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“The same goes for you,” I replied huskily.
She reached for the water glass, taking it from me. “I’m taking Honey out. She probably needs to pee.” She turned and began walking toward the door. Honey gamely hopped after her in her funny little walk.
Alice turned when her hand was on the doorknob, hitting me with a stern look. “Don’t go anywhere. I’ll be back in just a few minutes.”
If my leg wasn’t throbbing, I probably would’ve gotten up and left, but I was tired, so fucking tired. I needed a shower. Not because of Alice. Hell, I savored the scent of her clinging to me. Typically, I would go back to the station and shower after we got back, but Graham had delivered me straight to the hospital. I wanted to let the hot water wash away my day and let my leg rest. The idea of walking the short distance from Alice’s house to my place in the darkness wasn’t the least bit appealing.
I told myself I was just following her orders when I propped my leg on her coffee table and leaned my head back on the couch.
It couldn’t have been that long before I felt the cool press of a dog’s nose against my palm. I dragged my eyes open, lifting my head and glancing around groggily.
“You fell asleep.” Alice stood in front of me again, her arms akimbo. “I think you need a shower,” she announced.
I eyed her, still drowsy, teasing, “Do I smell?”
She rolled her eyes. “Not really. Maybe a little bit like trees and smoke, but I guess I like trees and smoke.”
I chuckled when a wash of pink tinged her cheeks.
“Come on, I’ll help you in.” She held out her hands.
Curling my hands around hers, I stood, protesting with, “I can walk fine. I can shower fine.”
“No need to be a tough guy,” she said lightly.
She escorted me down a short hallway to the bathroom. She gestured to some shelves built into a small alcove. “There are plenty of towels, and the hot water here is great.” Shadows chased in her eyes for a moment before she turned away.
She was about to close the door when Honey walked through and sat on the bath mat, looking up at me expectantly. Alice’s gaze was bemused when she glanced between us. “I guess she wants to make sure all goes well. If you leave the door cracked open, she can get out if she wants.”
Moments later with Honey curled up on the bathmat outside the shower, the hot water pounded down on my shoulders. As promised, the hot water herewasgreat. Definitely a step up from the water heater in Gram’s small cabin. It was decent there, but I was pretty sure the last time she’d updated any of the amenities was probably before I was born.
After lathering my hands thoroughly, I soaped my body, my hand lingering over the scars on my side as it did every time I took a shower. It was almost as if I was reminding myself they were nothing more than surface scars. I’d always promised myself whenever anybody asked, I would just tell the truth, yet I hadn’t counted on telling the truth to someone like Alice.
Or, rather, I hadn’t expected Alice. Since the shooting, I was certain counting on anyone, or counting on life to cut you some slack, was asking too much.
Alice made me want to count on someone and for someone to count on me. I kicked those thoughts away, but they spun like a boomerang right back. Alice was steady, the kind of person you could count on.
Things are getting complicated, my cynical, bitter mind pointed out.
No, they’re not. She’s just my neighbor.
Just a woman whose flame burned so bright I couldn’t look away. Just a woman who, in a very short time, I already felt closer to than anyone I’d ever dated. And we weren’t even dating. A few kisses and the hottest encounter of my life.
When I turned off the water, Honey was waiting, and she blinked up at me, her tail thumping on the floor. She hadn’t mastered getting up quickly, and it took more than one try. I wondered what had happened to her leg. Alice had pointed out someone had paid for the surgery, and then she got dumped. She’d told me they’d checked the records at the clinic, and the surgery hadn’t happened there.
Honey followed me to the kitchen, where Alice was wiping the counter. Alice turned, her eyes skating over me before she said, “I think you should stay here.”
I didn’t even know what to think of the intense wash of relief and emotion that flowed through me. I didn’t want to leave.
“You think?” I returned, keeping my tone light.
She nodded. “Your grandmother will give me hell if I let you walk through those trees in the dark.”
We studied each other for a long moment, and then her lips curled into a smile as she shrugged. I chuckled softly, replying, “Absolutely.”
ChapterNineteen
Alice
