I lift my face to the flow of the water, closing my eyes and inhaling deeply. I can’t rush into this. I’ve been broken too many times, and I know I need to find myself before I can give him my all. It has to be the right decision for us both . . . I’ve already made far too many rash decisions. That’s what led me to Clay in the first place, being on that bridge, not thinking straight. If Clay tears me apart like Liam did, I’ll never survive.
There’s a knock on the bathroom door pulling me from my internal conflict.
“You okay in there?” he calls. His husky voice is not doing anything to stem the pull I currently have for him.
“Yeah, won’t be long.”
I pick up the shower gel, squirting a little into the palm of my hand. I lather it up, the masculine scent filling my nostrils. With the undertone of bourbon and spice, it makes my insides feel warm. This is him, his scent.Clay in a bottle.
I make quick work of washing before using a two-in-one shampoo that he has sitting on his bathroom shelf collecting dust, he clearly doesn’t use it. I know my hair won’t thank me for the lack of conditioner and I make a mental note to collect some toiletries.
I leave the en-suite with a towel wrapped around me, patting my hair dry, to find Clay standing in the bedroom. He quickly turns away, and I smile at his chivalry.
“Erm . . .” He stutters, and I’m sure it’s one of the only times I’ve seen him so unsure. “I went to get a bag of your clothes whilst you were showering.”
“I wasn’t that long, was I?” I ask, my tone teasing as I walk over to the duffle bag on the bed.
“Well, there isn’t any breakfast left.”
“No bother, I’m not hungry,” I unzip the bag and inwardly cringe thinking about Clay going through my drawers. “Clay?”
“Yeah?”
“Not that I’m not grateful or anything, but how did you get into my place?”
“I took your keys,” he says, almost like it was obvious.
“You should have said, I would have gone to get them,” I reply, rummaging through the bag for some underwear. “Actually, I would’ve preferred to go. My place is a disaster.”
He shrugs. “I’ve seen worse. Have you forgotten where you’re staying?” He laughs as I look around his room, taking in how neat it is. Everything is crisp, regimented almost, and even the sheets are lined up to perfection.
I arch a brow. “I very much doubt that.” I shimmy into a pair of black leggings, then grab a bra.
“Anyway, as Mumma Bear has finished breakfast, I thought we would go and grab something together?” he offers, still looking at the wall.
“Mumma Bear?”
“Drifter’s mum,” he explains, like I should know who Drifter is.
“I’m still none the wiser,” I point out, giggling as I pull a black fitted t-shirt over my head. “You can turn around now.”
“I’ll introduce you to everyone today,” he says, turning back around. His eyes scan my body from head to toe, and I blush with embarrassment, going back to searching through the bag to distract me from the heat of his gaze.
I’m not even sure I can manage to eat after everything that’s happened. “Actually, can we skip breakfast?”
“You need to eat something, beaut.”
I see my hairbrush and grab it, turning to the full-length mirror hanging on the back of his bedroom door. I’m doing everything I can to avoid his intense stare.
“I will. It’s just the last twenty-four hours have been . . . well, it’s been a lot.” I drag the brush through my matted hair, realising I’m already paying for the lack of conditioner. I watch in the mirror as he sits on the end of the bed, drinking me in. His phone rings, and he pulls it out of his pocket. I secretly thank whoever it is for the reprieve.
“Drifter,” he answers, pushing to his feet, before placing his hand over the speaker. “I’ll take this outside. Why don’t you go down to the kitchen and grab a cuppa?” he whispers before exiting the room.
I stand back and watch as the door shuts, the mirror wobbling slightly as it closes. I release a long breath. “What are you even doing here, Bella?” I whisper-hiss to myself. Taking a seat on the bed, opening the bag again to find my toothbrush. That’s when I notice that he’s packed my romance novel that was sitting on my bedside table, I smile to myself. It was like he knew what I needed before I even knew myself.
I sit outside on the patio, hugging my coffee and gently blowing it, as the sun warms my skin. I watch as the motorcycles come and go from the compound, the rumble of the engines rattling through my chest.
“Hey, Bella,” Lizzy greets as she takes a seat next to me sheepishly. I nod in greeting and continue blowing on my coffee.
