So, that’s what I do.
I lay down on the couch, pull up the blanket, and close my eyes.
There’s no way in hell I’m getting a good night’s sleep after that encounter, but I have to try.
For her sake if not for my own.
Chapter Fourteen
Allora
I feel like an idiot. I don’t know what came over me, but the urge to kiss Landon was overwhelming, so I did it without really thinking. It never occurred to me that he might be breaking the rules of his job.
It also never occurred to me that he might turn me down.
But he did.
And now I don’t know how I’m going to look at him.
Ithoughthe was attracted to me. I thought he would be willing…hell, I don’t know what I was thinking. Just that I was trying to take back control of my body, if nothing else. Lacy’s question about whether I’d be able to have sex again was on my mind, and Landon seemed like the perfect guy to try it out with.
He’s gorgeous, protective, and interesting. I like him more than I probably should. And I was so sure he liked me more than just as a client.
Obviously, I was wrong. I wouldn’t want him to get in trouble at work, but who would know? I certainly wouldn’t tell anyone.
Okay, maybe that’s unfair on my part. He shouldn’t be put in a situation that makes him uncomfortable any more than I should. Which makes what I did even worse.
So, now I’m both frustratedandembarrassed.
I’ve been up for hours after tossing and turning. I showered, took some time to do an extended version of my skincare routine, even painted my toenails. I checked email, doublechecked my bank account to be sure my debit card hadn’t been used before I canceled it, and even tried to read.
It’s almost ten o’clock now and I’m out of things to do.
I’m also starving.
No matter how awkward this is going to be, I can’t hide in here all day, so I straighten my spine and head into the living room.
To my dismay, Landon is on the couch wearing nothing but a pair of shorts, Cleo on his lap.
Jesus, could his shoulders be any broader?
And how have I never noticed his six-pack abs before?
Heat floods my face and I murmur a greeting as I speed-walk into the kitchen.
Well, that was even more awkward than I thought it would be.
Considering that I’m stuck here with him for an indeterminate span of time, I have to find a way to make things go back to the way they were. In the moment, kissing him seemed natural. In retrospect, I’m a dumbass. So desperate to get back to normal—whatever that means—that I did something stupid.
Now I have to suffer the consequences, so to speak.
Opening the fridge, I stare at the groceries without much enthusiasm. Eggs. Bacon. Fruit. The fixings for salads. Cold cuts. Nothing is appealing so I close the door and make myself a cup of coffee.
I can feel that I’ve lost weight, because my appetite waned after the first couple of days when I stuffed myself. Now I can’t muster up the interest to eat much of anything. I nibble here and there, so I’m not starving, but my appetite has truly disappeared.
“Mer-owww.” Cleo wraps herself around my leg, protesting loudly.
“What’s the matter, baby?” I reach down to lift her up. “Didn’t you get breakfast?”
