"Are you sure you want me sleeping in your place?"I asked, giving him an out.
"Tom would want you to be safe, and everything in my house is updated.There are no fire hazards."
"That's good to know," I said, because it seemed important to him that the electrical was up to date.I appreciated that he was reassuring me, but it wasn't the state of the electrical in his home that would make me feel safe—it was him.
"I'm sorry that we weren't able to get it fixed before there was a fire.I don't know how bad it is?—"
The pain shot through my chest at the thought of the bakery being closed tomorrow and for the foreseeable future.How long would it be out of commission?
"We'll go over there tomorrow.I bet Maddox will have more information for us then."
I rested my head on the seat."I need to deal with insurance."
"Eve will be involved too.She's the town manager, and the town owns that building.I'm sure she'll want me to do a thorough inspection, and we'll get everything fixed for you."
"I don't even want to think about that tonight."I felt like I'd survived something big.I'd worry about the fate of my business tomorrow.
He pulled into a driveway in a neighborhood of newer homes on larger lots."Let's get you inside.I'm sure you want to take a shower and grab some sleep."
I got out of the truck, then realized I didn't have anything with me.
He drew to a stop in front of me."What's wrong?"
I threw up my arms."I don't have a change of clothes or toiletries."
"You can use mine for tonight.We can grab things from your place tomorrow."
"I don't want to be a burden," I said
"You're not."He guided me toward the porch, unlocking the door and pushing it open.
Inside, he'd left a few lamps on that gave a warm glow.It was a nice home for a bachelor.
"You probably want to shower and get rid of the smoke smell."
He led me to a bedroom with a bed, dresser, and a desk.There weren't any pictures or knickknacks to give me an idea of the kind of person Morgan was, outside of rescuing women from fires.
"The bathroom's through that door.I'll grab shampoo and be right back."
I sat on the bed, wondering how so much had changed in such a short time.
He returned with a bottle of shampoo and body wash."There should be towels in the bathroom."
I took the offered items."Thanks for letting me stay here."
"I'd do anything for Tom."Then he patted the door frame and walked away.
In the bathroom, I found towels and turned on the water.I needed to get rid of the smell of smoke.But I had a feeling it would linger for a while.
The bigger problem wasn't the smoke or the damage to my bakery and home; it was living with Morgan Sterling.How was I going to live with him and not give into this attraction I felt for him?
Chapter2
Morgan
Igrabbed a few hours of sleep and then awoke early, determined to be there for Reina.She had to be upset, losing her home and her bakery in one day.
I'd texted Maddox and asked when he could meet at the bakery.Then I pulled on sweats and went downstairs to make pancakes.
