Page 19 of My Favorite Hero

“I hope you become friends. Or more,” she added softly.

“What?”

She shook her head. “I have to go now. I’ll have my lawyer send you all the information. When will you be here?”

“A couple of months. I have to tie things up here.”

“I look forward to it.”

But she died unexpectedly before I could get here. At first, I was unsure about returning, but I remembered Covington fondly. It had felt like home more than any other place I’d lived. I got in touch with Sims and checked to make sure I could still have the apartment, and he assured me I could.

So there I was.

When I arrived, I had expected to find that Mr. Thorne had left me a key in the mailbox as I requested. When I couldn’t find a key, I walked around, then studied the window in the kitchen, remembering it was over the sink. I also recalled a few times Lou or my mom had slipped inside that window and opened a door when a key was left behind. The latch never did work properly. I saw the ladder and decided to do the same thing. I could wait inside until the gentleman in question came home.

I hadn’t expected the window to be so heavy. Or to have it fall on me. And I certainly didn’t expect the counter and sink to be gone and that I would have nothing to find purchase on to push myself in or out.

And when Thorne showed up, I certainly didn’t expect him. He was larger-than-life.

Tall, at least six foot three, he towered over me. He had sandy-colored hair, cut short, with a slight curl to it. His hazel eyes were set under straight, heavy eyebrows, and he was fairly clean-shaven. His face seemed to be set in a permanent scowl, but somehow he carried it off. He was thick and muscled. His voice was low and raspy. He growled a lot under his breath. Grunted some responses more than speaking them. But the rare times he smiled, it was a gift from heaven.

He was the sexiest man I had ever met.

And I had the feeling he disliked me. Which was a shame, because I quite liked him. He was blustery and grumpy. Dismissive at times. Yet I saw something in his eyes. Something softer. And although he acted as if he didn’t care—he did. He was concerned I was hurt and wanted to help. I saw the way he was with Miller. Gentle and warm. Lou had spoken so highly of him and how he cared for her. His outer crust was used to keep people at a distance. He’d been hurt and that was his way of preventing people from getting too familiar. I had the strangest need to help him move past his pain—but I wondered if he would ever allow me to get that close.

I had covertly watched him as he and Mark installed the upper cabinets. The way his muscles flexed and strained under the short sleeves of his T-shirt. It was old and faded, the Batman logo holey and torn in places. But it fit him well, showing off his muscles. His forearms were incredible, displaying a strength and flexibility I found fascinating.

I liked the casual way he took control, deciding how the project should be handled. Issuing instructions without being obnoxious. He worked well with Mark, and it was obvious they had done many projects together. I tried to help, but every time, Jesse shooed me away like a pesky fly. I also noticed how indignant he got if Mark talked to me too long. He snapped at him a few times, but Mark only laughed, clearly used to his demeanor. His list of rules was amusing since he was obviously making them up as he went along. His rent demand was way less than I expected. Having lived in BC, where the rents were astronomical, I was pleased to know my budget would be easier to stick to until my business got up and running.

I glanced over at the boxes containing my computers and screens. I needed to get set up and running. I already had potential clients and meetings planned next week, so I had to be ready.

I sighed, running my hand over Miller’s head. His tail thumped, and I carefully inspected his bandage. He seemed to be healing well, which I was grateful for. I didn’t want anything happening to him while Jesse was working. I had a feeling this dog meant more to him than anything or anyone.

It sort of gave me a warm feeling that he had left him to my care.

Except, I knew he didn’t have many other choices.

Beside Miller, Barney stretched, purring and giving a meow before burrowing back into Miller’s side. The two had become inseparable. I wasn’t sure what was going to happen when Jesse came home and Miller went back next door.

Maybe he’d allow sleepovers.

The thought of it made me laugh. I could only imagine the look on his face if I asked him that. He’d scowl even deeper than normal and inform me no. Not offer an explanation or an excuse. Just no.

I sighed as I wondered what or who had hurt him so deeply.

I had a feeling he would never tell me.

Except I wanted to know and, for some reason, wanted to help him get over it.

See that smile more often. Hear his laugh.

And maybe, just maybe, get him to touch me again. The incredible rush I had felt when he tended to my back was insane. The sensation of his fingers on my skin was electric. His unexpected gentleness had made my breath catch in my throat.

I’d had the strangest feeling he’d wanted to kiss me before Mark had interrupted us. Then again before he left for the station. Or I mused, maybe I had wanted to kiss him. See if his mouth was sweeter than the words he used it for.

I suspected I’d be pleasantly surprised.

But realistically, I would probably never know.