeah. My mom was a drug addict and got caught shooting up in the hospital after she delivered me, so they took me away from her. And she never got clean in order to regain custody of me, so I was placed in the foster system.”
“I’m so damn sorry, babe. Damn, I have a tremendous amount of respect for you. Going through all that and not giving up is pretty fucking amazing.”
“What about you and your family?” I ask, needing those dreamy eyes to quit looking at me like that.
“I don’t speak to any of them. My father disowned me the day I signed up for the army. He wanted me to play football, but I wanted to serve my country, so he cut me off.”
Football? I can’t imagine anyone thinking that’s more noble than risking your life for your country.
“Wow. You were in the army? Thank you. Thank you for serving our country. I’m sorry. I can’t imagine a father not being proud of his son for being so brave.”
“Dang, sweetheart. Now I know why that doctor is so in love with you.”
