Total pages in book: 117
Estimated words: 113142 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 566(@200wpm)___ 453(@250wpm)___ 377(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 113142 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 566(@200wpm)___ 453(@250wpm)___ 377(@300wpm)
She disappeared, and I leaned my head back, closing my eyes. At least that room was decent. I had a large walk-in shower and all new tiling and fixtures. The bathroom and the kitchen had been done after I moved in. The rest of the space had never mattered—at least until this moment.
“Here.”
She held out two pills and a glass of water. I swallowed them, watching her walk to the kitchen, opening the cupboards and the fridge, pulling a few things out.
“Hey, what are you doing?”
“Making sure you have a sandwich for later before I go.”
“You don’t—”
She interrupted me. “I am, so be quiet. Your head is going to be sore the rest of the day. You need to rest, and you’ll want something to eat later.”
I settled my head back on the chair. “You’re really bossy, Ally. Has anyone ever told you that?”
She laughed as she bustled around. “You’re one to talk, mister.”
I listened to the sounds of her moving around. It seemed odd to have another person in my space. I liked my privacy, and with all my traveling, I wasn’t around much to have company.
I was grateful I had been to the store and gotten some groceries in the cupboards. Usually, I just ate a lot of takeout. The sounds coming from my rarely used kitchen made me grin, and I relaxed, letting the pills do their work. I drifted a little, my contentment lingering at the sound of her quiet humming as she puttered.
A touch to my face startled me, and I realized I had dozed off. Ally was sitting on the ottoman, smiling.
“You need to get to bed and rest,” she instructed affectionately. “I left a plate of sandwiches in the refrigerator for later.”
“Thank you.”
She nodded and stood. “You said you wanted a shower. Why don’t you do that before I go home? I’ll wait and make sure you’re okay. I’ll tape some plastic to cover your dressing so it doesn’t get wet.”
I didn’t want her to go. I wanted some more time with her, but she looked weary after her long shift, and I knew she had to leave. I shuffled over to my cupboard, pulling out fresh clothes and disappearing into the bathroom.
I enjoyed the heat of the shower and felt better after having washed off the antiseptic smell. After dressing, I walked into the main room, noticing that my bed was straightened up, the covers pulled back, with the pillows fluffed and welcoming. Ally was waiting, and I was so tired I didn’t argue, slipping between the sheets to my usual spot in the middle of the bed and sighing in relief at the ice pack she wrapped around my aching shoulder.
“You have a few of these,” she observed with a touch of humor, perching on the edge of the mattress.
“I’m getting old. Holding a camera makes my arms ache sometimes.”
“Thirty-three is hardly old.”
I snorted. “Invasion of privacy again? Tsk-tsk. Only fair I get to know how old you are.”
“Twenty-five.”
I knew she was younger, although it was more due to appearance than to actions. Eight years younger than me didn’t seem like such a vast difference.
She ran her fingers through my hair. I had to stifle a groan at the sensation. Like most men, I loved having my hair stroked.
“How’s the head?”
“Okay.” I reached out, touching her hand, wishing I could find an excuse to get her to stay. “How can I thank you?”
“No thanks are needed.”
“Dinner,” I said. “Please have dinner with me.”
She bit her lip, worrying the plump flesh as she hesitated. I knew it was fast, but I wanted to see her again. I had never felt such a strong connection to someone.
“Please, Ally. It would mean a lot to me.” I grimaced as I tried to lift my head.
“Okay. But first, you need to stay still and give yourself a chance to recover. You need to sleep.”
“I need your number,” I mumbled, trying to fight off the drowsiness pressing down on me.
“I’ll leave it,” she promised.
The mattress shifted as I rolled closer to her and wrapped my hand around hers. “Just a few minutes. Stay for a few minutes.”
Something warm, light, and soft touched my head. “I’m right here, Adam.”
With those comforting words, I let the darkness claim me.
CHAPTER
THREE
Consciousness came gradually. I was warm, comfortable, and my pillow smelled good. Better than good. It smelled amazing. Like the scent you get when walking past a garden in full bloom in the summer, a mixture of many soft floral scents blending into one spectacular inhale of fragrance. Clutching it tighter, I breathed in deep again. My pillow was unusually soft as well…and slightly ticklish. With great effort, I opened my eyes, frowning when I saw my pillow was bright coppery red.
Blinking, I realized it wasn’t my pillow I was clutching, but thick, rich, soft hair. Pulling back a little, I was shocked to find Ally lying beside me.