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Vin followed at a slower pace as she disappeared down the hallway, then heard her gasp.

“No way.” She squealed in excitement.

“What?” He walked into the bathroom to find her staring at the bathtub. For a second he thought something was wrong until she turned toward him.

“There’s a bathtub.” She even pointed at it as if he couldn’t see for himself.

Vin glanced at the tub before looking back at her. “Usually what you find in a bathroom.”

“No, the last place I lived only had a shower.” Misty’s eyes were round like she was a child catching Santa putting presents under the tree. “Does it have hot water?”

The excitement on her face made his smile fade slightly. He really didn’t know anything about this woman, yet seeing her this happy pleased him. More than that, he wanted to keep seeing that excitement on her face. “Yeah,” he mumbled, not even knowing if she heard him.

Misty turned the faucet on, sticking her hand beneath the water. When it finally warmed, her whole expression changed. “Oh my God.”

Vin leaned against the doorframe watching her. It was just hot water, but the way she stared at it reminded him that she’d been bathing in a damn pond since she arrived in Assjacket. He’d never thought twice about taking a hot shower, yet she looked ready to climb into the tub fully dressed. It was at that moment he and his Jaguar were finally in agreement. He wanted to make sure this woman he hadn’t even known twenty-four hours ago had every damn thing her heart desired.

Yeah, he was in trouble. Big fucking trouble.

CHAPTER 10

“Ihaven’t had hot water in almost three weeks,” she whispered, then turned the water off with a sigh before looking at him. “How much?”

“Nothing.”

Misty’s mood changed immediately. “No.”

“What do you mean, no?” Vin frowned.

“I’m not staying here for free.” Misty shook her head, unable to hide her disappointment. Damn, she wanted that bathtub and hot water.

“It’s paid for another two weeks.”

“By you.” She walked past him and headed back toward the living room. “Where are you supposed to stay?”

“Wherever.”

Misty stopped and turned to face him. “Wherever where?”

Vin shrugged. “Outside. With Rafe. Doesn’t matter. I’m used to sleeping outdoors.”

Glancing back at the tub, she shook her head. “No, but thanks.” Turning, she walked out of the bathroom, then out the front door, heading back to her shack.

She hadn’t made it far when tears welled in her eyes, pissing her off even more. All it took was a damn bathtub with hot water to remind her how shitty her life really was. She’d been so excited over something most people didn’t even think twice about, and now embarrassment and shame overwhelmed her.

A hand suddenly grasped her arm, stopping her.

“Hey.” Vin’s voice sounded behind her before he turned her around. One stupid tear escaped, and the concern that immediately crossed his face only made it worse. “Misty? What did I say?”

“Nothing.” She swiped the tear from her cheek, but another one quickly took its place. “It’s just⁠—”

Vin carefully grasped her chin, turning her face toward him when she tried to look away. “Just what?”

“I don’t take anything from anyone,” Misty finally admitted, hating how shaky her voice sounded. “Free has always come back to bite me on the ass. Free in my world always has a price that I’m not willing to pay.”

“I’m not asking you for anything.” Vin let go of her chin but didn’t step away. “I offered you a decent, safe place to stay. That’s it. There are no strings attached.”

Searching his eyes, Misty saw nothing but truth behind his words, which only confused her more. “Why?” Her voice trembled with the emotion she was fighting hard to control. “I’m nobody.”