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“I don’t think so. You’ve been so great about everything. I’m sorry to be such a burden.”
“It’s not a big deal. We can go get your bag in the morning,” I grunted. “Come on, Jax. Let’s leave her be,” I called, but Jax stayed firmly on the bed.
“Could he stay with me?” Her eyes pleaded. Within their depths, I noticed flashes of hesitation and maybe a little fear. She was in a strange place, with a stranger, after a stressful day. It was understandable. If she felt more comfortable having Jax with her, then who was I to say no?
“Only if you want him to.” Was it ridiculous to be jealous of a dog?
She nodded quickly.
“Then it’s absolutely okay.” I smiled at her. “Goodnight.”
“Goodnight,” she whispered back. Looking up at me through her eyelashes, I could see a tiny flare of heat flash in her eyes. Her tiny pink tongue poked out and licked across her bottom lip before she worried the plump flesh with her teeth. I wanted to pull it between my teeth before I dove my tongue in to meet hers, but I couldn’t. I needed to walk away.
I strode down the hall, my steps hurrying faster with each new thought of her. Of what she was wearing or the sound she’d make as I entered her. I held back my groan. I needed to get out of here. The urge to turn around and see her one last time burned my chest. I clenched my hands, my nails digging into my palms to force myself to continue to my bedroom. Once through my door, I shut it behind me and paced back and forth across my carpeted floor.
I only had to get through this night. She would be out of my hair tomorrow after Blake and Grace returned.
* * *
Stretchingmy arms over my head, I moaned as all my muscles woke up. Glancing at the clock, it was six in the morning. I blinked away the rest of the fog and realized I’d slept through the night. No nightmares, no horrible flashbacks or episodes. My PTSD usually manifested in some shape or form at night, but it hadn’t. The warm image of a beautiful brunette was quickly fading away.
I pulled on my running shorts and tank, then went to the kitchen to leave a note on the counter for Abbey for when she woke up. I slipped on my shoes, opened the front door, and turned, expecting Jax to be there to come on our morning run, but he was still sleeping with Abbey. I shrugged and headed out.
The fresh air cleared my head, while the steady pounding of my feet on the dirt calmed my nerves. This morning was different. I didn’t need it like I’d needed it before. My nerves weren’t shot from horrible dreams. I wasn’t running them over and over in my head. I was disappointed the dream from last night wasn’t lingering in my head like the others had.
I made my final lap around and up the front steps. The house was still and dark, so I went into the shower and dressed in fresh clothes. My phone chimed on the dresser. It was Chase, the owner of the auto shop in town, letting me know he was on his way to pick up Abbey’s car. She said it ran out of gas, but the car looked old and beat up. I wanted to make sure nothing else was wrong with it before she made any more long-distance travels.
If he was leaving town now, then I had just enough time to grab something for breakfast to bring back for Abbey and me. I didn’t want to wake her just yet. She’d had a rough day and probably needed to rest.
In the dining hall, I grabbed pastries and bagels that were out on the counter. Since Jessie was gone, there was no one to make the usual buffet. I would have rather filled up on eggs and bacon, but I’d take the carbs too. Maybe Jax and I could run a few extra laps tomorrow to work them off.
I hurried home, devoured my share of breakfast, and glanced at the clock on the wall. It was time to meet Chase with the tow truck and get Abbey’s bags. I didn’t know if she wanted to come with me, but I needed to make sure I got everything she needed if she wasn’t.
An overwhelming need to care for her rose unexpectedly in my chest. I barely knew her but couldn’t stop the feeling that I’d do anything to keep her safe. With my thoughts so unsettled, I shifted from foot to foot outside her door. My hand froze in the air, and my mouth went dry.
Just knock,I repeated to myself. After what felt like hours—but was likely minutes—I rapped my knuckles on the door.
The faint rustling of the bed covers twisted my gut. Immediately, the images of her lying in bed seared into my brain. My hands clenched and unclenched by my side as I fought to shove down the rising tide of desire that surged through me.
When the door opened, my breath stalled in my chest. The shirt I’d loaned the cute little brunette hung on her petite frame. The neck hole stretched wide enough that it draped off one shoulder. I had to press my palm into my thigh to fight the urge to run it through her hair.
Fuck me.
My cock pushed against the zipper of my jeans. I needed to get away before I scared her or made her think I’d invited her to stay for something nefarious.
“Good morning. I’m on my way to meet the tow truck for your car. Do you want to come, or do you want me to get some things for you?” My eyes zeroed in on the unmade bed, and my dick twitched.
“If you could grab my bags from the trunk, that would be great. There should be two.” Abbey ran her hands through her hair, trying to tame the mess. It was adorable.Shewas adorable.
I gave a stiff nod. “Sure. I left my number on the kitchen counter, along with breakfast. If you think of anything else you might need from the car over the next thirty minutes, call me. I won’t be too long.” I caught movement out of the corner of my eye and glanced at the bed. Jax’s head popped up from behind a wad of covers. He must have slept with her all night. Lucky dog.
“Thank you. I think I might take a shower, if you don’t mind.” Abbey’s cheeks tinted a rosy color.
“If you need more than the little bottles I brought last night, feel free to use whatever is in there,” I grunted, trying not to picture her taking a shower. Naked.
I really needed to get out of here. Maybe once Liam was home, he could talk some sense into me.
In an attempt to keep my mind off my beautiful house guest, my gaze shifted down her body but stopped before it landed on the floor. The bottom of my shirt hit her mid-thigh, and her bare legs continued the rest of the way, shoving my desire for her into high gear until I noticed a yellow and purple bruise on her thigh.
