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)
Carefully, I stood and went over to the bed, lying down, taking her with me. She barely moved, instead burrowing closer, the way she had the night before. I drew a blanket around us.
I would just hold her for a while.
CHAPTER
FIVE
When I opened my eyes again, the early morning light was flooding the loft and Ally was gone, her scent still lingering on the pillow. On the counter was a note on pink paper she had left me. It had her number and a brief message.
You snore.
And I love the way you hold me.
Your Ally
My Ally. I liked that.
I stayed busy, and I called her mid-morning. She sounded pleased to hear from me and laughed when I told her we were going shopping.
“Shopping?” she repeated.
“I’ll text you the address. Meet me in an hour.”
“All right,” she agreed.
I grabbed a cab and met her outside the store. She got out of her car. Her hair was pulled into a thick braid, and she was sexy as hell in her leggings and long-sleeved shirt. She’d been on my mind since she’d left earlier. I wanted to push her against the side of her car and fuck her. My cock was in full agreement. Instead, I pressed a long kiss to her full mouth, trailing my tongue along her bottom lip.
“Mmm. Cherry.”
She reached up, wiping my mouth. “It suits you.”
I pulled her in for a hug, needing to feel her close. “You suit me.”
“How’s your head?”
“It feels pretty good. Not dizzy, no headache.” I ran my fingers over the bandage. “It hurts to touch it, though.”
“Stop touching it, then.”
“Ha-ha.”
“Can I look?”
“Sure.”
She was careful as she peeled back the bandage, pursing her lips as she inspected the wound. I felt her featherlight touch, then the bandage being resecured. “It looks good. It’ll hurt for a few days, but it’s healing well.”
“I had a great nurse.”
She smiled, and I took her hand as we walked into the large store.
“What are we doing here?”
“I told you—shopping.”
“Duh.”
“I want some housewares shit. Sheets, towels. I know nothing about it, so I need your help.”
“Any reason for this sudden nesting?” she teased.
I yanked her to my chest. “You.”
“Oh.”
“Maybe I can convince you to spend more time at my place if it’s comfortable.” I snaked my arm around her waist. “More time in my bed. I liked you sleeping beside me.”
“I liked it too.” She touched my cheek. “Maybe I don’t need that. Maybe all I need is for you to be there.”
I groaned and covered her mouth with mine. I stroked her tongue, losing myself in her taste, only breaking away when someone walked beside me, reminding me we weren’t alone. I eased back, dropping another fast kiss to her inviting mouth.
Smirking, I pulled at her braid. “We need to move before I throw you down on one of these displays. I’m pretty sure what I want to do to you on that bed would get us kicked out of the store and most likely arrested.”
“Probably.”
“Stop distracting me. Come and help me pick something out.”
I gaped at what seemed like hundreds of sheet sets—all various sizes, colors, and patterns.
“What do you like?” Ally asked, running her fingers over a sample.
“Plain. No flowery shit or lace.” I shuddered at the thought.
She chuckled. “Okay. White?”
“Whatever color you want. Except girly colors.”
Laughing, she strolled away, looking at the vast selection.
Leaving her to browse, I walked to the end of the aisle and found what I was looking for. I zoned in on one bed. It was a massive frame, leather, tufted and thick. The curved headboard and footboard were joined with padded runners, and it looked like a giant sleigh. It was heavy and masculine. The color shone a deep, dark espresso, and inspecting the piece, I could tell it was well-made—the craftsmanship was amazing. It would look great in the loft. I ran my hand over the rich wood, the surface smooth as satin under my touch. For the first time since moving in, I wanted to add to the place. Make it more comfortable. And the reason for it confounded me.
There was only one reason. My little Nightingale.
The past years had been spent chasing images—moving from one project to another with no contemplation of anything but the next great shot. Now, in just a couple of days, Ally had taken over most of my thoughts. This morning, I had noticed how threadbare and rough my sheets were. I didn’t give much of a shit, but I had a feeling she would. I wanted to spend time with her—as much as she would give me—so it made sense to have her come and choose what she liked. As long as she was there, I was good. It was the first time in my life I wanted to care for someone—to protect them. It was also the first time I wanted someone to care for me in return.