Total pages in book: 22
Estimated words: 20812 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 104(@200wpm)___ 83(@250wpm)___ 69(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 20812 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 104(@200wpm)___ 83(@250wpm)___ 69(@300wpm)
When I’m out, I search the girly drawer and find a hairbrush. I pull it through my hair, wondering about the woman that left her stuff here. I don’t know why it bothers me, but it does. It’s none of my business.
When I’m dried off, I put on the shirt he handed me, and even though it’s clean, it still smells of him. I hate the idea of sitting around without underwear, but there’s no way I am going to put the ones I’ve been wearing back on. I walk out of the bathroom and find Tank sitting in the living room.
He jumps up and reaches for the dirty pile of clothes in my hand.
I try to pull back, but I’m not quick enough. “Uh, I can wash them. My underwear is in there.” I barely resist smacking myself on the head. Why did I say that?
“It’s fine. I’ll just drop them in so you’ll have something clean to wear tomorrow.”
He walks down the hall toward the laundry room, and I curl up in a ball on the couch, pulling his oversized shirt over my legs.
I hear his heavy footsteps coming back down the hall, but I stay in my cocooned position, not even lifting my head.
He stops as soon as he sees me and then walks quietly into the room. “There’s a spare bedroom.”
I feel like I can barely keep my eyes open. “This is fine.”
Tank comes over and squats down next to me. “Ava, you’ll be more comfortable in a bed, honey.”
“I’m fine—" I start, but before I get the words out, Tank is sliding his hands under me and lifting me up.
I put my arms around his neck, and he stares straight ahead. “You’re exhausted and need sleep. No one will bother you here.”
He holds me in his arm, using his raised leg to help support me as he pulls down the bed with his other hand. He lays me down and covers me up, tucking the bed covers around me. I grab on to his hand, wide awake now. “Is there anyone that would be mad about me being here?”
He’s gruff. “It’s no one’s business that you’re here.”
I don’t stop, though. “I mean, your girlfriend, is she going to be okay with it?”
His eyes meet mine, and he shakes his head. “I don’t have a girlfriend.”
I swallow hard. I was thinking that he was off limits. I’m not one that would go after a man that was already involved. Knowing that he’s not taken has a tremble go through my body. “Oh, I just thought with all the stuff in your bathroom...”
I let my voice trail off, and he continues, “Nope, that’s stuff my sister leaves here when she comes. I’ve never had a woman here before.” He tilts his head to the side, looking at me. “Are you warm enough? I can get you some more covers or turn the heat up.”
I release him then and let the newfound news settle over me. “No, I’m warm enough.”
He raises up and starts to leave me, only stopping when he hears me call his name. “Thanks, Tank. Thanks for taking me in. I’ll be out of your hair soon. I just need to rest.” I let my eyes close then, and even though I’m exhausted, I’m pretty sure I already know what’s going to be filling my dreams.
Chapter 5
Tank
What does she mean she’ll be out of my hair?
That’s all I thought about all night. As soon as the words left her mouth, she went to sleep, so I couldn’t ask her.
She didn’t move all night, and when I finally went to my room, I barely slept. I listened to every noise in the house, waiting to hear a creak or something as if she’s going to sneak out in the middle of the night.
I’ve stayed close to the house all day waiting for a sight of her, hoping she doesn’t plan to sneak out.
I finished her clothes, making quick work of folding her panties and bra before stuffing them between her shirt and pants, and then I set them on the dresser in her room while she’s sleeping. I back out of the room and go sit for what seems like hours.
When I hear the creak in the hallway, I sit up taller in my chair and wait for her to come through.
She’s wearing the same pants she had on yesterday, but she’s still wearing my shirt. She’s brushing her hand through her hair, and as soon as she spots me, her face turns a pretty pink.
She looks outside at the setting sun in confusion. “What time is it?”
I smile at her. “It’s eight o’clock.”
She gasps. “At night? I slept all day?”
I nod just as her stomach makes a loud gurgling noise, and it hits me that I haven’t fed her. “When did you eat last?”