Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 79940 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 400(@200wpm)___ 320(@250wpm)___ 266(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79940 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 400(@200wpm)___ 320(@250wpm)___ 266(@300wpm)
“I think it is better if I don’t. I would be in the way, and if it’s a family meal, I shouldn’t—”
“If I go back and tell Maeme what you are about to say, she’s gonna drive back here herself and haul you to her house. Now, don’t make it hard on me. She sent me to get you, and I don’t want to let her down. Those waffles sure are something, and you can’t stay back here alone all the time. It’ll be good for you to be around folks. Visit.”
He was hard to tell no, but I had a feeling he knew that. It was probably why Maeme had sent him. He hadn’t come back here to get me of his own free will. When he had picked me up at the service station and given me a ride, I doubted he had known he’d end up being sent to convince me to do things all the time. It made me feel guilty.
Sighing, I nodded. “Okay. Let me just go inside and change.”
I stood up, and it was hard not to notice the way his eyes traveled down my body.
I wrapped the shawl tighter around me and hurried into the house. I knew every flaw my body had. Hill had made sure of it. He pointed out my problem areas and told me the exercises I needed to do to fix them. Although they were never fixed. He’d always blamed me for not trying hard enough. The sleep shorts I was wearing revealed too much leg. Having King look at my legs made me feel exposed. I hadn’t thought about it when I wore my sundress, but then I hadn’t caught him looking.
Reminding myself that I did not care what King thought of me or my body, I tried to focus on getting dressed quickly. I grabbed my jeans and a long-sleeved blouse. I would have to change later when the day was warmer, or I would sweat in this. But for now, I needed it. Slipping on my shoes, I headed back out to the front porch.
King was waiting on me right where I’d left him. He smiled brightly, then tilted his head toward the truck. “Let’s go eat,” he said before walking that way.
I followed behind as he went to the passenger door and opened it for me. His hand was already held out for me to take, palm up. Even his calluses were attractive. His hands were big, tanned, and used to hard work. Hill’s hands had been smooth and unblemished. He got manicures and pedicures regularly to keep them from looking bad. Yet those soft hands had hurt me painfully so many, many times. How much more damage could hands like King’s do?
When I lifted my eyes to look up at him, he smiled, and there was a kindness there in those turquoise depths that was unmistakable. Could he ever hurt a woman? After being raised by someone like Maeme? She wouldn’t have allowed such behavior. Unlike Hill’s mother, who I’d been told adored him when she had been alive. I’d never met her, but he spoke of her as if she had worshipped him and I should do the same. Maeme loved King, but she did not worship him. There was a difference. I’d witnessed it the little time I had seen them together.
I slipped my hand into his, and he helped me into the truck, making it almost too easy. Once he had my door closed, my gaze followed him. King Salazar was too perfect. There had to be a flaw somewhere. Yet even the way he carried himself, with a confidence I envied, was attractive.
I dropped my eyes to my lap when he opened his door and climbed inside the truck. Letting the scent that I was beginning to associate with King—cedar and cinnamon—appeal to my senses wasn’t helping matters.
I had to stop this…this…whatever it was I found myself doing. King was a man. I didn’t like men. I wanted to stay clear of them. I didn’t trust anyone stronger than me. Perhaps it was just the fact that he’d rescued me in a sense. I was drawn to him because he had led me to my first safe place. I didn’t live in fear here, and it was all because he had given me a ride.
That had to be it. Letting myself dwell on him in any way was pointless—not to mention unhealthy. King was friendly. Nothing more. I didn’t need to develop any fixation where he was concerned. I knew I was damaged, and I’d read about how someone who had been in my position could get confused when faced with kindness.
“What have you been doing out here all day?” he asked me, breaking the silence.
“Reading, cleaning, enjoying the peacefulness.”