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“Do you want to take a shower before bed?” he asks.
I don’t understand what’s happening. I mean, I love how gentle he’s being, but he doesn’t need to stay and babysit me. Besides, I need some time to cry by myself.
“Bash, I’m fine. You don’t need to hang out and watch over me.”
He frowns and takes a step closer, then leans down so he’s only a few inches from my face. “Too bad for you, I didn’t ask if you needed me to. I asked if you wanted a shower before bed.”
My core clenches as his sparkling green eyes burn into mine. I’ve always known he was intense, but right now, with his stern expression directed toward me, I wonder if I need to proceed with caution.
I glance down at my dress and sigh. “I do want to take a shower. I…I feel slimy. Like he’s on me somehow.”
Without a word, he takes off down the hall to the bathroom. A second later, the shower turns on. I let out a sigh and get up to find some clothes to put on when I’m done. Hopefully, by the time I get out of the shower, he’ll be gone, and I’ll be able to hide under the covers in my room.
My eye lands on Quackers, my stuffed duck that I sleep with every night. I hurry to hide him under my blanket. Shit. Did Bash see him? How embarrassing. He probably thinks I’m weird. Definitely not the kind of woman he normally dates. Then again, that would mean Paisley’s not his type either. I don’t know why that makes me feel better, but it does. She’s my best friend, and I want her to be happy. Just not with Bash. And I’m not going to think too deeply about why I don’t want that.
“Will you be okay to shower alone?”
I whirl around and bring my hand to my mouth. “Oh, shit. You scared me.”
“Language,” he scolds softly.
My eyebrows furrow. “What?”
“No swearing. Now, can you shower alone? I don’t want you in there by yourself if you might have another panic attack. Do you want me to have Paisley sit in there with you?”
Okay, I need a minute to unpack all of that. No swearing? As if he hasn’t said the F-word a million times tonight. And he mentioned having Paisley come in the bathroom with me like she would jump at his command. This man. He’s certainly confident. As he should be. He’s hot. Rich. And in the freaking mafia of all things. And based on what I saw tonight when he was dealing with Bradley, he’s pretty damn terrifying when he wants to be.
Bradley. I turn toward Bash with wide eyes. “What’s going to happen to Bradley? You asked those men to take him to a warehouse. What are you going to do to him?”
Bash lifts a shoulder before he moves to me and cups my chin. His warm grip soothes all the thoughts racing through my head.
“Don’t worry about Bradley. He’s no longer your concern, and he won’t bother you again. Why the fuck were you out with him anyway? You looked like you were having a shitty time from the start.”
My shoulders drop. Shit. I’m going to have to answer a million questions tomorrow when my dad calls me. He’s going to be upset and blame me because whatever business deal he’s trying to finalize with Bradley isn’t going to work.
Paisley returns with a glass of water, and I’m glad for the interruption. The last thing I want to do is answer Bash’s questions. He’s as nosey as Kieran.
“Thanks,” I say as I squeeze past Bash’s large frame. “I’m going to go shower. Paisley, will you bring me some aspirin?”
She bobs her head. “Of course.”
I glance at Bash and lock eyes with him for several seconds. “Thanks for everything tonight. I’ll go see Kieran tomorrow.”
Before he can say anything, I grab my pajamas and scurry down the hall, hoping he realizes he’s been dismissed.
4
BASH
Igrin as she hurries from the room without a backward glance. Then, I sit my ass down on the edge of her bed that’s covered in a bright yellow comforter and rest my elbows on my knees. Paisley looks at me like she’s unsure what to say or do. Not that I blame her. I’m big and intimidating. It doesn’t matter whether she knows about my mafia ties. Even people who don’t know me tend to stay out of my way.
“I take it you’re not leaving?” Paisley finally asks.
“Nope. Not until I get the answers to my questions.”
She fidgets with the hem of her oversized black sweatshirt. “Right. Um, well…”
“Don’t worry about me. I’ll sit here until she’s done in the bathroom. She needs some aspirin, though.”
