Page 46 of Miss Treated

“Planes.”

She giggled, and the sound made my chest tight. I desired this woman more than anything in the entire world. But I was determined not to hurt her. There was nothing casual about Kelsey Maxwell, and unless I could fully commit, I had to keep my distance. “What’s your kryptonite?” I found myself asking.

She sighed. “Confrontations. I got chicken noodle and tomato soup.” She started taking the contents out of the bag.

“Thank you. Not only for grabbing dinner— Wait, how did you get to the store when you don’t have your car? Also where’s your stuff?”

“I put my suitcase in the guest room closet. My laptop is over next to the couch charging.”

I glanced over, realizing I must have overlooked it.

“I took an Uber back to the hotel to get my car, drove it to the store, and brought it here. Hope you don’t mind, but I like having it here.”

In other words, she needed the power to leave whenever she wanted. Given her last situation, was it any wonder? “Of course I don’t mind. I have a guest pass, so you’re welcome to park in the garage if you like.” Considering the parking situation in my neighborhood, she must have had to walk at least two blocks to the house with her arms full of groceries.

“Oh, um, I suppose the car would be safer in the garage.”

“You don’t need a swipe pass to leave. The gate opens for anyone exiting.”

A pink blush crawled up her neck. “I didn’t mean to imply—”

“You don’t have to explain yourself. I want you to feel comfortable, like you can come and go as you please. All right?”

She inhaled deeply. “Okay. I’ll go move my car into the garage.”

“How about we go together and take Lady for a walk? Then I’ll show you where to park.”

After the walk and getting her Range Rover parked in the garage, we settled down to eat dinner on my couch. Imagine my surprise when Lady lay down next to Kelsey instead of me.

“It’s remarkable to watch her with you. My mother would be envious. It’s taken her a year to get Lady to allow her close. Even now, Lady will go on walks with her, but she won’t curl up next to her.”

No doubt it was Kelsey’s gentle spirit responsible for Lady’s trust. I grinned at the way my dog began wiggling between us, wanting her tummy scratched. “Not many people get to see her like this. I’m glad you have.”

“Does she sleep in the bed with you at night?”

“She does.”

If I thought for a moment it would bother Kelsey, she put it to rest. “Good. She deserves all the love. Don’t you, little girl?”

Her giggle when Lady licked her face was music to my ears. I got up and cleared the trash from the table. Kelsey helped by putting our plates in the dishwasher.

“You hungry for anything else?” I asked.

“No. I’m stuffed. Thank you. Matter of fact, I might go to bed if that’s ok—” She stopped mid-sentence. “I meant to say I’m turning in.”

Her inadvertent slip in asking permission revealed a lot about her last relationship. Her revision of the statement showed she was still in the healing process. If I thought she’d have appreciated the sentiment, I’d have told her I was proud of her. Instead I stepped close and kissed her forehead.

“Goodnight. Let me know if you need anything.”

She smiled, giving Lady another pet. “Thanks.”

As she walked down the hallway, I struggled to keep my emotions inside. She might not realize it, but she was the first woman outside of my family I’d ever been my complete self with. Shown vulnerability. Felt invested in. “Kels?”

She turned, achingly beautiful. “Yeah?”

“I’m glad you’re here.”

Chapter Twenty-One