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“I’m sure it’ll be fine,” I say in a supportive voice. “Your mom won’t stay angry for long because she’s about to be a grandma. Just give her a few days.”
But Ellen shakes her head sadly, her beautiful brown curls swaying around her perfect face.
“You don’t know Angela,” she says in a tight tone. “The woman holds a grudge, and again, this is personal for her. Somehow, she’s more focused on herself than on me, so she won’t be coming around to the idea of my pregnancy any time soon.”
I nod, thinking for a moment.
“So do you have a plan?” I ask, keeping my voice non-judgmental.
Ellen sighs again, staring once more out the window.
“I’m going to find a homeless shelter for a few days while I look for a more permanent place to stay. There are a couple women’s shelters in the area, and I was scrolling through the list when…” her voice trails off and she looks back up at me, her doe eyes blinking at the memory of my car barely missing her as she walked into the road. The thought of it now makes my stomach churn. I’ve only known this woman for less than an hour, but the urge to protect her is overwhelming. And to think that I’d almost been the one to harm her.
“No, that’s not necessary,” I growl suddenly. “You won’t be staying in a shelter.”
“Excuse me?” Ellen startles, her eyes wide with shock.
“I mean,” I quickly add, again cursing my caveman manners, “there's no way you’re going to some hovel with a dozen crazies inside. It’s not safe.”
Ellen looks confused.
“Why, where do you think I should go?” she asks in a careful tone.
“You’ll stay with me,” I answer in a deep growl. “Where else?”
Ellen pauses, staring at me with disbelief.
“With you?” she parrots, her lips parting as she stares up at me through her eyelashes. My mouth goes dry. The idea is now rock solid in my mind, and I won’t take no for answer because there’s no way I’m letting this girl come in harm’s way.
“Yep,” I grunt. “It makes sense because I live in the neighborhood, so if your mom changes her mind, you’ll be close by. Plus, you already know this area, right?”
“Not really,” Ellen says in a quiet voice. “My mom only moved here pretty recently, and her house is just that: a house. It’s a place to stay that’s totally indistinguishable from any other place to stay.”
“Well, I hear what you’re saying, but my home has to be better than the homeless shelter,” I rumble in a low voice. “That is, if you’re interested,” I add, trying to be gentle. I don’t want to scare her off with my caveman ways, and suspect that it’s better to tread lightly. To my satisfaction, Ellen’s face opens in that gorgeous smile of hers, creating deep, irresistible dimples in her cheeks that I hadn’t noticed before.
“I suppose I could try,” she says in a soft voice, and unable to help myself, I can feel my own face breaking into an awkward smile. It’s not something I do often, and it feels a little strange, but it also feels good. “Thank you, Ryder,” she adds gratefully. Then she blinks. “What’s your last name, by the way? I suppose if I’m staying with you, I should know.”
“Landsman,” I say in a reassuring tone. “I live right around the way, and have my own landscape architecture firm called Landsman Partners. What’s your last name, honey?”
She nods and blushes.
“Massie. Ellen Massie,” she murmurs.
“Well, it’s nice to meet you, Ellen Massie.” With that, we finish our drinks while making inane conversation about the weather. Then, as soon as she’s done with her iced coffee, I stand.
“Let’s go and get you settled in, sweetheart,” I say, holding my hand out for Ellen to take. She blinks up at me in the same way she did when I held the car door open for her, and slowly puts her hand in mine. The size contrast is almost ridiculous because my palm easily dwarfs hers. But it feels so right to be like this, and I give her palm a reassuring squeeze.
“Things are going to be fine,” I say in a soothing rumble. “You’re safe with me, honey.”
Ellen nods, tripping along beside me as we make our way to the parking lot, but the truth is that she won’t be safe. After all, I want to ravage the sweet girl until she’s panting, moaning, and heaving beneath me, her curves flushed and her eyes sated. But Ellen doesn’t realize that yet … although it will only be a matter of time before she finds out.
4
Ellen
Getting in a car with a complete stranger is one thing. Having coffee with him is another. But agreeing to stay at his house less than an hour after meeting him? That's completely off-the-charts insane.
So why does it feel so right?
