Page 86 of Unexpected Heroine

He encircles my wrist and gently tugs my hands away. “Sugar, there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you.”

Bless his heart. Not in the southern way.

“It’d be cowardly of me not to tell her.”

“I doubt Stella will see it that way.”

For an unexpectedly peaceful moment, I get lost in the tranquil sea of his turquoise irises.

Suddenly, those peaceful eyes widen. A metaphorical cartoon light bulb flips on over his head. “I’ve got it. I’ll step into the other room and call her right now. Jonesy texted a few minutes ago, saying he picked her up at the airport. They’re already in the car. I’ll give her a quick download by phone and tell her to save her questions for another day because you’re drained from talking to the cops this morning. I’m sure she’ll understand. How does that sound?”

My shoulders stiffen, and I peek into the living room.

Son of a motherless goat. I’m so dang sick of being scared to be alone. He’s not even trying to leave the house. Just the room. Aside from a few brave moments here and there, the persistent fear is relentless. It’s lingering around longer than the heel of the bread that no one wants to eat, but no one throws away either.

With my pulse racing, I scan the living room. My eyes land on the women’s shelter pamphlets the guys from his work dropped off the other day. I wonder what types of services they offer or how many other girls from the nightmare house are there.

My mind begins to wander.

Har har har. You’re shocked again, aren’t you?

Considering I can’t stomach being in a room by myself, the idea of living at a shelter, even with other women, is unsettling. Yet counseling sounds good.

When I reface Tomer, an idea springs to life. “Do you have any headphones?” I cup my hands and hover them over my ears as if he doesn’t know what headphones are. Stupid, Lettie. “The noise-canceling type, maybe?”

His face perks up. “That’s a great idea.”

Bolting to his feet, he takes one step toward the other room then immediately freezes. Looking back, he holds his hand out for me.

My heart melts into a puddle.

Never once has he made me feel pathetic for shadowing him.

My attention is quickly diverted from heavy thoughts as we dash down the hallway together, heading toward his office. After he finds the headphones, he ensures they’re charged before handing them to me.

I bat my eyes, feeling rather close to swooning for whatever reason.

“Thank you.”

“Manners, Lettie. Those damn manners.”

For the first time since I’ve been home, he looks at me like he used to.

Like he wants me.

When we were in his bedroom earlier, he seemed too worried to let his desire show. And I get it. He was terrified I was going to freak out. I almost did a few times.

But then I would look at him and breathe in his familiar scent, and all that fear would melt away. With those thoughts running through my mind, heat coils low in my belly.

I stopped trying to seduce him into full-on sex after our pillow talk turned heavy. It didn’t feel right anymore.

However, with the way he’s looking at me, I don’t think I’d have to do much begging now.

Sadly, I don’t have time to find out since Stella and someone named Jonesy will be here soon.

With his steady hand gripping mine, he leads me down the hall. On the way past the foyer, I grab the pamphlet off the table by the door. Maybe if I listen to some music and read, I won’t be tempted to listen to his call with my best friend.

After connecting the headphones to my cell’s Bluetooth, I settle onto the couch, tucking my legs under me. “Where will you be?”

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